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Table of contents
Index to consolidated financial statements

Table of Contents

AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 19, 2012

Registration No. 333-             

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



QVC, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  5961
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  23-2414041
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

FOR ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS, SEE
"TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT GUARANTORS" BELOW



1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
(484) 701-1000
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

Lawrence R. Hayes, Esq.
QVC, Inc.
1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
(484) 701-1000
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Agent for Service)



COPIES OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO:
Steven D. Miller, Esq.
Jeffrey R. Kesselman, Esq.
Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
633 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3000
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 297-2900



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.



If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box  o

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) 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

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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

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



If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)   o
Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)   o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

               
 
Title of each class of securities
to be registered

  Amount to be
registered

  Proposed maximum
offering price per
unit(1)

  Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price

  Amount of
registration fee

 

5.125% Senior Notes due 2022

  $500,000,000   100%   $500,000,000   $68,200
 

Guarantees of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022(2)

       

 

(1)   Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)   No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees, and no separate fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.



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 which 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 Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.

   


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Table of additional registrant guarantors

 
Exact name of registrant
as specified in its charter

  State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization

  Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification
code number

  I.R.S.
Employer
Identification

  Address and telephone number
of principal executive office

 

Affiliate Investment, Inc. 

  Delaware     6719     51-0394501   Suite 205A
Second Floor
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Concord Plaza
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-7451

Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc. 

 
Delaware
   
6719
   
52-2009511
 

Suite 205A
Second Floor
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-7451

AMI 2, Inc. 

 
Delaware
   
6799
   
26-4282165
 

Suite 205 B
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-4370

ER Marks, Inc. 

 
Delaware
   
6719
   
52-2009512
 

Suite 205 B
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-4370

QVC International LLC

 
Delaware
   
6719
   
51-0353786
 

1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(484) 701-1000

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. 

 
North Carolina
   
4225
   
52-2217907
 

100 QVC Boulevard
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
(252) 467-6600

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 
Texas
   
7389
   
52-1765495
 

9855 Westover Hills Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78251
(210) 522-4300

 

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not commence the exchange offer or 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 or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 19, 2012

Prospectus


$500,000,000

LOGO

QVC, Inc.

Exchange Offer for
5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022


We are offering to exchange up to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our registered 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022, or the "exchange notes," for any and all of the unregistered 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022, or the "original notes," that we issued in a private offering on July 2, 2012. We refer to the original notes and the exchange notes together in this prospectus as the "notes." We refer to this exchange as the "exchange offer." The exchange notes are substantially identical to the original notes, except the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the "Securities Act," and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related special interest provisions, applicable to the original notes will not apply to the exchange notes. The exchange notes will represent the same debt as the original notes and we will issue the exchange notes under the same indenture used in issuing the original notes. If you fail to tender your original notes, you will continue to hold unregistered notes that you will not be able to transfer freely.

No public market currently exists for the original notes or the exchange notes.

Terms of the exchange offer:

The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                           ], 2012, unless we extend it.

We will exchange all outstanding original notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer for an equal principal amount of exchange notes. All interest due and payable on the original notes will become due on the same terms under the exchange notes.

You may withdraw your tender of original notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we may waive.

The exchange of exchange notes for original notes will not be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but you should see the discussion under the caption "Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences" on page 150 for more information.

See "Risk factors" beginning on page 16 for a discussion of risks you should consider in connection with the exchange offer and an investment in the exchange notes.

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

   

The date of this prospectus is [                                        ], 2012.


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Table of contents

 
  Page

Prospectus summary

  1

Summary historical financial and operating data

  12

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

  15

Risk factors

  16

Use of proceeds

  39

The exchange offer

  40

Capitalization

  52

Business

  53

Management and corporate governance

  63

Executive compensation

  66

Related party transactions

  91

Description of other indebtedness

  92

Description of notes

  96

Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences

  150

Plan of distribution

  156

Legal matters

  158

Experts

  158

Where you can find more information

  158

Index to consolidated financial statements

  F-1

YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ACCOMPANYING THIS PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ANY INFORMATION OR REPRESENT ANYTHING ABOUT US, OUR PARENT, LIBERTY INTERACTIVE CORPORATION, OR THIS PROSPECTUS THAT IS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, ANY SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY US. WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AND CAN PROVIDE NO ASSURANCE AS TO THE ACCURACY OF, ANY OTHER INFORMATION THAT OTHERS MAY GIVE YOU. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER TO EXCHANGE THESE NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH OFFER IS NOT PERMITTED, YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THIS PROSPECTUS. OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITIONS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROSPECTUS MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE THAT DATE.

Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes in exchange for original notes acquired for its own account as a result of market making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. By so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by broker-dealers in connection

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with such resales. We have agreed to make this prospectus available for a period ending on the earlier of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the date on which a broker-dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities. In addition, until [                                        ], 2012 (90 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the exchange notes may be required to deliver a prospectus. See "Plan of Distribution."


Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This prospectus includes statements reflecting assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events that are intended as forward-looking statements. All statements included in this prospectus, other than statements of historical fact or current fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements represent our reasonable judgment on the future based on various factors and using numerous assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "forecast," "plan," "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," or the negative thereof or other words of similar meaning. In particular, these include, but are not limited to, statements of our current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions in domestic and international markets and our future performance and financial results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Among the factors that may cause actual results and experiences to differ from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are the following:

estimates of our revenue growth and the subscriber trends of our distributors;

our ability to comply with the covenants contained in our senior secured credit facility and certain of our hedging obligations, the indenture relating to our 7.125% senior secured notes due 2017 (the "2017 Notes"), the indenture relating to our 7.50% senior secured notes due 2019 (the "2019 Notes") and our 7.375% senior secured notes due 2020 (the "2020 Notes" and, collectively with the 2017 Notes and the 2019 Notes, our "Existing Notes"), and the indenture relating to the notes offered hereby;

developments in, or changes to, the laws, regulations and governmental policies governing our business and products or failure to comply with them;

deterioration of economic conditions;

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our acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances or divestiture plans;

our ability to implement our business plan, including our ability to arrange financing when required and on reasonable terms;

the competitive nature of the industry in which we operate;

customer demands and preferences;

continued access to a stable workforce and favorable labor relations with employees;

our management;

interests of our shareholder;

currency exchange rate fluctuations;

our strategic direction and future operation;

the implementation of our financing strategy and capital expenditure plan;

the declaration or payment of dividends or interest attributable to shareholder's equity;

unfavorable outcomes in legal and regulatory proceedings;

risks related to the notes;

downgrades in our credit ratings;

other factors or trends affecting our financial conditions or results of operations; and

other statements contained in this prospectus regarding matters that are not historical or current facts.

Any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, including those set forth under "Risk factors."

In addition, there may be other factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the results referenced in the forward-looking statements. Many of these factors will be important in determining our actual future results. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Our actual future results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.


Special note regarding non-GAAP financial measures

The body of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S.") is commonly referred to as GAAP. A non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined by the SEC as one that purports to measure historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows but excludes or includes amounts that could not be so adjusted in the most comparable GAAP

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measure. Adjusted OIBDA, as presented in this prospectus, is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP.

We define Adjusted OIBDA as net revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock compensation). Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our business and make decisions about allocating resources among our operating segments. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our business, including our ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between operating segments and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation and amortization and stock compensation that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted OIBDA has several limitations that are discussed in management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (Adjusted OIBDA). See also "Prospectus summary—Summary historical financial and operating data" for a quantitative reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to net income and operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial performance measures. Adjusted OIBDA as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


Industry and market data

Market data and other statistical data regarding us and our subsidiaries, and used throughout this prospectus, are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, as well as management's knowledge of, experience in and estimates about the industry and markets in which we operate. Although we believe the third-party sources to be reliable, we have not independently verified the data obtained from these sources and we cannot assure you of the accuracy or completeness of the data. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding any market, industry or similar data presented herein, such data involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under "Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements" and "Risk factors."


Non-reliance on Liberty Interactive Corporation

We are an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation, which we refer to as "Liberty" in this prospectus. Liberty is a company whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the "Exchange Act," and is therefore required to file periodic and current reports and other materials with the SEC. While such information is available, investors are cautioned that Liberty is not the issuer of the notes and is not otherwise a guarantor or obligor (contingent or otherwise) with respect to the notes, and will not otherwise provide credit support for the notes. Therefore, you are directed to rely solely on this prospectus in making your decision with respect to the exchange offer.

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Prospectus summary

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in the notes. For a more complete understanding of our company and this offering, we encourage you to read this entire document, including "Risk factors," our consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations. Unless otherwise indicated or required by the context, the terms "we," "our," "us," the "Company," and "QVC" refer to QVC, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The terms "domestic" and "U.S." refer to our operations in the United States. The terms "international" and "foreign" refer to our operations outside of the U.S.

Business overview

We believe we are the global leader in television retailing and a leading multimedia retailer, with operations based in the U.S., Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. QVC stands for "Quality, Value and Convenience," which is what we strive to deliver to our customers. We market and sell a wide variety of consumer products primarily through live shopping programs distributed to approximately 210 million worldwide households each day and via our websites, including QVC.com. Our operating strategy is to create a premier multimedia lifestyle brand and shopping destination for our customers and to further penetrate our core customer base to drive revenue and profitability. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, approximately 91% of our domestic net revenue was from repeat and reactivated customers (i.e., customers who made a purchase from us during the prior twelve months and customers who previously made a purchase from us but not during the prior twelve months, respectively). In the same period, we attracted approximately 1.9 million new U.S. customers. Our global e-commerce operation comprised $2.8 billion, or 33%, of our consolidated net revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, on a consolidated basis, we generated $8.3 billion of net revenue, $0.8 billion of net cash provided by operating activities and $1.7 billion of Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in "Special note regarding non-GAAP financial measures"). As of July 4, 2012, we have a 49% interest in a TV shopping joint venture in China, which is accounted for as an equity investment. The joint venture's assets and related operating statistics are not included in our assets and related operating statistics as reported in this prospectus unless otherwise stated.

We market our products in an engaging, entertaining format primarily through live television programs and interactive features on our websites. In the U.S., we distribute our programming live 24 hours per day, 364 days per year and present on average almost 1,000 products every week. Internationally, we distribute live programming 17 to 24 hours per day, depending on the market. We classify our products into four groups: home (including electronics), accessories (including beauty products), apparel and jewelry. It is our product sourcing team's mission to research and locate compelling and differentiated products from manufacturers who have sufficient scale to meet anticipated demand. We offer many QVC-exclusive products, as well as popular brand name and lesser known products available from other retailers. Many of our products are endorsed by celebrities, designers and other well-known personalities who often join our presenters to personally promote their products and provide lead-in publicity on their own television shows. We believe that our ability to demonstrate product features and present

 

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"faces and places" differentiates and defines the QVC shopping experience. We closely monitor customer demand and our product mix to remain well-positioned and relevant in popular and growing retail segments, which we believe is a significant competitive advantage relative to competitors who operate bricks-and-mortar stores.

Since our inception, over 79 million people worldwide have shopped with us, and we have shipped over 1.4 billion packages in the U.S. alone. We operate eight distribution centers and eight call centers worldwide and are able to ship approximately 89% of our orders within 48 hours. In 2011, our work force of more than 17,000 employees handled approximately 174 million customer calls, shipped approximately 164 million units globally to 42 different countries, and served approximately 11.5 million customers. We believe our long-term relationships with most major U.S. television distributors, including cable operators (e.g., Comcast and Time Warner Cable), satellite television providers (e.g., DISH Network and DIRECTV), and telecommunications companies (e.g., Verizon and AT&T), provide us with broad distribution, favorable channel positioning and significant competitive advantages. We believe that our significant market share, brand awareness, outstanding customer service, repeat customer base, international reach and scalable infrastructure distinguish us from our competitors.

Liberty relationship

We are an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty"), which owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) and Liberty Ventures (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB). We are now attributed to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock, which will track the assets and liabilities of Liberty's Interactive Group (the "Interactive Group"). The Interactive Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group. Liberty attributed to its Interactive Group those businesses primarily focused on digital commerce, including the assets and businesses of QVC, Inc., Provide Commerce, Inc., Backcountry.com, Inc., Bodybuilding.com, LLC and Celebrate Interactive Holdings, Inc., an equity interest in HSN, Inc. and approximately $500 million in cash held by Liberty and the Interactive Group subsidiaries. The Liberty Ventures tracking stock tracks all of Liberty's other businesses including its interest in equity method investments of Expedia, Inc., TripAdvisor, Inc., Interval Leisure Group, Inc. and Tree.com, Inc. and available-for-sale securities of Time Warner, Time Warner Cable and AOL, which constitute the Ventures Group (the "Ventures Group"). To fund the cash requirements of the Ventures Group, Liberty attributed $1.35 billion in cash to the Ventures Group which was funded by the Interactive Group. Such attributed cash balance consisted of cash from Liberty's balance sheet and $1.15 billion of dividends paid by us to Liberty through our available cash on hand and $800 million in borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. As of the date of the recapitalization, we had $870 million of total outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility.

Neither Liberty nor any of its other affiliates will be a guarantor of the notes or otherwise provide credit support for the notes.

 

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Corporate information

We are a Delaware corporation with principal executive offices located at 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380. Our main telephone number at that location is (484) 701-1000.

Each of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of QVC listed in the table below is a guarantor of the notes. None of these subsidiaries operate any business outside of the business of QVC.


Table of additional registrant guarantors

 
Exact name of registrant
as specified in its charter

  State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization

  Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification
code number

  I.R.S.
Employer
Identification

  Address and telephone number
of principal executive office

 

Affiliate Investment, Inc. 

  Delaware     6719     51-0394501   Suite 205A
Second Floor
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Concord Plaza
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-7451

Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc. 

 
Delaware
   
6719
   
52-2009511
 

Suite 205A
Second Floor
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-7451

AMI 2, Inc. 

 
Delaware
   
6799
   
26-4282165
 

Suite 205 B
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-4370

ER Marks, Inc. 

 
Delaware
   
6719
   
52-2009512
 

Suite 205 B
Bancroft Building
3411 Silverside Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19810
(302) 478-4370

QVC International LLC

 
Delaware
   
6719
   
51-0353786
 

1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(484) 701-1000

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. 

 
North Carolina
   
4225
   
52-2217907
 

100 QVC Boulevard
Rocky Mount, NC 27801
(252) 467-6600

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 
Texas
   
7389
   
52-1765495
 

9855 Westover Hills Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78251
(210) 522-4300

 

 

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The exchange offer

On July 2, 2012, we completed a private offering of the original notes in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, and Rule 144A and Regulation S thereunder. As part of that offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the original notes, which we refer to as the registration rights agreement, in which we agreed, among other things, to offer to exchange the original notes for the exchange notes. The following is a summary of the principal terms of the exchange offer. A more detailed description is contained in the section of this prospectus entitled "The exchange offer."

Original notes   $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due July 2, 2022, which were issued in a private placement on July 2, 2012.

Exchange notes

 

5.125% Senior Notes due July 2, 2022. The terms of the exchange notes are substantially identical to the terms of the original notes, except that the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related special interest provisions, applicable to the original notes will not apply to the exchange notes.

Exchange offer

 

Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we are offering to exchange up to $500 million principal amount of our exchange notes that have been registered under the Securities Act for an equal principal amount of our original notes.

 

 

The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the original notes, including principal and interest, and will be issued under and be entitled to the benefits of the same indenture that governs the original notes. Holders of the original notes do not have any appraisal or dissenter's rights in connection with the exchange offer. Because the exchange notes will be registered, the exchange notes will not be subject to transfer restrictions and holders of original notes that tender and have their original notes accepted in the exchange offer will no longer have registration rights or the right to receive the related special interest under the circumstances described in the registration rights agreement.

Expiration date

 

The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [             ], 2012, which we refer to as the "Expiration Date," unless we decide to extend it or terminate it early. We do not currently intend to extend the exchange offer. A tender of original notes pursuant to this exchange offer may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date if we receive a valid written withdrawal request before the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

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Conditions to the exchange Offer   The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we may, but are not required to, waive. We will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange notes in exchange for, any original notes, and we may terminate or amend the exchange offer if we determine in our reasonable judgment that the exchange offer would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC. Please see "The exchange offer—Conditions to the exchange offer" for more information regarding the conditions to the exchange offer. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to waive any and all conditions to the exchange offer on or prior to the Expiration Date.

Procedures for tendering original notes

 

To participate in the exchange offer, on or prior to the Expiration Date you must tender your original notes by using the book-entry transfer procedures described in "The exchange offer—Procedures for tendering original notes," including transmission or delivery to the exchange agent of an agent's message or a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, with any required signature guarantee. In order for a book-entry transfer to constitute a valid tender of your original notes in the exchange offer, U.S. Bank National Association, as registrar and exchange agent, must receive a confirmation of book-entry transfer of your original notes into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company prior to the Expiration Date. By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

 

you are acquiring exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

you are not engaged in, and you do not intend to engage in, and you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes;

 

you are transferring good and marketable title to the original notes free and clear of all liens, security interests, encumbrances, or rights or interests of others except your own;

 

if you are a broker-dealer that will receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for original notes that were acquired by you as a result of market-making or other trading activities, that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of your exchange notes; and

 

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you are not our "affiliate" as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. If you are a broker-dealer, you may not participate in the exchange offer as to any original notes you purchased directly from us.


Withdrawal

 

You may withdraw any original notes tendered in the exchange offer by sending the exchange agent notice of withdrawal at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. If we decide for any reason not to accept any original notes tendered for exchange or to withdraw the exchange offer, the original notes will be returned promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. For further information regarding the withdrawal of tendered original notes, please see "The exchange offer—Withdrawal of tenders."

Acceptance of original notes and delivery of exchange notes

 

If you fulfill all conditions required for proper acceptance of the original notes, we will accept any and all original notes that you properly tender in the exchange offer before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. For more information, please read "The exchange offer—Terms of the exchange offer."

United States federal income tax considerations

 

The exchange of exchange notes for original notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see "Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences" for more information regarding the tax consequences to you of the exchange offer.

Use of proceeds

 

The issuance of the exchange notes will not provide us with any new proceeds. We are making this exchange offer solely to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement we entered into with the initial purchasers of the original notes.

Fees and expenses

 

We will pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer.

Exchange agent

 

We have appointed U.S. Bank National Association as our exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should tender your notes, direct questions and requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this prospectus (including the letter of transmittal) to the exchange agent as follows:

 

 

Delivery by Mail:
U.S. Bank National Association
60 Livingston Avenue - EP - MN - WS2N
St. Paul, MN 55107-2292
Attention: Specialized Finance

 

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    Courier or Overnight Delivery:
U.S. Bank National Association
111 Fillmore Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107-1402
Attention: Specialized Finance

 

 

To Confirm by Telephone or for Information:
(651) 466-7150

 

 

Facsimile Transmissions:
(651) 466-7372

 

 

You can find more information regarding the exchange agent elsewhere in this prospectus under the caption "The exchange offer—Exchange agent."

Resales of exchange notes

 

Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC, as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the exchange notes you receive in the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act so long as certain conditions are met. See "The exchange offer—Resale of exchange notes" and "Plan of distribution" for more information regarding resales.

Consequences of not exchanging your original notes

 

If you do not exchange your original notes in this exchange offer, you will continue to hold unregistered original notes and you will no longer be entitled to registration rights and or the special interest provisions related thereto, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the registration rights agreement. See "The exchange offer—Consequences of failure to exchange." In addition, you will not be able to resell, offer to resell or otherwise transfer your original notes unless you do so in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or unless we register the offer and resale of your original notes under the Securities Act. Following the exchange offer, we will be under no obligation to register your original notes, except under the limited circumstances set forth in the registration rights agreement.

 

 

For information regarding the limited circumstances under which we may be required to file a registration statement after this exchange offer and the consequences of not tendering your original notes in this exchange offer, please see "The exchange offer—Consequences of failure to exchange" and "Description of exchange notes."

 

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Additional documentation; further information; assistance   Any questions or requests for assistance or additional documentation regarding the exchange offer may be directed to the exchange agent at the number set forth above. Beneficial owners of original notes should contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance in tendering their original notes in the exchange offer.

 

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Terms of the exchange notes

The terms of the exchange notes and those of the outstanding original notes are substantially identical, except that the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related special interest provisions, applicable to the original notes will not apply to the exchange notes. The exchange notes represent the same debt as the original notes for which they are being exchanged. Both the original notes and the exchange notes are governed by the same indenture.

Issuer   QVC, Inc.

Notes offered

 

$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022.

Maturity dates

 

The notes will mature on July 2, 2022.

Interest

 

Interest on the notes will accrue at a rate per annum equal to 5.125%.

Interest payment dates

 

Interest on the notes will be payable on January 2 and July 2 of each year, beginning on January 2, 2013. Interest will accrue from July 2, 2012.

Guarantees

 

The notes will be guaranteed by each of our material domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, our Existing Notes and certain of our hedging obligations (together, our "existing secured indebtedness").

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have accounted for $1.3 billion, or approximately 34.4%, of our consolidated net revenue and $151 million, or approximately 18.2%, of our Adjusted OIBDA and, at June 30, 2012, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have accounted for $3.0 billion, or approximately 23.1%, of our consolidated assets of $12.9 billion. See "Description of notes—Note guarantees."

Security

 

The notes will be secured on a pari passu basis by the same collateral that secures our existing secured indebtedness and certain future indebtedness, subject as to priority and otherwise to certain exceptions and subject to certain permitted liens. See "Description of notes—Security."

 

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Ranking   So long as the notes are secured only by a lien in all shares of our capital stock, the holders of the notes will have only an unsecured claim against our assets and the assets of the guarantors. Any such unsecured claim will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness and other obligations of us and the guarantors, including trade payables. The notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior obligations and senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated obligations. The guarantees will rank equally in right of payment with the guarantors' existing and future senior obligations and senior in right of payment to their existing and future subordinated obligations. The notes and guarantees will be structurally subordinated to all the liabilities of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes, and effectively subordinated to the claims of lienholders with prior permitted liens to the extent of the value of the applicable collateral. See "Description of notes—Ranking" and "—Security." Although under certain circumstances the notes could benefit from liens on certain additional assets in the future, there can be no assurances that such circumstances will ever arise.

 

 

As of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the use of the proceeds therefrom, (1) we and our guarantor subsidiaries would have had approximately $1,987 million of secured indebtedness under our Existing Notes in addition to the $500 million from these notes, and approximately $3.1 billion in notional amount of hedging obligations secured ratably with our senior secured credit facility, and (2) we and our guarantor subsidiaries would have had an additional $2.0 billion of unused capacity under our senior secured credit facility, all of which would rank equally with and share in the collateral securing the notes. In addition, we and our guarantor subsidiaries would have had approximately $63 million of capital lease obligations that are secured by collateral that does not secure the notes.

 

 

As of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the use of proceeds therefrom, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have had approximately $1.3 billion of obligations (consisting predominantly of trade payables, deferred tax liabilities, certain other liabilities and no indebtedness for borrowed money), all of which would be structurally senior to the notes.

Optional redemption

 

We may redeem all or a part of the notes at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the notes or a "make-whole" amount and, in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date as set forth in "Description of notes—Optional redemption."

 

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Change of control   If we experience specific kinds of changes of control, we will be required to make an offer to purchase the notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the purchase date. See "Description of notes—Change of control."

Certain covenants

 

The indenture governing the notes will restrict our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things:

 

incur additional indebtedness;

 

pay dividends and make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments;

 

create certain liens or use assets as security in other transactions;

 

sell assets;

 

change our line of business;

 

enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

limit the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to us;

 

enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

merge, consolidate, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; and

 

designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.


 

 

These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. See "Description of notes—Certain covenants."

 

 

If the notes are assigned investment grade ratings by both Moody's and S&P and no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, certain covenants will be eliminated. See "Description of notes—Certain covenants—Fall-away event."

Transfer restrictions

 

The exchange notes generally will be freely transferable.

Risk factors

 

See "Risk factors" beginning on page 16 and the other information contained in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider prior to making an investment decision regarding the notes.

 

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Summary historical financial and operating data

The following table sets forth our summary historical financial and operating data at the dates and for the periods indicated. The statement of operations, balance sheet and other financial data in the following summary historical financial data as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The statement of operations and other financial data included in the following selected historical financial data for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and the balance sheet data as of June 30, 2012 have been derived from the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 included in the following summary historical financial data and the statement of operations, balance sheet and other financial data included in the following summary historical financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this prospectus.

You should read the information contained in this table in conjunction with the financial statements, the accompanying notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The results of operations for any partial period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for other periods or for the full fiscal year.

 

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Statement of operations data:

   
 
  Fiscal year ended   Six months ended  
(in millions)
  December 31,
2007

  December 31,
2008

  December 31,
2009

  December 31,
2010

  December 31,
2011

  June 30,
2011

  June 30,
2012

 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Net revenue(1)

  $ 7,397   $ 7,303   $ 7,374   $ 7,813   $ 8,268   $ 3,733   $ 3,906  

Cost of goods sold

    (4,682 )   (4,719 )   (4,755 )   (5,008 )   (5,278 )   (2,363 )   (2,464 )
       

Gross profit

    2,715     2,584     2,619     2,805     2,990     1,370     1,442  
       

Operating expenses:

                                           

Operating

    (690 )   (703 )   (684 )   (715 )   (758 )   (352 )   (351 )

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation

    (395 )   (394 )   (388 )   (435 )   (521 )   (247 )   (276 )

Depreciation

    (112 )   (131 )   (125 )   (128 )   (135 )   (68 )   (64 )

Amortization of intangible assets

    (404 )   (400 )   (403 )   (395 )   (439 )   (197 )   (192 )
       

    (1,601 )   (1,628 )   (1,600 )   (1,673 )   (1,853 )   (864 )   (883 )
       

Operating income

    1,114     956     1,019     1,132     1,137     506     559  
       

Other income (expense):

                                           

Gain (loss) on investments

    12         (6 )   105     (2 )        

(Loss) gain on financial instruments

        (24 )   32     40     50     25     24  

Interest expense

    (227 )   (249 )   (357 )   (415 )   (231 )   (121 )   (112 )

Interest income

    417     376     6     2     2         1  

Foreign currency gain (loss)

    1     (63 )   19     (8 )   (2 )   11     (2 )

Other income (expense)

    9     (2 )   (15 )   (23 )            
       

    212     38     (321 )   (299 )   (183 )   (85 )   (89 )
       

Income before income taxes

    1,326     994     698     833     954     421     470  

Income tax expense

    (508 )   (353 )   (281 )   (282 )   (342 )   (150 )   (174 )
       

Net income

    818     641     417     551     612     271     296  

Less: Net income attributed to the noncontrolling interest

    (28 )   (34 )   (38 )   (47 )   (52 )   (21 )   (29 )
       

Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 790   $ 607   $ 379   $ 504   $ 560   $ 250   $ 267  
   

(1)   Gross merchandise sales plus shipping and handling revenue less a provision for returns. See Note 2(j) to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus for information about the provision for returns.

Other financial data:

   
 
  Fiscal year ended   Six months ended  
(dollars in millions)
  December 31,
2007

  December 31,
2008

  December 31,
2009

  December 31,
2010

  December 31,
2011

  June 30,
2011

  June 30,
2012

 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

U.S. % of net revenue

    70.4%     67.2%     67.6%     67.1%     65.5%     64.9%     64.5%  

International % of net revenue

    29.6%     32.8%     32.4%     32.9%     34.5%     35.1%     35.5%  

E-Commerce % of net revenue(2)

    19.6%     21.9%     25.1%     28.3%     31.3%     30.1%     33.1%  

Gross Margin %(3)

    36.7%     35.4%     35.5%     35.9%     36.2%     36.7%     36.9%  

Adjusted OIBDA(4)

  $ 1,652   $ 1,502   $ 1,565   $ 1,673   $ 1,733   $ 781   $ 828  

Adjusted OIBDA Margin %(4)(5)

    22.3%     20.6%     21.2%     21.4%     21.0%     20.9%     21.2%  

Capital expenditures

  $ 276   $ 144   $ 181   $ 220   $ 259   $ 80   $ 101  
   

(2)   Net revenue generated from our U.S. and international websites and mobile applications divided by consolidated net revenue.

(3)   Gross profit divided by net revenue.

 

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(4)   We define Adjusted OIBDA as net revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock compensation). Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our business and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our business, including our ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking among our businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation and amortization and stock compensation that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted OIBDA has several limitations that are discussed in management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations—adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (Adjusted OIBDA).

(5)   Adjusted OIBDA divided by net revenue.

Reconciliation of net income and operating income to Adjusted OIBDA:

   
 
  Fiscal year ended   Six months ended  
(in millions)
  December 31,
2007

  December 31,
2008

  December 31,
2009

  December 31,
2010

  December 31,
2011

  June 30,
2011

  June 30,
2012

 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Net income

  $ 818   $ 641   $ 417   $ 551   $ 612   $ 271   $ 296  

Gain (loss) on investments

    12         (6 )   105     (2 )        

(Loss) gain on financial instruments

        (24 )   32     40     50     25     24  

Interest expense

    (227 )   (249 )   (357 )   (415 )   (231 )   (121 )   (112 )

Interest income

    417     376     6     2     2         1  

Foreign currency gain (loss)

    1     (63 )   19     (8 )   (2 )   11     (2 )

Other income (expense)

    9     (2 )   (15 )   (23 )            

Income tax expense

    (508 )   (353 )   (281 )   (282 )   (342 )   (150 )   (174 )
       

Operating income

    1,114     956     1,019     1,132     1,137     506     559  

Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets

    (516 )   (531 )   (528 )   (523 )   (574 )   (265 )   (256 )

Stock-based compensation expense

    (22 )   (15 )   (18 )   (18 )   (22 )   (10 )   (13 )
       

Adjusted OIBDA

  $ 1,652   $ 1,502   $ 1,565   $ 1,673   $ 1,733   $ 781   $ 828  
   

Balance sheet data (at end of period):

   
(in millions)
  December 31,
2007

  December 31,
2008

  December 31,
2009

  December 31,
2010

  December 31,
2011

  June 30,
2012

 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
 

Cash and cash equivalents(6)

  $ 515   $ 685   $ 748   $ 621   $ 560   $ 446  

Working capital(7)

  $ 1,625   $ 1,867   $ 1,228   $ 1,209   $ 1,375   $ 1,084  

Total assets

  $ 15,207   $ 14,841   $ 14,852   $ 13,820   $ 13,570   $ 12,943  

Total debt(8)

  $ 4,082   $ 5,285   $ 4,039   $ 2,820   $ 2,490   $ 2,352  

Total equity

  $ 7,543   $ 6,183   $ 7,228   $ 7,654   $ 8,019   $ 7,808  
   

(6)   Excludes restricted cash.

(7)   Total current assets less total current liabilities.

(8)   Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations, plus current portion of debt and capital lease obligations.

 

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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

The following table presents our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented.

   
 
  Fiscal year ended   Six months ended  
(in millions)
  December 31,
2007

  December 31,
2008

  December 31,
2009

  December 31,
2010

  December 31,
2011

  June 30,
2011

  June 30,
2012

 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
  (unaudited)
  (unaudited)
 

Fixed charges:

                                           

Interest expense(1)

    237     249     360     420     233     123     113  

Estimate of interest within rental expense

    5     6     5     6     6     3     5  
       

Total fixed charges

    242     255     365     426     239     126     118  
       

Earnings:

                                           

Income before income taxes

    1,326     994     698     833     954     421     470  

Add amortization of capitalized interest

            3     1     2     1     1  
       

Subtotal

    1,326     994     701     834     956     422     471  

Fixed charges per above

    242     255     365     426     239     126     118  

Less interest capitalized during the period

    (11 )   (1 )   (3 )   (5 )   (2 )   (2 )   (1 )
       

Total earnings

    1,557     1,248     1,063     1,255     1,193     546     588  
       

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    6.4     4.9     2.9     2.9     5.0     4.3     5.0  
   

(1)   Includes the sum of the following: (a) interest expensed and capitalized and (b) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.

 

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Risk factors

An investment in the notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as the other information included in this prospectus, before deciding to participate in the exchange offer. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our Company. In the event any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. The value of the notes could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment in the notes. The risks described below are those that we currently believe may materially affect us. For purposes of this section, the phrase "material adverse effect" is meant to refer to a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and/or the value of the notes.

This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described below and elsewhere in this prospectus. See "Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements."

Risks related to our business

Continuing weak economic conditions may reduce consumer demand for our products and services.

The current economic downturn in the United States and in other regions of the world in which our subsidiaries and affiliates operate could adversely affect demand for our products and services. A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from discretionary spending by individuals, which typically falls during times of economic instability. A reduction in discretionary spending could adversely affect revenue. Accordingly, our ability to increase or maintain revenue and earnings could be adversely affected to the extent that relevant economic environments remain weak or decline further. We currently are unable to predict the extent of any of these potential adverse effects.

The retail business environment is subject to intense competition, and we may not be able to effectively compete for customers.

We operate in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive retail business environment. Although we are the nation's largest television shopping retailer, we have numerous and varied competitors at the national and local levels, ranging from large department stores to specialty shops, electronic retailers, direct marketing retailers, wholesale clubs, discount retailers, other television shopping retailers such as HSN and ShopNBC in the United States, HSE 24 in Germany, Shop Channel in Japan and Ideal World in the United Kingdom, infomercial retailers, internet retailers, and mail-order and catalog companies. Many of our current and potential competitors have greater resources, longer histories, more customers and greater brand recognition than we do. They may secure better terms from vendors, adopt more aggressive pricing, offer free or subsidized shipping and devote more resources to technology, fulfillment and marketing. Other companies also may enter into business combinations or alliances that strengthen their competitive positions.

We also compete for access to customers and audience share with other providers of televised, on-line and hard copy entertainment and content. We face similar competition in our

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international markets. Our inability to compete effectively with regard to the assortment, price, shipping terms and quality of the merchandise we offer for sale or to keep pace with competitors in our marketing, service, location, reputation, credit availability and technologies, could have a material adverse effect.

Our net revenue and operating results depend on our ability to predict or respond to consumer preferences.

Our net revenue and operating results depend in part on our ability to predict or respond to changes in consumer preferences and fashion trends in a timely manner. We develop new retail concepts and continuously adjust our product mix in an effort to satisfy customer demands. Consumer preferences may be affected by many factors outside of our control, including responses of competitors and general economic conditions. Any sustained failure by us to identify and respond to emerging trends in lifestyle and consumer preferences could have a material adverse effect.

Our long-term success depends in large part on our continued ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers. We may not be able to do that in a cost-effective manner.

In an effort to attract and retain customers, we engage in various merchandising and marketing initiatives, which involve the expenditure of money and resources, particularly in the case of the production and distribution of our television programming and, to a lesser but increasing extent, online advertising. We have spent, and expect to continue to spend, increasing amounts of money on, and devote greater resources to, certain of these initiatives, particularly in our continuing efforts to increasingly engage customers through online channels and to personalizing our customers' shopping experience. These initiatives, however, may not resonate with existing customers or consumers generally or may not be cost-effective. In addition, costs associated with the production and distribution of our television programming and costs associated with online marketing, including search engine marketing (primarily the purchase of relevant keywords) have increased and are likely to continue to increase in the foreseeable future and, if significant, could have a material adverse effect to the extent that they do not result in corresponding increases in net revenue.

We depend on the television distributors that carry our programming, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain and renew our affiliation agreements on favorable terms or at all.

We currently distribute our programming through affiliation agreements with many television providers, including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, DIRECTV and DISH Network in the U.S., JCN, Jupiter Telecommunications, Ltd., Sky Perfect and World Hi-Vision Channel, Inc. in Japan, SES ASTRA, British Telecommunications and Kabel Deutschland in Germany, British Sky Broadcasting, Virgin Media and Freesat in the United Kingdom and Telecom Italia Media Broadcasting S.r.l. in Italy. Our affiliation agreements with distributors are scheduled to expire between 2012 and 2019.

As part of normal course renewal discussions, occasionally we have disagreements with our distributors over the terms of our carriage, such as channel placement or other contract terms. If not resolved through business negotiation, such disagreements could result in litigation or termination of an existing agreement. Termination of an existing agreement resulting in the loss of distribution of our programming to a material portion of our television households may adversely affect our growth, net revenue and earnings.

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The renewal negotiation process for affiliation agreements is typically lengthy. In some cases, renewals are not agreed upon prior to the expiration of a given agreement while the programming continues to be carried by the relevant distributor without an effective agreement in place. We do not have distribution agreements with some of the cable operators that carry our programming. In total, we are currently providing programming without affiliation agreements to distributors representing 7% of our U.S. distribution, and short-term, rolling 90 day letters of extension, to distributors who represent approximately 35% of our U.S. distribution. Some of our international programming may continue to be carried by distributors after the expiration dates on our affiliation agreements with them have passed.

We may be unable to obtain renewals with our current distributors on acceptable terms, if at all. We may also be unable to successfully negotiate affiliation agreements with new or existing distributors to carry our programming. Although we consider our current levels of distribution without written agreement to be ordinary course, the failure to successfully renew or negotiate new affiliation agreements covering a material portion of television households could result in a discontinuation of carriage that may adversely affect our viewership, growth, net revenue and earnings.

The failure to maintain suitable placement for our programming could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain television viewers and could result in a decrease in revenue.

We are dependent upon the continued ability of our programming to compete for viewers. Effectively competing for television viewers is dependent, in substantial part, on our ability to negotiate and maintain placement of our programming at a favorable channel position, such as in a basic tier or within a general entertainment or general broadcasting tier. The advent of digital compression technologies and the adoption of digital cable have resulted in increased channel capacity, which together with other changing laws, rules and regulations regarding cable television ownership, impacts our ability to negotiate and maintain suitable channel placement with our distributors. Increased channel capacity could adversely affect the ability to attract television viewers to our programming to the extent it results in:

a less favorable channel position for our programming, such as placement adjacent to programming that does not complement our programming, a position next to our televised home shopping competitors or isolation in a "shopping" tier;

more competitors entering the marketplace; or

more programming options being available to the viewing public in the form of new television networks and time-shifted viewing (e.g., personal video recorders, video-on-demand, interactive television and streaming video over broadband internet connections).

In addition, if our programming is carried exclusively by a distributor on a digital programming tier, we may experience a reduction in revenue to the extent that the digital programming tier has less television viewer penetration than the basic or expanded basic programming tier. We may experience a further reduction in revenue due to increased television viewing audience fragmentation to the extent that not all television sets within a digital cable home are equipped to receive television programming in a digital format. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and adapt to technological changes and to offer elements

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of our programming via new technologies in a cost-effective manner that meet customer demands and evolving industry standards.

Any continued or permanent inability to transmit our programming via satellite would result in lost revenue and could result in lost customers.

Our success is dependent upon our continued ability to transmit our programming to television providers from our satellite uplink facilities, which transmissions are subject to the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") compliance in the U.S. and foreign regulatory requirements in our international operations. In most cases, we have entered into long-term satellite transponder leases to provide for continued carriage of our programming on replacement transponders and/or replacement satellites, as applicable, in the event of a failure of either the transponders and/or satellites currently carrying our programming. Although we believe we take reasonable and customary measures to ensure continued satellite transmission capability, termination or interruption of satellite transmissions may occur.

System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in these systems and infrastructures may adversely affect our ability to transmit our television programs, operate websites, process and fulfill transactions, respond to customer inquiries and generally maintain cost-efficient operations.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to maintain the integrity of our transmissions, systems and infrastructures, including the transmission of our television programs, as well as our websites, information and related systems, call centers and fulfillment facilities. We may experience occasional system interruptions that make some or all transmissions, systems or data unavailable or prevent us from transmitting our signal or efficiently providing services or fulfilling orders. We are in the process of implementing new technology systems, such as the mobile applications, and upgrading others, such as our warehouse management systems. Our failure to properly implement these new systems or delays in implementing these new systems could impair our ability to provide services, fulfill orders and/or process transactions. We also rely on affiliate and third-party computer systems, broadband, transmission and other communications systems and service providers in connection with the transmission of our signal, as well as to facilitate, process and fulfill transactions. Any interruptions, outages or delays in our signal transmissions, systems and infrastructures, our business, our affiliates and/or third parties, or deterioration in the performance of these transmissions, systems and infrastructures, could impair our ability to provide services, fulfill orders and/or process transactions. Fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God and similar events or disruptions may damage or interrupt television transmissions, computer, broadband or other communications systems and infrastructures at any time. Any of these events could cause transmission or system interruption, delays and loss of critical data, and could prevent us from providing services, fulfilling orders and/or processing transactions. While we have backup systems for certain aspects of our operations, these systems are not fully redundant and disaster recovery planning is not sufficient for all possible risks. In addition, we may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for losses from a major interruption.

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We may be subject to claims for representations made in connection with the sale and promotion of merchandise or for harm experienced by customers who purchase merchandise from us.

The manner in which we sell and promote merchandise and related claims and representations made in connection with these efforts is regulated by federal, state and local law, as well as the laws of the foreign countries in which we operate. We may be exposed to potential liability from claims by purchasers or from regulators and law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, claims for personal injury, wrongful death and damage to personal property relating to merchandise sold and misrepresentation of merchandise features and benefits. In certain instances, we have the right to seek indemnification for related liabilities from our vendors and may require such vendors to carry minimum levels of product liability and errors and omissions insurance. These vendors, however, may be unable to satisfy indemnification claims, obtain suitable coverage or maintain this coverage on acceptable terms, or insurance may provide inadequate coverage or be unavailable with respect to a particular claim. See "Business—Government regulation" for further discussion of regulations to which we are subject.

In 2000, we became subject to a consent decree issued by the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") barring us from making certain deceptive claims for specified weight-loss products and dietary supplements. We also became subject to an expanded consent decree issued by the FTC which terminates on the later of March 4, 2029, or 20 years from the most recent date that the U.S. or the FTC files a complaint in federal court alleging any violation thereunder. Pursuant to this expanded consent decree, we are prohibited from making certain claims about specified weight-loss, dietary supplement and anti-cellulite products unless we have competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate such claims. Violation of this consent decree may result in the imposition of significant civil penalties for non-compliance and related redress to consumers and/or the issuance of an injunction enjoining us from engaging in prohibited activities.

Failure to comply with existing laws, rules and regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licenses and rights, could subject us to additional liabilities.

We market and provide a broad range of merchandise through television shopping programs and our websites. As a result, we are subject to a wide variety of statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in various jurisdictions, including foreign jurisdictions, which are subject to change at any time, including laws regarding consumer protection, privacy, the regulation of retailers generally, the license requirements for television retailers in foreign jurisdictions, the importation, sale and promotion of merchandise and the operation of retail stores and warehouse facilities, as well as laws and regulations applicable to the internet and businesses engaged in online commerce, such as those regulating the sending of unsolicited, commercial electronic mail. Our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in a revocation of required licenses, fines and/or proceedings against us by governmental agencies and/or consumers, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, unfavorable changes in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us could decrease demand for merchandise offered by us, increase costs and/or subject us to additional liabilities. Finally, certain of these regulations impact the marketing efforts of our brands and business.

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The processing, storage, use and disclosure of personal data could give rise to liabilities as a result of governmental regulation, conflicting legal requirements or differing views of personal privacy rights.

In the processing of consumer transactions, our business receives, transmits and stores a large volume of personally identifiable information and other user data. The sharing, use, disclosure and protection of this information are governed by the privacy and data security policies maintained by us. Moreover, there are federal, state and international laws regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of personally identifiable information and user data. Specifically, personally identifiable information is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions around the world, the intent of which is to protect the privacy of personal information that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the governing jurisdiction. Our failure, and/or the failure by the various third party vendors and service providers with which we do business, to comply with applicable privacy policies or federal, state or similar international laws and regulations or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release of personally identifiable information or other user data could damage our reputation and the reputation of our third party vendors and service providers, discourage potential users from trying our products and services and/or result in fines and/or proceedings by governmental agencies and/or consumers, any one or all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to online security risks, including security breaches and identity theft.

To succeed, we must be able to provide for secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Any penetration of network security or other misappropriation or misuse of personal consumer information could cause interruptions in the operations of our business and subject us to increased costs, litigation and other liabilities. Security breaches could also significantly damage our reputation with consumers and third parties with whom we do business. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against and remedy any potential or existing security breaches and their consequences. We also face risks associated with security breaches affecting third parties with which we are affiliated or otherwise conduct business online.

We may fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.

We regard our intellectual property rights, including service marks, trademarks and domain names, copyrights (including our programming and our websites), trade secrets and similar intellectual property, as critical to our success. Our business also relies heavily upon software codes, informational databases and other components that make up their products and services.

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of the trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights of third parties. In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights, particularly our proprietary brands, in a meaningful manner or third party challenges to related contractual rights could result in

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erosion of brand names and limit our ability to control marketing on or through the internet using our various domain names or otherwise, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have operations outside of the U.S. that are subject to numerous operational and financial risks.

We have operations in countries other than the U.S. and we are subject to the following risks inherent in international operations:

fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

longer payment cycles for sales in foreign countries that may increase the uncertainty associated with recoverable accounts;

recessionary conditions and economic instability affecting overseas markets;

our ability to repatriate funds held by our foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. at favorable tax rates;

export and import restrictions, tariffs and other trade barriers;

increases in taxes and governmental royalties and fees;

changes in foreign and domestic laws, regulations and policies that govern operations of foreign-based companies;

changes to general consumer protection laws and regulations;

difficulties in staffing and managing international operations; and

political unrest that may result in disruptions of services that are critical to our international businesses.

Moreover, in many foreign countries, particularly in certain developing economies, it is not uncommon to engage in business practices that are prohibited by regulations applicable to us, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar laws. Although we have undertaken compliance efforts with respect to these laws, our employees, contractors and agents, as well as those companies to which we outsource certain of our business operations, may take actions in violation of our policies and procedures. Any such violation, even if prohibited by our policies and procedures or the law, could have a material adverse effect. Any failure by us to effectively manage the challenges associated with the international operation of our business could have a material adverse effect.

We rely on independent shipping companies to deliver the products we sell.

We rely on third party carriers to deliver merchandise from vendors and manufacturers to us and to ship merchandise to our customers. As a result, we are subject to carrier disruptions and delays due to factors that are beyond our control, including employee strikes, inclement weather and regulation and enforcement actions by customs agencies. Any failure to deliver products to our customers in a timely and accurate manner may damage our reputation and brand and could cause us to lose customers. Enforcement actions by customs agencies can also cause the costs of imported goods to increase, negatively affecting our profits.

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We are also impacted by increases in shipping rates charged by third party carriers, which over the past few years have increased significantly in comparison to historical levels. We currently expect that shipping and postal rates will continue to increase. In the case of deliveries to customers, in each market where we operate, we have negotiated agreements with one or more independent, third party shipping companies, which in certain circumstances provide for favorable shipping rates. If any of these relationships were to terminate or if a shipping company was unable to fulfill its obligations under its contract for any reason, we would have to work with other shipping companies to deliver merchandise to customers, which would most likely be at less favorable rates. Other potential adverse consequences of changing carriers include:

reduced visibility of order status and package tracking;

delays in order processing and product delivery; and

reduced shipment quality, which may result in damaged products and customer dissatisfaction.

Any increase in shipping rates and related fuel and other surcharges passed on to us by our current carriers or any other shipping company would adversely impact profits, given that we may not be able to pass these increased costs directly to customers or offset them by increasing prices without a detrimental effect on customer demand.

We depend on relationships with vendors, manufacturers and other third parties, and any adverse changes in these relationships could result in a failure to meet customer expectations which could result in lost revenue.

We purchase merchandise from a wide variety of third party vendors, manufacturers and other sources pursuant to short- and long-term contracts and purchase orders. Our ability to identify and establish relationships with these parties, as well as to access quality merchandise in a timely and efficient manner on acceptable terms and cost, can be challenging. In particular, we purchase a significant amount of merchandise from vendors and manufacturers abroad, and cannot predict whether the costs for goods sourced in these markets will remain stable. We depend on the ability of vendors and manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad to produce and deliver goods that meet applicable quality standards, which is impacted by a number of factors, some of which are not within the control of these parties, such as political or financial instability, trade restrictions, tariffs, currency exchange rates and transport capacity and costs, among others.

Our failure to identify new vendors and manufacturers, maintain relationships with a significant number of existing vendors and manufacturers and/or access quality merchandise in a timely and efficient manner could cause us to miss customer delivery dates or delay scheduled promotions, which would result in the failure to meet customer expectations and could cause customers to cancel orders or cause us to be unable to source merchandise in sufficient quantities, which could result in lost revenue.

The seasonality of our business places increased strain on our operations.

Our net revenue in recent years indicates that our business is seasonal due to a higher volume of sales in the fourth calendar quarter related to year-end holiday shopping. In recent years, we have earned on average between 22% and 23% of our global revenue in each of the first

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three quarters of the year and 32% of our global revenue in the fourth quarter of the year. If our vendors are not able to provide popular products in sufficient amounts such that we fail to meet customer demand, it could significantly affect our revenue and our future growth. If too many customers access our websites within a short period of time due to increased holiday demand, we may experience system interruptions that make our websites unavailable or prevent us from efficiently fulfilling orders, which may reduce the volume of goods we sell and the attractiveness of our products and services. In addition, we may be unable to adequately staff our fulfillment and customer service centers during these peak periods and delivery and other third party shipping (or carrier) companies may be unable to meet the seasonal demand.

To the extent we pay for holiday merchandise in advance of the holidays (i.e., in August through November of each year), our available cash may decrease, resulting in less liquidity. We have limited availability under our revolving credit facility and may not be able to access financing to the extent our cash balance is impaired. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the notes.

Failure to effectively manage our Easy-Pay and revolving credit card programs could result in less income.

We offer Easy-Pay (known as Q Pay in Germany and the United Kingdom), a payment plan that when offered by QVC, allows customers to pay for certain merchandise in two or more monthly payments. We cannot predict whether customers will pay all of their Easy-Pay installments.

In addition, we have an agreement with GE Capital Retail Bank (formerly GE Money Bank) pursuant to which GE Capital Retail Bank provides revolving credit directly to our customers for the sole purpose of purchasing merchandise from us with a QVC branded credit card ("Q Card"). We receive a portion of the net economics of the credit card program according to percentages that vary with the performance of the portfolio. We cannot predict the extent to which customers will use the Q Card, nor the extent that they will make payments on their outstanding balances.

Our success depends in large part on our ability to recruit and retain key employees capable of executing our unique business model.

We have a business model that requires us to recruit and retain key employees, including management, with the skills necessary for a unique business that demands knowledge of the general retail industry, television production, direct to consumer marketing and fulfillment and the internet. We cannot assure you that if we experience turnover of our key employees we will be able to recruit and retain acceptable replacements because the market for such employees is very competitive and limited.

Risks relating to our organizational structure

We have not voluntarily implemented various corporate governance measures, in the absence of which noteholders may have more limited protections against interested transactions, conflicts of interest and similar matters.

Federal legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, encourages the adoption of various corporate governance measures designed to promote the integrity of corporate management and the securities markets. Some of these measures have been adopted in

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response to legal requirements. Others have been adopted by companies in response to the requirements of national securities exchanges on which their securities are listed. Among the corporate governance measures that are required under the rules of national securities exchanges are those that address board of directors' independence and audit committee oversight.

As a "close corporation" under Delaware law, our shareholder, rather than a board of directors, manages our business. Our shareholder is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty, meaning that we do not have any independent governing body. In addition, we have not adopted corporate governance measures such as the implementation of an audit committee or other independent governing body. It is possible that if we were to appoint a board of directors and include one or more independent directors and adopt some or all of these corporate governance measures, noteholders would benefit from somewhat greater assurances that internal corporate decisions were being made by disinterested directors and that policies had been implemented to define responsible conduct. However, because our shareholder is responsible for managing our business, subject to the limitations in the indenture for the notes and our other debt documents as described below under "Description of other indebtedness," our shareholder has the ability to make decisions regarding transactions with related parties and corporate actions that could involve conflicts of interest. Prospective investors should bear in mind our current lack of independent directors and corporate governance measures in formulating their investment decisions.

The interests of our shareholder may not coincide with yours and our shareholder may make decisions with which you may disagree.

Our shareholder is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty. As a "close corporation" under Delaware law, our shareholder, rather than a board of directors, manages our business. As a result, Liberty controls all aspects of our management, including the approval of significant corporate transactions such as a change of control. The interests of Liberty may not coincide with our interests or the interests of noteholders. Accordingly, Liberty could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements of which noteholders might not approve or make decisions with which noteholders may disagree. For example, Liberty's dependence on our cash flow for servicing Liberty's debt and for other purposes, including payments of dividends on Liberty's capital stock, stock repurchases or to fund acquisitions or other operational requirements of Liberty and its subsidiaries is likely to result in our payment of large dividends to Liberty when permitted by law, the terms of our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the notes and our Existing Notes, which may deplete our retained earnings or require us to borrow under our senior secured credit facility, increasing our leverage and decreasing our liquidity. We have made significant distributions to Liberty in the past. On August 9, 2012 we made a significant distribution to Liberty by incurring additional indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility to fund certain attributed cash balances in connection with the recapitalization of Liberty's common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive and Liberty Ventures. See "Use of proceeds" and "Related party transactions."

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Risks relating to the exchange offer

If you do not properly tender your original notes, you will continue to hold unregistered notes and your ability to transfer those original notes may be adversely affected.

If you do not exchange your original notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer of your original notes described in the prospectus distributed in connection with the private placement of the original notes. In general, you may only offer or sell the original notes if they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or if they are offered and sold under an exemption from those requirements. We do not plan to register the offer and resale of the original notes under the Securities Act, unless required to do so under the limited circumstances set forth in the registration rights agreement. A sale of the original notes pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities law may require the delivery of an opinion of counsel to us and the registrar or co-registrar for the original notes. In addition, the issuance of the exchange notes may adversely affect the liquidity of the trading market for untendered, or tendered but unaccepted, original notes. For further information regarding the consequences of not tendering your original notes in the exchange offer, see "The exchange offer—Consequences of failure to exchange."

We will only issue exchange notes in exchange for original notes that you timely and properly tender into the exchange offer. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of your original notes and other required documents to the exchange agent and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your original notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent are required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of original notes. We may waive any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of original notes, but we are not required to do so and may not do so. We are not offering guaranteed delivery procedures in connection with the exchange offer. See "The exchange offer—Procedures for tendering original notes."

Some holders who exchange their original notes may be deemed to be underwriters and hence subject to subsequent transfer restrictions.

If you exchange your original notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the exchange notes, you may be deemed to have received restricted securities and, if so, will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction involving the exchange notes. See "The exchange offer—Resale of exchange notes" and "Plan of distribution."

Risks relating to the notes

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could adversely affect our financial position and your investment in the notes, and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the use of the proceeds therefrom, we would have had total debt of approximately $2.55 billion, consisting of $500 million of notes offered hereby, $1,987 million under our Existing Notes and $63 million of capital lease obligations. We would have also had

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an additional $2.0 billion available for borrowing under our senior secured credit facility as of that date. We may incur significant additional indebtedness in the future.

Our level of indebtedness could limit our flexibility in responding to current market conditions, adversely affect our financial position, prevent us from meeting our obligations under our debt instruments, including the notes, or otherwise restrict our business activities.

The existence of and limitations on the availability of our debt could have important consequences. The existence of debt could, among other things:

require a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness;

limit our ability to use cash flow or obtain additional financing for future working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes, which reduces the funds available to us for operations and any future business opportunities;

increase our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions; or

expose us to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under our credit facility, are at variable interest rates.

Limitations imposed as a part of the debt, such as the availability of credit and the existence of restrictive covenants may, among other things:

make it difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including making scheduled principal and interest payments on the notes and our other indebtedness;

restrict us from making strategic acquisitions or cause us to make non-strategic divestitures;

limit our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general business purposes on satisfactory terms or at all;

limit our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business and industry;

place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our less leveraged competitors; and

limit our ability to respond to business opportunities.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our debt obligations, including our obligations under the notes.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness, including the notes, will depend on our financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including our senior secured credit facility, our Existing Notes and the notes.

We may need to refinance certain existing indebtedness prior to the maturity of the notes.

Our senior secured credit facility will mature on September 2, 2015. See "Description of other indebtedness—Senior secured credit facility." Our Existing Notes mature on April 15, 2017, October 1, 2019 and October 15, 2020, which dates are earlier than the maturity of the notes offered hereby. See "Description of other indebtedness." Although we expect to refinance or

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otherwise repay this indebtedness, we may not be able to refinance this indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. The financial terms or covenants of any new credit facility, notes or other indebtedness may not be as favorable as those under our senior secured credit facility and our Existing Notes. Our ability to complete a refinancing of our senior secured credit facility and our Existing Notes prior to their respective maturities will depend on our financial and operating performance, as well as a number of conditions beyond our control. For example, if disruptions in the financial markets were to exist at the time that we intended to refinance this indebtedness, we might be restricted in our ability to access the financial markets. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness, our alternatives would consist of negotiating an extension of the maturities of our senior secured credit facility and our Existing Notes with the lenders and seeking or raising new equity capital. If we were unsuccessful, the lenders under our senior secured credit facility and the holders of our Existing Notes could demand repayment of the indebtedness owed to them on the relevant maturity date. As a result, our ability to pay the principal of and interest on the notes would be adversely affected.

Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may still incur substantially more indebtedness. This could exacerbate the risks associated with our existing indebtedness.

We and our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Our senior secured credit facility and the terms of the indentures for the notes and our Existing Notes will limit, but not prohibit, us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness. Also, our subsidiaries could incur additional indebtedness that is structurally senior to the notes or we and our subsidiaries could incur indebtedness secured by a lien on assets that do not constitute collateral and the holders of such indebtedness will have the right to be paid first from the proceeds of such assets. If we incur any additional indebtedness that ranks equally with the notes and the guarantees, the holders of that indebtedness will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes and the guarantees in any proceeds distributed in connection with our insolvency, liquidation, reorganization or dissolution. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to the noteholders. In addition, noteholder rights to the collateral would be diluted by any increase in the indebtedness secured by this collateral. If new indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.

The notes constitute obligations of us and our material domestic subsidiaries and will not be obligations of Liberty, its other affiliates or of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, the notes will be structurally subordinated in right of payment to all obligations of any of our current and future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. If the guarantees are deemed unenforceable, the remaining assets of such guarantors may not be sufficient to make any payments on the notes.

The notes will be guaranteed by each of our material domestic subsidiaries but will not receive a guarantee or other credit support from Liberty or any of its other affiliates.

In addition, the notes will not be guaranteed by certain immaterial domestic subsidiaries or by any of our foreign subsidiaries. The notes and guarantees will therefore be structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities of our current and future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have accounted for $1.3 billion, or approximately 34.4%, of our consolidated net revenue and $151 million, or approximately 18.2%, of our Adjusted OIBDA and, at June 30,

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2012, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have accounted for $3.0 billion, or approximately 23.1%, of our consolidated assets of $12.9 billion. See "Description of notes—Note Guarantees" and "—Ranking."

As of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the use of the proceeds therefrom, our non-guarantor subsidiaries would have had approximately $1.3 billion of obligations (consisting predominantly of trade payables, deferred tax liabilities, certain other liabilities and no indebtedness for borrowed money), all of which would be structurally senior to the notes.

Although the guarantees provide the holders of the notes with a direct claim as a creditor against the assets of the subsidiary guarantors, the guarantees may not be enforceable as described in more detail below. If the guarantees by the subsidiary guarantors are not enforceable, the notes would be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of the subsidiary guarantors, including trade payables. As a result of being effectively subordinated to the liabilities of a subsidiary, if there was a dissolution, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of such subsidiary, the holders of the notes would not receive any amounts with respect to the notes until after the payment in full of the claims of creditors of such subsidiary.

Our ability to meet our obligations under our debt, in part, depends on the earnings and cash flows of our subsidiaries and the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or advance or repay funds to us.

We conduct a significant portion of our business operations through our subsidiaries. In servicing payments to be made on the notes, we will rely, in part, on cash flows from these subsidiaries, mainly dividend payments and other distributions. The ability of these subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us will be affected by, among other factors, the performance of these subsidiaries, the obligations of these entities to their creditors, requirements of corporate and other law, and restrictions contained in agreements entered into by or relating to these entities. In addition, our foreign subsidiaries may be subject to currency controls, repatriation restrictions, withholding obligations on payments to us and other limits.

Covenants in our debt agreements will restrict our business in many ways.

Our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the notes and our Existing Notes contain various covenants that limit our ability and/or our restricted subsidiaries' ability to, among other things:

incur or assume liens or additional debt or provide guarantees in respect of obligations of other persons;

pay dividends or make distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock;

prepay, redeem or repurchase debt;

make loans, investments and capital expenditures;

enter into agreements that restrict distributions from our subsidiaries;

sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries;

enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

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enter into certain transactions with affiliates;

consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person; and

designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications as described under "Description of notes." In addition, our senior secured credit facility contains restrictive covenants and requires us to maintain a specified leverage ratio. Our ability to meet this leverage ratio can be affected by events beyond our control, and we may be unable to meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our senior secured credit facility, which in turn could result in a default under the indentures governing the notes and our Existing Notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our senior secured credit facility, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facility to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. Our senior secured credit facility, our Existing Notes, certain hedging obligations and certain future indebtedness will be secured by a first priority perfected lien in all shares of our capital stock. If the lenders and counterparties under our senior secured credit facility, our Existing Notes, certain hedging obligations and certain future indebtedness accelerate the repayment of obligations, we may not have sufficient assets to repay such obligations, including the notes. See "Description of other indebtedness." Our borrowings under our senior secured credit facility are, and are expected to continue to be, at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness will also increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same, and our net income would decrease.

Many of the covenants in the indenture will cease to apply if such notes are rated investment grade by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's.

Many of the covenants in the indenture governing the notes will no longer apply to the notes if such notes are rated investment grade by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's at a time that no default has occurred and is continuing. These covenants will restrict, among other things, our ability to pay distributions, incur debt and to enter into certain other transactions. Termination of these covenants would allow us to engage in certain transactions that are not permitted while these covenants are in force. There can be no assurance that the notes will be rated investment grade by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's, or that the notes will maintain such ratings. Even if the notes subsequently fail to be rated investment grade, the terminated covenants would not be reinstated. See "Description of notes—Certain covenants—Fall-away event."

An adverse rating of the notes may cause their value to decline.

If a rating agency rates the notes, it may assign a rating that is lower than expected. Ratings agencies also may lower ratings on the notes in the future. If rating agencies assign a lower-than-expected rating or reduce, or indicate that they may reduce, their ratings or outlook in the future, the value of the notes could significantly decline.

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If we default on our obligations to pay our indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the notes.

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our senior secured credit facility, that is not waived by the required lenders thereunder, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness (including covenants in our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the notes offered hereby and our Existing Notes), we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness, including our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing the notes offered hereby and our Existing Notes. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our senior secured credit facility could elect to institute foreclosure proceedings against our capital stock, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our senior secured credit facility to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our senior secured credit facility and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If we could not obtain a waiver, we would be in default under our senior secured credit facility, which would result in a default under the indenture, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

We may not be able to purchase the notes upon a change of control or an offer to repurchase the notes as required by the indenture.

Upon the occurrence of specific types of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all of the notes, as well as the Existing Notes, at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, up to, but not including the date of repurchase. We may not have sufficient funds available to repurchase all of the notes tendered pursuant to any such offer and any other debt, including the Existing Notes, that would become payable upon a change of control. Any failure to purchase the notes would be a default under the indenture, which would trigger a default under our senior secured credit facility. In that event, we would need to cure or refinance our senior secured credit facility before making an offer to purchase.

Additionally, a change of control (as defined in our senior secured credit facility) would also constitute a default under our senior secured credit facility. Upon any such default, the lenders may declare any outstanding obligations under our senior secured credit facility immediately due and payable. If such debt repayment were accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes and repay the debt. There can be no assurance that we would be able to refinance our indebtedness or, if a refinancing were to occur, that the refinancing would be on terms favorable to us.

Courts interpreting change of control provisions under New York law (which will govern the indenture) have not provided clear and consistent meanings of such change of control provisions. In addition, the Delaware Court of Chancery has questioned whether a change of

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control provision contained in an indenture could be unenforceable on public policy grounds. Therefore, no assurances can be given as to how a court would interpret or even if a court would enforce the change of control provisions in our indenture as written for the benefit of the holders.

In addition, if a change of control occurs, we may not be able to borrow under our senior secured credit facility which could adversely affect our financial situation and our ability to conduct our business.

A court could cancel the notes or the guarantees and security interests that secure the notes under fraudulent conveyance laws or certain other circumstances.

Our issuance of the notes and the issuance of the guarantees by certain of our subsidiaries may be subject to review under federal or state fraudulent transfer or conveyance or similar laws. If we or such guarantor becomes a debtor in a case under the U.S. bankruptcy code or encounter other financial difficulty, under federal or state laws governing fraudulent transfer or conveyance, renewable transactions or preferential payments, a court in the relevant jurisdiction might avoid or cancel the guarantees and/or the liens created by the security interests. The court might do so if it found that, when the guarantor entered into its guarantee or, in some states, when payments become due thereunder, (a) it received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for such guarantee and (b) either (i) was or was rendered insolvent, (ii) was left with inadequate capital to conduct its business, (iii) believed or should have believed that it would incur debts beyond its ability to pay, or (iv) was a defendant in an action for money damages or had a judgment for money damages docketed against us or such guarantor, if, in either case, after final judgment, the judgment was unsatisfied. The court might also avoid such guarantee, without regard to the above factors, if it found that the guarantor entered into its guarantee with actual or deemed intent to hinder, delay or defraud our creditors.

Similarly, if we become a debtor in a case under the U.S. bankruptcy code or encounter other financial difficulty, a court might cancel our obligations under the notes, if it found that when we issued the notes (or in some jurisdictions, when payments become due under the notes), factors (a) and (b) above applied to us, or if it found that we issued the notes with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud our creditors.

A court would likely find that a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee unless it benefited directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes. If a court avoided such guarantee, holders of the notes would no longer have a claim against such subsidiary. In addition, the court might direct holders of the notes to repay any amounts already received from such subsidiary. If the court were to avoid any guarantee, we cannot assure you that funds would be available to pay the notes from another subsidiary or from any other source. Further, the voidance of the notes could result in an event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries' other debt that could result in acceleration of such debt.

The indenture states that the maximum liability of each guarantor under its guarantee shall in no event exceed the amount that can be guaranteed by such guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to rights of contribution established in connection with the guarantees). This limitation may not protect

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the guarantees from a fraudulent transfer or conveyance attack or, if it does, the guarantees may not be in amounts sufficient, if necessary, to pay obligations under the notes when due.

As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have received value in connection with a debt offering if the debtor uses the proceeds of that offering to make a dividend payment or otherwise retires or redeems equity securities issued by the debtor. We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, that the issuance of the guarantees would not be further subordinated to our or any of our guarantors' other debt. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if, at the time it incurred indebtedness:

the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all its assets;

the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

it could not pay its debts as they become due.

We cannot assure you that an active trading market for the notes will develop.

The notes constitute a new issue of securities for which there is no existing market. We cannot provide you with any assurances regarding the future development of a market for the notes, the ability of holders of the notes to sell their notes or the price at which such holders may be able to sell their notes. If such a market were to develop, the notes could trade at prices that may be higher or lower than the initial offering price depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our results of operations and financial condition, and the market for similar securities and the other factors discussed here under "Risk factors." The initial purchasers have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes. However, the initial purchasers are not obligated to do so, and any market-making with respect to the notes may be discontinued at any time without notice. If an active market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the market for the notes or the prices at which you may be able to sell the notes. In addition, subsequent to their initial issuance, the notes may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes, our performance and other factors.

The book-entry registration system of the notes may limit the exercise of rights by the beneficial owners of the notes.

Because transfers of interests in the global notes representing the notes may be effected only through book entries at the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and its direct and indirect participants (including Clearstream and Euroclear), the liquidity of any secondary market in the notes may be reduced to the extent that some investors are unwilling to hold notes in book-entry form in the name of a DTC direct or indirect participant. The ability to pledge interests in the global notes may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate. In addition, beneficial owners of interests in global notes may, in certain cases, experience delay

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in the receipt of payments of principal and interest, since the payments will generally be forwarded by the paying agent to DTC, which will then forward payment to its direct and indirect participants, which (if they are not themselves the beneficial owners) will then forward payments to the beneficial owners of the global notes. In the event of the insolvency of DTC or any of its direct and indirect participants in whose name interests in the global notes are recorded, the ability of beneficial owners to obtain timely or ultimate payment of principal and interest on global notes may be negatively affected.

A holder of beneficial interests in the global notes will not have a direct right under the notes to act upon any solicitations that we may request. Instead, holders will be permitted to act only to the extent they receive appropriate proxies to do so from DTC or, if applicable, DTC's direct or indirect participants. Similarly, if we default on our obligations under the notes, holders of beneficial interests in the global notes will be restricted to acting through DTC, or, if applicable, DTC's direct or indirect participants. We cannot assure holders that the procedures of DTC or DTC's nominees or direct or indirect participants will be adequate to allow them to exercise their rights under the notes in a timely manner.

Our ability to pay dividends or make other restricted payments to Liberty is subject to limited restrictions.

Although the notes contain limitations on Restricted Payments (as defined under "Description of notes"), those limitations are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications (see "Description of notes—Certain covenants—Limitations on restricted payments"). In particular, there are no restrictions on our ability to pay dividends or make other restricted payments if we are not in default on the notes and our Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined under "Description of notes") is no greater than 3.50 to 1.0. As a result, Liberty will in many instances be permitted to rely on our cash flow for servicing Liberty's debt and for other purposes, including payments of dividends on Liberty's capital stock or to fund acquisitions or other operational requirements of Liberty and its subsidiaries, which may deplete our retained earnings or require us to borrow under our senior secured credit facility, increasing our leverage and decreasing our liquidity. We have made significant distributions to Liberty in the past. On August 9, 2012 we made a significant distribution to Liberty by incurring additional indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility to fund certain attributed cash balances in connection with the recapitalization of Liberty's common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive and Liberty Ventures. See "Use of proceeds" and "Related party transactions."

Risks relating to the collateral

The collateral is limited to a pledge of the capital stock of QVC, and the holders of the notes will have only an unsecured claim against our assets and the guarantors' assets.

The notes will be secured on a pari passu basis by the same collateral that secures our existing secured indebtedness and certain future indebtedness (the "Collateral"). The Collateral consists solely of a first priority perfected lien and security interest in the shares of our capital stock, which is pledged by our parent to secure the obligations under the existing secured indebtedness and the notes. Although there are certain circumstances under which additional assets of QVC or our subsidiaries may be pledged to secure the notes offered hereby, there can be no assurance that this will occur. If any such assets were to become subject to a lien for the benefit of the holders of the notes, such a lien would be shared with the lenders under our

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senior secured credit facility, holders of certain of our hedging obligations, and the holders of the Existing Notes, as well as the holders of certain other indebtedness we may incur in the future. In addition, any such collateral may be limited to the capital stock of or equity interests in our material domestic subsidiaries (together, the "Contingent Collateral") and would be subject to a number of significant exceptions. You should not assume that collateral to secure the notes and the guarantees consisting of our assets or the assets of any of the subsidiary guarantors will ever be provided or that, if provided, it would not subsequently be released and/or avoided. See "Description of other indebtedness" and "Description of notes—Security."

Unless any such security interest is provided, holders of the notes will have only an unsecured claim against our and the guarantors' assets ranking equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness and other obligations, including trade payables.

Noteholder rights to receive proceeds from the sale of collateral securing the notes will be pari passu with the claims of lenders and counterparties under our existing secured indebtedness and certain future indebtedness. There may not be sufficient collateral to pay all or any portion of the notes, our senior secured credit facility, our Existing Notes, certain of our hedging obligations and certain future indebtedness.

Noteholders will receive distributions from any foreclosure proceeds of any Collateral on a pro rata basis with the lenders under our existing secured indebtedness and certain future indebtedness. No appraisal of the value of the Collateral has been made in connection with this offering or otherwise, and the fair market value of the Collateral is subject to fluctuations based on factors that include, among others, general economic conditions and the availability of suitable buyers for the Collateral. By its nature, the Collateral may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value, and could be impaired in the future as a result of changing economic conditions, competition or other future trends. In the event of a foreclosure, liquidation, bankruptcy or similar proceeding, we cannot assure you that the proceeds from any sale or liquidation of the Collateral will be sufficient to pay our obligations under the notes, our existing secured indebtedness and certain future indebtedness. Also, we cannot assure you that the fair market value of the Collateral securing the notes, our existing secured indebtedness and certain future indebtedness would be sufficient to pay any amounts due under such obligations following their acceleration. If the proceeds of any sale of the Collateral are not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the notes, the holders of the notes (to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the Collateral) would have only an unsecured claim against our and the guarantors' assets and, in the context of a bankruptcy case by or against us, will mean that you may not be entitled to receive interest payments or reasonable fees, costs or charges due under the notes, and may be required to repay any such amounts already received by you. Any such unsecured claim will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness and other obligations, including trade payables.

To the extent that liens securing obligations under our Existing Notes and senior secured credit facility and other liens permitted under the indenture and other rights, encumber any of the Collateral securing the notes, those parties have or may exercise rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral that could adversely affect the value of the collateral and the ability of the collateral agent, the trustee under the indenture or the holders of the notes to realize or foreclose on the Collateral.

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In addition, the indenture governing the notes and the indenture governing Existing Notes and senior secured credit facility permits us, subject to compliance with certain financial tests, to issue additional secured debt, including debt secured equally and ratably by the same assets pledged for the benefit of the holders of the notes. This would reduce amounts payable to holders of the notes from the proceeds of any sale of the Collateral.

There could be circumstances in which certain guarantees are released automatically, without your consent or the consent of the trustee.

There could be circumstances, other than repayment or discharge of the notes, where certain guarantees will be released automatically, without your consent or the consent of the trustee. For example, the guarantee of a subsidiary guarantor will be released in connection with a sale or merger of such subsidiary guarantor in a transaction not prohibited by our senior secured credit facility (even if such transaction is prohibited by the indenture governing the notes).

Holders of notes will not control decisions regarding collateral.

Although our Existing Notes, our senior secured credit facility, certain hedging obligations, the notes offered hereby and certain future indebtedness will be secured on a pari passu basis by the same collateral, holders of the notes will not be able to exercise any control over decisions regarding the Collateral. The security agreement governing the Collateral provides, among other things, that (a) the collateral agent, taking instruction from the lenders under our senior secured credit facility, controls substantially all matters related to the Collateral; and (b) the holders of such indebtedness may foreclose on or take other actions with respect to such Collateral with which holders of the notes may disagree or that may be contrary to the interests of holders of the notes, in each case, regardless of the amount of the obligations under our senior secured credit facility relative to the obligations under the notes.

Any future pledge of collateral might be avoidable in bankruptcy.

Any future pledge of collateral in favor of the trustee, including pursuant to security documents delivered after the date of the indenture governing the notes, might be avoidable by the pledgor (as debtor in possession) or by its trustee in bankruptcy if certain events or circumstances exist or occur, including if the pledgor is insolvent at the time of the pledge, the pledge permits the holders of the notes to receive a greater recovery than if the pledge had not been given and a bankruptcy proceeding in respect of the pledgor is commenced within 90 days following the pledge, or, in certain circumstances, a longer period.

Even at any time when the Contingent Collateral secures the notes, in the event of a bankruptcy of us or any of the guarantors, holders of the notes may be deemed to have an unsecured claim to the extent that our obligations in respect of the notes exceed the fair market value of the Contingent Collateral securing the notes. In addition, the value of the Contingent Collateral securing the notes at such time may not be sufficient to secure post-petition interest.

In any bankruptcy proceeding with respect to us or any of the guarantors at a time that the Contingent Collateral secures the notes, it is possible that the bankruptcy trustee, the debtor-in-possession or competing creditors would assert that the fair market value of the Contingent Collateral with respect to the notes on the date of the bankruptcy filing was less than the then-current principal amount of the notes. Upon a finding by the bankruptcy court that the notes were under-collateralized, the claims in the bankruptcy proceeding with respect to the notes would be bifurcated between a secured claim in an amount equal to the value of

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the Contingent Collateral and an unsecured claim with respect to the remainder of its claim that would not be entitled to the benefits of security in the Contingent Collateral. In addition, holders of the notes would only be entitled to post-petition interest under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to the extent that the value of their security interest in the Contingent Collateral is greater than their pre-bankruptcy claim. Holders of the notes that have a security interest in Contingent Collateral with a value equal or less than their pre-bankruptcy claim would not be entitled to post-petition interest under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. If any payments of post-petition interest had been made at any time prior to such a finding of under-collateralization, those payments would be recharacterized by the bankruptcy court as a reduction of the principal amount of the secured claim with respect to the notes. No appraisal of the fair market value of the Contingent Collateral has been prepared in connection with this offering or otherwise and, even if the Contingent Collateral should ever secure the notes, the value of the holders' interest in the Contingent Collateral may not equal or exceed the principal amount of the notes. You should not assume that the notes or the guarantees will ever be secured by a lien on any Contingent Collateral or that, if such a lien were provided, it would not be subsequently released and/or avoided. See "Description of other indebtedness" and "Description of notes—Security."

A bankruptcy court may, under certain circumstances, equitably subordinate an otherwise senior claim to claims of other creditors or even recharacterize a debt claim as equity. If this were to happen to any note, the claims of certain other creditors would be entitled to payment prior to the payment of that note. We cannot predict whether any claim for recharacterization or equitable subordination would be made or would be successful, but note that courts have in cases subjected loans made by shareholders to heightened scrutiny in considering such claims.

Even at any time when the Contingent Collateral secures the notes, in the event of a bankruptcy the ability of the holders of the notes to realize upon the Contingent Collateral will be subject to certain bankruptcy law limitations.

Bankruptcy laws could prevent the collateral agent from repossessing and disposing of, or otherwise exercising remedies in respect of, the Contingent Collateral upon the occurrence of an event of default if a bankruptcy proceeding were to be commenced by or against us or a guarantor prior to the collateral agent having repossessed and disposed of, or otherwise having exercised remedies in respect of, the Contingent Collateral. Under the U.S. bankruptcy code, a secured creditor, such as any holders of the notes, is prohibited from repossessing its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security repossessed from such debtor, without bankruptcy court approval. Moreover, the bankruptcy code permits the debtor to continue to retain and to use collateral even though the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments, provided that the secured creditor is given "adequate protection." While it is intended in general to protect the value of the secured creditor's interest in the collateral, the meaning of the term "adequate protection" may vary according to circumstances. The court may find "adequate protection" if the debtor pays cash or grants additional security, if and at such times as the court in its discretion determines, for any diminution in the value of the collateral during the pendency of the bankruptcy case. In view of the lack of a precise definition of the term "adequate protection" and the broad discretionary powers of a bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how long payments with respect to the notes could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy case, whether or when the collateral agent could repossess or dispose of the collateral or whether or to what

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extent holders would be compensated for any delay in payment or loss of value of the collateral through the requirement of "adequate protection."

In addition, the collateral agent may need to evaluate the impact of potential liabilities before determining to foreclose on the Contingent Collateral. In this regard, the collateral agent may decline to foreclose on the secured property or exercise remedies available if it does not receive indemnification to its satisfaction from the holders. Finally, the collateral agent's ability to foreclose on the Contingent Collateral on behalf of the holders of the notes may be subject to lack of perfection, the consent of third parties, prior liens and practical problems associated with the realization of the collateral agent's lien on the Contingent Collateral.

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Use of proceeds

The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement relating to the original notes. We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the exchange notes as contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive, in exchange, outstanding original notes in like principal amount. We will cancel all original notes tendered in exchange for exchange notes in the exchange offer. Interest on each exchange note will accrue interest on the same terms as the original notes and such interest will accrue (a) from the later of (i) the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the note surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if the note is surrendered for exchange on a date in a period that includes the record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment date or (b) if no interest has been paid on such note, from the original issue date of the notes. As a result, the issuance of the exchange notes will not result in any increase or decrease in our indebtedness or in the early payment of interest.

The net proceeds from the sale of the original notes on July 2, 2012, after deducting the initial purchasers' discount and commissions payable by us in respect of such offering, were approximately $495 million. We used the net proceeds of such offering for purposes of refinancing of indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive and Liberty Ventures. We are now attributed to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock, which will track the assets and liabilities of Liberty's Interactive Group (the "Interactive Group"). The Interactive Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group. Liberty attributed to its Interactive Group those businesses primarily focused on digital commerce, including the assets and businesses of QVC, Inc., Provide Commerce, Inc., Backcountry.com, Inc., Bodybuilding.com, LLC and Celebrate Interactive Holdings, Inc., an equity interest in HSN, Inc. and approximately $500 million in cash held by Liberty and the Interactive Group subsidiaries. The Liberty Ventures tracking stock tracks all of Liberty's other businesses including its interest in equity method investments of Expedia, Inc., TripAdvisor, Inc., Interval Leisure Group, Inc. and Tree.com, Inc. and available-for-sale securities of Time Warner, Time Warner Cable and AOL, which constitute the Ventures Group (the "Ventures Group"). To fund the cash requirements of the Ventures Group, Liberty attributed $1.35 billion in cash to the Ventures Group which was funded by the Interactive Group. Such attributed cash balance consisted of cash from Liberty's balance sheet and $1.15 billion of dividends paid by us to Liberty through our available cash on hand and $800 million in borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. As of the date of the recapitalization, we had $870 million of total outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility.

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The exchange offer

This section of the prospectus describes the exchange offer. While we believe that the description covers the material terms of the exchange offer, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire document for a complete understanding of the exchange offer.

Purpose of the exchange offer

The purpose of the exchange offer is to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement that we entered into with the initial purchasers of the original notes. We originally issued and sold $500,000,000 principal amount of original notes in a private placement on July 2, 2012. We did not register the offer and sale of the original notes in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 144A and Regulation S thereunder.

We are offering to exchange up to the entire $500,000,000 principal amount of original notes for a like principal amount of exchange notes.

Under the registration rights agreement, we are required, among other things, to:

file and cause a registration statement registering the proposed offer and exchange of any and all original notes for registered exchange notes with substantially identical terms to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to March 29, 2013 (the 270th day after the issue date of the original notes); and

keep the exchange offer open for not less than 20 business days after the date notice thereof is mailed to holders of the original notes.

In addition, under certain circumstances, we may be required to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of original notes. Specifically, in the event that, with respect to the notes:

we are not required to file the exchange offer registration statement or permitted to consummate the exchange offer because of any change in law or in currently prevailing interpretations of the Staff of the SEC;

an exchange offer is not consummated within the time period set forth above;

in certain circumstances, certain holders of unregistered exchange notes so request; or

in the case of any holder that participates in an exchange offer, such holder does not receive exchange notes on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such holder as an affiliate of ours within the meaning of the Securities Act),

then, in each case, we will, at our sole expense,

within 30 days file a shelf registration statement covering resales of the notes;

use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such shelf registration statement to be declared effective within 75 days of the filing thereof;

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keep effective such shelf registration statement until the earliest of (i) two years after the original issue date of the notes, or (ii) such time as all of the notes have been sold thereunder; and

in the event that a shelf registration statement is filed, provide to each holder whose notes are registered under such shelf registration statement copies of the prospectus that is a part of such shelf registration statement, notify each such holder when such shelf registration statement has become effective and take certain other actions as are required to permit unrestricted resales of the notes. A holder that sells notes pursuant to a shelf registration statement will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are applicable to such a holder (including certain indemnification rights and obligations).

If (1) we do not comply with the time periods set forth above in this section; or (2) the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or any shelf registration statement covering resales of the notes required to be filed by the registration rights agreement, ceases to be effective at any time during which it is required to be so effective (subject to certain exceptions), then additional interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such registration default continues, provided that the rate at which such additional interest accrues may in no event exceed 1.0% per annum); provided, however, that upon the exchange of exchange notes for all notes tendered (in the case of clause (1) above) or upon the effectiveness of the required registration statement (in the case of clause (2) above), additional interest on such notes as a result of such clause, as the case may be, shall cease to accrue and the interest rate on the applicable notes will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such notes. All accrued additional interest will be paid in arrears on each semi-annual interest date.

Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary and you should carefully consider whether to participate. We urge you to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your decision on whether to participate in the exchange offer.

Resale of Exchange Notes

We have not requested, and do not intend to request, an interpretation by the staff of the SEC with respect to whether the exchange notes may be offered for sale, resold or otherwise transferred by any holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act. Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, including Exxon Capital Holdings Corp. (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991) and Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993), we believe the exchange notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act provided such holder meets the following conditions:

such holder is not a broker-dealer who purchased original notes directly from us for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act;

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such holder is not our "affiliate" within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and

such holder acquires exchange notes in the ordinary course of its business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes.

If you do not satisfy all of the above conditions, you cannot participate in the exchange offer. Rather, in the absence of an exemption you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a resale of the original notes. Any holder that complies with such registration and prospectus delivery requirements may incur liabilities under the Securities Act for which the holder will not be entitled to indemnification from us.

A broker-dealer that has bought original notes for its own account as part of its market-making or other trading activities must deliver a prospectus in order to resell the exchange notes it receives therefor pursuant to the exchange offer. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer for such purpose, and we have agreed in the registration rights agreement to make this prospectus available to such broker-dealers for a period ending on the earlier of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the date on which a broker-dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities. See "Plan of Distribution." Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of exchange notes. The accompanying letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

Consequences of failure to exchange

Original notes that are not exchanged for exchange notes in the exchange offer will remain "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, and will therefore continue to be subject to restrictions on transfer. Holders of such original notes will not be able to require us to register them under the Securities Act, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the registration rights agreement. Accordingly, following completion of the exchange offer any original notes that remain outstanding may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except:

(1)
to us, upon redemption thereof or otherwise,

(2)
to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A, purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act,

(3)
in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act,

(4)
pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144, if available, under the Securities Act,

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(5)
in reliance on another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or

(6)
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

In all of the situations discussed above, the resale must be in compliance with the Securities Act, any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and any applicable securities laws of any foreign country. Any resale of original notes will also be subject to certain requirements of the registrar being met, including receipt by the registrar of a certification and, in the case of (3), (4) and (5) above, an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to us and the registrar.

To the extent original notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the principal amount of outstanding original notes will decrease with a resulting decrease in the liquidity in the market therefor. Accordingly, the liquidity of the market of the original notes could be adversely affected following completion of the exchange offer. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Exchange Offer—If you do not properly tender your original notes, you will continue to hold unregistered notes and your ability to transfer those original notes may be adversely affected."

Terms of the exchange offer

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will accept any and all original notes validly tendered (and not withdrawn) on or prior to the Expiration Date. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of exchange notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of original notes accepted in the exchange offer. Interest on each exchange note will accrue (a) from the later of (i) the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the note surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if the note is surrendered for exchange on a date in a period that includes the record date for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment date or (b) if no interest has been paid on such note, from the original issue date of the notes. All accrued interest on the original notes will become obligations under the exchange notes. Holders may tender some or all of their original notes pursuant to the exchange offer. However, original notes may be tendered only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount in excess thereof.

The form and terms of the exchange notes are the same as the form and terms of the original notes, except that:

the offer and sale of the exchange notes for the original notes will have been registered under the Securities Act, and the exchange notes will not bear legends restricting their transfer pursuant to the Securities Act, and

except as otherwise described above, holders of the exchange notes will not be entitled to any rights under the registration rights agreement.

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The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the original notes that they replace, and will be issued under, and be entitled to the benefits of, the indenture which governs the original notes, including the payment of principal and interest.

We are sending this prospectus and the letter of transmittal to holders of the original notes through the facilities of The Depositary Trust Company, or DTC, whose nominee, Cede & Co, is the registered holder of the original notes. The original notes are represented by permanent global notes in fully registered form, without coupons, which have been deposited with the trustee for the notes, as custodian for DTC. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global note is limited to persons who have accounts with DTC, or DTC participants, or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. The term "holder," as used in this prospectus, means those DTC participants in whose name interests in the global notes are credited on the books of DTC, and those persons who hold interests through such DTC participants. The term "original notes," as used in this prospectus, means such interests in the global notes. Like the original notes, the exchange notes will be deposited with the trustee for the notes as custodian for DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

Holders of the original notes do not have any appraisal or dissenter's rights under Delaware law or the indenture governing the notes in connection with the exchange offer. We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the SEC's rules and regulations thereunder.

We will be deemed to have accepted validly tendered original notes when, as and if we have given written notice thereof to the exchange agent, which is U.S. Bank National Association. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders of the original notes for the purposes of receiving the exchange notes. The exchange notes delivered in the exchange offer will be issued promptly following our acceptance for exchange of original notes.

If any tendered original notes are not accepted for exchange because they do not comply with the procedures set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, our withdrawal of the exchange offer, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise, such unaccepted original notes will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder promptly after the Expiration Date or our withdrawal of the exchange offer. Any acceptance, waiver of default or a rejection of a tender of original notes shall be at our discretion and shall be conclusive, final and binding.

Holders who tender original notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of the original notes in the exchange offer. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain taxes, in connection with the exchange offer. See "—Fees and Expenses."

We are not making the exchange offer to, nor will we accept surrenders for exchange from, holders of original notes in any jurisdiction in which this exchange offer or its acceptance would not comply with applicable state securities laws or applicable laws of a foreign jurisdiction.

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Expiration date; extensions; amendments

The term "Expiration Date" with respect to the exchange offer means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                           ], 2012 unless we, in our sole discretion, extend the exchange offer, in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the exchange offer is extended.

If we extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent of any extension by written notice and will make a public announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, no later than on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion,

to extend the exchange offer,

if any of the conditions set forth below under "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied, to terminate the exchange offer or waive any conditions that have not been satisfied, or

to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.

We may effect any such extension, waiver, termination or amendment by giving written notice thereof to the exchange agent.

Except as specified in the second paragraph under this heading, we will make a public announcement of any such extension, termination, amendment or waiver as promptly as practicable. If we amend or waive any condition of the exchange offer in a manner determined by us to constitute a material change to the exchange offer, we will promptly disclose such amendment or waiver in a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the holders of the original notes. The exchange offer will then be extended for a period of five to ten business days, as required by law, depending upon the significance of the amendment or waiver and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders.

We will make a timely release of a public announcement of any extension, termination, amendment or waiver to the exchange offer to an appropriate news agency.

Procedures for tendering original notes

Tenders of Original Notes; Book-Entry Delivery Procedure.     All of the original notes are held in book-entry form, and tenders may only be made through DTC's Book-Entry Transfer Facility.

In connection with the commencement of the exchange offer, the exchange agent will establish an account with respect to the original notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer, and any financial institution that is a participant in DTC that wishes to participate in the exchange offer may make book-entry delivery of the original notes by causing DTC to transfer such original notes into the exchange agent's account in accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer. The confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC is referred to as a "Book-Entry Confirmation." In addition, DTC participants on or before the Expiration Date must either

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properly complete and duly execute the letter of transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver the letter of transmittal or such facsimile, with any required signature guarantees, to the exchange agent at one or more of its addresses below, or

transmit their acceptance through DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program, or ATOP, for which the exchange offer is eligible, and DTC will then edit and verify the acceptance and send an Agent's Message to the exchange agent for its acceptance.

The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the exchange agent and forming a part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the original notes that such participant has received the letter of transmittal and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce such agreement against such participant.

Although delivery of original notes is to be effected through book-entry at DTC, the letter of transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at one or more of its addresses set forth below on or prior to the Expiration Date. Delivery of the letter of transmittal or other required documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.

The tender by a holder of original notes pursuant to the procedures set forth above will constitute the tendering holder's acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer. Our acceptance for exchange of original notes tendered pursuant to the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between such tendering holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange offer. Only holders are authorized to tender their original notes.

The method of delivery of original notes and letters of transmittal, any required signature guarantees and all other required documents, including delivery through DTC and any acceptance or Agent's Message transmitted through ATOP, is at the election and risk of the persons tendering original notes and delivering letters of transmittal. If you use ATOP, you must allow sufficient time for completion of the ATOP procedures during normal business hours of DTC on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tender and delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the exchange agent. If delivery is by mail, it is suggested that the holder use properly insured, registered mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested, and that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to permit delivery to the exchange agent prior to such date.

Except as provided below, unless the original notes being tendered are delivered to the exchange agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (accompanied by a completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or a properly transmitted Agent's Message), we may, at our option, reject the tender of such original notes. The exchange of exchange notes for original notes will be made only against the tendered original notes, which must be deposited with the exchange agent prior to or on the Expiration Date, and receipt by the exchange agent of all other required documents prior to or on the Expiration Date.

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Tender of Original Notes Held Through a Nominee.     If you beneficially own original notes through a bank, depository, broker, trust company or other nominee and wish to tender your original notes, you must instruct such holder to cause your original notes to be tendered on your behalf. A letter of instruction from your bank, depository, broker, trust company or other nominee may be included in the materials provided along with this prospectus, which the beneficial owner may use to instruct its nominee to effect the tender of the original notes of the beneficial owner.

Signature Guarantees.     Signatures on all letters of transmittal must be guaranteed by a recognized member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or by any other "eligible guarantor institution," as that term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (each of the foregoing, an "Eligible Institution"), unless the original notes tendered thereby are tendered (1) by a participant in DTC whose name appears on a DTC security position listing as the owner of such original notes who has not completed either the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal, or (2) for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instructions 1 and 4 of the letter of transmittal. If the original notes are in the name of a person other than the signer of the letter of transmittal or if original notes not accepted for exchange or not tendered are to be returned to a person other than the holder of such original notes, then the signatures on the letter of transmittal accompanying the tendered original notes must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution as described above. See Instructions 1 and 4 of the letter of transmittal.

No Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.     No guaranteed delivery procedures are being made available in connection with the exchange offer. Therefore, to participate in the exchange offer your original notes must be transferred into the exchange agent's account at DTC, and the exchange agent must receive a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (and any other required documents) or an Agent's Message transmitted through ATOP, in each case on or prior to the Expiration Date.

Your Representations to Us.     By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

you are acquiring exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

you are not engaged in, and you do not intend to engage in, and you have no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes;

you are transferring good and marketable title to the original notes free and clear of all liens, security interests, encumbrances, or rights or interests of others except your own;

if you are a broker-dealer that will receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for original notes that were acquired by you as a result of market-making or other trading activities, that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of your exchange notes; and

you are not our "affiliate" as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. If you are a broker-dealer, you may not participate in the exchange offer as to any original notes you purchased directly from us.

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Determination of Validity.     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered original notes will be determined by us, which determination will be conclusive, final and binding. Alternative, conditional or contingent tenders of original notes will not be considered valid and may be rejected by us. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all original notes not properly tendered or any original notes our acceptance of which, in the opinion of our counsel, would be unlawful.

We also reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular original notes. The interpretation of the terms and conditions of our exchange offer (including the instructions in the letter of transmittal) by us will be conclusive, final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of original notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine.

Although we intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of original notes through the exchange agent, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person is under any duty to give such notice, nor shall they incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of original notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.

Any original notes tendered into the exchange agent's account at DTC that are not validly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived within the timeframes established by us in our sole discretion, if any, or if original notes are submitted in a principal amount greater than the principal amount of original notes being tendered by such tendering holder, such unaccepted or non-exchanged original notes will be credited back to the account maintained by the applicable DTC participant with such book-entry transfer facility.

Withdrawal of tenders

Tenders of original notes in the exchange offer may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

To be effective, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with such withdrawn original notes and must otherwise comply with DTC's procedures.

If the original notes to be withdrawn have been identified to the exchange agent, a signed notice of withdrawal meeting the requirements discussed above is effective immediately upon the exchange agent's receipt of written or facsimile notice of withdrawal even if physical release is not yet effected. A withdrawal of original notes can only be accomplished in accordance with these procedures. Any failure to follow these procedures will not result in any original notes being withdrawn. The company and the exchange agent may reject any withdrawal request not in accordance with these procedures.

All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by us, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. No withdrawal of original notes will be deemed to have been properly made until all defects or irregularities have been cured or expressly waived. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or revocation, nor shall we or they incur any liability for failure to give

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any such notification. Any original notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer and no exchange notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the original notes so withdrawn are retendered on or prior to the Expiration Date. Properly withdrawn original notes may be retendered by following the procedures described above under "—Procedures for tendering original notes" at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

Any original notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange due to the rejection of the tender due to uncured defects or the prior termination of the exchange offer, or which have been validly withdrawn, will be returned to the holder thereof unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, promptly following the Expiration Date or, if so requested in the notice of withdrawal, promptly after receipt by us of notice of withdrawal without cost to such holder.

Conditions to the exchange offer

The exchange offer will not be subject to any conditions, other than:

that the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of original notes, does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC;

that applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC regarding exchange offers of the type contemplated by this prospectus shall not have been changed, such that the exchange notes would not be generally free of the transfer restrictions of the Securities Act following consummation of the exchange offer;

the due tendering of original notes and the delivery to the exchange agent of the letter of transmittal or an Agent's Message (and all other required documents) in accordance with the exchange offer; and

that each holder of the original notes exchanged in the exchange offer shall have made the representations set forth above in "—Your Representations to Us" and such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or Staff interpretations to render the use of Form S-4 or other appropriate form under the Securities Act available.

If we determine in our reasonable discretion that any of the conditions to the exchange offer are not satisfied, we may:

refuse to accept any original notes and return all tendered original notes to the tendering holders,

terminate the exchange offer,

extend the exchange offer and retain all original notes tendered prior to the Expiration Date, subject, however, to the rights of holders to withdraw such original notes, or

waive such unsatisfied conditions with respect to the exchange offer and accept all validly tendered original notes which have not been withdrawn.

If our waiver of an unsatisfied condition constitutes a material change to the exchange offer, we will promptly disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be

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distributed to the holders of the original notes, and will extend the exchange offer for a period of five to ten business days, depending upon the significance of the waiver and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during such five to ten business day period.

Exchange agent

U.S. Bank National Association, the trustee under the indenture governing the notes, has been appointed as exchange agent for the exchange offer. The exchange agent will not be (i) liable for any act or omission unless such act constitutes its own gross negligence or bad faith and in no event will the exchange agent be liable to a security holder, QVC, Inc., or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits, arising in connection with the exchange offer or its duties and responsibilities related to the exchange offer; (ii) obligated to take any legal action with respect to the exchange offer which might in its judgment involve any expense or liability, unless it will be furnished with indemnity satisfactory to it; and (iii) liable or responsible for any statement contained in this prospectus.

We will indemnify the exchange agent with respect to certain matters relating to the exchange offer.

You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for other documents to the exchange agent as follows:

Delivery by Mail:
U.S. Bank National Association
60 Livingston Avenue - EP - MN - WS2N
St. Paul, MN 55107-2292
Attention: Specialized Finance

Courier or Overnight Delivery:
U.S. Bank National Association
111 Fillmore Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107-1402
Attention: Specialized Finance

To Confirm by Telephone or for Information:
(651) 466-7150

Facsimile Transmissions:
(651) 466-7372

Fees and expenses

We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders.     The principal solicitation is being made by mail by the exchange agent; however, additional solicitation may be made by telecopy, telephone or in person by our or our affiliates' officers and regular employees.

No dealer-manager has been retained in connection with the exchange offer and no payments will be made to brokers, dealers or others soliciting acceptance of the exchange offer. However,

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reasonable and customary fees will be paid to the exchange agent for its services and it will be reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

Our out-of-pocket expenses for the exchange offer will include fees and expenses of the exchange agent and the trustee under the indenture governing the notes, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.

Transfer taxes

We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of the original notes pursuant to the exchange offer. If, however, a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of the original notes pursuant to the exchange offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the tendering holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.

Accounting treatment for the exchange offer

The exchange notes will be recorded at the carrying value of the original notes and no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized. The expenses of the exchange offer will be amortized over the term of the exchange notes.

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our capitalization and cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2012, (i) on a historical basis and (ii) on an adjusted basis after giving effect to the issuance of the original notes and the use of the proceeds therefrom as described in "Use of Proceeds" as if they had occurred on June 30, 2012. Our historical consolidated financial statements are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The table below should be read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto, management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and "Description of other indebtedness" included elsewhere in this prospectus.

   
 
  June 30, 2012  
(in millions)
  Actual
  As adjusted
 
   

Cash and cash equivalents(1)

  $ 446   $ 637  
       

Debt:

             

Bank credit facility(2)

    302     0  

Senior secured notes due 2017(3)

    500     500  

Senior secured notes due 2019(4)

    987     987  

Senior secured notes due 2020(5)

    500     500  

Senior secured notes due 2022(6)

        500  

Capital lease obligations

    63     63  
       

Total debt

    2,352     2,550  

Total equity

    7,808     7,808  
       

Total capitalization

  $ 10,160   $ 10,358  
   

(1)   Excludes restricted cash.

(2)   At June 30, 2012, we had availability of approximately $1.7 billion under our senior secured credit facility. At June 30, 2012, on an adjusted basis after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the use of proceeds therefrom, we would have had availability of $2.0 billion under our senior secured credit facility. See "Description of other indebtedness."

(3)   Consists of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2017 notes, issued at 100%.

(4)   Net of unamortized original issue discount of $13 million.

(5)   Consists of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 notes, issued at 100%.

(6)   Consists of $500 million aggregate amount of original notes due 2022, issued at 100%.

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Business

Overview

We believe we are the global leader in television retailing and a leading multimedia retailer, with operations based in the U.S., Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Our name, QVC, stands for "Quality, Value and Convenience," which is what we strive to deliver to our customers. We market and sell a wide variety of consumer products primarily through live shopping programs distributed to approximately 210 million worldwide households each day and via our websites, including QVC.com. Our operating strategy is to create a premier multimedia lifestyle brand and shopping destination for our customers and to further penetrate our core customer base to drive revenue and profitability. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, approximately 91% of our domestic net revenue was from repeat and reactivated customers (i.e., customers who made a purchase from us during the prior twelve months and customers who previously made a purchase from us but not during the prior twelve months, respectively). In the same period, we attracted approximately 1.9 million new U.S. customers. Our global e-commerce operation comprised $2.8 billion, or 33%, of our consolidated net revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, on a consolidated basis, we generated $8.3 billion of net revenue, $0.8 billion of net cash provided by operating activities and $1.7 billion of Adjusted OIBDA (as defined in "Special note regarding non-GAAP financial measures"). As of July 4, 2012, we have a 49% interest in a TV shopping joint venture in China, which is accounted for as an equity investment. The joint venture's assets and related operating statistics are not included in our assets and related operating statistics as reported in this prospectus unless otherwise stated.

We market our products in an engaging, entertaining format primarily through live television programs and interactive features on our websites. In the U.S., we distribute our programming live 24 hours per day, 364 days per year and present on average almost 1,000 products every week. Internationally, we distribute live programming 17 to 24 hours per day, depending on the market. We classify our products into four groups: home (including electronics), accessories (including beauty products), apparel and jewelry. It is our product sourcing team's mission to research and locate compelling and differentiated products from manufacturers who have sufficient scale to meet anticipated demand. We offer many QVC-exclusive products, as well as popular brand name and lesser known products available from other retailers. Many of our products are endorsed by celebrities, designers and other well-known personalities who often join our presenters to personally promote their products and provide lead-in publicity on their own television shows. We believe that our ability to demonstrate product features and present "faces and places" differentiates and defines the QVC shopping experience. We closely monitor customer demand and our product mix to remain well-positioned and relevant in popular and growing retail segments, which we believe is a significant competitive advantage relative to competitors who operate bricks-and-mortar stores.

Since our inception, over 79 million people worldwide have shopped with us, and we have shipped over 1.4 billion packages in the U.S. alone. We operate eight distribution centers and eight call centers worldwide and are able to ship approximately 89% of our orders within 48 hours. In 2011, our work force of more than 17,000 employees handled approximately 174 million customer calls, shipped approximately 164 million units globally to 42 different countries, and served approximately 11.5 million customers. We believe our long-term

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relationships with major U.S. television distributors, including cable operators (e.g., Comcast and Time Warner Cable), satellite television providers (e.g., DISH Network and DIRECTV), and telecommunications companies (e.g., Verizon and AT&T), provide us with broad distribution, favorable channel positioning and significant competitive advantages. We believe that our significant market share, brand awareness, outstanding customer service, repeat customer base, international reach and scalable infrastructure distinguish us from our competitors.

QVC-U.S.

Our live televised shopping programs are distributed nationally, 24 hours a day, 364 days a year, to approximately 97% of television households, defined as households subscribing to services offered by television distributors. QVC-U.S. programming is also available on QVC.com, our domestic website and via streaming video. QVC-U.S., including QVC.com, contributed $5.5 billion, or 65%, of consolidated net revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2012.

We have established QVC-U.S. as the televised shopping leader after building a track record of outstanding quality and customer service, establishing favorable channel positioning and generating repeat business from our core customer base. We estimate our share of the U.S. televised shopping revenue in 2011, among QVC-U.S. and its two primary competitors HSN and ShopNBC to be over 66%, with HSN and ShopNBC representing approximately 27% and 7%, respectively. We believe QVC-U.S. also compares favorably in terms of sales to general, non-television based retailers due to our extensive customer reach and efficient cost structure.

QVC.com

QVC.com, launched in 1996, complements our televised shopping programs by allowing consumers to purchase a wide assortment of goods offered on our televised programs, as well as other products that are available only on QVC.com. We view e-commerce as a natural extension of our business, allowing us to stream live video and offer on-demand video segments of items recently presented live on our televised programs. QVC.com allows shoppers to browse, research, compare and perform targeted searches for products, control the order-entry process and conveniently access their QVC account. For the year ended December 31, 2011, QVC.com generated net revenue of approximately $2.0 billion, or approximately 36.8% of our total domestic net revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2011, 64% of new U.S. customers made their first purchase through QVC.com, with multi-platform customers (defined as customers who purchase both over the phone and online) spending over twice as much as phone-only customers over that time.

The table below illustrates QVC.com's growth since 2009:

   
 
  Fiscal year ended December 31,    
 
 
  Twelve months
ended June 30,
2012

 
(dollars in millions)
  2009
  2010
  2011
 
   

QVC.com net revenue

  $ 1,444   $ 1,728   $ 1,993   $ 2,113  

Total domestic net revenue

  $ 4,987   $ 5,241   $ 5,412   $ 5,509  

QVC.com % of total domestic net revenue

    29.0%     33.0%     36.8%     38.4%  
   

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International operations

Our televised shopping programs reach more than 110 million television households outside of the U.S., primarily in Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. The programming created for each of these markets is also available via streaming video on our international websites located in each market. Our international businesses each employ product sourcing teams who select products tailored to the interests of each local market. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, our international operations generated $2.9 billion of consolidated net revenue and $535 million of Adjusted OIBDA, and our international websites generated approximately $646 million, or approximately 22%, of our total international net revenue.

QVC-Japan.     We own 60% of QVC-Japan through a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., LTD. QVC-Japan launched in April 2001 and generated positive Adjusted OIBDA in its third year of operation. QVC-Japan broadcasts 24 hours of live programming each day and reaches approximately 26 million total households. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-Japan produced $1,224 million in net revenue, which was 14.5% of our consolidated net revenue.

QVC-Germany.     QVC-Germany went on air in December 1996 and generated positive Adjusted OIBDA in its seventh year of operation. QVC-Germany broadcasts 24 hours of live programming each day and reaches approximately 40 million total households which are located in both Germany and Austria. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-Germany produced $1,020 million in net revenue, which was 12.1% of our consolidated net revenue.

QVC-United Kingdom.     QVC-U.K. went on air in October 1993 and generated positive Adjusted OIBDA in its fifth year of operation. QVC-U.K. broadcasts 17 hours of live programming each day and reaches approximately 24 million total households which are located in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-U.K. produced $630 million in net revenue, which was 7.5% of our consolidated net revenue.

QVC-Italy.     QVC-Italy went on air in October 2010 and is currently in its second year of operation. QVC's shopping network in Italy reaches approximately 20 million households and is broadcast live 17 hours a day on satellite and public television and an additional 7 hours a day of taped general interest programming on satellite television. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-Italy produced $59 million in net revenue, which was 0.7% of our consolidated net revenue.

China Joint Venture.     On July 4, 2012, we entered into a joint venture with Beijing-based China Broadcasting Corporation, a limited liability company owned by China National Radio ("CNR"), China's government-owned radio division. The joint venture, CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. ("CNRS"), is owned 49% by QVC and 51% by CNR, through subsidiaries of each company. CNRS operates a retailing business in China through a shopping television channel with an associated website. This joint venture is expected to combine CNRS's existing knowledge of the digital shopping market and consumers in China with QVC's global experience and know-how in multimedia retailing.

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Merchandise

We believe that our ability to combine product and programming helps us create competitive advantages over traditional bricks-and-mortar and internet retailers. We seek to offer our customers an assortment of compelling, high-quality products. In the U.S., we present on average almost 1,000 products every week on our live televised programming, approximately 23% of which have not been presented previously to our television audience. We offer customers high-quality and brand name products marketed in a creative, informative, entertaining and engaging style. We provide a differentiated shopping experience by offering customers the opportunity to experience not only the product being sold, but the people and places behind that product, thereby enhancing their overall shopping experience.

Our merchandise mix is similar to that of a high-quality department store, featuring the best in: (i) home (including electronics), (ii) accessories (including beauty products), (iii) apparel and (iv) jewelry, which, in 2011, accounted for approximately 45%, 26%, 15% and 14%, respectively, of our consolidated gross revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2010, such percentages were 44%, 26%, 15% and 15%. Many of our brands are exclusive, while others are created by well-known designers.

A key difference between us and traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers is that we are able to quickly adapt what merchandise we present as a direct response to what is selling and what is not. We utilize a test and re-order model to determine initial customer demand. Through constant monitoring, we manage our product offerings to maximize net revenue and fulfill current demand in large growth segments where we can gain a greater share of our customers' purchases. Our merchandising team is dedicated to consistently researching, pursuing and launching new products and brand opportunities. With a management mandate to deliver hard-to-find value, this product search group constantly pursues securing quality goods from manufacturers with enough scale to offer sufficient supply to our existing and future customers. We maintain strong relationships with our vendors, many of which find our marketing distribution channel attractive due to the showcasing and story-telling elements of our programming, the velocity of our sales and our pricing model integrity. This efficient sales/marketing strategy is mirrored on our websites.

We purchase, or obtain on consignment, products from domestic and foreign manufacturers and wholesalers, often on favorable terms based upon the volume of the transactions. We have attracted some of the world's most respected consumer brands as well as celebrities, entrepreneurs and designers to promote these brands. Brand leaders such as Dooney & Bourke, philosophy, Dell, Panasonic, Judith Ripka and Bare Escentuals reach a broad audience while product representatives share the stories behind these brands. We have agreements with celebrities, entrepreneurs and designers such as Joan Rivers, Rachael Ray, Nicole Richie, Jennifer Hudson and Isaac Mizrahi, enabling us to provide entertaining and engaging programming that develops a lifestyle bond with our customers. These celebrity personalities and product representatives often provide pre-appearance publicity for their QVC products on other television shows, enhancing demand during their QVC appearances. We cross-promote between our e-commerce and mobile platform and our television programming to promote the use of each platform as a standalone entity. Our e-commerce efforts are focused on creating a community of online shoppers by translating our televised themes, personalities and shopping experience for each platform.

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We do not depend on any single supplier or designer for a significant portion of our inventory purchases.

Distribution

We distribute our television programs, via satellite or optical fiber, to television distributors for retransmission to subscribers in the U.S, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and neighboring countries that receive our programming signals. In the U.S., we uplink our analog and digital programming transmissions using a third-party service. Both transmissions are uplinked to protected, non-preemptible transponders on U.S. satellites. "Protected" status means that, in the event of a transponder failure, our signal will be transferred to a spare transponder or, if none is available, to a preemptible transponder located on the same satellite or, in certain cases, to a transponder on another satellite owned by the same service provider if one is available at the time of the failure. "Non-preemptible" status means that, in the event of a transponder failure, our transponders cannot be preempted in favor of a user of a failed transponder, even another user with "protected status." Our international business units each obtain uplinking services from third parties and transmit their programming to non-preemptible transponders on four international satellites. Our transponder service agreement for our U.S. transponders expires at the end of the lives of the satellites, which are currently estimated to be in 2019. Our transponder service agreements for our international transponders expire in 2012 through 2022.

We continually seek to expand and enhance our television and e-commerce platforms, as well as to further our international operations and multimedia capabilities. We launched QVCHD in the U.S. in April 2008, and in May 2009, we became the first U.S. multimedia retailer to offer a native HD service. QVCHD is a high-definition simulcast of our U.S. telecast utilizing the full 16x9 screen ratio, while keeping the side panel for additional information. High-definition, or HD, programming allows us to utilize a typically wider television screen with crisper and more colorful images to present a larger "storefront," which we believe captures the attention of channel "surfers" and engages our customers. In the U.S., QVCHD reaches approximately 44 million television households, as we continue to develop and launch features to further enrich the television viewing experience.

Affiliation agreements

We enter into long-term affiliation agreements with certain of our television distributors who downlink our programming and distribute the programming to their customers. In the U.S., our programming is distributed to approximately 100 million television households, or approximately 97% of all television households as of December 31, 2011, defined as households subscribing to television services offered by cable operators (e.g., Comcast and Time Warner Cable), satellite television providers (e.g., DISH Network and DIRECTV) and telecommunications companies (e.g., Verizon and AT&T). Our affiliation agreements with both domestic and international distributors have termination dates ranging from 2012 to 2019. Our ability to continue to sell products to our customers is dependent on our ability to maintain and renew these affiliation agreements in the future. Although typically we are successful in obtaining and renewing these agreements, we do not have distribution agreements with some of the distributors that carry our programming. In total, we are currently providing programming without affiliation agreements to distributors representing 7% of our U.S.

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distribution, and short-term, rolling 90 day letters of extension, to distributors who represent approximately 35% of our U.S. distribution. Some of our international programming may continue to be carried by distributors after the expiration dates on our affiliation agreements with them have passed.

In return for carrying our signals, each programming distributor in the U.S. receives an allocated portion, based upon market share, of up to 5% of the net sales of merchandise sold via the television programs and from certain internet sales to customers located in the programming distributor's service areas. In Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy, programming distributors receive an agreed-upon annual fee, a monthly fee per subscriber regardless of the net sales or a variable percentage of net sales.

In addition to sales-based commissions or per-subscriber fees, we also make payments to distributors in the U.S. for carriage and to secure positioning within a broadcast area or within the general entertainment area on the distributor's channel line-up. We believe that a portion of our sales are attributable to purchases resulting from channel "surfing" and that a channel position near broadcast networks and more popular cable networks increases the likelihood of such purchases. As technology evolves, we will continue to monitor optimal channel placement and attempt to negotiate agreements with our distributors to maximize the viewership of our television programming.

Demographics of customers

We enjoy a very loyal customer base, as demonstrated by the fact that for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, 85% of our domestic net revenue came from repeat customers (i.e., customers who made a purchase from us during the prior twelve months), who spent an average of $1,276 each during this period. An additional 6% of net revenue in that period came from reactivated customers, i.e., customers who previously made a purchase from us, but not during the prior twelve months. We believe this customer loyalty diminishes pressure on us to pursue expensive marketing programs, especially during periods of slower economic activity, which helps control overall marketing expenses.

We believe our core customer base represents an attractive demographic target market. Based on internal customer data, approximately 65% of our 7.3 million domestic customers for twelve months ended December 31, 2011 were women between the ages of 35 and 64.

Order taking and fulfillment

We strive to be prompt and efficient in order taking and fulfillment. We have three domestic phone centers located in San Antonio, Texas; Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Chesapeake, Virginia that can direct calls from one call center to another as volume mandates. This ability to transfer calls reduces a caller's hold time, helping to ensure that orders will not be lost as a result of abandoned or unanswered calls. We also have one phone center in each of Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy and two call centers in Germany. Many markets also utilize home agents, allowing staffing flexibility for peak hours. In addition, we utilize computerized voice response units, which handle approximately 34% of all orders taken on a worldwide basis.

In addition to taking orders from our customers through phone centers and online, we continue to expand our ordering platforms. For example, our United Kingdom customers can

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order products directly through a television remote control "buy button." Customers in Japan placed approximately 10% of all orders directly through their mobile phones. We are also expanding mobile phone ordering capabilities and have launched five iPhone applications, an iPad application, Android and Blackberry applications, a WAP (wireless application protocol) mobile website and a robust SMS program. Efforts in the U.S. also include interactive television with a Google TV application. On a global basis, customers placed approximately 6% of all orders directly through their mobile devices in 2011.

Through our eight worldwide distribution centers, we shipped approximately 89% of our orders within 48 hours in the year ended December 31, 2011. Our domestic distribution centers are located in Suffolk, Virginia; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; West Chester, Pennsylvania; Rocky Mount, North Carolina; and Florence, South Carolina. Our U.S. distribution centers have shipped over 600,000 units in a single day. We also have distribution centers in Hücklehoven, Germany (which supports QVC-Germany and QVC-Italy); Sakura-shi, Chiba, Japan; and Knowsley, United Kingdom. Our worldwide warehouse space is approximately 6.8 million square feet—the size of about 118 U.S. football fields. In 2011, we shipped 164 million units worldwide. Since our inception, we have shipped more than 1.4 billion packages in the U.S. alone.

We have built a scalable operating infrastructure focused on sustaining efficient, flexible and cost-effective sale and distribution of our products. Since our physical store locations are minimal, we require lower inventory levels and capital expenditures compared to traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers. In recent years, we have made significant investments in our distribution centers and information technology systems that we believe will accommodate our foreseeable growth needs. Further, since we have no set "floor plan" and can closely manage inventory levels at our centralized warehouses, we believe we have the flexibility to analyze and react quickly to changing trends and demand by shifting programming time and product mix. Our cost structure is highly variable, which we believe allows us to consistently achieve attractive margins relative to bricks-and-mortar retailers.

Our web and mobile platforms are fully integrated with our televised programming and product distribution capabilities. Our web and mobile platform features include a live video stream of our television programming, full integration with our order fulfillment, product branding, as well as the thematic offerings and events that have become fundamental to our televised programming.

Third party carriers transport our packages from our distribution centers to our customers. In each market where we operate, we have negotiated with one or more independent, third party shipping companies pursuant to long-term contracts, which in certain circumstances provide for favorable shipping rates.

Competition

We operate in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive retail business environment. Based on domestic net revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, we are the leading television retailer in the U.S. and generate substantially more net revenue than our closest two competitors, HSN and ShopNBC, representing over 66% of the net revenue generated by us and these two competitors. However, we have numerous and varied competitors at the national and local levels, ranging from large department stores to specialty shops, electronic

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retailers, direct marketing retailers, wholesale clubs, discount retailers, other television shopping retailers such as HSN and ShopNBC, infomercial retailers, internet retailers, and mail-order and catalog companies. Our international operations face similar competition in their respective markets, such as HSE 24 in Germany, Shop Channel in Japan and Ideal World in the United Kingdom.

We also compete for access to customers and audience share with other providers of televised, on-line and hard copy entertainment and content. The price and availability of other programming may unfavorably affect the placement of our programming in the channel line-ups of our distributors, and may affect our ability to obtain distribution agreements with small cable distributors. Competition from other programming also affects the compensation that must be paid to distributors for carriage, which continues to increase. Principal competitive factors for us include (1) value, quality and selection of merchandise, (2) customer experience, including customer service and reliability of fulfillment and delivery services, and (3) convenience and accessibility of sales channels.

Employees

We employed 16,206 full-time and part-time employees as of June 30, 2012. Employment levels fluctuate due to seasonal factors affecting our business. Additionally, we utilize independent contractors and temporary personnel to supplement our workforce, particularly on a seasonal basis. Our domestic employees are not represented by a labor union and we consider our employee relations to be good.

Properties

We own our corporate headquarters and operations center in West Chester, Pennsylvania, which consists of office space and includes executive offices, television studios, showrooms, broadcast facilities and administrative offices for QVC. We also own call centers in San Antonio, Texas; Port St. Lucie, Florida; Chesapeake, Virginia; Bochum and Kassel, Germany, as well as a call center and warehouse in Knowsley, United Kingdom. We own a distribution center in Hücklehoven, Germany and distribution centers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and West Chester, Pennsylvania; Suffolk, Virginia; Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Florence, South Carolina and Sakura-shi, Chiba, Japan. To supplement the facilities we own, we also lease various facilities in the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy for retail outlet stores, office space, warehouse space and call center locations. QVC-Japan is in the process of building a new headquarters in Japan, that will include executive offices, television studios, showrooms, broadcast facilities and administrative offices for QVC-Japan. The total expected project cost is approximately $245 million and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2013. QVC-U.K. transitioned to its new leased headquarters that includes executive offices, television studios, showrooms, broadcast facilities and administrative offices for QVC-U.K. in June 2012. QVC-U.K. made certain improvements to its new leased facility costing approximately $45 million.

We believe that the duration of each lease is adequate and we do not anticipate any future problems renewing or obtaining suitable leases for our principal properties. We believe that our principal properties, whether owned or leased, are currently adequate for the purposes for which they are used and are suitably maintained for these purposes. From time to time, we consider various alternatives related to our long term facilities needs. While our management

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believes existing facilities are adequate to meet our short term needs, it may become necessary to lease or acquire additional or alternative space to accommodate future growth.

Legal proceedings

We are not a party to or subject to any material pending legal proceedings. We are parties to various claims and pending litigation as part of the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the nature and disposition of these matters are considered routine and arising in the ordinary course of business.

Government regulation

The manner in which we sell and promote merchandise and related claims and representations made in connection with these efforts is regulated by federal and state law. Some examples of regulatory agencies and regulations that affect the manner in which we sell and promote merchandise include the following:

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the state attorneys general regulate the advertising and sale of retail products and services offered for sale in the U.S., including the FTC's recent adoption of revised Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Food and Drug Administration which has specific regulations regarding claims that can be made about food products and regulates marketing claims that can be made for cosmetic beauty products and over-the-counter drugs.

The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") which requires products that make certain types of claims, such as "anti-bacterial," be registered with the EPA prior to making such claims.

Each of the Federal Trade Commission's Telemarketing Sales Rule, the FCC's Telephone Consumer Protection Act and similar state rules, which outline procedures that must be followed when telemarketing to customers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission which has specific regulations regarding products that present unreasonable risks of injuries to consumers.

Import and export laws, including U.S. economic sanction and embargo regulations, U.S. homeland security laws and regulations and other laws such as the U.S. anti-boycott law and U.S. export controls regulations.

Comparable regulatory agencies and regulations in foreign countries.

In 2000, we became subject to a consent decree issued by the FTC barring us from making certain deceptive claims for specified weight-loss products and dietary supplements. We also became subject to an expanded consent decree issued by the FTC that terminates on the later of March 4, 2029, or 20 years from the most recent date that the U.S. or the FTC files a complaint in federal court alleging any violation thereunder. Pursuant to this expanded consent decree, we are prohibited from making certain claims about specified weight-loss, dietary supplement and anti-cellulite products unless we have competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate such claims. To help mitigate against the risk of future claims, we

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increased our staffing to provide additional review of claims related to weight-loss, dietary supplement and anti-cellulite products that we offer for sale.

We market and provide a broad range of merchandise through television shopping programs and our websites. As a result, we are subject to a wide variety of statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in various jurisdictions that are subject to change at any time, including laws regarding consumer protection, privacy, the regulation of retailers generally, the importation, sale and promotion of merchandise and the operation of retail stores and warehouse facilities, as well as laws and regulations applicable to the internet and businesses engaged in online commerce, such as those regulating the sending of unsolicited, commercial electronic mail.

Our business is also dependent upon our continued ability to transmit our programming to television distributors from our satellite uplink facilities, which transmissions are subject to FCC compliance in the U.S. and foreign regulatory requirements in our international operations.

Intellectual property

We regard our trademarks, service marks, copyrights, domain names, trade dress, trade secrets, proprietary technologies and similar intellectual property as critical to our success. We rely on a combination of trademark and copyright law, trade-secret protection, and confidentiality and/or license agreements with our employees, customers, suppliers, affiliates and others to protect these proprietary rights. We have registered, or applied for the registration of, a number of domain names, trademarks, service marks and copyrights by U.S. and foreign governmental authorities, and vigorously protect our proprietary rights against infringement.

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Management and corporate governance

Management by our shareholder

We are a Delaware close corporation that has elected to be managed by our shareholder, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty. Thus, our shareholder, rather than a board of directors, manages our business.

Executive officers

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of individuals who currently serve as our executive officers. Ages are as of May 31, 2012.

 
Name
  Age
  Position(s)
 

Michael A. George

    50  

President & Chief Executive Officer, QVC

Steve Hofmann

    46  

Chief Executive Officer, QVC-Europe and QVC-Italy

John Thomas

    51  

Chief Executive Officer, QVC-Japan

Claire A. Watts

    52  

Chief Executive Officer, QVC-U.S.

Daniel T. O'Connell

    53  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, QVC

Linda Dillman

    55  

Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer, QVC

Lawrence R. Hayes

    51  

Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, QVC

Elizabeth A. Rubino

    49  

Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Workplace Services, QVC

 

The following is a biographical summary of the experience of our executive officers:

Michael A. George.     Mr. George was named President of QVC in November 2005 and Chief Executive Officer in April 2006. Mr. George is responsible for overseeing QVC's operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy. Mr. George came to us from Dell Inc., where he was the Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager of Dell's U.S. consumer business. At Dell, he was responsible for building the Dell brand globally across all customer segments and developing Dell's global e-business and CRM capabilities. Mr. George also led Dell's U.S. consumer business, with responsibility for all products and services sold into the home market, including PCs, TVs, printers, software, video and music content, and home technology services. Prior to his time with Dell, Mr. George was a senior partner at McKinsey & Co., Inc. and led the firm's North American Retail Industry Group. At McKinsey, Mr. George served retail and consumer goods companies on areas of corporate strategy and organization, marketing and merchandising, sales-force operations and information technology.

Steve Hofmann.     Mr. Hofmann was named Chief Executive Officer of QVC-Europe in May 2012. In this role, he provides oversight of all of QVC's European markets in addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of QVC-Italy. Mr. Hofmann was named CEO QVC-Italy in January 2010, where he established the framework for QVC's operations in Italy and is now responsible for overseeing those operations. Mr. Hofmann previously served as Chief Executive Officer of QVC-U.K. Mr. Hofmann joined QVC in September 2007 from Jupiter Shop Channel in Japan, where he served as co-Chief Executive Officer. Including his experience in television retailing, Mr. Hofmann brings more than 14 years of global television experience to QVC. He joined NBC in New York in 1996 and worked with NBC in Hong Kong and Singapore as the Chief Financial

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Officer of Asian operations. Mr. Hofmann has also been with Jupiter TV, Japan's largest multi-channel television provider, as Chief Financial Officer. He started his career at Price Waterhouse, where he spent six years.

John Thomas.     Mr. Thomas was named Chairman and CEO of QVC Japan in September 2011. In this role, Mr. Thomas is responsible for overseeing QVC's operations in Japan. Mr. Thomas joined QVC as senior vice president of global business development in January 2011. In this position, he was responsible for the development of QVC's market expansion strategy. Mr. Thomas brings to QVC more than 25 years experience in CEO and executive assignments with a focus on technology and marketing companies to QVC. He had served as a consultant supporting QVC's global growth plans and was instrumental in the launch of QVC Italy. He was also president and CEO of Global Marketing and Consulting Enterprises Inc. In addition Mr. Thomas was president and partner of Specialty Products Global L.C. and held leadership positions at a diverse list of companies including Samkoo Corporation of America, Samkoo System Integration L.C. and Speer Communications.

Claire A. Watts.     Ms. Watts joined QVC in January 7, 2008, and assumed the role of President of U.S. Commerce in May 2008. She was named CEO, QVC-U.S. in January 2010. In this position, Ms. Watts is responsible for the overall strategy and operations of QVC's U.S. business. Ms. Watts oversees teams responsible for merchandising, planning, sales, programming, marketing, public relations, creative production, affiliate sales, broadcasting, QVC.com, new media, consumer insights and quality and supply chain. Ms. Watts also oversees QVC's Customer Fulfillment Services team as well as QVC's Customer Service and Distribution departments. Ms. Watts brings more than 25 years of broad retail and merchandising experience with industry leaders in the department store, specialty, catalog and mass segments. She began her career in the May Company's Executive Training Program. Ms. Watts then served in senior merchandising and product roles at Paul Harris, The Limited and Lands' End. She spent the 10 years prior to joining QVC with Wal-Mart in various executive positions, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Merchandising. Her experience in this role included apparel, jewelry, accessories and home product categories.

Daniel T. O'Connell.     Mr. O'Connell was named Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for QVC in February 2007. In this position, Mr. O'Connell is responsible for overseeing our financial operations and administrative services, including accounting, budget and planning, tax and treasury, accounts payable, payroll, purchasing and customer payments. He is also responsible for the management of the financial operations of our international operations. Mr. O'Connell joined us in 1987 as Director of Accounting and over the years assumed various roles of increasing responsibility in the Finance department, most recently as Senior Vice President and Controller. In this prior role, he was responsible for our domestic financial accounting, reporting, budgeting, inventory and disbursement functions, as well as overseeing the financial operations of our international subsidiaries. Prior to joining QVC, Mr. O'Connell began his career with Price Waterhouse and then served as controller of a subsidiary of Marketing Corporation of America in Westport, Connecticut. Mr. O'Connell has announced that he is retiring in the spring of 2013.

Linda Dillman.     Ms. Dillman was named Chief Information Officer of QVC in January 2012. In this position, Ms. Dillman provides strategic oversight and direction on the design, development and implementation of technology solutions and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the U.S. and corporate information technology operations. Additionally, in

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partnership with the international market leaders, Ms. Dillman helps set the direction of the information technology organizations in QVC's markets around the world. Prior to joining QVC, Ms. Dillman was Senior Vice President of Global Information Technology for Hewlett-Packard Company, where she was responsible for development, support and management of all IT applications for the Enterprise Services business unit and all global functions. She has also held positions at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Navistar International Corp. and Monaco Coach Corp.

Lawrence R. Hayes.     Mr. Hayes was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel in March 2008 and Secretary in August 2008. Mr. Hayes manages all aspects of our Legal and Internal Audit departments, as well as QVC's Global Business Development department. Mr. Hayes previously served, since 2000, as Vice President, Legal, and Assistant Secretary of QVC. In this position, Mr. Hayes provided legal advice and services to Information Technology, QVC.com, Facilities and Human Resources. He also supervised outside attorneys in commercial and litigation matters. Mr. Hayes began his career with QVC in 1992 as associate counsel and, in 1998, was promoted to senior counsel. Prior to joining QVC, Mr. Hayes was an attorney for seven years at the Philadelphia law firm of Mesirov, Gelman, Jaffe, Cramer & Jamieson.

Elizabeth A. Rubino.     Ms. Rubino was named Senior Vice President of Human Resources in August 2007 and Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Workplace Services in November 2011. In this position, Ms. Rubino is responsible for overseeing all talent acquisition and development, total rewards and client services. Additionally, Ms. Rubino is responsible for internal communications, community affairs, security, environmental health and safety, facilities and food services at our worldwide headquarters in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Ms. Rubino, who joined QVC in 1995, previously served as Vice President of Human Resources Operations and Services, and was responsible for talent acquisition and training for all U.S. locations, including call centers and distribution centers. Prior to this promotion, Ms. Rubino was the Director of Human Resources Operations and Services, responsible for all human resources functions within the call centers and distribution centers, supporting nearly 10,000 team members. Ms. Rubino also served as the Director of Human Resources Training and Development. Prior to joining us, Ms. Rubino had served as Director of Training, Management and Organization for PECO Energy and then General Manager of its Philadelphia call center.

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Executive compensation

This section sets forth information relating to, and an analysis and discussion of, compensation paid by our company or our parent, Liberty, to:

Michael A. George, our Chief Executive Officer and President;

Daniel T. O'Connell, our Chief Financial Officer; and

Ulrich Flatten, John P. Thomas and Claire A. Watts, our three other most highly compensated executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2011.

We collectively refer to these persons as "our named executive officers."

Compensation discussion and analysis

Overview

During calendar year 2011, we were, and continue to be, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty. As a result, the Chief Executive Officer of Liberty, Gregory B. Maffei, is responsible for overseeing and approving the compensation package paid to our CEO and President, Mr. George. Mr. George's compensation package is also subject to the approval of the Liberty compensation committee because he was a named executive officer of Liberty for the calendar year 2011. The compensation packages paid to our other named executive officers are subject to the oversight and approval of Mr. George and Mr. Maffei. In addition, the Liberty compensation committee administers the Liberty Interactive Corporation 2007 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective November 7, 2011) (the " 2007 Incentive Plan ") and the Liberty Interactive Corporation 2010 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective November 7, 2011) (the " 2010 Incentive Plan " and, together with the 2007 Incentive Plan, the " Liberty Incentive Plans ") and has the sole authority to make and modify equity grants under, and to approve or disapprove participation in, the Liberty Incentive Plans. All of our named executive officers (other than Dr. Flatten) participated in the Liberty Incentive Plans in 2011.

Objectives

The compensation program for our named executive officers was designed to meet the following objectives that align with and support our strategic business goals:

attracting and retaining executive managers with the industry knowledge, skills, experience and talent to help our company attain its strategic objectives and build long-term company value;

emphasizing variable performance-based compensation components, which include equity-based compensation, by linking individual compensation with corporate operating metrics as well as individual professional achievements; and

aligning the interests of the management of our company with the interests of Liberty's public stockholders.

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Philosophy

The following principles are used to guide the design of our executive compensation program and to ensure that the program is consistent with the objectives described above:

Competitive positioning. We believe that our executive compensation program must provide compensation to our named executive officers that is both reasonable in relation to, and competitive with, the compensation paid to similarly situated employees of companies in our industry and companies with which we compete for talent. See "—Setting Executive Compensation; Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions" below.

"Pay for performance" philosophy. We believe our compensation program should align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our company and Liberty's stockholders by strengthening the link between pay and company and individual performance. We target median levels of compensation when our performance goals are met and higher levels of compensation when our performance goals are exceeded. We believe variable compensation, including equity-based awards, should represent a significant portion of the total compensation mix for our named executive officers.

Setting executive compensation; role of chief executive officer in compensation decisions

Our CEO establishes all elements of each of the other named executive officer's compensation package. In making these determinations, Mr. George evaluates the performance and contributions of each of the other named executive officer given his or her respective area of responsibility. Mr. George's determinations are then submitted to Mr. Maffei, the CEO of our parent company, Liberty, for his approval. Mr. Maffei is responsible for approving, and recommending to the Liberty compensation committee for its approval, all elements of Mr. George's compensation package. In addition, all grants of equity awards are subject to the approval of the Liberty compensation committee. The following qualitative factors are taken in account in making executive compensation recommendations for all of our named executive officers:

each element of the named executive officer's historical compensation, including salary, bonus, equity compensation, perquisites and other personal benefits;

the named executive officer's experience and overall effectiveness;

the responsibilities of the named executive officer, including any changes to those responsibilities over the year;

the named executive officer's demonstrated leadership and management ability;

the named executive officer's compensation relative to other executives at our company with similar, greater or lesser responsibilities;

the performance of any business segment for which the named executive officer is primarily responsible; and

the financial performance of our company compared to business plans.

In addition, each of our named executive officers is party to an employment agreement with our company which governs the terms of his or her compensation. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements" below. In 2011, we entered into a new employment agreement

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with Mr. George to ensure his long-term service with our company, and we amended Mr. Thomas' employment agreement in connection with his entry into an expatriate assignment agreement relating to his assumption of the duties of interim (and ultimately permanent) CEO of our subsidiary, QVC Japan. Mr. Maffei had primary responsibility for negotiating and approving Mr. George's employment agreement and continues to have primary responsibility for approving all elements of Mr. George's compensation. Mr. George had primary responsibility for negotiating and approving Mr. Thomas' amended employment arrangements, with Mr. Maffei ratifying the definitive terms thereof.

In designing the compensation packages for our named executive officers, including our performance-based bonus program, the range of total compensation paid by companies in the retail, broadcasting, consumer goods and online commerce industries, as well as by companies of comparable revenue size to QVC outside of these industries (collectively, our " reference set "), are considered and used as a guide to ensuring that our named executive officers receive competitive compensation packages. With respect to our cash compensation, we aim to pay at the median of the market. At times, total compensation, or any specific element thereof, payable to our named executive officers may exceed that of our reference set or may be less than that of our reference set. For example, Mr. George's 2011 multi-year equity incentive award discussed below is not comparable to the incentive awards generally paid by our reference set. See "—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—Equity Incentive Compensation" below for a discussion of these awards.

As a general matter, our compensation philosophy is to weigh incentive compensation more heavily than cash compensation, which is a practice that may not be consistently followed by our reference set.

Elements of 2011 executive compensation

For 2011 the principal components of compensation for the named executive officers were:

base salary;

performance-based bonuses (other than to Mr. Thomas), payable in cash;

in the case of Mr. Thomas, a sign-on bonus and a discretionary bonus, payable in cash;

a grant of equity incentive awards (other than to Dr. Flatten); and

perquisites and other limited personal benefits.

Base Salary.     The base salaries of the named executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis, as well as at the time of any change in responsibilities. Historically, increases have been granted consistent with the annual salary increase pool determined generally for QVC as a whole, adjusted (upward or downward) to reflect a named executive officer's individual job performance, as determined by Mr. Maffei with respect to Mr. George and by Mr. George with respect to all other named executive officers. As a general matter, however, our policy is for base salary to represent a relatively smaller portion of each named executive officer's overall compensation package, thereby aligning the interests of our executives more closely with those of our company and Liberty's stockholders. With respect to 2011, each of Mr. O'Connell, Dr. Flatten and Ms. Watts received increases ranging from 3.0% to 6.0% based on their favorable performance evaluations for 2010. Mr. George received an increase in his base salary

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with respect to 2011 pursuant to the terms of his new employment agreement. Mr. Thomas did not receive a base salary increase with respect to 2011 because his employment with our company began on January 1, 2011.

2011 Performance-based Bonuses.     For 2011, we adopted an annual, performance-based bonus program for all of our senior officers, including each of our named executive officers (other than Dr. Flatten who participates in a separate German bonus program and Mr. Thomas who received a discretionary bonus pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement). The bonus program was reviewed and approved by Mr. Maffei and, as it relates to Mr. George, the Liberty compensation committee. Pursuant to the program, each of Messrs. George and O'Connell and Ms. Watts was assigned a target bonus amount which would be paid based upon the EBITDA growth year over year for QVC U.S. for fiscal year 2011. Mr. George's target bonus was established as 100% of his base salary in connection with the signing of his employment agreement in 2011 as described above. For QVC U.S., EBITDA was defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2011. The EBITDA-based payout grid ranged from a threshold payout of 70% of target for 5% EBITDA growth to 240% of target for 15% EBITDA growth. The EBITDA performance bonus would then be subject to increase of up to 200% or decrease down to zero based on the individual's performance rating, as determined by a personal modifier grid that was adopted in connection with the program. Dr. Flatten was also assigned a target bonus amount which would be paid based upon EBITDA growth year over year of QVC Germany for fiscal year 2011. Dr. Flatten's target bonus was established as 50% of his base salary. The EBITDA payout grid for Germany ranged from a threshold payout of 14% of target to 160% of target based on both EBITDA growth and individual performance.

Each participating named executive officer was ascribed pre-established goals or objectives for the year 2011 against which his or her performance would be evaluated:

Michael A. George  

Accelerate growth in existing markets and expansion into new markets.

   

Development of a scalable technology platform and infrastructure to support growth.

   

Acceleration of growth and customer engagement with e-commerce and new media platforms.

   

Oversight of executive management team and continuation of long term succession planning.

Daniel T. O'Connell

 

Management of internal controls, cash investments, expense and capital budgets, and capital structure of the company.

   

Leadership of the finance organization and continuation of succession planning.

   

Evaluation, negotiation, and structuring of mergers and acquisitions.

Ulrich Flatten

 

Managing and pursuing the QVC Germany long-term plan.

   

Managing the evolution of QVC Germany to a multimedia company.

   

Oversight of the transition to a new technical IT-platform.

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Claire A. Watts

 

Accelerate growth in US market.

   

Refine development of integrated multi channel content strategy.

   

Continue multichannel optimization and development of new customer platforms.

   

Leadership of customer service experience across all platforms.

QVC U.S. achieved a 5% EBITDA growth target for the year ended December 31, 2011 (after adjusting actual EBITDA growth of 3% to reflect the reduction in 2011 earnings resulting from amendments to the GE Money Bank agreement that supports the QVC credit card), which resulted in a potential payout of 70% of target for the EBITDA performance bonus for Messrs. George and O'Connell and Ms. Watts. QVC Germany achieved a 10% EBITDA growth target for the year ended December 31, 2011, which resulted in a potential payout of 100% of the target for the EBITDA performance bonus for Dr. Flatten. Each participating named executive officer's EBITDA performance bonus was then adjusted by his or her personal performance modifier, as follows:

   
Name
  Target
bonus

  EBITDA
performance
(as a percentage
of target payout)

  EBITDA
performance
payout

  Adjustment
factor for
individual
performance

  Total
payout

 
   

Michael A. George

  $ 1,000,000     70%   $ 700,000     100%   $ 700,000  

Daniel T. O'Connell

  $ 227,630     70%   $ 159,341     110%   $ 175,275  

Ulrich Flatten

  $ 306,635     100%   $ 306,635     100%   $ 306,635  

Claire A. Watts

  $ 801,360     70%   $ 560,952     100%   $ 560,952  
   

In addition to his annual cash performance-based bonus, as described above, Dr. Flatten is also eligible to receive a long-term cash bonus pursuant to his participation in a long-term incentive bonus plan (the " QVC Germany Long-Term Plan ") provided by QVC Germany to selected members of its management. Generally, the plan permits those members of QVC Germany's management who have entered into a service or employment contract with QVC Germany to receive a cash bonus payment based on the accumulated EBITDA of QVC Germany over a three-year period. The three-year performance target is deemed to be achieved if the accumulated EBITDA over the three-year period is equal to at least 50% of the planned accumulated EBITDA for the same three-year period. With respect to Dr. Flatten, his bonus under this plan is calculated by multiplying 75% of Dr. Flatten's base salary by the accumulated EBITDA actually achieved over the applicable three-year performance period divided by the planned accumulated EBITDA for the same three-year period, with the maximum amount payable capped at approximately 130.2% of Dr. Flatten's annual salary. Cash bonus amounts under the QVC Germany Long-Term Plan are payable on April 30 of the calendar year following the end of the applicable three-year performance period. Thus, members of QVC Germany's management who have participated in the QVC Germany Long-Term Plan for consecutive years, such as Dr. Flatten, receive payouts under this plan in consecutive years following the completion of each related three-year performance period. The QVC Germany Long-Term Plan is reviewed on an annual basis. For the three year period ending December 31, 2011, QVC Germany's planned accumulated EBITDA was €413.5 million and its actual accumulated EBITDA was €380.9 million (representing 92.1% of target), resulting in a payout to Dr. Flatten of $397,321.

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For more information regarding these bonus awards, please see the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table below.

Discretionary bonus.     Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Thomas was entitled to receive an annual bonus with respect to work performed in 2011 equal to no less than 50% of his base salary. In determining the actual bonus amount paid to him of $312,000 (which was higher than the contracted amount), we took into account Mr. Thomas' exceptional performance in 2011 as Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, for our company and later CEO of QVC Japan. Although QVC Japan's 2011 results were impacted by the March 2011 earthquakes and tsunami affecting that country, and the resulting time off-air, it continued to grow its sales results under the leadership of Mr. Thomas, who managed QVC Japan through the aftermath of these tragedies and was instrumental in the development of QVC Japan's business plan and expansion into new markets.

Equity incentive compensation.     Consistent with our compensation philosophy, we seek to align the interests of our named executive officers with those of Liberty's stockholders by awarding stock-based incentive compensation. This ensures that our executives have a continuing stake in our long-term consolidated success. We weigh stock-based compensation more heavily than cash compensation in determining each named executive officer's overall compensation mix.

The Liberty Incentive Plans provide for the grant of a variety of incentive awards, including stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and performance awards. Our executives are granted stock options and awards of restricted stock in preference to other awards because of Liberty's belief that options and restricted shares better promote retention of key employees through the continuing, long-term nature of an equity investment. Upon making the recommendation to grant equity incentive awards to our named executive officers, Mr. Maffei, in the case of Mr. George, and Mr. George, in the case of the other named executive officers (with the approval of Mr. Maffei), establish the value of the awards to be granted. Prior to the split-off of Liberty Media Corporation from our parent, Liberty, in September 2011, the grants to our named executive officers were made with respect to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock because our company was attributed to the then-Liberty Interactive tracking stock group. Following the September 2011 split-off, our parent company's only remaining class of common stock was the Liberty Interactive common stock; hence, the equity awards of the named executive awards were not affected by the split-off.

Stock options are awarded with an exercise price equal to fair market value on the date of grant, measured by reference to the closing sale price on the grant date. The Liberty compensation committee has historically made option grants once a year with a term of seven years and vesting over a three to five year period. In late 2009 and early 2010, however, the Liberty compensation committee determined to make larger grants (equaling approximately four to five years value of the annual grants made in 2009) that vest between four and five and three-quarters years after grant, rather than making annual grants over the same period, to the Liberty named executive officers. These multi-year grants provide for back-end weighted vesting to encourage the recipient executives to remain with Liberty over the long-term and to better align them with Liberty's stockholders. In keeping with this compensation philosophy, in March 2011, Mr. George (who became a named executive officer of Liberty in 2011) received a multi-year stock option award. One-half of the shares subject to Mr. George's options vest in

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each of December 2014 and December 2015 and the options expire 7 years from grant. Our other named executive officers (other than Dr. Flatten and Mr. Thomas) also received option and restricted stock awards in March 2011; however, these awards were subject to more customary vesting terms consisting of semi-annual vesting over a four year term with an expiration date of March 2, 2018 for the options and annual vesting over a four-year term for the restricted stock. Mr. Thomas received an option grant in connection with the commencement of his employment with our company and a second in connection with his promotion to CEO of QVC Japan which is subject to such customary vesting and expiration terms. For more information regarding these equity incentive grants, please see the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table below.

Because Dr. Flatten could not participate in any such equity awards at the time, he received a larger performance bonus, as described under "—2011 Performance-based Bonuses" above.

Perquisites and other personal benefits.     The perquisites and other personal benefits available to our executives (that are not otherwise available to all of our salaried employees, such as matching contributions to the QVC 401(k) Matched Savings Retirement Plan and Success Sharing Plan for employees of QVC U.S. and the payment of life insurance premiums) consist of:

a deferred compensation plan that provides above-market preferential returns;

pension restoration contributions;

a car allowance for certain overseas managers; and

in the case of Mr. Thomas, expatriate benefits.

Executives of QVC U.S. with an annual rate of pay greater than $200,000 are eligible to participate in the QVC 1996 Deferred Compensation Plan, as Amended and Restated (the " Deferred Compensation Plan "), under which each eligible executive may elect to defer all or any portion of the total cash remuneration for services he or she would have received in the following year. For more information regarding the Deferred Compensation Plan, please see "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—1996 Deferred Compensation Plan, As Amended and Restated" below.

In prior years, we provided a select group of QVC U.S. management with a nonqualified defined contribution benefit pursuant to the 1997 Nonqualified Defined Contribution Plan, as Amended and Restated, (the " Pension Restoration Plan "). Effective as of January 1, 2012, the Pension Restoration Plan has been frozen so that no additional amounts may be credited to the Pension Restoration Plan, and no additional employees may be eligible to participate. However, participants' existing account balances shall continue to be credited with interest earnings. For more information regarding the Pension Restoration Plan, please see "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—1997 Nonqualified Defined Pension Restoration Plan, As Amended and Restated" below.

We provide to our executive officers resident in the U.S. who accept an assignment overseas customary expatriate benefits, including allowances for certain forms of transportation, subsidized housing and utilities (subject to a monthly cap) and a one-time relocation benefit. We also adjust their cash compensation for the cost-of-goods-and-services differential.

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We also make generally available to our employees tax gross-ups relating to certain out of state income taxes to which they are subject in connection with the performance of their respective duties outside of our headquarters. In 2011, each of Messrs. George and O'Connell and Ms. Watts received such tax gross-ups.

Policy on restatements

In those instances where we grant equity-based incentive compensation, we include in the related agreement with the executive a right, in favor of Liberty, to require the executive to repay or return to the company any cash, stock or other incentive compensation (including proceeds from the disposition of shares received upon exercise of options or stock appreciation rights). That right will arise if (1) a material restatement of any of Liberty's financial statements is required and (2) in the reasonable judgment of the Liberty compensation committee, (A) such restatement is due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws and (B) such noncompliance is a result of misconduct on the part of the executive. In determining the amount of such repayment or return, the Liberty compensation committee may take into account, among other factors it deems relevant, the extent to which the market value of the Liberty Interactive common stock was affected by the errors giving rise to the restatement. The cash, stock or other compensation that we may require the executive to repay or return must have been received by the executive during the 12-month period beginning on the date of the first public issuance or the filing with the SEC, whichever occurs earlier, of the financial statement requiring restatement. The compensation required to be repaid or returned will include (1) cash or company stock received by the executive (A) upon the exercise during that 12-month period of any stock appreciation right held by the executive or (B) upon the payment during that 12-month period of any incentive compensation, the value of which is determined by reference to the value of company stock, and (2) any proceeds received by the executive from the disposition during that 12-month period of company stock received by the executive upon the exercise, vesting or payment during that 12-month period of any award of equity-based incentive compensation.

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Summary compensation table

   
Name and
principal position
(as of 12/31/11)

  Year
  Salary
($)

  Bonus
($)

  Stock
awards
($)(1)

  Option
awards
($)(1)

  Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)

  Change in
pension value
and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)(2)

  All other
compensation
($)

  Total
($)

 
   

Michael A. George
President and Chief Executive Officer

    2011     1,000,000             27,867,300 (3)   700,000         54,102 (4)(5)(6)(7)   29,621,402  

Daniel T. O'Connell
Chief Financial Officer, QVC, Inc.

   
2011
   
453,050
   
   
206,785
   
480,594
   
175,275
   
65,743
   
19,009

(4)(5)(6)(7)
 
1,400,456
 

Ulrich Flatten
Chief Executive Officer, Germany

   
2011
   
613,270
   
   
   
   
703,956

(8)
 
   
86,139

(9)
 
1,403,365
 

John P. Thomas
Chief Executive Officer, Japan

   
2011
   
506,667
   
512,000

(10)
 
   
992,180

(11)
 
   
   
249,819

(4)(12)
 
2,260,666
 

Claire A. Watts
Chief Executive Officer, US

   
2011
   
882,000
   
   
523,959
   
1,217,794
   
560,952
   
   
13,418

(4)(5)(6)(7)
 
3,198,123
 
   

(1)   The aggregate grant date fair value of the equity incentive awards has been computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, but (pursuant to SEC regulations) without reduction for estimated forfeitures. For a description of the assumptions applied in these calculations, see Note 13 to the Liberty consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 (which are included in Liberty's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 23, 2012).

(2)   Includes the above-market earnings credited to the deferred compensation account of Mr. O'Connell. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—Deferred Compensation," and "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—1996 Deferred Compensation Plan, As Amended and Restated" below.

(3)   Represents the grant date fair value of Mr. George's multi-year option award granted in March 2011. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—Equity Incentive Compensation" above.

(4)   Includes $1,242 in life insurance premiums paid by our company on behalf of each named executive officer (other than Dr. Flatten).

(5)   Includes tax gross-ups in the following amounts relating to certain out of state income taxes to which Messrs. George and O'Connell and Ms. Watts were subject in connection with the performance of their duties outside of QVC's headquarters:

   
Name
  Amounts ($)
 
   

Michael A. George

    34,843  

Daniel T. O'Connell

    261  

Claire A. Watts

    1,300  
   

(6)   Includes, with respect to the named executive officers listed below, matching contributions made by our company to the QVC, Inc. 401(k) Matched Savings Retirement and Success Sharing Plan, as Amended and Restated, as set forth below. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—QVC, Inc. 401(k) Matched Savings Retirement and Success Sharing Plan, as Amended and Restated" below. With respect to these matching contributions, these named executive officers are fully vested.

   
Name
  Amounts ($)
 
   

Michael A. George

    16,367  

Daniel T. O'Connell

    15,856  

Claire A. Watts

    9,226  
   

(7)   Includes, with respect to each of Messrs. George and O'Connell and Ms. Watts, $1,650 with respect to the Pension Restoration Plan.

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(8)   Comprised of a $306,635 annual performance-based bonus and a $397,321 bonus under the QVC German Long-Term Plan.

(9)   Includes $20,507 with respect to Dr. Flatten's use of a company car in Germany, $9,362 in taxes paid by QVC on expenses relating to such use and $5,690 paid for accident insurance with respect to such use. Includes $55,579 in pension contributions paid as part of the QVC Germany Management Pension Fund and Government Pension Insurance on behalf of Dr. Flatten. See "Executive Compensation Arrangements—QVC Germany Management Pension Fund" below.

(10) Comprised of a sign-on bonus of $200,000 and a discretionary annual bonus of $312,000.

(11) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted to Mr. Thomas in connection with the commencement of his employment with our company and separately his promotion to CEO of QVC Japan.

(12) Includes the following amounts with respect to Mr. Thomas:

   
 
  Amounts ($)
 
   

Use of company car

    5,201  

Mobility allowances and related benefits(a)

    186,126  

Tax equalization payments

    57,250  
   

(a)   Includes a lump sum payment to Mr. Thomas at the time of his hire for relocation from Florida to Pennsylvania, a bonus paid to Mr. Thomas in connection with his assignment to Japan, various goods and services and housing allowances and other benefits related to his assignment to Japan.

 See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—John Thomas" below.

Executive compensation arrangements

Michael A. George

On May 3, 2011, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. George. The agreement provides for, among other things, a five year employment term beginning January 1, 2011 and ending December 15, 2015, with an annual base salary of $1 million, increasing annually by 3% of the prior year's base salary, and an annual target cash bonus equal to 100% of the applicable year's annual base salary which will be determined by the chief executive officer of Liberty pursuant to criteria established in our annual bonus program (which program is approved each year by Liberty's chief executive officer) or, in the event Mr. George is considered a "covered employee" for any given year for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, his bonus will be determined by Liberty's compensation committee based on such criteria as approved in advance by such committee and that are designed in a manner such that the bonus will be treated as "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m). Also pursuant to the agreement, Mr. George is entitled to certain welfare, retirement and fringe benefits available to our senior-level executives.

On March 2, 2011, Mr. George was granted 3.8 million options to acquire shares of Liberty's Series A Liberty Interactive common stock ( LINTA ) (the " 2011 LINTA Options ") at an exercise price of $16.01 per share, which was the closing price of LINTA on such date. One-half of the 2011 LINTA Options will vest on December 15, 2014 with the remaining options vesting on December 15, 2015. The options have a term of 7 years. It is anticipated that Mr. George will not receive any additional equity award grants during the term of his employment agreement. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—Equity Incentive Compensation" above.

The agreement provides that, in the event Mr. George is terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to his accrued base salary through the date of termination, unpaid expenses, his vested benefits and any amounts due under applicable law. In addition, all equity awards granted to Mr. George prior to January 1, 2011 that are outstanding and unvested at the time of his termination for cause (the " Pre-2011 Unvested Awards ") and all

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2011 LINTA Options then held by Mr. George that have not become exercisable as of the date of such termination will be forfeited, and all equity awards granted to Mr. George prior to January 1, 2011 that are outstanding and vested but unexercised at the time of such termination (the " Pre-2011 Vested Awards ") and all 2011 LINTA Options that are outstanding and vested but unexercised as of the date of such termination will remain exercisable for a period of up to 90 days after the date of such termination or until the original expiration date of the options if sooner. If Mr. George terminates his employment without good reason (as defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to his accrued base salary though the date of termination, any declared but unpaid bonus for the calendar year prior to the year of termination, unpaid expenses, his vested benefits and any amounts due under applicable law. He will forfeit all rights to any Pre-2011 Unvested Awards and to any 2011 LINTA Options then held that have not become exercisable as of the date of his termination, any Pre-2011 Vested Awards that are options or similar rights will be treated as specified in the applicable agreement governing such equity award, and any 2011 LINTA Options that are outstanding and vested but unexercised as of the date of termination will be exercisable for a period of 90 days after the date of termination or until the original expiration date of the options if sooner. If, however, Mr. George terminates his employment for good reason or if his employment is terminated without cause, then he is entitled to receive his base salary for a period of one year and a lump sum payment of $1.5 million, in addition to accrued base salary through the date of termination, unpaid expenses, his vested benefits and any other amounts due under applicable law. In addition, any Pre-2011 Unvested Awards held on the date of termination that would have vested during the 365-day period following the date of such termination had Mr. George continued to be employed by us during such period will vest as of the date of termination. Further, a pro rata portion of each tranche of the 2011 LINTA Options that is not vested on the date of termination will vest as of such date, with such pro rata portion based on the portion of time Mr. George was employed by us and our affiliates during the vesting period of such tranche plus 365 days. The exercisability of any Pre-2011 Vested Awards, any vested 2011 LINTA Options and any Pre-2011 Unvested Awards that vest pursuant to the foregoing sentence will be extended to the earlier of the original expiration date of the option or two years from the date of the termination. In the case of Mr. George's death or disability (as defined in the agreement), the agreement provides for the right to receive his base salary for a period of one year, his accrued base salary through the date of termination, unpaid expenses, any declared but unpaid bonus for the calendar year prior to the year in which the termination occurs, his vested benefits and any amounts due under applicable law. In addition, the Pre-2011 Vested Awards, the Pre-2011 Unvested Awards and the 2011 LINTA Options will immediately vest and become exercisable (to the extent not already vested) and will be exercisable throughout the remainder of the full original term of such equity award. As a condition to Mr. George's receipt of any continuing base compensation payments or severance payments or the acceleration or extension of his equity awards, Mr. George must execute a severance agreement and release in favor of our company in accordance with the procedures set forth in his employment agreement.

Daniel T. O'Connell

2003 employment agreement.     On October 1, 2003, we entered into an employment agreement, as amended, with Mr. O'Connell. The agreement provides for, among other things, an initial one year employment term beginning on October 1, 2003 and ending on October 1, 2004, with an annual base salary of $172,000, subject to annual increases at our discretion, and

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an annual discretionary bonus based on the results of our operations and Mr. O'Connell's performance. After the initial term, the agreement continues for consecutive one year periods unless either party gives written notice of termination six months prior to the expiration of a term. Also pursuant to the agreement, Mr. O'Connell is entitled to certain fringe benefits available to our employees.

The agreement provides that, in the event Mr. O'Connell is terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to his accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination. In the case of Mr. O'Connell's death or disability (as defined in the agreement), the agreement provides for payment of accrued but unpaid base salary to him or his estate, as applicable. If, however, Mr. O'Connell's employment is terminated other than for death, disability or cause, he is entitled to receive his then current base salary for the longer of (i) six months after termination of employment or (ii) the remaining period of time from the termination of employment to the expiration of the then current annual period if his employment is terminated prior to the initial term of his agreement or the expiration of the then current extended term if his employment is terminated after the initial term of his agreement and during an extended term period.

2012 amendment to employment agreement.     On August 15, 2012, we entered into an amended employment agreement with Mr. O'Connell. The agreement provides for a final term of employment beginning on August 15, 2012 and ending on April 30, 2013, with a bonus for 2012 and a pro-rated bonus payment for the period from January 1, 2013 to April 30, 2013, each of which will be determined by us pursuant to criteria established in our annual performance-based bonus program. At the end of the final term, Mr. O'Connell's employment will terminate and he will be engaged as a consultant pursuant to a consulting agreement, as described below. The agreement provides that, upon termination of his employment at the expiration of the final term, he shall be entitled to any accrued but unpaid base salary and bonus payments. Except as modified by the amendment, Mr. O'Connell's employment agreement, described above, remains in effect.

Consulting agreement.     On August 27, 2012, we entered into a consulting agreement, which is to be effective as of May 1, 2013, with Mr. O'Connell. The consulting agreement provides for a one year term ending April 30, 2014 during which Mr. O'Connell will provide general business advice and counsel for up to thirty hours per month for a fee of $30,000 per month. Under the terms of the consulting agreement, all of Mr. O'Connell's equity awards will cease to vest as of April 30, 2013 and that all such awards which were unvested as of such date will be forfeited as of such date. In addition, any equity awards held by Mr. O'Connell as of such date which continue to be exercisable for a period following such date will remain exercisable as provided for the award agreements and incentive plans governing such awards. In the case of Mr. O'Connell's death or disability (as defined in the agreement), the consulting term shall be terminated, and the agreement provides for payment to Mr. O'Connell of a pro-rata portion of the fees for any services previously provided. If the consulting term is terminated other than for death or disability, the agreement provides for payment of a pro-rata portion of the fees for any services previously provided. Following the end of the consulting term, the consulting agreement provides for a 24 month non-compete, non-solicit and non-interference period. In consideration for Mr. O'Connell's compliance with such restrictive covenants, the consulting agreement provides for payment of $42,500 per calendar quarter during the 24 month period.

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Ulrich Flatten

On October 7, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Flatten, which was amended in December 2008 and again in December 2011. The agreement, as amended, provides for, among other things, a term of employment until the end of the month in which Dr. Flatten attains the age of 65, with an annual base salary of €484,000, subject to annual increases, and an annual target cash bonus equal to 50% of the applicable year's annual base salary. However, the agreement may be earlier terminated by either party at the end of a calendar month with 12 months prior written notice. Also pursuant to the agreement, Dr. Flatten is entitled to participate in the pension plan for German executives and receive long-term equity incentive awards. Dr. Flatten is entitled to the use of a company car, up to a monthly leasing rate of €1,300.

In the case of Dr. Flatten's temporary disability (as defined in the agreement), the agreement provides for payment of his base salary, prorated if prior to the end of the calendar year, for six months or until termination of his employment, whichever occurs first. In the event of Dr. Flatten's death, the agreement provides for payment of his base salary to his widow and any children under the age of 25 for (i) the month of Dr. Flatten's death and the six months following or (ii) until the date on which Dr. Flatten's employment would have ended by virtue of a previously delivered termination notice or as a result of his attaining the age of 65, whichever occurs first.

John P. Thomas

Employment agreement.     On November 2, 2010, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Thomas in connection with his employment with our company as Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, which was later amended on October 31, 2011 in connection with his promotion to CEO of QVC Japan. The agreement, as amended, provides for, among other things, an initial 4 year employment term beginning January 1, 2011 and ending January 1, 2015, with an annual base salary of $520,000, subject to annual increases at our discretion, and an annual discretionary bonus based on the results of our operations and Mr. Thomas' performance. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Thomas' target bonus for 2011 was set at an amount equal to at least 50% of his base salary. After the initial term, the agreement continues for consecutive one year periods unless either party gives written notice of termination six months prior to the expiration of a term. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Thomas received a one-time signing bonus of $200,000. While employed with our company, Mr. Thomas is also eligible to receive one-time bonuses in connection with his involvement in the launch of any new operations in China, France or Canada by December 31, 2012 in the amounts of $250,000, $187,000 or $25,000, respectively. Such new operations in China have been launched in 2012. Also pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Thomas is entitled to certain fringe benefits available to our employees and was entitled to receive a one time relocation assistance payment of $25,000 along with other relocation benefits in connection with his transfer to QVC corporate headquarters in West Chester, PA.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Thomas was eligible to receive, subject to the approval of the board of directors of Liberty, and did receive in March 2011, options to acquire shares of LINTA. The agreement provides that 12.5% of the number of shares of LINTA stock subject to the grant shall vest every six months from the date of the grant until 100% of the options are fully vested. For as long as Mr. Thomas is employed by our company, he is entitled

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to participate in any of our long term incentive programs. Mr. Thomas also received a grant of options in November 2011 in connection with his promotion to CEO of QVC Japan.

The agreement provides that, in the event Mr. Thomas is terminated for cause or without good reason (each such term as defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to his accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination. In the case of Mr. Thomas' death or disability (as defined in the agreement), the agreement provides for payment of accrued but unpaid base salary to him or his estate, as applicable. If, however, Mr. Thomas terminates his employment for good reason or if his employment is terminated other than for death, disability or cause, he is entitled to receive his then current base salary for one year.

Expatriate assignment agreement.     On October 31, 2011, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Thomas. The letter agreement provides for Mr. Thomas' five year assignment as CEO of QVC Japan, based in Japan, beginning September 1, 2011 and ending September 1, 2016, which assignment may be extended by mutual agreement. Pursuant to the letter agreement, Mr. Thomas will continue to receive his base salary and benefits as stated in his employment agreement, with a goods and services differential, which may be adjusted quarterly, to compensate for the higher costs of goods and services in Japan, based upon a notional annual salary of $185,000. The letter agreement provides that, while in Japan, Mr. Thomas will receive the use of a car, as well as subsidized housing, utilities and property fees and taxes up to a maximum of $20,000 per month. The letter agreement also provides for equalization of Mr. Thomas' income tax bill, a one time relocation payment of $20,000 and certain other benefits in connection with the assignment. If Mr. Thomas' employment is terminated while abroad other than for cause (as defined by his employment agreement) or due to his resignation from our company following the satisfactory completion of his assignment in Japan, we will pay all repatriation expenses. If Mr. Thomas' employment is terminated for cause (as defined in Mr. Thomas' employment agreement) or as the result of his resignation prior to his repatriation, we will not pay for any of Mr. Thomas' repatriation expenses. If Mr. Thomas' employment is terminated for cause or as the result of his resignation within six months of his repatriation, then Mr. Thomas will be obligated to refund our company for all repatriation expenses paid by our company.

Claire A. Watts

2007 employment agreement.     On November 27, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement, as amended, with Ms. Watts. The agreement provides for, among other things, an initial 5 year employment term beginning January 7, 2008 and ending January 7, 2013, an annual base salary of $700,000, subject to annual increases at our discretion, an annual bonus equal to a bonus rate, which represents a percentage based on our EBITDA growth for the applicable calendar year, multiplied by Ms. Watts' annual base salary and certain fringe benefits available to our employees. After the initial term, the agreement will continue for consecutive one year periods unless either party gives written notice of termination six months prior to the expiration of a term. Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Watts is eligible to receive, on an annual basis, restricted shares of and/or options to purchase LINTA with an award value equal to 220% of her base salary at an exercise price of 100% of the fair market value of LINTA on the grant date.

The agreement provides that, in the event Ms. Watts is terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement), she will be entitled to her accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of

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termination. In the case of Ms. Watts' death or disability (as defined in the agreement), the agreement provides for payment of accrued but unpaid base salary to her or her estate, as applicable. If however, during the initial term of her employment, Ms. Watts terminates her employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement) or if her employment is terminated other than for death, disability or cause, she is entitled to receive her then current base salary for the longer of (i) six months after termination of employment or (ii) the remaining period of time from termination of employment to the expiration of the then current annual period if her employment is terminated prior to the initial term of her agreement or the expiration of the then current extended term if her employment is terminated after the initial term of her agreement and during an extended term period.

2012 amended and restated employment agreement.     On September 6, 2012, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Ms. Watts. The agreement provides for, among other things, an initial five year term beginning January 1, 2013 and ending January 1, 2018, with an annual base salary of $943,824, increasing annually by 3% of the prior year's base salary after the first two years of the term, and an annual target cash bonus equal to 100% of the applicable year's annual base salary which will be determined by us pursuant to criteria established in our annual performance-based bonus program or, in the event Ms. Watts is considered a "covered employee" for any given year for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, her bonus will be determined by Liberty's compensation committee based on such criteria as approved in advance by such committee and that are designed in a manner such that the bonus will be treated as "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m). Also pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Watts is entitled to certain fringe benefits available to our employees.

Pursuant to the agreement and subject to the approval of the board of directors of Liberty, within six months of January 1, 2013, Ms. Watts will be granted options to purchase the number of shares of LINTA stock with a Black Sholes Value equal to $15,000,000 (the " 2013 LINTA Options ") at an exercise price equal to the fair market value (as defined in the Liberty incentive plan under which the equity awards will be granted) of LINTA on the grant date. One-half of the 2013 LINTA Options will vest on December 31, 2016 with the remaining options vesting on December 31, 2017. The options will have a term of 7 years. It is anticipated that Ms. Watts will not receive any additional equity award grants during the term of her employment agreement.

The agreement provides that, in the event Ms. Watts is terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement), she will be entitled to her accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination, unpaid expenses, her vested benefits and any amounts due under applicable law. In addition, all equity awards granted to Ms. Watts prior to January 1, 2013 that are outstanding and unvested at the time of her termination for cause (the " Pre-2013 Unvested Awards ") and all 2013 LINTA Options then held by Ms. Watts that have not become exercisable as of the date of such termination will be forfeited, and all equity awards granted to Ms. Watts prior to January 1, 2013 that are outstanding and vested but unexercised at the time of such termination (the " Pre-2013 Vested Awards ") and all 2013 LINTA Options that are outstanding and vested but unexercised as of the date of such termination will remain exercisable for a period of up to 90 days after the date of such termination or until the original expiration date of the options if sooner. If Ms. Watts terminates her employment without good reason (as defined in the agreement), she will be entitled to her accrued base

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salary though the date of termination, any declared but unpaid bonus for the calendar year prior to the year of termination, unpaid expenses, her vested benefits and any amounts due under applicable law. She will forfeit all rights to any Pre-2013 Unvested Awards and to any 2013 LINTA Options then held that have not become exercisable as of the date of her termination, any Pre-2013 Vested Awards that are options or similar rights and any 2013 LINTA Options that are outstanding and vested but unexercised will be treated as specified in the applicable agreement governing such equity award. If, however, Ms. Watts terminates her employment for good reason or if her employment is terminated without cause, then she is entitled to receive her base salary for a period of 12 months and a prorated bonus for the calendar year in which her employment was terminated, in addition to accrued base salary through the date of termination, unpaid expenses, her vested benefits and any other amounts due under applicable law. In addition, any Pre-2013 Unvested Awards held on the date of termination that would have vested during the 365-day period following the date of such termination had Ms. Watts continued to be employed by us during such period will vest as of the date of termination. Further, a pro rata portion of each tranche of the 2013 LINTA Options that is not vested on the date of termination will vest as of such date, with such pro rata portion based on the portion of time Ms. Watts was employed by us and our affiliates during the vesting period of such tranche plus 365 days. The exercisability of any Pre-2013 Vested Awards, any vested 2013 LINTA Options and any Pre-2013 Unvested Awards that vest pursuant to the foregoing sentence will be extended to the earlier of the original expiration date of the option or two years from the date of the termination. In the case of Ms. Watts' death or disability (as defined in the agreement), the agreement provides for the right to receive her base salary for a period of 12 months, her accrued base salary through the date of termination, unpaid expenses, any declared but unpaid bonus for the calendar year prior to the year in which the termination occurs, her vested benefits and any amounts due under applicable law. In addition, the Pre-2013 Vested Awards, the Pre-2013 Unvested Awards and the 2013 LINTA Options will immediately vest and become exercisable (to the extent not already vested) and will be exercisable throughout the remainder of the full original term of such equity award. As a condition to Ms. Watts' receipt of any continuing base compensation or bonus payments or the acceleration or extension of her equity awards, Ms. Watts must execute a severance agreement and release in favor of our company in accordance with the procedures set forth in her employment agreement.

Equity Incentive Plans

The 2007 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Incentive Plan are administered by the compensation committee of the Liberty board of directors. Its compensation committee has full power and authority to grant eligible persons the awards described below and to determine the terms and conditions under which any awards are made. The Liberty Incentive Plans are designed to provide additional remuneration to certain employees and independent contractors for exceptional service and to encourage their investment in Liberty and its subsidiaries. Liberty's compensation committee may grant non-qualified stock options, SARs, restricted shares, cash awards, performance awards or any combination of the foregoing under the Liberty Incentive Plans (collectively, " awards ").

The maximum number of shares of Liberty common stock with respect to which awards may be issued under the 2007 Incentive Plan is 38,185,000 and under the 2010 Incentive Plan is 40,915,000, subject, in each case, to anti-dilution and other adjustment provisions of the

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respective plans. With limited exceptions, no person may be granted in any calendar year awards covering more than 6,439,698 shares of Liberty common stock under the 2007 Incentive Plan and 6,546,903 shares of Liberty common stock under the 2010 Incentive Plan (subject, in each case, to anti-dilution and other adjustment provisions of the plans) nor may any person receive under each of the existing incentive plans payment for cash awards during any calendar year in excess of $10 million. Shares of Liberty common stock issuable pursuant to awards made under the Liberty Incentive Plans are made available from either authorized but unissued shares or shares that have been issued but reacquired by Liberty. Each of the 2007 Incentive Plan and the 2010 Incentive Plan has a 5 year term.

1996 Deferred Compensation Plan, As Amended and Restated

Executives of QVC U.S. with an annual rate of pay greater than $200,000 are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each eligible executive may elect to defer all or any portion of the total cash remuneration for services he or she would have received in the following calendar year. Deferred compensation elections were required to be made in advance of certain deadlines and must have included (1) the time of payment, subject to certain restrictions and (2) the form of distribution, such as a lump sum payment or substantially equal monthly or annual installments over a five, ten or fifteen year period. Compensation deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan earns interest at the rate of (1) 12% per annum for elections made prior to December 31, 2005 which have not been subsequently redeferred under any special transition elections or, (2) for all other amounts the prime lending rate identified by the Bank of New York, plus 3%, each compounded annually at the end of the calendar year. The Deferred Compensation Plan can be amended or terminated at any time.

1997 Nonqualified Defined Pension Restoration Plan, As Amended and Restated

The Pension Restoration Plan is unfunded and is maintained primarily for the purpose of providing a select group of QVC U.S.'s management with a nonqualified defined contribution benefit. Effective as of January 1, 2012, the Pension Restoration Plan has been frozen so that no additional amounts may be credited to the Pension Restoration Plan, and no additional employees may be eligible to participate. Participants' existing account balances will continue to be credited with earnings at the rate of, (1) for the period prior to December 31, 2005, 12% per annum for amounts credited for the period from the date on which such amount was credited through October 31, 2011 or, (2) for all other amounts, the prime lending rate identified by the Bank of New York, plus 3%, each compounded annually at the end of the calendar year. Distribution of participants' vested percentages will be made in a single lump sum payment on the first day of the month following such participant's separation from service, with the exception of specified employees who are subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and thus receive the payment on the first day of the sixth month of such employee's separation. The Pension Restoration Plan can be amended or terminated at any time.

QVC, Inc. 401(k) Matched Savings Retirement and Success Sharing Plan, As Amended and Restated

The QVC, Inc. 401(k) Matched Savings Retirement and Success Sharing Plan, as Amended and Restated, (the " Savings Plan ") allows a participating U.S. employee to elect to defer between 1% and 50% of his or her annual base salary, including overtime but excluding bonuses. Participants are eligible to receive contributions from QVC after one year of service. We will

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match $1 for each $1 contributed by the employee (or, in the case of plan years prior to January 1, 2010, $0.50 for each $1.00 contributed by the employee), up to a maximum of 6% of the employee's annual compensation subject to additional statutory limitations. We may also make certain discretionary retirement and profit sharing contributions to the Savings Plan. A participant has a vested interest in the retirement contributions, profit sharing contributions and pre-2010 matching contributions when he or she has completed three years of service.

QVC Germany Management Pension Fund

The QVC Germany Executive Pension Plan (the " German Pension Plan ") is maintained by QVC Germany for the purpose of providing QVC Germany's management with retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. All QVC Germany executives, directors, other members of management have vested interests in the German Pension Plan after a six-month waiting period. For every covered employee, QVC Germany makes a yearly employer contribution of 3% of the employee's base salary up to a statutorily determined contribution ceiling. Beyond that ceiling, QVC Germany is required under the terms of the German Pension Plan to contribute 9% of the employee's base salary. These employer contributions continue until and including the year in which the employee turns 65 years old. Employees are eligible to receive pensions at the end of the year in which they turn 65, unless they elect to receive a lump sum at retirement and waive all subsequent claims against the German Pension Plan. If the monthly pension payments fall below 97% of the statutory pension amount, then a lump sum will instead be paid out to the beneficiary. The German Pension Plan also provides for a range of survivors' benefits and disability insurance. Disability benefits vary based on the severity of the disability and are available until the employee turns 66 years old. Payments to an employee's survivors, including widows, widowers, and orphans, are also available after the death of the employee for the life of such survivors. These monthly payments may instead be paid in a lump sum at the election of QVC Germany. In order to maintain its characterization under German law as a part of the social welfare system, QVC Germany is limited as to the total amount of benefits that can be paid out to participants, with certain levels of benefits available to a pre-determined percentage of participants in the German Pension Plan.

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Grants of plan-based awards

The following table contains information regarding plan-based incentive awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2011 to our named executive officers.

   
 
   
   
   
   
   
  All other
option awards:
number of
securities
underlying
options
(#)

   
   
 
 
   
  Estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards   All other
stock awards:
number of
shares of
stock or units
(#)

   
  Grant date
fair value
of stock
and option
awards
($)

 
 
   
  Exercise or
base price
of option
awards
($/Sh)

 
Name
  Grant
date

  Threshold
($)(1)

  Target
($)

  Maximum
($)(3)

 
   

Michael A. George

    3/1/2011     700,000     1,000,000 (2)   4,800,000                  

    3/2/2011                     3,800,000     16.01     27,867,300  

Daniel T. O'Connell

   
3/2/2011
   
159,341
   
227,630

(2)
 
1,092,624
   
   
   
   
 

    3/2/2011                 12,916             206,785  

    3/2/2011                     65,534     16.01     480,594  

Ulrich Flatten

   
3/1/2011
   
42,929
   
306,635

(2)
 
490,616
   
   
   
   
 

    3/1/2011     215,665     431,329 (4)   646,994                  

John P. Thomas

   
3/2/2011
   
182,000
   
260,000

(2)
 
1,248,000
   
   
   
   
 

    3/2/2011                     32,092     16.01     235,347  

    11/10/2011                     114,837     15.16     756,833  

Claire A. Watts

   
3/2/2011
   
560,952
   
801,360

(2)
 
3,846,528
   
   
   
   
 

    3/2/2011                 32,727             523,959  

    3/2/2011                     166,059     16.01     1,217,794  
   

(1)   Represents the threshold amount that would have been payable assuming (x) the lowest corporate performance growth target was achieved and (y) individual performance warranted the minimum payout of bonus based on the applicable corporate performance growth target. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—2011 Performance-based Bonuses."

(2)   Represents the target amount that would have been payable assuming (x) the lowest corporate performance growth target was achieved and (y) individual performance warranted the target/payout of bonus based on the applicable corporate performance growth target. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—2011 Performance-based Bonuses."

(3)   Represents the maximum amount that would have been payable assuming (x) the highest corporate performance growth target was achieved and (y) individual performance warranted the maximum additional increase of bonus determined based on the applicable corporate performance growth target. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—2011 Performance-based Bonuses."

(4)   Represents the target amount that would have been payable to Dr. Flatten under the QVC Germany Long-Term Plan assuming the QVC Germany EBITDA long-term growth target was achieved. "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of 2011 Executive Compensation—2011 Performance-based Bonuses."

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Outstanding equity awards at fiscal year-end

The following table contains information regarding unexercised options and unvested shares of LINTA which were outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and held by our named executive officers, including those awards granted during 2011 and reflected in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table above (other than Dr. Flatten, who did not hold any unexercised options or unvested shares of LINTA as of December 31, 2011).

   
 
  Option awards    
   
 
Name
  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
exercisable

  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
unexercisable

  Option
exercise
price
($)

  Option
expiration
date

  Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(#)

  Market value
of shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
($)

 
   

Michael A. George

                                     

Option Awards

    9,375     65,625 (1)   3.24     2/27/2016          

    9,375     65,625 (1)   6.00     2/27/2016          

    275,000     225,000 (2)   3.41     4/6/2016          

    275,000     225,000 (2)   6.00     4/6/2016          

    18,750     56,250 (2)   6.00     4/6/2016          

    43,750     56,250 (2)   3.41     4/6/2016          

    246,710     411,185 (3)   12.97     3/1/2017          

        3,800,000 (4)   16.01     3/2/2018          

Stock Awards

   
   
   
   
   
200,000

(5)
 
3,244,000
 

                    80,358 (6)   1,303,407  

Daniel T. O'Connell

                                     

Option Awards

    41,692     31,275 (1)   6.00     2/27/2016          

    41,692     31,275 (1)   3.24     2/27/2016          

    14,388     10,797 (2)   3.41     4/6/2016          

    14,388     10,797 (2)   6.00     4/6/2016          

    25,944     19,461 (2)   6.00     4/6/2016          

    25,944     19,461 (2)   3.41     4/6/2016          

    39,973     66,622 (3)   12.97     3/1/2017          

    8,191     57,343 (7)   16.01     3/2/2018          

Stock Awards

   
   
   
   
   
20,280

(5)
 
328,942
 

                    13,020 (6)   211,184  

                    12,916 (8)   209,498  

John P. Thomas

                                     

Option Awards

    4,011     28,081 (7)   16.01     3/2/2018          

    1,854     12,983 (9)   15.16     11/10/2018          

        100,000 (10)   15.16     11/10/2018          

Claire A. Watts

                                     

Option Awards

    2,937     8,815 (1)   3.24     2/27/2016          

    2,437     7,315 (1)   6.00     2/27/2016          

    57,870     173,613 (1)   3.24     2/27/2016          

    6,364     9,549 (2)   3.41     4/6/2016          

    6,364     9,549 (2)   6.00     4/6/2016          

    88,014     146,692 (3)   12.97     3/1/2017          

    20,757     145,302 (7)   16.01     3/2/2018          

Stock Awards

   
   
   
   
   
4,050

(5)
 
65,691
 

                    28,668 (6)   464,995  

                    32,727 (8)   530,832  
   

(1)   Vests semi-annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from February 27, 2009 grant date.

(2)   Vests semi-annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from April 6, 2009 grant date.

(3)   Vests semi-annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from March 1, 2010 grant date.

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(4)   Vests 50% on December 15, 2014 and 50% on December 15, 2015.

(5)   Vests annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from February 27, 2009 grant date.

(6)   Vests annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from March 1, 2010 grant date.

(7)   Vests semi-annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from March 2, 2011 grant date.

(8)   Vests annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from March 2, 2011 grant date.

(9)   Vests semi-annually in eight equal installments (based on original amount of grant) beginning on March 2, 2011

(10) Vests semi-annually (based on original amount of grant) over 4 years from November 10, 2011 grant date.

Option exercises and stock vested

The following table sets forth information regarding the exercise of vested options with respect to shares of LINTA and the vesting of restricted shares of LINTA held by our named executive officers, in each case, during the year ended December 31, 2011 (other than Dr. Flatten and Mr. Thomas, who did not exercise any vested options with respect to shares of LINTA or have any vesting events with respect to restricted shares of LINTA).

   
 
  Option awards   Stock awards  
Name
  Number of shares
acquired on exercise
(#)

  Value realized
on exercise
($)

  Number of shares
acquired on vesting
(#)(1)

  Value realized
on vesting
($)

 
   

Michael A. George

    275,000     3,309,168     126,785     2,063,971  

Daniel T. O'Connell

            14,480     235,417  

Claire A. Watts

    63,244     820,283     11,581     186,824  
   

(1)   Includes shares withheld in payment of withholding taxes at the election of the holder.

Nonqualified deferred compensation plans

The following table sets forth information regarding the 1996 Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, in which Mr. O'Connell participated during the year ended December 31, 2011. No other named executive officers participated in this plan during such time. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—1996 Deferred Compensation (As Amended and Restated)" for more information.

   
Name
  Executive
contributions
in 2011
($)

  Registrant
contributions
in 2011
($)

  Aggregate
earnings
in 2011
($)

  Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions
($)

  Aggregate
balance at
12/31/11
($)

 
   

Daniel T. O'Connell

            65,743         613,604  
   

Potential payments upon termination or change-in-control

The following table sets forth the potential payments to our named executive officers if their employment had terminated or a change in control had occurred, in each case, as of December 31, 2011. In the event of such a termination or change in control, the actual amounts may be different due to various factors. In addition, we may enter into new arrangements or modify these arrangements from time to time.

The amounts provided in the tables are based on the closing market prices on December 30, 2011, the last trading day of such year, for shares of LINTA, which was $16.22. The value of the options shown in the table is based on the spread between the exercise or base price of the

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award and the applicable closing market price. The value of the restricted stock shown in the table is based on the applicable closing market price and the number of shares vested.

Each of our named executive officers had received awards and payments under the existing incentive plans as of December 31, 2011 (with the exception of Dr. Flatten). Additionally, our named executive officers are entitled to certain payments upon termination under their respective employment agreements. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements" above.

Set forth below is a description of the circumstances giving rise to these potential payments and a brief summary of the provisions governing their payout:

Voluntary termination.     Under the existing incentive plans, each named executive officer who holds equity grants would only have a right to the equity grants that vested prior to his termination date.

Termination for cause.     All equity grants (whether vested or unvested) under the existing incentive plans would be forfeited by any named executive officer (other than Mr. George) who is terminated for "cause." Pursuant to Mr. George's employment agreement, his Pre-2011 Vested Awards and vested 2011 LINTA Options would remain exercisable for a short period following his termination for cause. Under the employments agreements for Messrs. George, O'Connell and Thomas and Ms. Watts, all of whom held equity awards as of December 31, 2011, "cause" is defined as (i) committing a material breach of the employment agreement, (ii) fraud, embezzlement or other series misconduct against our company or its affiliates, (iii) the conviction of any felony or, (iv) in the case of Messrs. George and Thomas and Ms. Watts, the conviction of a misdemeanor which conviction relates to such person's suitability for employment in his or her then current position.

Termination without cause or for good reason.     Pursuant to the existing incentive plans and the related award agreements (and except as described below), if a named executive officer were terminated by our company without cause or by such named executive officer for good reason (as applicable), in addition to his vested equity awards, he would be entitled to vesting in full with respect to any outstanding options that would had vested on or prior to such termination. Mr. George's employment agreement with respect to his Pre-2011 Unvested Awards provides that any such awards that would have vested in the 12 months following his termination date will vest as of such termination date. Mr. George's employment agreement also provides that his 2011 LINTA Options would vest as of the date of his termination as to the portion of the unvested awards that could have vested during his employment with QVC (without regard to the cliff vesting feature of the 2011 LINTA Options) and an additional 12 months thereafter.

Death.     In the event of death, the existing incentive plans provide for vesting in full of any outstanding options and the lapse of restrictions on any restricted share awards.

No amounts are shown for payments pursuant to life insurance policies, which we make generally available to our salaried employees.

Disability.     In the event of a disability, which is generally the inability to perform gainful activity for at least 12 months, the existing incentive plans provide for vesting in full of any outstanding options and the lapse of restrictions on any restricted share awards.

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No amounts are shown for payments pursuant to short-term and long-term disability policies, which we make available to all our employees.

Change in control.     In case of a change in control, the incentive plans provide for vesting in full of any outstanding options and the lapse of restrictions on any restricted share awards. A change in control is generally defined as:

The acquisition of beneficial ownership of at least 20% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of Liberty ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors.

Any non-exempt person purchases our common stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of Liberty's board of directors.

The individuals constituting Liberty's board of directors over any two consecutive years cease to constitute at least a majority of the board, subject to certain exceptions that permit the board to approve new members by approval of at least two-thirds of the remaining directors.

Any merger, consolidation or binding share exchange that causes the persons who were common stockholders of Liberty immediately prior thereto to lose their proportionate interest in the common stock or voting power of the successor or to have less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors, the sale of substantially all of the assets of Liberty or the dissolution of Liberty.

In the case of a change in control described in the last bullet point, Liberty's compensation committee may determine not to accelerate the existing equity awards if equivalent awards will be substituted for the existing awards. For purposes of the tabular presentation below, we have assumed no such determination was made.

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Benefits payable upon termination or change in control

   
Name
  Voluntary
termination
($)

  Termination
for cause
($)

  Termination
without
cause or
for good
reason
($)

  Death
($)

  Disability
($)

  After a
change in
control
($)

 
   

Michael A. George

                                     

Severance(1)

            1,500,000             1,500,000  

Base Compensation Continuing Payment(2)

            1,000,000     1,000,000     1,000,000     1,000,000  

Pension Restoration Plan Payout(3)

    10,878     10,878     10,878     10,878     10,878     10,878  

Options

    8,104,620 (4)   8,104,620 (4)   12,100,920 (5)   18,238,659 (6)   18,238,659 (6)   18,238,659 (6)

Restricted Stock

                4,547,407 (6)   4,547,407 (6)   4,547,407 (6)
       

Total

    8,115,498     8,115,498     14,611,798     23,796,944     23,796,944     25,296,944  
       

Daniel T. O'Connell

                                     

Base Compensation Continuing Payment(7)

            453,311             453,311  

Deferred Compensation(8)

    614,442     614,442     614,442     614,442     614,442     614,442  

Pension Restoration Plan Payout(3)

    14,656     14,656     14,656     14,656     14,656     14,656  

Options

    2,027,733 (4)       2,027,733 (4)   3,678,718 (6)   3,678,718 (6)   3,678,718 (6)

Restricted Stock

                749,624 (6)   749,624 (6)   749,624 (6)
       

Total

    2,656,831     629,098     3,110,142     5,057,440     5,057,440     5,510,751  
       

Ulrich Flatten

                                     

Base Compensation Continuing Payment(9)

                357,741          
       

Total

                357,741          
       

John P. Thomas

                                     

Base Compensation Continuing Payment(10)

            506,667             506,667  

Options

    2,808 (4)       2,808 (4)   128,467 (6)   128,467 (6)   128,467 (6)
       

Total

    2,808         509,475     128,467     128,467     635,134  
       

Claire A. Watts

                                     

Base Compensation Continuing Payment(11)

            1,766,600             1,766,600  

Compensation Plan Payout(3)

    5,266     5,266     5,266     5,266     5,266     5,266  

Options

    1,251,148 (4)       1,251,148 (4)   4,420,999 (6)   4,420,999 (6)   4,420,999 (6)

Restricted Stock

                1,061,518 (6)   1,061,518 (6)   1,061,518 (6)
       

Total

    1,256,414     5,266     3,023,014     5,487,783     5,487,783     7,254,383  
   

(1)   If Mr. George's employment had been terminated at QVC's election without cause or by Mr. George for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement) (whether before or within a specified period following a change in control), as of December 31, 2011, he would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment of $1,500,000. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—Michael A. George" above.

(2)   If Mr. George's employment had been terminated at QVC's election without cause or by Mr. George for good reason (whether before or within a specified period following a change in control) or in the event of his death or disability, he would have been entitled to receive a base compensation continuing payment for one year equal to his base salary upon termination.

(3)   Under the Pension Restoration Plan, upon separation from service, a participant would receive a lump sum payment of the vested percentage of such participant's account on the first day of the month following such separation, in this case, January 1, 2012.

(4)   Based on the number of vested options held by each named executive officer at year-end. For more information, see the "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" table above.

(5)   Based on (i) the number of vested options held by Mr. George at year-end, (ii) the number of Pre-2011 Unvested Awards that would vest within 365 days of his termination and (iii) a portion of the 2011 LINTA Options that could have vested during his employment with QVC (without regard to the cliff vesting feature of the 2011 LINTA Options) and an additional 12 months

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thereafter. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—Michael A. George" above and the "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" table above.

(6)   Based on (i) the number of vested options and (ii) the number of unvested options and the number of shares of restricted stock, in each case, held by each named executive officer at year-end. For more information, see the "Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End" table above.

(7)   If Mr. O'Connell's employment had been terminated at QVC's election other than for death, disability or cause, he would have been entitled to receive his then current base salary for the remaining period of time from the termination of employment to the expiration of the then current extended term. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—Daniel T. O'Connell—2003 Employment Agreement" above.

(8)   Based on the amount of his deferred compensation account that was schedule to be distributed, and was distributed, on January 9, 2012, and includes $838 of interest earned in 2012 prior to the distribution date.

(9)   In the event of Dr. Flatten's death, his employment agreement provides for payment of his base salary for (i) the month of Dr. Flatten's death and the six months following (as reflected in the table above), or (ii) until the date on which Dr. Flatten's employment would have ended by virtue of a previously delivered termination notice or as a result of his attaining the age of 65, whichever occurs first.

(10) If Mr. Thomas' employment had been terminated at QVC's election other than for death, disability or cause or by Mr. Thomas for good reason, he would have been entitled to receive his then current base salary for one year. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—John P. Thomas—Employment Agreement" above.

(11) If Ms. Watts' employment had been terminated at QVC's election other than for death, disability or cause or by Ms. Watts for good reason, she would have been entitled to receive her then current base salary for the remaining period of time from termination of employment to the expiration of the then current annual period. See "—Executive Compensation Arrangements—Claire A. Watts—2007 Employment Agreement" above.

Compensation of directors

We are an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty, and our sole shareholder and director is Liberty QVC Holdings, LLC, which is also an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty. Accordingly, no director compensation is paid.

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Related party transactions

This section describes material transactions by us or any of our subsidiaries with any related party.

Liberty reorganization

On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive and Liberty Ventures. We are now attributed to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock, which will track the assets and liabilities of Liberty's Interactive Group (the "Interactive Group"). The Interactive Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group. Liberty attributed to its Interactive Group those businesses primarily focused on digital commerce, including the assets and businesses of QVC, Inc., Provide Commerce, Inc., Backcountry.com, Inc., Bodybuilding.com, LLC and Celebrate Interactive Holdings, Inc., an equity interest in HSN, Inc. and approximately $500 million in cash held by Liberty and the Interactive Group subsidiaries. The Liberty Ventures tracking stock tracks all of Liberty's other businesses including its interest in equity method investments of Expedia, Inc., TripAdvisor, Inc., Interval Leisure Group, Inc. and Tree.com, Inc. and available-for-sale securities of Time Warner, Time Warner Cable and AOL, which constitute the Ventures Group (the "Ventures Group"). To fund the cash requirements of the Ventures Group, Liberty attributed $1.35 billion in cash to the Ventures Group which was funded by the Interactive Group. Such attributed cash balance consisted of cash from Liberty's balance sheet and $1.15 billion of dividends paid by us to Liberty through our available cash on hand and $800 million in borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. As of the date of the recapitalization, we had $870 million of total outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility.

Employment of Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

David W. O'Connor, who is the brother-in-law of Robert R. Bennett, a former director of Liberty (who resigned from that position effective December 14, 2011), presently serves as our Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Mr. O'Connor received aggregate compensation from QVC for 2011 of approximately $220,900, which is composed of a base salary, a performance-based bonus and other benefits made available generally by QVC. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Mr. O'Connor is expected to receive aggregate compensation of no less than this amount (assuming he remains employed with QVC through the end of the year).

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Description of other indebtedness

This section includes summaries of certain indebtedness and certain other long-term liabilities of us and our subsidiaries.

Senior secured notes

Existing 2017 Notes.     We have outstanding senior secured notes due 2017 (the "Existing 2017 Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 at June 30, 2012. We pay interest of 7.125% per annum on the Existing 2017 Notes, which mature on April 15, 2017. Interest is payable on the Existing 2017 Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year.

The Existing 2017 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, on not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days notice, at the following redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of redemption:

   
If redeemed during the twelve month period commencing April 15 of the year indicated:
  Redemption
price

 
   

2013

    103.563%  

2014

    103.563%  

2015

    101.781%  

2016 and thereafter

    100.000%  
   

Existing 2019 Notes.     We have outstanding senior secured notes due 2019 (the "Existing 2019 Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 at June 30, 2012. We pay interest of 7.50% per annum on the Existing 2019 Notes, which mature on October 1, 2019. Interest is payable on the Existing 2019 Notes on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

The Existing 2019 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, on not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days notice, at the following redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of redemption:

   
If redeemed during the twelve month period commencing October 1 of the year indicated:
  Redemption
price

 
   

2014

    103.750%  

2015

    102.500%  

2016

    101.250%  

2017 and thereafter

    100.000%  
   

Existing 2020 Notes.     We have outstanding senior secured notes due 2020 (the "Existing 2020 Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 at June 30, 2012. We pay interest of 7.375% per annum on the Existing 2020 Notes, which mature on October 15, 2020. Interest is payable on the Existing 2020 Notes on April 15 and October 15 of each year.

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The Existing 2020 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole or in part, on not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days notice, at the following redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of redemption:

   
If redeemed during the twelve month period commencing April 15 of the year indicated:
  Redemption
price

 
   

2015

    103.688%  

2016

    102.458%  

2017

    101.229%  

2018 and thereafter

    100.000%  
   

Security and guarantees.     The Existing Notes are guaranteed by each of our material domestic subsidiaries, and are secured, pari passu with our senior secured credit facility, by a first priority perfected security interest in all of our capital stock.

Covenants.     The Existing Notes restrict us and certain of our subsidiaries from incurring debt, but permit debt as long as our consolidated interest coverage ratio is at least 2.00 to 1.00. In addition, certain other debt is permitted regardless of our consolidated interest coverage ratio, including debt under the senior secured credit facility and debt securities (including the Existing Notes) not exceeding $4.5 billion less the amount of certain mandatory prepayments and commitment reductions thereunder. In addition, the Existing Notes contain other covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on restricted payments, indebtedness, liens, affiliate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and asset sales. The covenants in the indentures governing the Existing Notes are more restrictive in certain respects than the covenants applicable to the notes offered hereby. Certain covenants governing the Existing Notes terminate upon the Existing Notes having investment grade ratings from both Moody's and Standard & Poor's, including but not limited to restrictions on indebtedness, restricted payments and asset sales.

The above description of the Existing Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete terms contained in the indentures governing the Existing Notes.

Senior secured credit facility

On September 2, 2010, we entered into a credit agreement, which we refer to as our senior secured credit facility. Our senior secured credit facility allows borrowings on a revolving credit basis of up to $2.0 billion, and we had outstanding revolving loans of $302 million as of June 30, 2012. The revolving loan commitments terminate, and the revolving loans under our senior secured credit facility will mature, on September 2, 2015. After giving effect to the notes offered hereby, our senior secured credit facility provides for $500 million of uncommitted incremental revolving loan commitments or incremental term loans.

Interest.     Borrowings under our senior secured credit facility bear interest at either the alternate base rate or LIBOR at our election in each case plus a margin. Borrowings that are alternate base rate loans will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the base rate plus a margin that varies between 0.50% and 2.00% depending on our consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in our senior secured credit facility) whether we have an investment grade rating for the loans under our senior secured credit facility or for any of the Existing Notes, and whether the loans are secured by certain collateral. Borrowings that are LIBOR loans will bear

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interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable LIBOR plus a margin that varies between 1.50% and 3.00% depending on the same factors that vary the margin for alternate base rate loans. As of June 30, 2012, the interest rate for the loans under our senior secured credit facility was LIBOR plus 1.50%.

Security and guarantees.     Borrowings made by us are guaranteed by each of our material domestic subsidiaries, and borrowings are secured, pari passu with the Existing Notes, by a first priority perfected security interest in all shares of our capital stock. Our senior secured credit facility provides for the borrowings to also be secured by a first priority perfected security interest in all shares of our material domestic subsidiaries if our consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in our senior secured credit facility) is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters. Our senior secured credit facility also provides for the subsequent release of all security interests, including the lien on the stock of QVC, if our consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in our senior secured credit facility) is less than 2.00 to 1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters and no default or event of default is then occurring. On February 17, 2011, the Contingent Collateral was released as collateral for our existing secured indebtedness as a result of our consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in our senior secured credit facility) being less than 2.00 to 1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters.

Covenants.     Our senior secured credit facility contains affirmative and negative covenants and a financial covenant that requires us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.25 to 1.00. The negative covenants limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things:

incur additional indebtedness;

create liens on property or assets;

make certain loans or investments;

sell or dispose of assets;

pay certain dividends and other restricted payments;

dissolve, consolidate or merge;

enter into certain transactions with affiliates;

enter into sale/leaseback transactions; and

restrict subsidiary distributions.

These covenants are subject to significant exceptions.

Events of default.     Our senior secured credit facility also contains certain events of default, including, among other things, the failure to perform or observe terms, covenants or agreements included in our senior secured credit facility, nonpayment defaults on principal, interest or fees under our senior secured credit facility, defaults on other indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100 million if the effect is to permit acceleration, entry of unsatisfied judgments in an aggregate amount in excess of $100 million against us or our subsidiaries, the occurrence of a change of control, failure of any collateral document to create

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or maintain a required security interest, and certain events related to bankruptcy and insolvency or ERISA matters.

If an event of default occurs, the lenders under our senior secured credit facility may, among other things, terminate their commitments, declare all outstanding borrowings to be immediately due and payable together with accrued interest, and fees and exercise remedies under the collateral documents relating to our senior secured credit facility. We are in compliance in all material respects with the covenants in our senior secured credit facility.

Letters of credit

As of June 30, 2012, we had approximately $32.3 million of trade letters of credit, which are not secured (other than by the covered goods and documents of title in respect of such goods). In addition, we had a $0.5 million standby letter of credit, secured by a cash deposit of the same amount, and a $0.2 million standby letter of credit issued under and secured by our revolving credit agreement.

Interest rate swap arrangements

During the third quarter of 2009, we entered into seven interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.8 billion. Such arrangements provided for payments that began in March 2011 and will extend to March 2013. We make fixed payments at rates ranging from 2.98% to 3.67% and receives variable payments at 3 month LIBOR (0.47% at June 30, 2012). During the year ended December 31, 2011, we entered into seven additional interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.4 billion that partially offset the existing 2009 swap arrangements. Such arrangements provided for payments that began in June 2011 and will extend to March 2013. We receive fixed payments ranging from 0.57% to 0.95% and pays variable payments at 3 month LIBOR (0.47% at June 30, 2012). These swap arrangements do not qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the swaps are reflected in gain or loss on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

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Description of notes

As used below in this "Description of notes" section, the " Issuer " means QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors, but not any of its subsidiaries. On July 2, 2012, the Issuer issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022, or the "original notes", under an Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 (the " Indenture "), among the Issuer, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the " Trustee ").

As part of our sale of the original notes, we are required, among other things, to complete this exchange offer, exchanging the original notes for new registered 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022, or the "exchange notes." The exchange notes are substantially identical to the original notes, except the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights, and related special interest provisions, applicable to the original notes will not apply to the exchange notes. The exchange notes will represent the same debt as the original notes and we will issue the exchange notes under the Indenture (the same indenture we used in issuing the original notes). The terms of the original notes and the exchange notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the "Trust Indenture Act." The original notes and the exchange notes are collectively referred to herein as the " Notes ."

The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees, as well as the Security Documents (as defined below). The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of these documents and is subject to the detailed provisions of, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Indenture and the Security Documents. You may obtain a copy of the Indenture and the Security Documents from the Issuer at its address set forth elsewhere in this prospectus. You can find definitions of certain terms used in this description under "—Certain definitions."

Principal, maturity and interest

The Notes will mature on July 2, 2022. The Notes will bear interest at the rate shown on the cover page of this prospectus, payable on January 2 and July 2 of each year, commencing on January 2, 2013 to Holders of record at the close of business on December 15 or June 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Notes will be issued in registered form, without coupons, and in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

An aggregate principal amount of Notes equal to $500,000,000 was issued in the offering of original notes. The Issuer may issue additional Notes having identical terms and conditions to the Notes being issued in this offering, except for issue date, issue price and first interest payment date, in an unlimited aggregate principal amount (the " Additional Notes "), subject to compliance with the covenants described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" and "—Limitations on liens." Any Additional Notes will be part of the same issue as the Notes being issued in this offering and will be treated as one class with the Notes being issued in this offering, including for purposes of voting, redemptions and offers to purchase. Any Additional Notes will be secured equally and ratably with the Notes, the Existing Notes, the obligations under the Credit Agreement, the obligations under any

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Specified Swap Agreements (as defined below) and the obligations under any other parity indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indenture. See "—Security." For purposes of this "Description of notes" section, (a) except for the covenants described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" and "—Limitations on liens," references to the Notes include Additional Notes, if any, and (b) references to the Notes include the Exchange Notes.

Methods of receiving payments on the notes

If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Issuer at least ten Business Days prior to the applicable payment date, the Issuer (through the paying agent) will make all payments on such Holder's Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on the Notes will be made at the office or agency of the paying agent (the " Paying Agent ") and registrar (the " Registrar ") for the Notes within the City and State of New York unless the Issuer elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

Ranking

The Notes offered hereby will be general senior obligations of the Issuer. The Notes will rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of the Issuer that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior obligations of the Issuer that are not so subordinated. Each Note Guarantee (as defined below) will be a general senior obligation of the applicable Guarantor and will rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of such Guarantor that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to such Note Guarantee and pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future senior obligations of such Guarantor that are not so subordinated. See "—Note Guarantees."

The Notes offered hereby will be secured, equally and ratably with all existing obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes and the Specified Swap Agreements. The Initial Collateral (as defined below) consists of a first-priority security interest, subject to Permitted Liens, on all shares of the capital stock of the Issuer. The security interest is subject to a number of important limitations and qualifications. See "—Security."

As of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the offering of original notes and the application of proceeds therefrom, there was approximately $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Notes, and approximately $2.0 billion of availability under the Credit Agreement, all of which ranks (or will rank, if drawn) equally with the Notes in right of payment and would share ratably in the proceeds of the assets securing the Notes. As of June 30, 2012, we had $3.1 billion in notional amount of Specified Swap Agreements that were secured equally and ratably with our Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes and the Notes. Although the Indenture will contain limitations on the amount of additional secured Indebtedness that the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, under certain circumstances, the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial. See "—Certain covenants—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" and "—Limitations on liens." In the event that the assets securing the Notes, the Existing Notes, the Credit Agreement, the

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Specified Swap Agreements and any other parity indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indenture are insufficient to satisfy such obligations in full, the unsatisfied amounts would constitute general senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors and would rank equally with such senior unsecured indebtedness. See "—Security."

The Notes and each Note Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to any obligations secured by Permitted Liens (other than any Permitted Parity Indebtedness), to the extent of the value of the assets of the Issuer and the relevant Guarantor that are subject to such Permitted Liens. As of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the offering of original notes and the application of proceeds therefrom, the Issuer and the Guarantors had approximately $63 million of senior indebtedness outstanding (other than under the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes and the Specified Swap Agreements), which consisted of capital leases, all of which ranks equally in right of payment with the Notes but is effectively senior to the Notes with respect to the assets securing such debt.

Not all of our Subsidiaries will guarantee the Notes. Our Non-Material Domestic Subsidiaries, Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries will not be Guarantors. As a result, the Notes and each Note Guarantee will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations, including Indebtedness, of these Subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of these Subsidiaries, including trade creditors, will generally have priority as to the assets of these Subsidiaries over the claims of the Issuer and the Guarantors and the holders of Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors, including the Notes and the Note Guarantees. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor Subsidiaries, these non-guarantor Subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debts and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, our non-guarantor Subsidiaries represented approximately 34.4% of our consolidated net revenue and 18.2% of our Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, as of June 30, 2012, after giving effect to the offering of original notes and the application of proceeds therefrom, they would have held approximately 23.1% of our consolidated assets and had approximately $1.3 billion of obligations (consisting predominantly of trade payables, deferred tax liabilities, certain other liabilities and no indebtedness for borrowed money), to which the Notes would have been structurally subordinated. See "—Note Guarantees."

Note Guarantees

The Issuer's obligations under the Notes and the Indenture will be jointly and severally guaranteed (the " Note Guarantees ") by each Material Domestic Subsidiary, any Subsidiary that guarantees the obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness and any other Restricted Subsidiary that the Issuer shall otherwise cause to become a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. Our Non-Material Domestic Subsidiaries, Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiaries will not be Guarantors, and therefore the Notes and the related Note Guarantees will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations of these Subsidiaries. The guarantees of the Existing Notes by the Guarantors are referred to herein as the " Existing Note Guarantees ." See "—Ranking."

As of the Issue Date, all of our Subsidiaries except QVC Italia S.r.l. (Italy) will be Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under the circumstances described below under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on designation of unrestricted subsidiaries," the Issuer will be permitted to designate any of its Subsidiaries, other than any Subsidiary that continues to guarantee the

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obligations under the Credit Agreement or other parity indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indenture, as "Unrestricted Subsidiaries." The effect of designating a Subsidiary as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" will be that:

an Unrestricted Subsidiary will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the Indenture;

a Subsidiary that is a Guarantor and that is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be released from its Note Guarantee and its obligations under the Indenture; and

the assets, income, cash flow and other financial results of an Unrestricted Subsidiary will not be consolidated with those of the Issuer for purposes of calculating compliance with the restrictive covenants contained in the Indenture.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor (including, without limitation, any guarantees under the Credit Agreement and the Existing Note Guarantees) and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under the Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment for distribution under its Note Guarantee is entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on adjusted net assets of each Guarantor.

A Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under the Indenture:

(1)   in the event of dissolution of such Guarantor;

(2)   if such Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or

(3)   upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or such other indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee.

See "—Certain covenants—Limitations on designation of unrestricted subsidiaries."

Security

General

Initially, the Notes will be secured, subject to Permitted Liens, by a first priority security interest in all shares of the capital stock of the Issuer (the " Initial Collateral "). In the future, subject to the provisions in "—Certain covenants—Limitations on liens," the Notes will also be secured, subject, as to priority and otherwise, to certain exceptions and subject to Permitted Liens, by a first-priority perfected lien and security interest in any additional assets that secure the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes, the Existing Note Guarantees, the Specified Swap Agreements and any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness (the " Future Collateral " and together with the

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Initial Collateral, the " Collateral "). The Credit Agreement currently provides that, under certain circumstances, the Credit Agreement may become secured by the capital stock of or equity interests in our Material Domestic Subsidiaries that are owned by the Issuer or a Guarantor.

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the proceeds from the sale of Collateral securing the Notes could be insufficient to satisfy our obligations under the Notes. No appraisals of any of the Collateral have been prepared in connection with this offering. Moreover, the amount to be received upon such a sale would be dependent upon numerous factors, including the timing and manner of such sale. By its nature, the Collateral will be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Collateral, if saleable, can be sold in a short period of time.

The security interest in the Collateral will be shared equally and ratably among the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any), the Existing Notes, the Credit Agreement, the Specified Swap Agreements and any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness. See "—Certain covenants—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" and "—Limitations on liens."

There can be no assurance that the holders of the Notes will ever have the benefit of a lien on any Future Collateral.

After-acquired guarantees

From and after the Issue Date, the Indenture requires the Issuer to cause any Material Domestic Subsidiary and any Subsidiary that otherwise guarantees the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes or any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness to Guarantee the Notes.

Liens with respect to the collateral

Prior to the Issue Date, the Initial Collateral was pledged pursuant to a pledge agreement between the Parent Pledgor and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Credit Agreement and the holders of Existing Notes. The Collateral Agent entered into an amended and restated pledge agreement (the " Parent Pledge Agreement ") concurrently with the issuance of the Notes on the Issue Date to add the holders of the Notes as Secured Parties. This security interest secures the payment and performance when due of all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the applicable Security Documents. This security interest also continues to secure the obligations under the Existing Notes, the Credit Agreement and the Specified Swap Agreements on an equal and ratable basis, and will secure any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness on an equal and ratable basis. See "—Ranking."

The Collateral Agent will determine the time and method by which the security interests in the Collateral will be enforced and will have the sole and exclusive right to manage, perform and enforce the terms of the applicable Security Documents relating to the Collateral and to exercise and enforce all privileges, rights and remedies thereunder, including to take or retake control or possession of such Collateral and hold, prepare for sale, marshall, process, sell, lease, dispose of or liquidate such Collateral, including, without limitation, following the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Indenture. Prior to the repayment in full in cash of all obligations under the Credit Agreement, neither the Trustee nor the Holders of the Notes will be entitled to exercise or be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent, including the right to enforce the actions

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pursuant to the Security Documents, request any action, institute proceedings, give any instructions or notices, make any election, make collections, sell or otherwise foreclose on any portion of the Collateral or receive any payment (except for the right to receive payments as expressly set forth under the Security Documents).

Under the Security Documents, the Collateral Agent's obligations to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes (collectively, the " Indenture Secured Parties ") are limited to holding the Collateral for the ratable benefit of the Indenture Secured Parties, enforcing the rights of the Indenture Secured Parties (in their capacity as such) with respect to the Collateral, and distributing to the Secured Parties any proceeds received from the sale, collection or realization of the Collateral.

In addition, none of the Collateral Agent, any lender or agent under the Credit Agreement or any provider of hedges under Specified Swap Agreements will be liable to the Trustee or the Holders of Notes for any actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of the security interests on the Collateral, actions with respect to the occurrence of a default or an event of default, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release, or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the obligations under the Notes from any debtor, guarantor or any other party or the valuation, use or protection of the Collateral.

If any Secured Party is required in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay any amount to the estate of the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar person therefor) because the payment of such amount was declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any such amount (a " Recovery "), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise, then as among the parties hereto, the obligations owing to such party shall be deemed to be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred, and such Secured Party shall be entitled to a reinstatement of obligations with respect to all such recovered amounts and shall have all rights as a Secured Party under the Security Documents with respect thereto.

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Issuer and the Guarantors have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of the Collateral and to freely operate the Collateral and to collect, invest and dispose of any income therefrom. Unless an Event of Default has occurred with respect to any obligations secured by the Parent Pledge Agreement and the Collateral Agent has given notice of its intent to exercise rights against the Collateral, the Parent Pledgor will have the right to receive dividends paid in respect of the shares constituting the Initial Collateral and to exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares constituting the Initial Collateral.

Sufficiency of collateral

The fair market value of the Collateral is subject to fluctuations based on factors that include, among others, the condition of the retail industry, the ability to sell the Collateral in an orderly sale, general economic conditions, the availability of buyers and similar factors. The amount to be received upon a sale of the Collateral will also be dependent on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the actual fair market value of the Collateral at such time and the timing and the manner of the sale. By its nature, the Collateral may be illiquid and may have no readily ascertainable market value. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the

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Collateral can be sold in a short period of time or in an orderly manner. In addition, in the event of a bankruptcy, the ability of the Holders to realize upon any of the Collateral may be subject to certain bankruptcy law limitations as described below.

Certain bankruptcy limitations

The right of the Collateral Agent to repossess and dispose of the Collateral upon the occurrence of an Event of Default may be significantly impaired by any Bankruptcy Law in the event that a bankruptcy case were to be commenced by or against the Issuer or any Guarantor prior to the Collateral Agent's having repossessed and disposed of the Collateral. Upon the commencement of a case for relief under the Bankruptcy Code, a secured creditor such as the Collateral Agent is prohibited from repossessing its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or from disposing of security without bankruptcy court approval.

In view of the broad equitable powers of a U.S. bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how long payments under the Notes could be delayed following commencement of a bankruptcy case, whether or when the Collateral Agent could repossess or dispose of the Collateral, the value of the Collateral at any time during a bankruptcy case or whether or to what extent Holders of the Notes would be compensated for any delay in payment or loss of value of the Collateral. The Bankruptcy Code permits only the payment and/or accrual of post-petition interest, costs and attorneys' fees to a secured creditor during a debtor's bankruptcy case to the extent the value of such creditor's interest in the Collateral owned by such debtor is determined by the bankruptcy court to exceed the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured by the Collateral.

Furthermore, in the event a domestic or foreign bankruptcy court determines that the value of the Collateral is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the Notes, the Holders of the Notes would hold secured claims only to the extent of the value of the Collateral to which the Holders of the Notes are entitled, and unsecured claims with respect to such shortfall.

Release of collateral

The Issuer and the Guarantors will be entitled to the release of the following property and other assets constituting Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees under any one or more of the following circumstances:

(1)   in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the property and assets of such Guarantor;

(2)   concurrently with any release of such Collateral under the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes and all other then outstanding Permitted Parity indebtedness;

(3)   any Collateral that is sold (other than any such sale to another grantor of Collateral) in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement; or

(4)   as described under "—Amendment, supplement and waiver."

The Credit Agreement currently allows for a release of all the Collateral if the Issuer's consolidated leverage ratio calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement is less than 2.00 to 1.00 for two consecutive fiscal quarters. See "Description of other indebtedness." In that circumstance, the Collateral would also be released from the security interests securing the Notes and the Existing Notes.

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The Liens on the Collateral will also be released upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on the Notes and all other Obligations under the Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid or (ii) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance under the Indenture as described below under "—Legal defeasance and covenant defeasance" or a discharge of the Indenture as described below under "—Satisfaction and discharge."

Any certificate or opinion required by Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act in connection with obtaining the release of any Collateral may be made by an Officer of the Issuer, except in cases where Section 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this "Description of notes" section, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries will not be required to comply with all or any portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if they determine in good faith, based on the advice of counsel, that under the terms of that section and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including "no action" letters or exemptive orders, all or the relevant portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is inapplicable to the released Collateral.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain no action letters issued by the SEC have permitted an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act to contain provisions permitting the release of collateral from Liens under such indenture in the ordinary course of the Issuer's business without requiring the Issuer to provide certificates and other documents under Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Issuer and the Guarantors may, subject to the provisions of the Indenture, among other things, without any release or consent by the Collateral Agent, conduct ordinary course activities with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation:

selling or otherwise disposing of, in any transaction or series of related transactions, any property subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that has become worn out, defective, obsolete or not used or useful in the business;

abandoning, terminating, canceling, releasing or making alterations in or substitutions of any leases or contracts subject to the Lien of the Security Documents;

surrendering or modifying any franchise, license or permit subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that it may own or under which it may be operating;

altering, repairing, replacing, changing the location or position of and adding to its structures, machinery, systems, equipment, fixtures and appurtenances;

granting a license of any intellectual property;

selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

collecting accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business;

making cash payments (including for the repayment of Indebtedness or interest) from cash that is at any time part of the Collateral in the ordinary course of business that are not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture and the Security Documents; and

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abandoning any intellectual property that is no longer used or useful in the Issuer's business.

Mandatory redemption

The Issuer will not be required to redeem the Notes prior to maturity. However, we may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise as described under "—Change of control" and "—Optional redemption."

Optional redemption

Redemption at a make-whole premium

The Notes are redeemable at the Issuer's election, in whole or in part at any time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, or

as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points,

plus, in either of the above cases, accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption on the Notes to be redeemed.

"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date:

the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life (as defined below), yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month); or

if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

The Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date. Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward.

"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with

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customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such securities (" Remaining Life ").

"Comparable Treasury Price" means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by us.

"Reference Treasury Dealer" means any primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City selected by us.

"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

The Issuer will mail a notice of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed. If the Issuer elects to partially redeem the Notes, the Trustee will select in a fair and appropriate manner the Notes to be redeemed.

Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portion thereof called for redemption.

Selection and notice of redemption

In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time pursuant to an optional redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided , however , that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. In addition, if a partial redemption is made pursuant to the provisions described under "—Redemption with proceeds from equity offerings," selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of The Depository Trust Company), unless that method is otherwise prohibited.

Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Note upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the date of redemption, interest will cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption

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so long as the Issuer has deposited with the Paying Agent for the Notes funds in satisfaction of the redemption price (including accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed) pursuant to the Indenture.

Change of control

If a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to the Notes, unless the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes as described above, the Issuer will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the Holder's option, any part (equal to $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder's Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer (as defined below).

In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuer will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to, but not including, the date of purchase (the " Change of Control Payment ").

Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event with respect to the Notes, the Issuer will be required to mail a notice to Holders of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee for the Notes, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Notes (a " Change of Control Offer ") on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the " Change of Control Payment Date "), pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice. The Issuer must comply with the requirements of applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will be required, to the extent lawful, to:

accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the notes properly accepted together with an Officer's Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.

The Paying Agent will be required to promptly pay, to each Holder who properly tendered Notes, the purchase price for such Notes, and the Trustee will be required to promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each such Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In the event that such third party terminates or defaults its offer, the Issuer will be required to make a Change of Control Offer

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treating the date of such termination or default as though it were the date of the Change of Control Triggering Event.

For purposes of the repurchase provisions of the Notes, the following terms will be applicable:

(i)    " Below Investment Grade Rating Event " means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period commencing 60 days prior to the date of the first public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control and ending at the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Holders of Notes in writing at their request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprising or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event);

(ii)   " Change of Control Triggering Event " means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event occurring in respect of that Change of Control;

(iii)  " Investment Grade Rating " means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) if by Moody's and BBB- (or the equivalent) if by Standard & Poor's.

(iv)  " Moody's " means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business;

(v)   " Rating Agencies " means (1) each of Moody's and Standard & Poor's; and (2) if any of Moody's or Standard & Poor's ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, that the Issuer selects (as certified by an Officer of ours) as a replacement agency for Moody's or Standard & Poor's, or both of them, as the case may be; and

(vi)  " Standard & Poor's " means Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Certain covenants

The Indenture will contain, among others, the following covenants:

Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur additional Indebtedness, in each case, if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the

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proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00 (the " Coverage Ratio Exception ").

Notwithstanding the above, each of the following shall be permitted (the " Permitted Indebtedness "):

(1)   Indebtedness of the Issuer and any Guarantor under the Credit Facilities (including the Notes and the Existing Notes) in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000,000;

(2)   the Note Guarantees and the Existing Note Guarantees;

(3)   Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1), (2) or (4));

(4)   (x) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer and (y) guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Indebtedness being owed to any Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (4);

(5)   Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

(6)   Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding $100.0 million;

(7)   Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

(8)   Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(9)   Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or clause (2) or (3) above or this clause (9);

(10) indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing or in contemplation of any such acquisition; provided that (a) any amount of such obligations included on the face of the balance sheet of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be permitted under this

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clause (10) and (b) in the case of a disposition, the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such obligations outstanding under this clause (10) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

(11) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of such indebtedness does not exceed $425.0 million (less the amount of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under clause (23) of the definition of "Permitted Liens" which Indebtedness is not incurred pursuant to this clause (11)); and

(12) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described and may later reclassify any item of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above ( provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories), except that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the Notes issued on the Issue Date (and any Exchange Notes and guarantees thereof) shall be deemed to have been incurred under clause (1) above. In addition, for purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this covenant, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included so long as incurred by a Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.

Limitations on restricted payments

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless at the time of such Restricted Payment:

(1)   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof; and

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(2)   after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

(1)   the payment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if on the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture;

(2)   the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer will be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement);

(3)   the redemption of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer will be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement), (b) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent incurrence of, Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under "—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" and the other terms of the Indenture or (c) upon a Change of Control or in connection with a sale of assets to the extent required by the agreement governing such Subordinated Indebtedness but only if the Issuer shall have complied with the covenants described under "—Change of control" and purchased all Notes validly tendered pursuant to the relevant offer prior to redeeming such Subordinated Indebtedness;

(4)   (x) prior to the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to Parent to permit Parent, and which are used by Parent or (y) after the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to the Issuer to permit the Issuer, and which are used by the Issuer, to redeem Equity Interests of Parent or the Issuer, as the case may be, held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed $25.0 million during any twelve consecutive months;

(5)   payments permitted pursuant to clause (3) of the covenant described under "—Limitations on transactions with affiliates";

(6)   repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if the Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof;

(7)   [Reserved];

(8)   payments by the Issuer to Parent or its subsidiaries to the extent necessary to pay principal and interest when due in respect of Indebtedness of Parent and its subsidiaries;

(9)   Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for directors, management, employees or consultants of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or

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(10) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount from and after the Issue Date not to exceed $50.0 million;

provided that in the case of any Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (3), (8) or (10) above, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

For purposes of this covenant, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.

Limitations on dividend and other restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(a)   pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Equity Interests;

(b)   make loans or advances or pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or

(c)    transfer any of its assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

except for:

(1)   encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of applicable law, regulation or order;

(2)   encumbrances or restrictions existing under the Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, Exchange Notes (and any guarantees thereof) and the Security Documents;

(3)   non-assignment provisions of any contract or any lease entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(4)   encumbrances or restrictions existing under agreements existing on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes Indentures, the Existing Notes and the Existing Note Guarantees) as in effect on that date;

(5)   restrictions relating to any Lien permitted under the Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien that limit the right of the relevant obligor to transfer assets that are subject to such Lien;

(6)   restrictions imposed under any agreement to sell assets permitted under the Indenture to any Person pending the closing of such sale;

(7)   any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired;

(8)   any other agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are not materially more restrictive with respect to

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any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

(9)   customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements and other similar agreements that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or similar Person;

(10) Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred in compliance with the covenant described under "—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the assets acquired;

(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(12) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

Limitations on transactions with affiliates

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (an " Affiliate Transaction "), unless such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm's-length basis by the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary.

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

(1)   transactions between or among the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate;

(2)   reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, and Stock Compensation Plans) and indemnification arrangements;

(3)   transactions pursuant to the Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement;

(4)   loans and advances permitted by clause (3) of the definition of "Permitted Investments";

(5)   Restricted Payments of the type described in clause (1), (2) or (4) of the definition of "Restricted Payment" and which are made in accordance with the covenant described under "—Limitations on restricted payments";

(6)   (x) any agreement in effect on the Issue Date and disclosed in the offering memorandum for the original notes, as in effect on the Issue Date or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner, that, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Holders or the Issuer

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in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Issue Date or (y) any transaction pursuant to any agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x);

(7)   any transaction with a joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such joint venture or similar entity; provided that no Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have a beneficial interest in such joint venture or similar entity;

(8)   ordinary overhead arrangements in which any Subsidiary participates; and

(9)   (a) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary is Qualified Equity Interests or (b) the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests.

Limitations on liens

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) of any nature whatsoever against any assets (including Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, which Lien secures Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or trade payables.

The foregoing shall not apply to Liens on Collateral to secure Indebtedness (" Permitted Parity Indebtedness ") in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $5,000,000,000; provided that (i) such Permitted Parity Indebtedness shall be secured by a Lien that is equal and ratable or junior to the Lien in favor of the Trustee with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees, (ii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is not incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the Trustee with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees, and (iii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the secured parties under the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees; provided that, at a time when there is no Credit Agreement outstanding, Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes may be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral ratably with the holders of any other such Indebtedness and the holders of the Notes in proportion to the amount of obligations under such Indebtedness.

Liens, if any, securing Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement, Existing Notes and the Notes on the Issue Date will be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

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Limitations on designation of unrestricted subsidiaries

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary) of the Issuer as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under the Indenture (a " Designation ") only if:

(1)   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Designation; and

(2)   at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Designation, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

No Subsidiary shall be Designated as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" unless such Subsidiary:

(1)   has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt and other obligations arising by operation of law, including joint and several liability for taxes, ERISA obligations and similar items, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with the covenant described under "—Limitations on restricted payments";

(2)   is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of the agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding comply with the covenant described above under "—Limitations on transactions with affiliates";

(3)   is a Person with respect to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve the Person's financial condition or to cause the Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with the covenant described under "—Limitations on restricted payments"; and

(4)   will not become a Subsidiary of the Issuer or its other Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) where the Issuer or such other Subsidiary will become a general partner of any such Subsidiary.

If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary fails to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture on the date that is 30 days after the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has obtained knowledge of such failure (unless such failure has been cured by such date), and any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary and any Liens on assets of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary at such time and, if the Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred under the covenant described under "—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" or the Lien is not permitted under the covenant described under "—Limitations on liens," the Issuer shall be in default of the applicable covenant.

The Issuer may redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (a " Redesignation ") only if:

(1)   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of and after giving effect to such Redesignation; and

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(2)   all Liens, Indebtedness and Investments of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Redesignation would, if incurred or made at such time, have been permitted to be incurred or made for all purposes of the Indenture.

All Designations and Redesignations must be evidenced by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer and an Officer's Certificate certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions delivered to the Trustee.

Limitations on sale and leaseback transactions

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

(1)   such Sale and Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a term of not more than three years; or

(2)   such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is between the Issuer and one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or between any of the Issuer's Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3)   the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have (a) incurred the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to the covenant described under "—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness" and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to the covenant described under "—Limitations on liens" or the lease in the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is not a capital lease and the aggregate proceeds from such arrangements since the Issue Date do not exceed $150.0 million; or

(4)   the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction within 365 days after such Sale and Leaseback Transaction to the retirement or other discharge of Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Limitations on mergers, consolidations, etc.

The Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person, or sell, lease, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of or assign all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) or (b) adopt a Plan of Liquidation unless, in either case:

(1)   either:

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(2)   immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations as set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3)   immediately after and giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

For purposes of this covenant, any Indebtedness of the Successor which was not Indebtedness of the Issuer immediately prior to the transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred in connection with such transaction.

Except as provided in the fourth paragraph under "—Note Guarantees," no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, unless:

(1)   either:

(2)   immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, the Equity Interests of which constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer, will be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

Upon any consolidation, combination or merger of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing, in which the Issuer or such Guarantor is not the continuing obligor under the Notes or its Note Guarantee, the surviving entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or the Person to which the conveyance, lease or transfer is made will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor under the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named therein as the Issuer or such Guarantor and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, will be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes or in respect of its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and all of the Issuer's or such Guarantor's other obligations and covenants under the Notes, the Indenture and its Note Guarantee, if applicable.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, that the surviving entity remains or becomes a Guarantor.

Additional Note Guarantees

If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) becomes a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) guarantees any Indebtedness under any Permitted Parity Indebtedness or (c) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)   execute and deliver to the Trustee (a) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer's obligations under the Notes and the Indenture and (b) a notation of guarantee in respect of its Note Guarantee; and

(2)   deliver to the Trustee one or more opinions of counsel that such supplemental indenture (a) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary qualifications).

Conduct of business

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its line of business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date (other than businesses incidental or related thereto).

Reports

The Indenture will provide that notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer will file with the SEC:

(1)   within the time period specified in the SEC's rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form),

(2)   within the time period specified in the SEC's rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form),

(3)   promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC's rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form), and

(4)   any other information, documents and other reports which the Issuer would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

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provided , however , that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Issuer will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, including by posting such reports on the primary website of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in the case of Form 10-K within 30 days, and in each other case within 15 days, after the time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as a non-accelerated filer.

In the event that:

(a)   the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Issuer and any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to report at such parent entity's level on a consolidated basis and

(b)   such parent entity of the Issuer is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of the Issuer, such consolidated reporting at such parent entity's level in a manner consistent with that described in this covenant for the Issuer will satisfy this covenant.

In addition, the Issuer will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, the Issuer has agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the holders if the Issuer has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available; provided , however , that the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether or not the Issuer shall have made such filings. In addition, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement, if required, of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Notes or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement by the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement and/or shelf registration statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, if such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant.

In the event that any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer is or becomes a Guarantor, the Indenture will permit the Issuer to satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of the Issuer on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

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Limitations on asset sales

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

(1)   at the time of such transaction (or, if earlier, the date of the commitment to enter into such transaction) and after giving effect thereto and to the use of proceeds thereof, (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (b) the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied; and

(2)   if such Asset Sale involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of the Indenture and the Security Documents.

Payment for consent

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Fall-away event

If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have investment grade ratings from both Moody's and Standard & Poor's, and the Issuer has delivered written notice of such investment grade ratings to the Trustee, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, then, beginning on that day and continuing at all times thereafter regardless of any subsequent changes in the ratings of the Notes or the occurrence of any Default, the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this "Description of notes" section will no longer be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the " Terminated Covenants "):

(1)   "—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness";

(2)   "—Limitations on restricted payments";

(3)   "—Limitations on dividend and other restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries";

(4)   "—Limitations on asset sales";

(5)   clause (3) under "—Limitations on mergers, consolidations, etc."; and

(6)   "—Limitations on transactions with affiliates."

No Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under the Indenture or the Notes with respect to the Terminated Covenants based on, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring after the Notes attain an investment grade rating, regardless of whether such actions or event would have been permitted if the applicable Terminated Covenants remained in effect.

There can be no assurance that the Notes will ever achieve investment grade ratings.

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Events of default

Each of the following will constitute an " Event of Default " under the Indenture:

(1)   failure by the Issuer to pay interest on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for 30 days;

(2)   failure by the Issuer to pay the principal on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption, upon purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;

(3)   failure by the Issuer to comply with any of its agreements or covenants described above under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on mergers, consolidations, etc." or in respect of its obligations to make a Change of Control Offer as described under "—Change of control";

(4)   failure by the Issuer to comply with any other agreement or covenant in the Indenture and continuance of this failure for 30 days after notice of the failure has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

(5)   default under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument or agreement under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is incurred after the Issue Date, which default:

in each case, the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with any other Indebtedness with respect to which an event described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and is continuing, aggregates $100.0 million or more (and provided that for purposes of this clause (5) only, "Indebtedness" shall include any Hedging Obligations with the "principal amount" of any Hedging Obligations at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if the agreement with respect to such Hedging Obligations terminated at such time);

(6)   one or more judgments or orders that exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) for the payment of money have been entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or judgments have not been satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;

(7)   the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

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(8)   a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

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

(9)   any Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Note Guarantee and the Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Note Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Note Guarantee);

(10) (a) the security interest under the Security Documents, at any time, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) any security interest created thereunder or under the Indenture is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or (c) the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Parent Pledgor or any of their respective Affiliates asserts, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable; or

(11) the Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in the Parent Pledge Agreement, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement) to the Parent Pledgor.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Notes, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) above with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor), shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee, by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such declaration of acceleration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes shall immediately become due and payable; provided , however , that after

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such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture.

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided , however , that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with "—Certain covenants—Limitations on mergers, consolidations, etc.," the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

No Holder will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless the Trustee:

(1)   has failed to act for a period of 60 days after receiving written notice of a continuing Event of Default by such Holder and a request to act by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding;

(2)   has been offered indemnity satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment; and

(3)   has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such request.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of any Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such Note on or after the due date therefor (after giving effect to the grace period specified in clause (1) of the first paragraph of this "—Events of default" section).

The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture and, upon any Officer of the Issuer becoming aware of any Default, a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Legal defeasance and covenant defeasance

The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes (" Legal Defeasance "). Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and the Note Guarantees, and the Indenture shall cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees except as to:

(1)   rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of and interest on the Notes when such payments are due from the trust funds referred to below,

(2)   the Issuer's obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust,

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(3)   the rights, powers, trust, duties, and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer's obligation in connection therewith, and

(4)   the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

In addition, the Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors released with respect to most of the covenants under the Indenture, except as described otherwise in the Indenture (" Covenant Defeasance "), and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain Events of Default (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) will no longer apply. The Issuer may exercise its Legal Defeasance option regardless of whether it previously exercised Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

(1)   the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer, to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the stated date for payment or on the redemption date of the principal or installment of principal of or interest on the Notes,

(2)   in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States confirming that:

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon the opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,

(3)   in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,

(4)   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

(5)   the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under the Indenture or a default under any other material agreement

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or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound (other than any such Default or default resulting solely from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

(6)   the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by it with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other of its creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other of its creditors or others, and

(7)   the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the conditions provided for in, in the case of the Officer's Certificate, clauses (1) through (6) and, in the case of the opinion of counsel, clauses (2) and/or (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied with.

If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, then the obligations of the Issuer and the obligations of Guarantors under the Indenture will be revived and no such defeasance will be deemed to have occurred.

Satisfaction and discharge

The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes which shall survive until all Notes have been canceled) as to all outstanding Notes when either:

(1)   all the Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from this trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

(2)   (a) all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable, or may be called for redemption, within one year or (iii) have been called for redemption pursuant to the provisions described under "—Optional redemption," and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest) to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness (including all principal and accrued interest) on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer's Certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

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Transfer and exchange

A Holder will be able to register the transfer of or exchange of Notes only in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. Without the prior consent of the Issuer, the Registrar is not required (1) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption, (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or (3) to register the transfer or exchange of a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

The Notes will be issued in registered form and the registered Holder will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes.

Amendment, supplement and waiver

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of, the Indenture may be waived (other than any continuing Default in the payment of the principal or interest on the Notes) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; provided that, without the consent of each Holder affected, no amendment or waiver may:

(1)   reduce, or change the maturity of, the principal of any Note;

(2)   reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(3)   reduce any premium payable upon redemption of the Notes or change the date on, or the circumstances under, which any Notes are subject to redemption (other than provisions relating to the purchase of Notes described above under "—Change of control," except that if a Change of Control has occurred, no amendment or other modification of the obligation of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer relating to such Change of Control shall be made without the consent of each Holder of the Notes affected);

(4)   make any Note payable in money or currency other than that stated in the Notes;

(5)   modify or change any provision of the Indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the Holders;

(6)   reduce the percentage of Holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to the Indenture or the Notes;

(7)   waive a default in the payment of principal of or premium or interest on any Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders thereof as provided in the Indenture and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

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(8)   impair the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes on or after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Notes;

(9)   release any Guarantor that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or the Indenture, except as permitted by the Indenture, or amend the definition of Material Domestic Subsidiary in a manner adverse to Holders; or

(10) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions.

In addition, without the consent of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not modify any Security Document or the provisions of the Indenture dealing with the Security Documents or application of trust moneys, or otherwise release any Collateral, in each case in any manner that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Holders to equally and ratably share in the Liens provided for in the Security Documents in a manner that is materially disproportionate to the effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver on the holders of the other obligations secured by the Security Documents.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and the Trustee (or, in the case of Security Documents, the Collateral Agent) may amend the Indenture, the Security Documents, the Note Guarantees or the Notes without the consent of any Holder, to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; to provide for the assumption of the Issuer's or a Guarantor's obligations to the Holders in the case of a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets in accordance with "—Certain covenants—Limitations on mergers, consolidations, etc."; to release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or the Indenture (to the extent permitted by the Indenture); to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder; in the case of the Indenture, to maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any other Lien in favor of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the obligations under the Notes and the Indenture in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise; to add or remove holders of any Permitted Parity Indebtedness (or any agent acting on their behalf) to any Security Documents or to release Collateral from the Lien of the Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or the Indenture. The consent of the Holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

No personal liability of directors, officers, employees and stockholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or the Indenture or of any Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the

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Note Guarantees. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws. It is the view of the SEC that this type of waiver is against public policy.

Concerning the trustee

U.S. Bank National Association will be the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Issuer as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the Notes. The Indenture will contain certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Issuer, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain assets received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture will provide that, in case an Event of Default occurs and is not cured, the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in similar circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee.

Governing law

The Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain definitions

Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all such terms.

" 2009 Notes " means the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued by the Issuer on September 25, 2009.

" 2009 Notes Indenture " means the indenture governing the 2009 Notes dated as of September 25, 2009, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.

" 2010 Notes " means the 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 and the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 issued by the Issuer on March 23, 2010.

" 2010 Notes Indenture " means the indenture governing each series of the 2010 Notes dated as of March 23, 2010, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.

" Acquired Indebtedness " means (1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (2) with respect to the

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Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person is merged with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of an asset or assets from another Person, which Indebtedness was not, in any case, incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or acquisition.

" Additional Interest " means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

" Affiliate " of any Person means any other Person which directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, the referent Person.

" Affiliated Persons " mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person's parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, stepchildren, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such Persons.

" amend " means to amend, supplement, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, including successively, and " amendment " shall have a correlative meaning.

" asset " means any asset or property.

" Asset Acquisition " means

(1)   an Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or

(2)   the acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person.

" Asset Sale " means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease, assignment or other disposition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by means of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction or a merger or consolidation) (collectively, for purposes of this definition, a " transfer "), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of any assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of this definition, the term "Asset Sale" shall not include:

(1)   transfers of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(2)   transfers of assets (including Equity Interests) that are governed by, and made in accordance with, the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on mergers, consolidations, etc.";

(3)   Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments permitted under the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on restricted payments";

(4)   the creation of or realization on any Lien permitted under the Indenture;

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(5)   transfers of inventory and damaged, worn out or obsolete equipment or assets that are no longer used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(6)   sales or grants of licenses or sublicenses to use the patents, trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property, and licenses, leases or subleases of other assets, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not materially interfering with the business of Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(7)   any transfer or series of related transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the assets transferred in such transaction or any such series of related transactions does not exceed $50.0 million;

(8)   (x) Asset Sales by the Issuer or any Guarantor to any other Guarantor or the Issuer and (y) Asset Sales of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; and

(9)   any transfer or series of transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales if consummated at a time when, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (x) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

" Bankruptcy Law " means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

" Board of Directors " means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, or the functional equivalent of the foregoing, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or, in each case, other than for purposes of the definition of "Change of Control," any duly authorized committee of such body.

" Business Day " means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York are authorized or required by law to close.

" Capitalized Lease Obligations " of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided however, that any obligations relating to a lease that would have been accounted by such Person as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP as of the Issue Date shall be accounted for as an operating lease and not a Capitalized Lease Obligation for all purposes under the Indenture.

" Cash Equivalents " means:

(1)   marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition;

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(2)   certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;

(3)   commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's or P-1 by Moody's, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition;

(4)   repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government;

(5)   securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor's or A by Moody's;

(6)   securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition;

(7)   money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (1) through (6) of this definition;

(8)   money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by Standard & Poor's or Aaa by Moody's and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and

(9)   in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, investments substantially comparable to any of the foregoing investments with respect to the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized.

" Change of Control " means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(1)   the acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer's voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer's voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, the Issuer is rated by one of Moody's or Standard & Poor's and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating;

(2)   after the consummation of an initial public offering, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Issuer (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Issuer was approved by a vote of the

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majority of the directors of the Issuer then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Issuer's Board of Directors then in office; or

(3)   the Issuer shall adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution or any such plan shall be approved by the stockholders of the Issuer.

For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

" Collateral " has the meaning set forth under "—Security—General."

" Collateral Agent " means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Security Documents and any successors in such capacity.

" Consolidated Amortization Expense " for any period means the amortization expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

" Consolidated Cash Flow " for any period means, without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of

(1)   Consolidated Net Income, plus

(2)   in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,

in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that

(i)    the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, expenses or losses reducing such Consolidated Net Income (excluding any non-cash charge, expense or loss that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period and any non-cash charge, expense or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts or inventory) for such period, and

(ii)   the aggregate amount of all non-cash items, determined on a consolidated basis,

to the extent such items increased Consolidated Net Income for such period will, in each case, be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for purposes of this definition only.

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" Consolidated Depreciation Expense " for any period means the depreciation expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

" Consolidated Income Tax Expense " for any period means the provision for taxes of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

" Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio " means the ratio of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available (the " Four-Quarter Period ") ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (the " Transaction Date ") to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Four-Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to:

(1)   the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and any repayment of other Indebtedness or redemption of other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) (other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period; and

(2)   any Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition or as a result of a Redesignation) incurring Acquired Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated Cash Flow (including any pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) associated with any such Asset Acquisition) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition, or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence of, or assumption or liability for, any such Indebtedness or Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period.

In calculating Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio:

(1)   interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date;

(2)   if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency

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interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the Four-Quarter Period; and

(3)   notwithstanding clause (1) or (2) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of the agreements governing such Hedging Obligations.

" Consolidated Interest Expense " for any period means the sum, without duplication, of the total interest expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and including, without duplication,

(1)   imputed interest on Capitalized Lease Obligations,

(2)   commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit securing financial obligations, bankers' acceptance financing and receivables financings,

(3)   the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations related to interest rates,

(4)   amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses,

(5)   the interest portion of any deferred payment obligations,

(6)   all other non-cash interest expense,

(7)   capitalized interest,

(8)   the product of (a) all dividend payments on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Disqualified Equity Interests or any Preferred Stock held by the Issuer or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent paid in Qualified Equity Interests), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal,

(9)   all interest payable with respect to discontinued operations, and

(10) all interest on any Indebtedness described in clause (6) or (7) of the definition of Indebtedness.

" Consolidated Leverage Ratio " means, at any date, the ratio of (i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to (ii) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is made, then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable

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four-quarter period; provided that the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officer's Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

" Consolidated Leverage Test " means, at any date, that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.0.

" Consolidated Net Income " for any period means the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:

(1)   the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period;

(2)   except to the extent includible in the consolidated net income of the Issuer pursuant to the foregoing clause (1), the net income (or loss) of any Person that accrued prior to the date that (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the assets of such Person are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(3)   any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon (a) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the sale of any financial or equity investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(4)   gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects according to GAAP;

(5)   gains and losses with respect to Hedging Obligations;

(6)   the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles;

(7)   the net income (or loss) associated with minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(8)   any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or the tax effect of any such extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), realized by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period.

For the purpose of this definition of "Consolidated Net Income," " nonrecurring " means any gain or loss as of any date that is not reasonably likely to recur within the two years following such date; provided that if there was a gain or loss similar to such gain or loss within the two years preceding such date, such gain or loss shall not be deemed nonrecurring.

" Control " means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise

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voting power, by contract or otherwise. " Controlling " and " Controlled " have meanings correlative thereto.

" Coverage Ratio Exception " has the meaning set forth in the proviso in the first paragraph of the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on incurrence of indebtedness."

" Credit Agreement " means the Credit Agreement dated September 2, 2010, by and among the Issuer, as Borrower, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and lead bookrunner, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and BNP Paribas, as syndication agents, and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Capital, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and the Bank of Nova Scotia, as documentation agents, including any notes, guarantees, collateral and security documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended or refinanced from time to time.

" Credit Facilities " means one or more (A) debt facilities (which may be outstanding at the same time and including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities (including, without limitation, the Notes), indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers' acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder).

" Custodian " means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

" Default " means (1) any Event of Default or (2) any event, act or condition that, after notice or the passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

" Designation " has the meaning given to this term in the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on designation of unrestricted subsidiaries."

" Disqualified Equity Interests " of any Person means any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such Person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes; provided , however , that any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, authorizes such Person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery of Equity Interests that are

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not Disqualified Equity Interests, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for Disqualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness, will not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests so long as such Person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests; provided , further , however , that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Equity Interests are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Issuer to redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change in control occurring prior to the 91st day after the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if (1) the change of control provisions applicable to such Equity Interests are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions described under "—Change of control," and (2) such Equity Interests specifically provide that the Issuer will not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the Issuer's purchase of the Notes as required pursuant to the provisions described under "—Change of control."

" Disqualified Person " means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody's or Standard & Poor's on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Issuer or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner of the Issuer.

" Domestic Subsidiary " means any Subsidiary of the Issuer organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

" Equity Interests " of any Person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such Person.

" Exchange Act " means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

" Exchange Notes " means the debt securities of the Issuer issued pursuant to the Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to, the Notes, in compliance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

" Existing Notes " means the 2009 Notes and each series of the 2010 Notes.

" Existing Note Guarantees " means the guarantees of the Existing Notes by the Guarantors.

" Existing Notes Indentures " means the 2009 Notes Indenture and the 2010 Notes Indenture.

" Fair Market Value " means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm's-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction.

" Foreign Subsidiary " means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

" GAAP " means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards

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Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, consistently applied.

" guarantee " means a direct or indirect guarantee by any Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person and includes any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm's-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); " guarantee ," when used as a verb, and " guaranteed " have correlative meanings.

" Guarantors " means each Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date, and each other Person that is required to, or at the election of the Issuer does, become a Guarantor by the terms of the Indenture after the Issue Date, in each case, until such Person is released from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

" Hedging Obligations " of any Person means the obligations of such Person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

" Holder " means any registered holder, from time to time, of the Notes.

" incur " means, with respect to any Indebtedness or Obligation, incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to such Indebtedness or Obligation; provided that (1) the Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount or the accretion or accumulation of dividends on any Equity Interests shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.

" Indebtedness " of any Person at any date means, without duplication:

(1)   all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof) or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind;

(2)   all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(3)   all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers' acceptances and similar credit transactions;

(4)   all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services;

(5)   all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;

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(6)   all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;

(7)   all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee; provided that Indebtedness of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Issuer or the Issuer's Subsidiaries shall only be counted once in the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and

(8)   all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such Person (excluding obligations arising from inventory transactions in the ordinary course of business).

The amount of any Indebtedness which is incurred at a discount to the principal amount at maturity thereof as of any date shall be deemed to have been incurred at the accreted value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above, the maximum liability of such Person for any such contingent obligations at such date and, in the case of clause (6), the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness secured.

" interest " means, with respect to the Notes, interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any.

" Investments " of any Person means:

(1)   all direct or indirect investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions or other credit extensions constituting Indebtedness of such other Person, and any guarantee of Indebtedness of any other Person;

(2)   all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities of any other Person (other than any such purchase that constitutes a Restricted Payment of the type described in clause (2) of the definition thereof);

(3)   all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP (including, if required by GAAP, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business); and

(4)   the Designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Except as otherwise expressly specified in this definition, the amount of any Investment (other than an Investment made in cash) shall be the Fair Market Value thereof on the date such Investment is made. The amount of Investment pursuant to clause (4) shall be the Fair Market Value of the Issuer's proportionate interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of such Unrestricted Subsidiary's designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of and all other Investments

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in such Restricted Subsidiary retained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, purchases or redemptions of Equity Interests of the Issuer or Parent shall be deemed not to be Investments.

" Issue Date " means the date on which the Notes are originally issued.

" Lien " means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), pledge, easement, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind or nature in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

" LINTA " means Liberty Interactive Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor's assets, provided , that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of the Issuer then beneficially owned by LINTA as to which LINTA has dispositive power, the term "LINTA" shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. " Transferee Parent " for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LINTA of a Person or Persons (a " Transferred Person ") that hold equity securities of the Issuer beneficially owned by LINTA, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LINTA, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LINTA (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LINTA designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. " Control Person " for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LINTA, (b) the President of LINTA, (c) any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of LINTA, (d) each of the directors of LINTA and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

" Material Domestic Subsidiary " means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended, that has assets (including Equity Interests in Subsidiaries) or revenues (including both third party and intercompany revenues) with a value in excess of 2.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 2.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries; provided, that in the event Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries designated by the Issuer (or, if the Issuer shall make no designation, one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the

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Issuer), shall be included as Material Domestic Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.

" Moody's " has the meaning given such term in "Change of Control".

" Non-Material Domestic Subsidiary " means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer other than a Material Domestic Subsidiary.

" Non-Recourse Debt " means Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary:

(1)   as to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, and

(2)   no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Credit Agreement, Existing Notes or Notes) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on the other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

" Obligation " means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

" Officer " means any of the following of the Issuer: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary.

" Officer's Certificate " means a certificate signed by an Officer.

" Parent " means LINTA.

" Parent Pledge Agreement " has the meaning set forth under "—Security—Liens with respect to the collateral."

" Parent Pledgor " means the pledgor party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

" Permitted Holders " means any one or more of (a) LINTA, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b), and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

" Permitted Investment " means:

(1)   Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary;

(2)   Investments in the Issuer by any Restricted Subsidiary;

(3)   loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of the Parent (prior to the

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consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer (after the consummation of an initial public offering) not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(4)   cash and Cash Equivalents;

(5)   receivables owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(6)   Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

(7)   Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with a sale of assets made in compliance with the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on asset sales";

(8)   lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

(9)   stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

(10) any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date; and

(11) Investments, including in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

" Permitted Liens " means the following types of Liens:

(1)   Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP;

(2)   statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

(3)   pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers' compensation (or pursuant to letters of credit issued in connection with such workers' compensation compliance), unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(4)   Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds, letters of credit and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

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(5)   Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person's obligations in respect of bankers' acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(6)   judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

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

(8)   Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed or the purchase of which is supported by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof;

(9)   Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including rights of offset and setoff;

(10) bankers' Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

(11) leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(12) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;

(13) [Reserved];

(14) Liens under the Security Documents securing Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business not for the purpose of speculation;

(15) Liens existing on the Issue Date securing obligations outstanding on the Issue Date (other than pursuant to clause (14) of this definition and other than Liens securing Permitted Parity Indebtedness);

(16) Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Guarantor;

(17) Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided that such Liens shall secure Capitalized Lease Obligations or be created within 90 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets and shall not extend to any asset other than the specified asset being financed and additions and improvements thereon;

(18) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indenture; provided that the Liens do not extend to assets not subject to such Lien at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders

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than those securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(19) deposits and other Liens securing credit card operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided the amount secured does not exceed amounts owed by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in connection with such credit card operations;

(20) Liens to secure Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18); provided that in the case of Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18) such Liens do not extend to any additional assets (other than improvements thereon and replacements thereof);

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

(22) Interests of vendors in inventory arising out of such inventory being subject to a "sale or return" arrangement with such vendor or any consignment by any third party of any inventory; and

(23) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed $150.0 million at any one time outstanding; so long as such Liens do not encumber Collateral.

" Permitted Parity Indebtedness " has the meaning given to such term in the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on liens."

" Person " means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

" Plan of Liquidation " with respect to any Person, means a plan that provides for, contemplates or the effectuation of which is preceded or accompanied by (whether or not substantially contemporaneously, in phases or otherwise): (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person other than as an entirety or substantially as an entirety; and (2) the distribution of all or substantially all of the proceeds of such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the remaining assets of such Person to holders of Equity Interests of such Person.

" Preferred Stock " means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other equity interests (however designated) of such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.

" principal " means, with respect to the Notes, the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Notes.

" Purchase Money Indebtedness " means Indebtedness, including Capitalized Lease Obligations, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or the cost of installation, construction or improvement thereof; provided ,

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however , that such Indebtedness is comprised of Capitalized Lease Obligations or (1) the amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed such purchase price or cost and (2) such Indebtedness shall be incurred within 90 days after such acquisition of such asset by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or such installation, construction or improvement.

" Qualified Equity Interests " of any Person means Equity Interests of such Person other than Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that such Equity Interests shall not be deemed Qualified Equity Interests to the extent sold or owed to a Subsidiary of such Person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, without limitation, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan). Unless otherwise specified, Qualified Equity Interests refer to Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer.

" Recovery " has the meaning set forth under "—Security—Liens with respect to the collateral."

" redeem " means to redeem, repurchase, purchase, defease, retire, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value; and " redemption " shall have a correlative meaning; provided that this definition shall not apply for purposes of "—Optional redemption."

" Redesignation " has the meaning given to such term in the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on designation of unrestricted subsidiaries."

" refinance " means to refinance, repay, prepay, replace, renew or refund.

" Refinancing Indebtedness " means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or refinance in whole or in part, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (the " Refinanced Indebtedness "); provided that:

(1)   the principal amount (and accreted value, in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of the Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (and accreted value, as the case may be) of the Refinanced Indebtedness plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Indebtedness, any reasonable premium paid to the holders of the Refinanced Indebtedness and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the incurrence of the Refinancing Indebtedness;

(2)   the obligor of Refinancing Indebtedness does not include any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is not an obligor of the Refinanced Indebtedness;

(3)   if the Refinanced Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness;

(4)   the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final stated maturity either (a) no earlier than the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid or amended or (b) after the final maturity date of the Notes; and

(5)   the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time

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such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes; provided that Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Refinanced Indebtedness that has no amortization may provide for amortization installments, sinking fund payments, senior maturity dates or other required payments of principal of up to 1% of the aggregate principal amount per annum.

" Registration Rights Agreement " means the Registration Rights Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers.

" Restricted Payment " means any of the following:

(1)   the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding (a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests or through accretion or accumulation of such dividends on such Equity Interests and (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries, dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary and pro rata dividends or distributions payable to minority stockholders of any Restricted Subsidiary;

(2)   the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any equity holder of the Issuer, including, without limitation, any payment in exchange for such Equity Interests in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding any such Equity Interests held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(3)   any Investment other than a Permitted Investment; or

(4)   any payment or redemption prior to the scheduled maturity or prior to any scheduled repayment of principal or sinking fund payment, as the case may be, in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness owed to and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary).

" Restricted Subsidiary " means any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

" Sale and Leaseback Transactions " means with respect to any Person an arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by such Person of any asset of such Person which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such asset.

" SEC " means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

" Security Documents " means, collectively, the Parent Pledge Agreement and other security documents relating to the Collateral and instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the relevant states) applicable to

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the Collateral, each as in effect on the Issue Date and as amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

" Secured Party " shall mean the lenders and the agents under the Credit Agreement, holders of Existing Notes, the trustee under the Existing Notes and providers of the Specified Swap Agreements, the Trustee, the Holders, the Collateral Agent and any other party designated as an additional secured party under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents, Indenture, the Credit Agreement or the Existing Notes Indentures.

" Securities Act " means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

" Significant Subsidiary " means (1) any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date and (2) any Restricted Subsidiary that, when aggregated with all other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries and as to which any event described in clause (7) or (8) under "—Events of default" has occurred and is continuing, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (1) of this definition.

" Specified Swap Agreement " means any Swap Agreement in respect of interest rate or currency exchange rates existing on September 2, 2010 or entered into by the Issuer or any Guarantor and any Person that is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreement at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into and is secured equally and ratably with such Credit Agreement(s) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and Security Documents or any such agreement secured equally and ratably with any Credit Facility pursuant to the terms of such Credit Facility and Security Documents.

" Standard & Poor's " has the meaning set forth under "—Change of Control."

" Stock Compensation Plans " means compensation plans in connection with which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries make payments to Parent and its Affiliates in consideration for securities of Parent issued to employees of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.

" Subordinated Indebtedness " means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees.

" Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person:

(1)   any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2)   any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Unless otherwise specified, "Subsidiary" refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

" Swap Agreement " means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one

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or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Issuer or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

" Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement " means that certain Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement entered into as of April 26, 2004 by and between Liberty Interactive LLC (f/k/a Liberty Media Corporation) and the Issuer, as amended, modified or replaced from time to time in a manner no less favorable to the Issuer than as in effect on the Issue Date; provided that such agreement may be amended from time to time in the future to permit Issuer to pay the portion of any additional consolidated, combined or similar income taxes payable by any direct or indirect parent of Issuer that are attributable to the income of Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries.

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

" Unrestricted Subsidiary " means (1) QVC Italia S.r.l., (2) any Subsidiary that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in accordance with the covenant described under "—Certain covenants—Limitations on designation of unrestricted subsidiaries" and (3) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

" U.S. Government Obligations " means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

" Weighted Average Life to Maturity " when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, means the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

" Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary " means a Restricted Subsidiary of which 100% of the Equity Interests (except for directors' qualifying shares or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is not in excess of what is required for such purpose) are owned directly by the Issuer or through one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.

Book-entry, delivery and form

The certificates representing the exchange notes will be issued in fully registered form without interest coupons. The exchange notes initially will be represented by permanent global notes in fully registered form without interest coupons (each, a "Global Note") and will be deposited with the Trustee as a custodian for DTC, as depositary, and registered in the name of a nominee of such depositary, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below.

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The Global Notes

We expect that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC, (i) upon the issuance of the Global Notes, DTC or its custodian will credit, on its internal system, the principal amount at maturity of the individual beneficial interests represented by such Global Notes to the respective accounts of persons who have accounts with such depositary ("participants") and (ii) ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). Such accounts initially will be designated by or on behalf of the initial purchasers and ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be limited to participants or persons who hold interests through participants. Holders may hold their interests in the Global Notes directly through DTC if they are participants in such system, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such system.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner or holder of the notes, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by such Global Notes for all purposes under the indenture. No beneficial owner of an interest in the Global Notes will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC's procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indenture with respect to the notes.

Payments of the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (including additional interest, if any) on, the Global Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. None of the issuer, the Trustee or any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interest.

We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, and premium (if any) and interest (including additional interest, if any) on the Global Notes, will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Notes as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way through DTC's same-day funds system in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds. If a holder requires physical delivery of a Certificated Security, such holder must transfer its interest in a Global Note, in accordance with the normal procedures of DTC and with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of notes as to which

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such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the indenture, DTC will exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Securities, which it will distribute to its participants and which will be legended as set forth in the notes and the indenture.

DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York banking law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York banking law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity, corporate and municipal debt issues that participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of us, the Trustee or any paying agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Certificated Securities

A Global Note is exchangeable for certificated notes in fully registered form without interest coupons ("Certificated Securities") only in the following limited circumstances:

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Note and we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days of such notice, or

there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default with respect to the notes under the indenture and DTC shall have requested the issuance of Certificated Securities.

Certificated Securities may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the indenture) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such notes, if any.

The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer the notes will be limited to such extent.

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Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences

TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230, HOLDERS ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT: (A) THE DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL TAX ISSUES IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED BY ANY TAXPAYER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE TAXPAYER UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"); (B) THE DISCUSSION WAS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE PROMOTION AND MARKETING OF THE NOTES; AND (C) HOLDERS OF NOTES SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and, in the case of certain non-U.S. holders, estate tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, exchange and disposition of the notes. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities and administrative interpretations, in each case as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change and different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. We cannot assure you that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described in this discussion, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of acquiring, holding or disposing of the notes.

This discussion does not purport to address all U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder's particular circumstances or status, nor does it discuss the U.S. federal income tax consequences to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities, partnerships or other pass-through entities (or investors in such entities), U.S. holders (as defined below) whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar, non-U.S. trusts and estates that have U.S. beneficiaries, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, U.S. expatriates and former long-term residents of the U.S., or persons that hold the notes as part of a hedge, wash sale, conversion transaction, straddle or other risk reduction transaction. This discussion is limited to those holders that purchased the original notes for cash at their "issue price" (which is the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes was sold for cash to investors other than to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) and that hold the notes as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). Moreover, this discussion does not address the tax consequences arising under any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws or the application of any U.S. federal taxes other than U.S. federal income taxes (such as the federal gift tax or the recently enacted Medicare tax on certain investment income) and, except as specifically noted under "—Tax consequences to non-U.S. holders—Certain U.S. federal estate tax considerations," the federal estate tax.

If any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner of the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership that holds notes, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor about the tax consequences of acquiring, owning, exchanging and disposing of the notes.

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Holders of notes are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. federal tax laws to their particular situations and the applicability and effect of state, local or foreign tax laws and tax treaties.

Effect of certain contingent payments

In certain circumstances, we may be obligated to pay amounts on the notes that are in excess of the stated interest on, or principal amount of, the notes and/or the timing of payments on the notes may be affected. See, for example, "Description of notes—Change of control." This may cause the notes to be subject to special rules for debt instruments with contingent payments unless, as of the issue date of the notes, the likelihood of the events that would result in any of such contingencies occurring is "remote" and/or such contingencies, in the aggregate, are considered "incidental." We intend to take the position that such contingencies should be treated as remote and/or incidental, as of the issue date of the notes, within the meaning of the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations and, accordingly, we do not intend to treat the notes as contingent payment debt instruments. Under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, our determination that such contingencies are remote and/or incidental is binding on all holders of the notes (other than holders that properly disclose to the IRS that they are taking a different position) but is not binding on the IRS. The IRS may take a contrary position, which, if sustained, could require holders to accrue ordinary interest income on the notes at a rate in excess of the stated interest rate and to treat any gain recognized on a sale or other taxable disposition of a note as ordinary interest income rather than as capital gain. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes are not contingent payment debt instruments.

Tax consequences to U.S. holders

You are a "U.S. holder" for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a note and, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are:

an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the U.S.;

a corporation that is organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

a trust, if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) such trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Exchange offer

The exchange of original notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not be treated as an "exchange" for U.S. federal income tax purposes because the exchange notes will not be considered to differ materially in kind from the original notes. Accordingly, if you participate in this exchange:

you will not recognize gain or loss upon receipt of an exchange note;

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the adjusted tax basis of the exchange note you receive will be the same as your adjusted tax basis in the original note (determined immediately prior to the exchange) that is exchanged therefor; and

the holding period of the exchange note you receive will include your holding period of the original note exchanged therefor.

Stated interest on the notes

Payments of stated interest on the notes will generally be taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the time such stated interest is received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Disposition of the notes

You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, redemption, exchange (other than in connection with this exchange offer), retirement or other taxable disposition of a note equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized on such disposition (excluding amounts attributable to any accrued but unpaid stated interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent you have not previously included the accrued interest in income) and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the note. The amount realized will equal the sum of any cash and fair market value of any other property received on the disposition. Your adjusted tax basis in a note will generally equal the amount you paid for the note. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the note for more than one year at the time of the disposition. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate holders are generally eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information reporting and backup withholding

Information reporting requirements may apply to payments of interest and the proceeds of the disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of notes. These requirements, however, do not apply with respect to certain exempt U.S. holders, such as corporations.

Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28% and scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) may apply to payments of the foregoing amounts, unless you provide the paying agent with a taxpayer identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information, or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Tax consequences to non-U.S. holders

Except as modified for estate tax purposes, you are a "non-U.S. holder" for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of notes that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.

Interest on the notes

Subject to the discussion below under the heading "—Information reporting and backup withholding," payments of interest on the notes generally will be exempt from U.S. federal

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income or withholding tax under the "portfolio interest" exemption if you properly certify as to your foreign status, as described below, and:

you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote;

you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the notes is in connection with an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

you are not a "controlled foreign corporation" for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is related to us; and

interest on the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The portfolio interest exemption applies only if you appropriately certify as to your foreign status. You can generally meet this certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or appropriate substitute form to us or our paying agent. If you hold the notes through a financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you may be required to provide appropriate certifications to your agent. Your agent will then generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to you will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, currently at a 30% rate, unless (i) you provide us or our paying agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) claiming an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under an applicable income tax treaty or (ii) or the payments of interest are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and you meet the certification requirements described below (see "—Income or gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business").

Disposition of notes

Subject to the discussion below under the heading "—Information reporting and backup withholding," you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note (other than amounts attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be treated as described above under "—Interest on the notes") unless:

the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a U.S. trade or business; or

you are an individual who has been present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met.

If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point above, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as described below (see "—Income or gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business"). If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or a lower applicable treaty rate) on the gain derived from the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.

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Income or gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business

If any interest on the notes or gain from the sale, redemption, exchange (other than in connection with this exchange offer), retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by you, then you will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as a U.S. holder (unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise). If interest received with respect to the notes is effectively connected income (whether or not a treaty applies), the U.S. federal withholding tax described above will not apply, assuming an appropriate certification is provided. You can generally meet the certification requirements by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or appropriate substitute form to us or our paying agent. In addition, if you are a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that portion of your earnings and profits that is effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business, subject to certain adjustments, may also be subject to a "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate (or a lower applicable treaty may rate).

Information reporting and backup withholding

Payments to you of interest on a note, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported to the IRS and to you. Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%, and scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) generally will not apply to payments of interest on a note to a non-U.S. holder if the certification described in "—Interest on the notes" above is provided by the holder, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person.

Proceeds from a disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of a note effected by the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting requirements and backup withholding unless you properly certify, under penalties of perjury, as to your foreign status and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to any proceeds from the disposition of a note effected outside the U.S. by a foreign office of a broker; however, if such broker has certain connections to the U.S., then information reporting, but not backup withholding, will apply unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that you are a non-U.S. holder and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Certain U.S. federal estate tax considerations

If you are an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the U.S. (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of your death, any notes owned (or deemed to be owned) by you will not be included in your estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes provided that, at the time of your death, interest on the notes qualifies for the portfolio interest exemption under the rules described in "—Interest on the notes," without regard to the certification requirement.

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Foreign account tax compliance act

Legislation enacted in 2010 imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on payments of interest or the gross proceeds from a disposition of a debt instrument paid to certain non-U.S. entities, including certain foreign financial institutions and investment funds (including, in some instances, where such an entity is acting as an intermediary), unless such non-U.S. entity complies with certain reporting requirements regarding its United States account holders and its United States owners. This withholding tax generally will apply to payments of interest after December 31, 2013 and payments of gross disposition proceeds after December 31, 2014. However, proposed Treasury regulations will, if ultimately adopted in their present form, exempt from the application of this new withholding tax any debt instrument outstanding on January 1, 2013. Prospective purchasers of the notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the new withholding and reporting provisions.

The preceding discussion of certain U.S. federal income (and, with respect to non-U.S. holders, estate) tax consequences is for general information only and is not tax advice. We urge each holder to consult its own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of acquiring, owning, exchanging and disposing of the notes, including the consequences of any proposed change in applicable laws.

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Plan of distribution

Based on interpretations of the Staff of the SEC in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe the exchange notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any holder without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act provided such holder meets the following conditions:

such holder is not a broker-dealer who purchased original notes directly from us for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act;

such holder is not our "affiliate" within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and

such holder acquires exchange notes in the ordinary course of its business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes.

If you do not satisfy all of the above conditions, you cannot participate in the exchange offer.

If you wish to receive exchange notes for your outstanding notes in the exchange offer, you will be required to make representations to us as described in "The exchange offer—Procedures for tendering original notes—Your Representations to Us" in this prospectus. As indicated in the letter of transmittal, you will be deemed to have made these representations by tendering your outstanding notes in the exchange offer.

Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for original notes where such original notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale for a period ending on the earlier of 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and the date on which a broker-dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading actions. In addition, until [                                        ], 2012 (90 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the exchange notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of original notes for exchange notes or from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions:

in the over-the-counter market,

in negotiated transactions,

through the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of such methods of resale,

at market prices prevailing at the time of resale,

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at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or

at negotiated prices.

Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange notes.

Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes received for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such exchange notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver a prospectus and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For a period described in Section 4(3) and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by broker-dealers with respect to the exchange notes, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus at no charge and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer (including the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for the holders of the original notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the original notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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Legal matters

The validity of notes will be passed upon for us by Sherman & Howard L.L.C., Denver, Colorado, and certain matters of North Carolina law will be passed upon by Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC and certain matters of Texas law will be passed upon by Jackson Walker L.L.P., as set forth in and limited by their respective opinions filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of which this prospectus is a part.


Experts

Our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


Where you can find more information

We and our subsidiary guarantors have filed with the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-4, including all required exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act to register the offer and exchange of the exchange notes for the original notes. As is permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, omits some information, exhibits, schedules and undertakings set forth in the registration statement. For further information with respect to us, our subsidiary guarantors and the exchange offer, please refer to the registration statement.

Following effectiveness of the registration statement, we will be required for some time period to file certain reports and documents with the SEC. In addition, the indenture relating to the notes also requires us to transmit to the holders of the notes and the Trustee, for so long as the notes are outstanding, the annual reports, quarterly reports and current reports that we are or would be required to file with the SEC under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within the time period on which we are required to file or would be required to file if we were so subject.

You may read and, at prescribed rates, copy the registration statement at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) 732-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system, and you may access the registration statement by means of the SEC website. You may also obtain a copy of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and other information that we file with the SEC, as well as certain agreements that we have entered into, such as the indenture and the senior secured credit facility without charge to you by making at written request to us at QVC, Inc., 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, Pennsylvania, (484) 701-1000.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Index to consolidated financial statements

Unaudited financial statements

   

Management's Discussion and Analysis, June 30, 2012

 
F-2

Consolidated balance sheets, June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

 
F-11

Consolidated statements of operations, three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011

 
F-12

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income, three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011

 
F-13

Consolidated statement of equity, six months ended June 30, 2012

 
F-14

Consolidated statements of cash flows, six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011

 
F-15

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
F-16

Audited financial statements:

   

Management's Discussion and Analysis, December 31, 2011

 
F-36

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
F-49

Consolidated balance sheets, December 31, 2011 and 2010

 
F-50

Consolidated statements of operations, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
F-51

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
F-52

Consolidated statements of equity, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
F-53

Consolidated statements of cash flows, years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
F-54

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 
F-55

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Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations
June 30, 2012

Overview

QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries ("QVC") is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the internet and mobile applications. In the United States, QVC's live programming is distributed via its nationally televised shopping program 24 hours a day, 364 days per year ("QVC-U.S."). Internationally, QVC's program services are based in Japan ("QVC-Japan"), Germany ("QVC-Germany"), the United Kingdom ("QVC-U.K.") and Italy ("QVC-Italy"). QVC-Japan and QVC-Germany each distribute live programming 24 hours a day and QVC-U.K. distributes its program 24 hours a day with 17 hours of live programming. QVC-Italy launched on October 1, 2010 and is distributing programming live for 17 hours a day on satellite and public television and an additional seven hours a day of recorded programming on satellite television.

QVC-Japan is a venture that is owned 60% by QVC and 40% by Mitsui & Co. LTD ("Mitsui"). QVC and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on the respective ownership proportions.

QVC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty"), which owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) and Liberty Ventures (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB). QVC is now attributed to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock, which will track the assets and liabilities of Liberty's Interactive Group (the "Interactive Group"). The Interactive Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group. Liberty attributed to its Interactive Group those businesses primarily focused on digital commerce.

Strategies and challenges

QVC's televised shopping program is already received by substantially all the multichannel television households in the U.S., Germany and the U.K. QVC's future net revenue growth will primarily depend on international expansion, sales growth from e-commerce and mobile platforms, additions of new customers from households already receiving QVC's television programming, growth in sales to existing customers and new subscribers as a result of expansion of its programming reach. QVC's future net revenue may also be affected by (i) the willingness of multichannel television distributors to continue carrying QVC's programming service; (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult as distributors convert analog customers to digital; (iii) changes in television viewing habits because of personal video recorders, video-on-demand and internet video services and (iv) general economic conditions.

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Results of operations

QVC's operating results were as follows:

   
 
  Three months ended
June 30,
  Six months ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
  2012
  2011
 
   

Net revenue

  $ 1,974     1,898     3,906     3,733  

Cost of goods sold

    1,234     1,183     2,464     2,363  
       

Gross profit

    740     715     1,442     1,370  
       

Operating expenses:

                         

Operating

    176     181     351     352  

Selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation

    126     116     263     237  
       

Adjusted OIBDA

    438     418     828     781  

Stock-based compensation

    8     6     13     10  

Depreciation

    33     33     64     68  

Amortization of intangible assets

    96     98     192     197  
       

Operating income

    301     281     559     506  
       

Other income (expense):

                         

Gain on financial instruments

    13     4     24     25  

Interest expense

    (57 )   (56 )   (112 )   (121 )

Interest income

            1      

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (8 )   2     (2 )   11  
       

    (52 )   (50 )   (89 )   (85 )
       

Income before income taxes

    249     231     470     421  

Income tax expense

    (92 )   (87 )   (174 )   (150 )
       

Net income

    157     144     296     271  

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    (15 )   (13 )   (29 )   (21 )
       

Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 142     131     267     250  
   

Net revenue.     Net revenue was generated in the following geographical areas:

   
 
  Three months ended
June 30,
  Six months ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
  2012
  2011
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 1,280     1,232     2,520     2,424  

QVC-Japan

    310     269     599     502  

QVC-Germany

    210     237     457     505  

QVC-U.K. 

    156     154     296     292  

QVC-Italy

    18     6     34     10  
       

  $ 1,974     1,898     3,906     3,733  
   

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QVC's consolidated net revenue increased 4.0% and 4.6% during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The three month increase in net revenue was comprised of $85 million due to a 4.0% increase in the average sales price per unit ("ASP"), $36 million due to a 1.7% increase in units sold and a $16 million increase in shipping and handling and other miscellaneous revenue. These increases were offset by a $34 million impact of estimated product returns and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in all markets, except Japan, of $27 million. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue increased from 19.7% to 20.0% primarily due to an increase in the return rates in beauty, jewelry and apparel due to the mix of products sold within those categories. The six month increase in net revenue was comprised of $153 million due to a 3.6% increase in ASP, $84 million due to a 2.0% increase in units sold and a $31 million increase in shipping and handling and other miscellaneous revenue. These increases were offset by a $65 million impact of estimated product returns and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates in all markets, except Japan, of $30 million. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue increased from 19.6% to 19.9% primarily due to an increase in apparel sales as a percentage of the total mix of products sold which has a higher rate of return.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the changes in revenue and expenses were impacted by changes in the exchange rates for the Japanese Yen, the Euro and the U.K. Pound Sterling. In the event the U.S. Dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's revenue and operating cash flow will be negatively impacted. The percentage increase (decrease) in revenue for QVC's geographic areas in U.S. Dollars and in local currency was as follows:

   
 
  Three months ended
June 30, 2012
  Six months ended
June 30, 2012
 
 
  U.S. Dollars
  Local currency
  U.S. Dollars
  Local currency
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

    3.9%     3.9%     4.0%     4.0%  

QVC-Japan

    15.2%     13.1%     19.3%     16.1%  

QVC-Germany

    (11.4)%     (0.9)%     (9.5)%     (2.5)%  

QVC-U.K. 

    1.3%     4.4%     1.4%     4.0%  
   

QVC-U.S. growth in net revenue for the three month period ended June 30, 2012 of 3.9% was due primarily to a 5.4% increase in ASP and an increase in shipping and handling revenue, partially offset by an increase in returns associated with the sales increase and change in product mix. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-U.S. shipped sales increased due to growth in sales of electronics, beauty and apparel. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-US shipped sales increased due to growth in sales of cooking and dining, beauty and apparel. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-Japan primarily experienced growth in home and apparel with the growth also reflective of the earthquake and related events experienced last March. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, QVC-Germany primarily experienced declines in health and fitness and apparel, that were somewhat offset by increases in beauty products. QVC-UK's growth for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was primarily the result of increased sales in the beauty and apparel product categories, offset by declines in electronics and jewelry in both periods. QVC-Italy's sales consisted primarily of home, beauty and apparel products.

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Gross profit.     QVC's gross profit percentage decreased from 37.7% to 37.5%, but increased from 36.7% to 36.9%, during the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, respectively. For the three month period ended June 30, 2012, the decrease was due primarily to lower initial product margins in electronics, jewelry and apparel categories, partially offset by higher initial product margins on beauty products. Both the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 were favorably impacted by improved leverage of warehouse costs.

Operating expenses.     QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, credit card processing fees, telecommunications expenses and production costs. Operating expenses decreased 2.8% or $5 million and 0.3% or $1 million for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. For the three month period ended June 30, 2012, the $5 million decrease was primarily due to a $3 million favorable foreign currency exchange rate impact and a $2 million decrease in credit card processing fees. For the six month period ended June 30, 2012, the $1 million decrease was primarily due to a $7 million favorable foreign currency exchange rate impact, and a $3 million decrease in credit card processing fees offset by a $4 million increase in commissions expense and a $4 million increase in programming expenses. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the decreases in credit card processing fees were due to a change in U.S. legislation associated with customer debit card purchases resulting in lower fees charged to merchants. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the increase in commissions expense was primarily due to higher sales volume and the increase in programming expenses were due primarily to additional manpower costs.

SG&A expenses.     QVC's SG&A expenses include personnel, information technology, the provision for doubtful accounts, credit card income and marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses increased from 6.1% to 6.4% and increased from 6.3% to 6.7% as a percentage of net revenue for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, respectively. SG&A expenses increased $10 million and $26 million for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, due to a variety of factors.

For the three month period ended June 30, 2012, the $10 million increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to a $4 million increase in personnel expenses, a $4 million increase in the provision for doubtful accounts, a $4 million increase in rent expense and a $1 million increase in marketing expenses. These increases were primarily offset by a $3 million favorable foreign currency exchange rate impact and a $2 million increase in credit card income. For the six month period ended June 30, 2012, the $26 million increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to a $19 million increase in personnel expenses, an $8 million increase in the provision for doubtful accounts, a $5 million increase in rent expense and a $5 million increase in marketing expenses. These increases were primarily offset by a $5 million increase in credit card income and a $4 million favorable foreign currency exchange rate impact. The increases in personnel expenses were primarily due to merit and benefits increases, higher bonus accruals as well as employee termination costs associated with reducing order entry personnel at the Chesapeake, VA, U.S. call center in response to an increase in electronic ordering from customers. The increases in the provisions for doubtful accounts were primarily due to the Easy-Pay installment program. The increases in rent costs were primarily due to duplicate running costs at QVC-U.K. associated with the transition to their new headquarters including a $2 million lease

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cancellation accrual in the second quarter. The increases in marketing expenses were primarily due to a renewal of marketing efforts at QVC-Japan as a result of the earthquake and related events experienced last year, an increase in marketing efforts at QVC-Italy as the business continues to develop and QVC-U.S. internet and social media campaigns. The increases in credit card income were primarily due to higher average portfolio balances.

Depreciation and amortization.     QVC's depreciation and amortization consisted of the following:

   
 
  Three months ended
June 30,
  Six months ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
  2012
  2011
 
   

Affiliate agreements

  $ 38     38     76     76  

Customer relations

    43     43     86     86  
       

Acquisition method related amortization

    81     81     162     162  

Property, plant and equipment

    33     33     64     68  

Software amortization

    12     12     24     24  

Channel placement amortization

    3     5     6     11  
       

Total depreciation and amortization

  $ 129     131     256     265  
   

Interest expense.     For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, consolidated interest expense increased 1.8% and decreased 7.4%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the interest expense was fairly consistent with the prior period. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the decrease was due to lower debt balances outstanding compared to the previous year as well as lower notional swap balances and lower fixed rate obligations related to those notional swap balances.

Foreign currency gains (losses).     Certain loans between QVC and its subsidiaries were deemed to be short-term in nature, and accordingly, the translation of these loans is recorded on the statements of operations. The change in foreign currency gains (losses) was primarily due to variances in interest and operating payable balances between QVC and its international subsidiaries denominated in the currency of the subsidiary and the effects of currency exchange rate changes on those balances.

Income taxes.     QVC's effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was 36.9% and 37.0%, respectively. QVC's effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was 37.7% and 35.6%, respectively. These rates differ from the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% due primarily to state tax expense. The effective tax rate decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the corresponding prior period primarily due to state law changes. The effective tax rate increased during the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the corresponding prior period due to tax benefits recognized in the first six months of 2011 from state law and business operation changes.

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Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (adjusted OIBDA)

QVC defines adjusted OIBDA as net revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock compensation). QVC's chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate the businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among the businesses. QVC believes that this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of the businesses, including the ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows QVC to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and perform benchmarking among its businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation, amortization and stock compensation that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The primary material limitations associated with the use of Adjusted OIBDA as compared to GAAP results are (i) it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in the industry, and (ii) it excludes financial information that some may consider important in evaluating QVC's performance. QVC compensates for these limitations by providing disclosure of the difference between Adjusted OIBDA and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of QVC's operating results. Refer to note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Income before income taxes.

Seasonality

QVC's business is seasonal due to a higher volume of sales in the fourth calendar quarter related to year-end holiday shopping. In recent years, QVC has earned on average between 22% and 23% of revenue in each of the first three quarters of the year and approximately 32% of its revenue in the fourth quarter of the year.

Financial position, liquidity and capital resources

Historically, QVC's primary sources of cash have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility. In general, QVC uses this cash to fund its operations, make capital purchases, make payments to Liberty, make interest payments and minimize QVC, Inc.'s outstanding senior secured credit facility balance.

As of June 30, 2012, substantially all of QVC's cash and cash equivalents were invested in AAA rated money market funds and time deposits with banks rated A or above.

Availability under QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility as of June 30, 2012 was $1.7 billion. QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility matures in September 2015.

During the quarter, were no significant changes to QVC, Inc.'s debt credit ratings.

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QVC, Inc. was in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 30, 2012.

During the six months ended June 30, 2012, QVC's primary uses of cash were $458 million of dividends to Liberty, $131 million of principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations, $101 million of capital expenditures, a $29 million dividend payment to the minority shareholder of QVC-Japan and $27 million paid related to investments in joint ventures and acquisitions, net of cash received. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $643 million of cash provided by operating activities. As of June 30, 2012, QVC's cash balance was $446 million.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, QVC's primary uses of cash were $105 million of dividends to Liberty, $182 million of principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations, $80 million of capital expenditures and a $50 million dividend payment to the minority shareholder of QVC-Japan. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $363 million of cash provided by operating activities. As of June 30, 2010, QVC's cash balance was $581 million.

The change in cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to June 30, 2011 was primarily due to variances in accounts receivable and accrued liabilities balances. The variance in accounts receivable was primarily due to the Easy-Pay installment program and the change in accrued liabilities was primarily due to variances in taxes payable balances.

QVC's projected uses of cash for the remaining months of 2012 include payments of approximately $190 million for capital expenditures and $103 million for interest payments. Information concerning the amount and timing of required payments related to our long-term debt at June 30, 2012 is summarized below (in millions):

   
 
  Payments due by period  
 
  Total
  Remaining
2012

  2013-14
  2015-16
  After
2016

 
   

Long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations)

  $ 2,302             302     2,000  

Interest payments(1)

    1,124     103     328     303     390  
   

(1)   Amounts (i) are based on the terms of QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility and senior secured notes, (ii) assumes the interest rates on the floating rate debt remain constant at the rates in effect as of June 30, 2012, (iii) assumes that existing debt is repaid at maturity, (iv) is inclusive of interest rate swaps entered into as of the date of these financial statements and (iv) excludes capital lease obligations.

QVC has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible that we may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that the amounts, if any, that may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

QVC is exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to ongoing investing and financial activities and the conduct of operations by subsidiaries in different foreign countries. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices, interest rates

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and foreign currency exchange rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. QVC has established procedures and internal processes governing the management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage exposure to such risks.

Interest rate risk

QVC is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of borrowing activities. QVC manages the exposure to interest rates by maintaining what QVC believes is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. QVC believes this best protects itself from interest rate risk. QVC also achieves this mix by entering into interest rate swap arrangements when deemed appropriate. As of June 30, 2012, QVC's debt, excluding capital leases and unamortized discounts, was comprised of $2 billion of fixed rate debt and $302 million of variable rate debt. After considering the effects of the interest rate swaps, the weighted average rate applicable to all of the outstanding debt and interest rate swaps was 8.9% as of June 30, 2012.

QVC periodically assess the effectiveness of the derivative financial instruments. With regard to interest rate swaps, QVC monitors the fair value of interest rate swaps as well as the effective interest rate the interest rate swap yields in comparison to historical interest rate trends.

QVC's interest rate swaps are executed with counterparties who are well known major financial institutions with high credit ratings. While QVC believes these interest rate swaps effectively mitigate interest rate risk, they are subject to counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty is unable to perform under the terms of the interest rate swaps upon settlement of the swaps. To protect itself against credit risk associated with these counterparties QVC generally executes interest rate swaps with several different counterparties.

Due to the importance of these derivative instruments to its risk management strategy, QVC actively monitors the creditworthiness of each of these counterparties. Based on this analysis, QVC currently considers nonperformance by any of its counterparties to be unlikely.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk

QVC is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to the monetary assets and liabilities and the financial results of its foreign subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. Dollars that result in unrealized gains or losses are referred to as translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholder's equity. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in income as unrealized (based on period-end transactions) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. Cash flows from operations in foreign countries are translated at the average rate for the period. Accordingly, QVC may experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings and equity with respect to its holdings solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. QVC's reported adjusted OIBDA for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012 would have been

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impacted by approximately $1.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for every 1% change in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar.

The credit facility provides ability to borrow in multiple currencies. This allows QVC to somewhat mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risks. As of June 30, 2012, QVC, Inc. had borrowings of 5.5 billion Japanese Yen, equivalent to $69 million based on an exchange rate of 79.81 Japanese Yen per U.S. Dollar, outstanding under the credit facility. As of June 30, 2012, the foreign currency exchange exposure to these borrowings approximated $0.7 million for every 1% change in the Japanese yen exchange rate per U.S. dollar.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-04, which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," to result in common fair value measurements and disclosures between accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The amendments change the wording used to describe fair value measurement requirements and disclosures, but often do not result in a change in the application of current guidance. Certain amendments clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while certain other amendments change a principle or requirement for fair value measurement or disclosure. QVC adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012, and adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-05, which amends ASC Topic 220, "Comprehensive Income," to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option of presenting components of comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity. The updated guidance requires that all nonowner changes in shareholders' equity be presented either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, which defers the requirement to present on the face of the financial statements items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income, while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. The guidance is limited to the form and content of the financial statements and disclosures. QVC adopted this guidance, as amended, as of January 1, 2012, and adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11, which amends ASC Subtopic 210-20, "Offsetting." The guidance requires enhanced disclosures with improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (i) offset in accordance with current guidance or (ii) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with current guidance. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1, 2013. The guidance is limited to the form and content of disclosures, and QVC does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated balance sheets

   
(in millions)
  June 30,
2012

  December 31,
2011

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
   
 

Assets

 

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 446     560  

Restricted cash

    13     15  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $72 million at June 30, 2012 and $79 million at December 31, 2011

    637     1,020  

Inventories

    922     906  

Deferred income taxes

    147     138  

Prepaid expenses

    60     54  
       

Total current assets

    2,225     2,693  

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $860 million at June 30, 2012 and $813 million at December 31, 2011

    1,092     1,084  

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

    821     905  

Goodwill

    5,229     5,239  

Other intangible assets, net

    3,542     3,624  

Other noncurrent assets

    34     25  
       

Total assets

  $ 12,943     13,570  
       

Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:

             

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 9     10  

Accounts payable—trade

    398     491  

Accrued liabilities

    734     817  
       

Total current liabilities

    1,141     1,318  

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

    2,343     2,480  

Deferred compensation

    11     11  

Deferred income taxes

    1,468     1,534  

Other long-term liabilities

    172     208  
       

Total liabilities

    5,135     5,551  
       

Equity:

             

QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity:

             

Common stock, $0.01 par value

         

Additional paid-in capital

    6,660     6,644  

Retained earnings

    861     1,052  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    164     194  
       

Total QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity

    7,685     7,890  

Noncontrolling interest

    123     129  
       

Total equity

    7,808     8,019  
       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 12,943     13,570  
   

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  Three months
ended June 30,
  Six months
ended June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
  2012
  2011
 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Net revenue

  $ 1,974     1,898     3,906     3,733  

Cost of goods sold

    1,234     1,183     2,464     2,363  
       

Gross profit

    740     715     1,442     1,370  
       

Operating expenses:

                         

Operating

    176     181     351     352  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation

    134     122     276     247  

Depreciation

    33     33     64     68  

Amortization of intangible assets

    96     98     192     197  
       

    439     434     883     864  
       

Operating income

    301     281     559     506  
       

Other income (expense):

                         

Gain on financial instruments

    13     4     24     25  

Interest expense

    (57 )   (56 )   (112 )   (121 )

Interest income

            1      

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (8 )   2     (2 )   11  
       

    (52 )   (50 )   (89 )   (85 )
       

Income before income taxes

    249     231     470     421  

Income tax expense

    (92 )   (87 )   (174 )   (150 )
       

Net income

    157     144     296     271  

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    (15 )   (13 )   (29 )   (21 )
       

Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 142     131     267     250  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income

   
 
  Three months ended
June 30,
  Six months ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
  2012
  2011
 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Net Income

  $ 157     144     296     271  
       

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

                         

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    (49 )   23     (36 )   71  
       

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

    (49 )   23     (36 )   71  
       

Total comprehensive income

    108     167     260     342  

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (19 )   (15 )   (23 )   (21 )
       

Comprehensive income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 89     152     237     321  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statement of equity
Six months ended June 30, 2012

   
 
  Common stock   Additional
paid-in
capital

   
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income

   
   
 
 
  Retained
earnings

  Non-controlling
Interest

  Total
Equity

 
(in millions, except share data)
  Shares
  Amount
 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Balance, January 1, 2012

    1       $ 6,644     1,052     194     129     8,019  

Net income

                267         29     296  

Other comprehensive income (expense):

                                           

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $12 million

                    (30 )   (6 )   (36 )

Dividend paid to Liberty and noncontrolling interest and other

            (3 )   (458 )       (29 )   (490 )

Tax benefit resulting from exercise of employee stock options

            6                 6  

Stock-based compensation

            13                 13  
       

Balance, June 30, 2012

    1       $ 6,660     861     164     123     7,808  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of cash flows

   
 
  Six months
ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Operating activities:

             

Net income

  $ 296     271  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                        

             

Deferred income taxes

    (64 )   (69 )

Foreign currency loss (gain)

    2     (11 )

Gain on financial instruments

    (24 )   (25 )

Depreciation

    64     68  

Amortization of intangible assets

    192     197  

Non-cash interest charges

    4     4  

Stock-based compensation

    13     10  

Change in other long-term liabilities

    12     2  

Effects of changes in working capital items

    148     (84 )
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    643     363  
       

Investing activities:

             

Capital expenditures, net

    (101 )   (80 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

    (2 )   (2 )

Cash paid for joint ventures and acquisitions of businesses, net of cash received                        

    (27 )    

Changes in restricted cash

    2     1  

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

    1     4  
       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (127 )   (77 )
       

Financing activities:

             

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (131 )   (182 )

Dividends paid to Liberty

    (458 )   (105 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

    (29 )   (50 )
       

Net cash used in financing activities

    (618 )   (337 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    (12 )   11  
       

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (114 )   (40 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    560     621  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 446     581  
       

Effects of changes in working capital items:

             

Decrease in accounts receivable

  $ 374     255  

Increase in inventories

    (19 )   (6 )

Decrease (increase) in current deferred income taxes

    1     (5 )

Increase in prepaid expenses

    (4 )   (9 )

Decrease in accounts payable—trade

    (86 )   (93 )

Decrease in accrued liabilities

    (118 )   (226 )
       

  $ 148     (84 )
   

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
June 30, 2012

(1)   Basis of presentation

QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries ("QVC" or the "Company") is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the internet and mobile applications. In the United States, QVC's live programming is distributed via its nationally televised shopping program 24 hours a day, 364 days per year ("QVC-U.S."). Internationally, QVC's program services are based in Japan ("QVC-Japan"), Germany ("QVC-Germany"), the United Kingdom ("QVC-U.K.") and Italy ("QVC-Italy"). QVC-Japan and QVC-Germany each distribute live programming 24 hours a day and QVC-U.K. distributes its program 24 hours a day with 17 hours of live programming. QVC-Italy launched on October 1, 2010, and is distributing programming live for 17 hours a day on satellite and public television and an additional seven hours a day of recorded programming on satellite television.

QVC-Japan is a venture that is owned 60% by QVC and 40% by Mitsui & Co. LTD ("Mitsui"). QVC and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on the respective ownership proportions. During the six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, QVC-Japan paid dividends to Mitsui of $29 and $50 million, respectively.

QVC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty"), which owns interests in a broad range of digital commerce businesses. On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) and Liberty Ventures (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB).

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Due to the seasonal nature of the retail business, operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments except as disclosed herein) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2011.

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The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates include but are not limited to sales returns, uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence, medical and other benefit related costs, depreciable lives of fixed assets, internally-developed software, valuation of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes and stock-based compensation.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

(2)   Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-04, which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," to result in common fair value measurements and disclosures between accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The amendments change the wording used to describe fair value measurement requirements and disclosures, but often do not result in a change in the application of current guidance. Certain amendments clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while certain other amendments change a principle or requirement for fair value measurement or disclosure. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2012, and adoption did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-05, which amends ASC Topic 220, "Comprehensive Income," to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option of presenting components of comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity. The updated guidance requires that all nonowner changes in shareholders' equity be presented either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, which defers the requirement to present on the face of the financial statements items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income, while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. The guidance is limited to the form and content of the financial statements and disclosures. The Company adopted this guidance, as amended, as of January 1, 2012, and adoption did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11, which amends ASC Subtopic 210-20, "Offsetting." The guidance requires enhanced disclosures with improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (i) offset in accordance with current guidance or (ii) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with current guidance. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after January 1,

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2013. The guidance is limited to the form and content of disclosures, and the Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

(3)   Intangible assets

(a) Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

Cable and satellite television distribution rights consisted of the following:

   
(in millions)
  June 30,
2012

  December 31,
2011

 
   

Cable and satellite television distribution rights

  $ 2,276     2,284  

Less: accumulated amortization

    (1,455 )   (1,379 )
       

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

  $ 821     905  
   

Amortization expense for cable and satellite television distribution rights was $40 million and $42 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, amortization expense for cable and satellite television distribution rights was $81 million and $85 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2012, estimated related amortization expense for the next five years ended December 31 was as follows (in millions):

   

Remainder of 2012

  $ 83  

2013

    162  

2014

    158  

2015

    155  

2016

    154  
   

(b) Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows (in millions):

   

Balance, January 1, 2012

  $ 5,239  

Acquisition related activity

    16  

Foreign currency translation

    (26 )
       

Balance, June 30, 2012

  $ 5,229  
   

(c) Other intangible assets, net

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

   
 
  June 30, 2012   December 31, 2011  
(In millions)
  Gross
cost

  Accumulated
amortization

  Gross
cost

  Accumulated
amortization

 
   

Purchased and internally developed software

  $ 503     (327 )   473     (307 )

Affiliate and customer relationships

    2,437     (1,532 )   2,440     (1,446 )

Debt origination fees

    47     (15 )   47     (11 )

Trademarks (indefinite life)

    2,429         2,428      
       

  $ 5,416     (1,874 )   5,388     (1,764 )
   

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Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $56 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, amortization expense for other intangible assets was $111 million and $112 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2012, the estimated amortization expense for the next five years ended December 31 was as follows (in millions):

   

Remainder of 2012

  $ 129  

2013

    242  

2014

    227  

2015

    199  

2016

    177  
   

(4)   Accrued liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

   
(in millions)
  June 30,
2012

  December 31,
2011

 
   

Accounts payable non-trade

  $ 217     256  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    83     95  

Deferred revenue

    78     88  

Allowance for sales returns

    67     85  

Income taxes due to tax authorities

    60     53  

Liability for consigned goods sold

    43     69  

Accrued interest

    36     36  

Sales and other taxes

    22     41  

Other

    128     94  
       

  $ 734     817  
   

(5)   Long-term debt and interest rate swap arrangements

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

   
(in millions)
  June 30,
2012

  December 31,
2011

 
   

7.125% Senior secured notes

  $ 500     500  

7.5% Senior secured notes, net of original issue discount

    987     986  

7.375% Senior secured notes

    500     500  

Senior secured credit facility

    302     434  

Capital lease obligations

    63     70  
       

Total debt

    2,352     2,490  

Less current portion

    (9 )   (10 )
       

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 2,343     2,480  
   

QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility provides for $2 billion of revolving credit, with a $250 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. Availability under QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility as of June 30, 2012 was $1.7 billion. QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility matures in September 2015.

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QVC, Inc. was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at June 30, 2012.

During the third quarter of 2009, QVC, Inc. entered into seven interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.8 billion. Such arrangements provided for payments that began in March 2011 and will extend to March 2013. QVC, Inc. makes fixed payments at rates ranging from 2.98% to 3.67% and receives variable payments at 3 month LIBOR (0.47% at June 30, 2012). Additionally, during 2011, QVC, Inc. entered into seven additional interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.4 billion that partially offset the existing 2009 swap arrangements. Such arrangements provided for payments that began in June 2011 and will extend to March 2013. QVC, Inc. receives fixed payments ranging from 0.57% to 0.95% and pays variable payments at 3 month LIBOR (0.47% at June 30, 2012). QVC, Inc.'s swap arrangements do not qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the swaps are reflected in gain on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

QVC, Inc. entered into these interest rate swap arrangements to mitigate the cash flow risk associated with interest payments related to its variable rate debt.

At June 30, 2012, the fair value of the swap instruments was $36 million, of which $39 million was included in accrued liabilities, offset by $3 million included in prepaid expenses in the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2011, the fair value was $59 million, of which $61 million was included in other long-term liabilities, offset by $2 million included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

(6)   Leases and transponder service agreements

Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases and capital transponder leases with initial terms of one year or more at June 30, 2012 consisted of the following:

   
(in millions)
  Capital
Transponders

  Operating
Leases -
Satellite Uplink

  Operating
Leases -
Other

  Operating
Leases -
Total

 
   

Remainder of 2012

  $ 7     4     13     17  

2013

    11     3     14     17  

2014

    9     1     11     12  

2015

    8         10     10  

2016

    8         7     7  

Thereafter

    29     1     94     95  
       

Total

  $ 72     9     149     158  
   

The Company transmits QVC programs in the United States on a protected, nonpreemptible transponder on a communication satellite.

The Company has entered into seven separate agreements with transponder suppliers to transmit its programs in the U.S., the U.K. and Germany via various satellites at an aggregate monthly cost of $1 million. The agreements expire on various dates between 2013 and 2022. Depreciation expense related to the transponders was $3 million and $4 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the six months ended June 30,

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2012 and 2011, depreciation expense related to the transponders was $7 million. Total future minimum capital lease payments of $72 million include $9 million of imputed interest.

In 2010, the Company entered into a twenty-one year operating lease for its QVC-U.K. headquarters that commenced in 2012, which is included in the future minimum operating lease payments in the above table.

Expenses for operating leases, principally for data processing equipment and facilities, and for satellite uplink service agreements amounted to $10 million and $6 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the six month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, expenses for operating leases were $17 million and $12 million, respectively.

QVC's ability to continue to sell products to its customers is dependent on its ability to maintain uninterrupted broadcast via its satellite transponder network.

(7)   Income taxes

The Company calculates its interim income tax provision by applying its best estimate of the annual expected effective tax rate to its ordinary year-to-date income or loss. The tax or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect are individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which those items occur.

The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in foreign jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences as a result of differences between amounts measured and recognized in accordance with tax laws and financial accounting standards, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as the tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on the prior quarters is included in the tax expense for the current quarter.

For the six month period ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded a tax provision of $174 million, which represented an effective tax rate of 37.0%. This rate differed from the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to state tax expense.

The Company's tax years 2012 and 2011 are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). The Company files Federal tax returns on a consolidated basis with its parent company, Liberty. The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, is currently under examination in the states of California, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as in Germany and the U.K.

The amounts of the tax-related balance due to Liberty at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $26 million and $21 million, respectively, and are included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company entered into a Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated April 26, 2004, with Liberty Interactive LLC ("Liberty LLC"). The Agreement

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establishes the methodology for the calculation and payment of income taxes in connection with the consolidation of the Company with Liberty for income tax purposes. Generally, the Agreement provides that the Company will pay Liberty LLC an amount equal to the tax liability, if any, that it would have if it were to file as a consolidated group separate and apart from Liberty, with exceptions for the treatment and timing of certain items, including but not limited to deferred intercompany transactions, credits, and net operating and capital losses. To the extent that the separate company tax expense is different from the payment terms of the Agreement, the difference is recorded as either a dividend or capital contribution.

(8)   Commitments and contingencies

The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that the amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Network and information systems, including the internet and telecommunication systems, third party delivery services and other technologies are critical to our business activities. Substantially all our customer orders, fulfillment and delivery services are dependent upon the use of network and information systems, including the use of third party telecommunication and delivery service providers. If information systems including the internet or telecommunication services are disrupted, or if the third party delivery services experience a disruption in their transportation delivery services, we could face a significant disruption in fulfilling our customer orders and shipment of our products. We have active disaster recovery programs in place to help mitigate risks associated with these critical business activities.

(9)   Assets and liabilities measured at fair value

For assets and liabilities required to be reported or disclosed at fair value, U.S. GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

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The Company's assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value were as follows:

   
 
   
  Fair value measurements at
June 30, 2012 using
 
Description
(in millions)

  Total
  Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)

  Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

  Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 
   

Current assets:

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 368     368          

Interest rate swap arrangements (Note 5)

    3         3      

Current liabilities:

                         

Interest rate swap arrangements (Note 5)

    39         39      

Long-term liabilities:

                         

Debt (Note 5)

    2,503         2,503      
   

 

   
 
   
  Fair value measurements at
December 31, 2011 using
 
Description
(in millions)

  Total
  Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)

  Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

  Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 
   

Current assets:

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 493     493          

Noncurrent assets:

                         

Interest rate swap arrangements (Note 5)

    2         2      

Long-term liabilities:

                         

Interest rate swap arrangements (Note 5)

    61         61      

Debt (Note 5)

    2,636         2,636      
   

The majority of the Company's Level 2 financial assets and liabilities are debt instruments with quoted market prices that are not considered to be traded on "active markets", as defined in U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the financial instruments are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value instruments.

U.S. GAAP requires the incorporation of a credit risk valuation adjustment in the Company's fair value measurements to estimate the impact of both its own nonperformance risk and the nonperformance risk of its counterparties. The Company estimates credit risk associated with its own and its counterparties' nonperformance primarily by using observable credit default swap rates for terms similar to those of the remaining life of the instrument, adjusted for any master netting arrangements or other factors that provide an estimate of nonperformance risk. These are Level 3 inputs. However, as the credit risk valuation adjustments were not significant, the Company continues to report its interest rate swaps as Level 2. The counterparties to the Company's interest rate swap arrangements are all major international financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties.

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The Company continually monitors its positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

(10) Information about QVC's operating segments

Each of the Company's operating segments is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused, televised-shopping programs as well as via the internet and mobile applications in certain markets. The Company has operations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, the U.K. and Italy. As such, the Company has identified these as its five reportable segments. The segment presentation for prior periods has been conformed to the current period segment presentation.

The Company evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as net revenue, adjusted OIBDA, gross margin, average sales price per unit, number of units shipped and revenue or sales per subscriber equivalent.

The Company defines adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). The Company's chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. The Company believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its segments, including each business's ability to fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking among our businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Performance measures

   
 
  Three months ended June 30,   Six months ended June 30,  
 
  2012   2011   2012   2011  
(in millions)
  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 1,280     315     1,232     305     2,520     585     2,424     565  

QVC-Japan

    310     70     269     59     599     133     502     102  

QVC-Germany

    210     39     237     41     457     85     505     90  

QVC-U.K. 

    156     21     154     26     296     41     292     47  

QVC-Italy

    18     (7 )   6     (13 )   34     (16 )   10     (23 )
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 1,974     438     1,898     418     3,906     828     3,733     781  
   

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Other information

   
 
  June 30, 2012   December 31, 2011  
(in millions)
  Total
assets

  Capital
expenditures

  Total
assets

  Capital
expenditures

 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 10,036     29     10,682     101  

QVC-Japan

    922     48     577     53  

QVC-Germany

    1,032     8     1,112     35  

QVC-U.K. 

    723     14     959     63  

QVC-Italy

    230     2     240     7  
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 12,943     101     13,570     259  
   

Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic area were as follows:

   
(in millions)
  June 30,
2012

  December 31,
2011

 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 422     432  

QVC-Japan

    255     224  

QVC-Germany

    217     233  

QVC-U.K. 

    150     143  

QVC-Italy

    48     52  
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 1,092     1,084  
   

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to income before income taxes:

   
 
  Three months
ended
June 30,
  Six months
ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)
  2012
  2011
  2012
  2011
 
   

Consolidated adjusted OIBDA

  $ 438     418     828     781  

Stock-based compensation

    (8 )   (6 )   (13 )   (10 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (129 )   (131 )   (256 )   (265 )

Gain on financial instruments

    13     4     24     25  

Interest expense

    (57 )   (56 )   (112 )   (121 )

Interest income

            1      

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (8 )   2     (2 )   11  
       

Income before income taxes

  $ 249     231     470     421  
   

(11) Business acquisitions

On February 21, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Send the Trend, Inc. ("STT") for $16 million, net of cash received. The purchase agreements also provide for a promissory note and additional payments to be made based upon the achievement of certain objectives. The Company does not expect the additional payments to be material to the

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financial statements. STT is an e-commerce company based in New York, NY, U.S. that provides customers a way to shop for personalized fashion accessories and beauty products.

The Company believes that this transaction will strengthen its penetration in e-commerce as well as provide additional growth opportunities within the broader apparel, jewelry and accessories categories.

Acquired businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the Company to record assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective fair values with the excess of the purchase price over estimated fair values recorded as goodwill. The assumptions made in determining the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities as well as asset lives can materially impact the results of operations. The Company obtains information during due diligence and through other sources to establish respective fair values. Examples of factors and information that the Company uses to determine the fair values include tangible and intangible asset evaluations and appraisals and evaluations of existing contingencies and liabilities. If the initial valuation for an acquisition is incomplete by the end of the quarter in which the acquisition occurred, the Company will record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. The provisional estimate will be finalized as soon as information becomes available, but not later than one year from the acquisition date.

The Company has preliminarily valued tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The Company is in the process of completing the valuation of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and, therefore, the fair values set forth below are subject to adjustment upon finalizing the valuations. In addition, completion of the valuation may impact the assessment of the net deferred tax liability currently recognized with any adjustment resulting in a corresponding change to goodwill. The Company does not believe that these potential adjustments will be material to the financial statements.

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at the date of the STT acquisition (in millions):

   

Intangible assets

  $ 13  

Goodwill

    16  

Long-term liabilities

    (13 )
       

Net assets

  $ 16  
   

The fair values assigned to intangible assets were determined through the use of the income approach, specifically the relief from royalty method. This valuation method relied on management's judgments, including expected future cash flows resulting from existing customer relationships and new customers, discount rates, royalty rates as well as other factors.

Useful lives for intangible assets were determined based upon the remaining useful economic lives of the intangible assets that are expected to contribute to future cash flows. The intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their expected useful lives.

The $16 million of goodwill is attributable to the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All of the goodwill has been assigned to the Company's QVC-U.S. segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

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(12) Subsequent events

On July 2, 2012, QVC issued $500 million principal amount of 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 at par. The net proceeds from the issuance of these instruments were used to reduce the outstanding principal under the QVC Bank Credit Facilities and for general corporate purposes.

On July 4, 2012, the Company entered into a joint venture with China Broadcasting Corporation, a limited liability company, owned by China National Radio ("CNR") for a 49% interest in a CNR subsidiary, CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. ("CNRS") for $55 million including an $11 million capital contribution that was paid in June 2012 and was included in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet. CNRS operates a retailing business in China through a televised shopping channel with an associated website. CNRS is headquartered in Beijing, China. The joint venture's strategy is to combine CNRS' existing knowledge of the digital shopping market and consumers in China with QVC's global experience and know-how in multimedia retailing.

On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) and Liberty Ventures (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB). QVC is now attributed to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock, which will track the assets and liabilities of Liberty's Interactive Group (the "Interactive Group"). The Interactive Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group. Liberty attributed to its Interactive Group those businesses primarily focused on digital commerce. To partially fund the cash attributed to Liberty Ventures, QVC declared and paid dividends to Liberty in the amount of $1.2 billion, $0.8 billion of which was funded with borrowings from QVC's senior secured credit facility.

(13) Guarantor/non-guarantor subsidiary financial information

The following information contains the condensed consolidating financial statements for the Company, the subsidiary issuer and parent (QVC, Inc.), the combined subsidiary guarantors (Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.; Affiliate Investment, Inc.; AMI 2, Inc.; ER Marks, Inc.; QVC International LLC; QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. and QVC San Antonio, LLC) and the combined non-guarantor subsidiaries pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. Certain non-guarantor subsidiaries are majority owned by QVC International LLC, which is a guarantor subsidiary.

These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company's financial information on the same basis of accounting as the Company's consolidated financial statements. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions, such as management fees, royalty revenue and expense and interest income and expense. Goodwill and other intangible assets have been allocated to the subsidiaries based on management's estimates. Certain costs have been partially allocated to all of the subsidiaries of the Company.

The subsidiary issuer and subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the Company. All guarantees are full and unconditional and are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its domestic subsidiaries, including the guarantors, by dividend or loan. The Company has not presented separate notes and other disclosures concerning the subsidiary guarantors as the Company has determined that such material information is available in the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated balance sheets

   
 
  June 30, 2012  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
Non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Assets

 

Current assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3     163     280         446  

Restricted cash

    13                 13  

Accounts receivable, net

    396     1     240         637  

Inventories

    681         241         922  

Deferred income taxes

    126         21         147  

Prepaid expenses

    27         33         60  
       

Total current assets

    1,246     164     815         2,225  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    240     65     787         1,092  

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

        660     161         821  

Goodwill

    4,162         1,067         5,229  

Other intangible assets, net

    1,357     2,049     136         3,542  

Other noncurrent assets

    12         22         34  

Investments in subsidiaries

    3,714     1,013         (4,727 )    
       

Total assets

  $ 10,731     3,951     2,988     (4,727 )   12,943  
       

Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:

                               

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 2         7         9  

Accounts payable—trade

    199         199         398  

Accrued liabilities

    283     69     382         734  

Intercompany accounts (receivable) payable

    (345 )   (283 )   628          
       

Total current liabilities

    139     (214 )   1,216         1,141  

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

    2,303         40         2,343  

Deferred compensation

    10         1         11  

Deferred income taxes

    449     980     39         1,468  

Other long-term liabilities

    145         27         172  
       

Total liabilities

    3,046     766     1,323         5,135  
       

Equity:

                               

QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity

    7,685     3,185     1,542     (4,727 )   7,685  

Noncontrolling interest

            123         123  
       

Total equity

    7,685     3,185     1,665     (4,727 )   7,808  
       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 10,731     3,951     2,988     (4,727 )   12,943  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated balance sheets

   
 
  December 31, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Assets

 

Current assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3     223     334         560  

Restricted cash

    15                 15  

Accounts receivable, net

    721         299         1,020  

Inventories

    693         213         906  

Deferred income taxes

    116         22         138  

Prepaid expenses

    27         27         54  
       

Total current assets

    1,575     223     895         2,693  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    247     66     771         1,084  

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

        724     181         905  

Goodwill

    4,162         1,077         5,239  

Other intangible assets, net

    1,443     2,049     132         3,624  

Other noncurrent assets

    13         12         25  

Investments in subsidiaries

    3,891     1,168         (5,059 )    
       

Total assets

  $ 11,331     4,230     3,068     (5,059 )   13,570  
       

Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:

                               

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 2         8         10  

Accounts payable—trade

    257         234         491  

Accrued liabilities

    348     69     400         817  

Intercompany accounts (receivable) payable

    (300 )   (307 )   607          
       

Total current liabilities

    307     (238 )   1,249         1,318  

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

    2,435         45         2,480  

Deferred compensation

    11                 11  

Deferred income taxes

    489     1,002     43         1,534  

Other long-term liabilities

    199     1     8         208  
       

Total liabilities

    3,441     765     1,345         5,551  
       

Equity:

                               

QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity

    7,890     3,465     1,594     (5,059 )   7,890  

Noncontrolling interest

            129         129  
       

Total equity

    7,890     3,465     1,723     (5,059 )   8,019  
       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 11,331     4,230     3,068     (5,059 )   13,570  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  Three Months Ended June 30, 2012  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Net revenue

  $ 1,352     182     670     (230 )   1,974  

Cost of goods sold

    830     27     437     (60 )   1,234  
       

Gross profit

    522     155     233     (170 )   740  
       

Operating expenses:

                               

Operating

    45     47     84         176  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    217         87     (170 )   134  

Depreciation

    9     1     23         33  

Amortization of intangible assets

    48     33     15         96  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    44     (18 )   (26 )        
       

    363     63     183     (170 )   439  
       

Operating income

    159     92     50         301  
       

Other income (expense):

                               

Gain on financial instruments

    12         1         13  

Interest expense

    (56 )       (1 )       (57 )

Foreign currency loss

    (3 )   (5 )           (8 )

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (3 )   12     (9 )        
       

    (50 )   7     (9 )       (52 )
       

Income before income taxes

    109     99     41         249  

Income tax expense

    (29 )   (29 )   (34 )       (92 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    62     17         (79 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    142     87     7     (79 )   157  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (15 )       (15 )
       

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 142     87     (8 )   (79 )   142  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  Three months ended June 30, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Net revenue

  $ 1,295     175     649     (221 )   1,898  

Cost of goods sold

    787     25     423     (52 )   1,183  
       

Gross profit

    508     150     226     (169 )   715  
       

Operating expenses:

                               

Operating

    45     46     90         181  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    211         80     (169 )   122  

Depreciation

    9     1     23         33  

Amortization of intangible assets

    49     33     16         98  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    35     (20 )   (15 )        
       

    349     60     194     (169 )   434  
       

Operating income

    159     90     32         281  
       

Other income (expense):

                               

Gain on financial instruments

    4                 4  

Interest expense

    (56 )               (56 )

Foreign currency gain (loss)

    1     2     (1 )       2  

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (2 )   14     (12 )        
       

    (53 )   16     (13 )       (50 )
       

Income before income taxes

    106     106     19         231  

Income tax expense

    (24 )   (34 )   (29 )       (87 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    49     3         (52 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    131     75     (10 )   (52 )   144  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (13 )       (13 )

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 131     75     (23 )   (52 )   131  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  Six months ended June 30, 2012  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Net revenue

  $ 2,662     354     1,342     (452 )   3,906  

Cost of goods sold

    1,653     54     876     (119 )   2,464  
       

Gross profit

    1,009     300     466     (333 )   1,442  
       

Operating expenses:

                               

Operating

    88     92     171         351  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    440         169     (333 )   276  

Depreciation

    17     2     45         64  

Amortization of intangible assets

    96     65     31         192  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    40     (15 )   (25 )        
       

    681     144     391     (333 )   883  
       

Operating income

    328     156     75         559  
       

Other income (expense):

                               

Gain on financial instruments

    24                 24  

Interest expense

    (111 )       (1 )       (112 )

Interest income

            1         1  

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (5 )       3         (2 )

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (6 )   25     (19 )        
       

    (98 )   25     (16 )       (89 )
       

Income before income taxes

    230     181     59         470  

Income tax expense

    (63 )   (54 )   (57 )       (174 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    100     34         (134 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    267     161     2     (134 )   296  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (29 )       (29 )

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 267     161     (27 )   (134 )   267  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  Six months ended June 30, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Net revenue

  $ 2,547     340     1,277     (431 )   3,733  

Cost of goods sold

    1,574     52     839     (102 )   2,363  
       

Gross profit

    973     288     438     (329 )   1,370  
       

Operating expenses:

                               

Operating

    88     88     176         352  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    415         161     (329 )   247  

Depreciation

    19     2     47         68  

Amortization of intangible assets

    97     67     33         197  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    55     (20 )   (35 )        
       

    674     137     382     (329 )   864  
       

Operating income

    299     151     56         506  
       

Other income (expense):

                               

Gain on financial instruments

    25                 25  

Interest expense

    (121 )               (121 )

Foreign currency gain

    1     7     3         11  

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (4 )   27     (23 )        
       

    (99 )   34     (20 )       (85 )
       

Income before income taxes

    200     185     36         421  

Income tax expense

    (50 )   (52 )   (48 )       (150 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    100     6         (106 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    250     139     (12 )   (106 )   271  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (21 )       (21 )
       

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 250     139     (33 )   (106 )   250  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

   
 
  Six months ended June 30, 2012  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Operating activities:

                               

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 403     171     69         643  
       

Investing activities:

                               

Capital expenditures, net

    (20 )   (1 )   (80 )       (101 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

        (1 )   (1 )       (2 )

Cash paid for joint ventures and acquisitions of businesses, net of cash received

            (27 )       (27 )

Decrease in restricted cash

    2                 2  

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

    2     (1 )           1  

Intercompany investing activities

    277     189         (466 )    
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    261     186     (108 )   (466 )   (127 )
       

Financing activities:

                               

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (126 )       (5 )       (131 )

Dividends paid to Liberty

    (458 )               (458 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

            (29 )       (29 )

Net short-term intercompany debt (repayments) borrowings

    (45 )   24     21          

Intercompany financing activities

    (35 )   (441 )   10     466      
       

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (664 )   (417 )   (3 )   466     (618 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            (12 )       (12 )
       

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

        (60 )   (54 )       (114 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    3     223     334         560  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 3     163     280         446  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

   
 
  Six months ended June 30, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   
 
  (unaudited)
 

Operating activities:

                               

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 192     144     27         363  
       

Investing activities:

                               

Capital expenditures, net

    (4 )   (4 )   (72 )       (80 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

        (2 )           (2 )

Decrease in restricted cash

    1                 1  

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

    6         (2 )       4  

Intercompany investing activities

    227     153         (380 )    
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    230     147     (74 )   (380 )   (77 )
       

Financing activities:

                               

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (174 )       (8 )       (182 )

Dividends paid to Liberty

    (105 )               (105 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

            (50 )       (50 )

Net short-term intercompany debt (repayments) borrowings

    (160 )   50     110          

Intercompany financing activities

        (315 )   (65 )   380      
       

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (439 )   (265 )   (13 )   380     (337 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            11         11  
       

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (17 )   26     (49 )       (40 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    44     160     417         621  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 27     186     368         581  
   

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Management's discussion and analysis of financial
condition and results of operations
December 31, 2011

Overview

QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries ("QVC") is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs, the internet and mobile applications. In the U.S., QVC's live programming is distributed via its nationally televised shopping program 24 hours a day, 364 days per year ("QVC-U.S."). Internationally, QVC's program services are based in Japan ("QVC-Japan"), Germany ("QVC-Germany"), the United Kingdom ("QVC-U.K.") and Italy ("QVC-Italy"). QVC-Japan and QVC-Germany each distribute live programming 24 hours a day and QVC-U.K. distributes its program 24 hours a day with 17 hours of live programming. QVC-Italy launched on October 1, 2010 and is distributing live programming for 17 hours a day on satellite and public television and an additional seven hours a day of recorded programming on satellite television.

QVC-Japan is a venture that is owned 60% by us and 40% by Mitsui & Co. LTD ("Mitsui"). QVC and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on our respective ownership proportions.

QVC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty") (NASDAQ: LINTA and LINTB). Liberty owns interests in a broad range of video and online commerce businesses.

Strategies and challenges

During 2011, QVC continued to see improved economic conditions and operating results. Domestically, in 2011, QVC continued to adjust its product mix, improve its programming, enhance and optimize its website and invest in multi-media opportunities.

In 2011, each of QVC's international businesses showed revenue growth in local currency and U.S. dollars. QVC-Japan, QVC-Germany, QVC-U.K. and QVC-Italy were all helped by a weaker U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen, the euro, the U.K. pound sterling and the euro, respectively. QVC-Japan successfully navigated through a difficult natural disaster early in the year and grew its business year-over-year. QVC-Japan continued to adjust its product lines, value perception and category mix to improve performance. Efforts by QVC-Germany to diversify its programming and product mix and increase its focus on underperforming product categories by reducing airtime allocations helped to increase the business's performance during the year. In 2011, QVC-U.K. improved the sales mix, selling times and frequency of the more successful product lines, which led to increased revenue and higher product margins. Further, both QVC-Germany and QVC-U.K. expanded their television platforms with the launch of second channels. In October 2010, QVC commenced operations in Italy, which has seen steady improvement in revenue growth, but continues to sustain operating losses due to the start-up process.

QVC's goal is to become the preeminent global multimedia shopping community for people who love to shop, and to offer a shopping experience that is as much about entertainment and enrichment as it is about buying. QVC's objective is to provide an integrated shopping

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experience that utilizes all forms of media including television, the internet and mobile devices. In 2012, QVC intends to employ several strategies to achieve these goals and objectives. Among these strategies are to (i) extend the breadth, relevance and exposure of the QVC brand; (ii) source products that represent unique quality and value; (iii) create engaging presentation content both in televised programming, mobile and online; (iv) leverage customer loyalty and continue multi-platform expansion and (v) create a compelling and differentiated customer experience. In addition, QVC expects to leverage its existing systems, infrastructure and skills on a global basis.

QVC-U.S. has identified certain product growth opportunities and will continue to pursue compelling brands, unique items and dynamic and relevant personalities to fuel a constant flow of fresh concepts and large scale programming events. The upcoming enhanced website will provide improved product search and guided navigation, a second live counter programming show online and the ability to create micro-sites.

QVC's televised shopping program is already received by substantially all the multichannel television households in the U.S., Germany and the U.K. QVC's future net revenue growth will primarily depend on international expansion, sales growth from e-commerce and mobile platforms, additions of new customers from households already receiving QVC's television programming, growth in sales to existing customers and new subscribers as a result of expansion of its programming reach. QVC's future net revenue may also be affected by (i) the willingness of multichannel television distributors to continue carrying QVC's programming service; (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult as distributors convert analog customers to digital; (iii) changes in television viewing habits because of personal video recorders, video-on-demand and internet video services and (iv) general economic conditions.

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QVC's operating results were as follows:

   
 
  Years ended
December 31
 
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Net revenue

  $ 8,268     7,813     7,374  

Costs of goods sold

    (5,278 )   (5,008 )   (4,755 )
       

Gross profit

    2,990     2,805     2,619  

Operating expenses:

                   

Operating

    (758 )   (715 )   (684 )

SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)

    (499 )   (417 )   (370 )
       

Adjusted OIBDA

    1,733     1,673     1,565  

Stock-based compensation

    (22 )   (18 )   (18 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (574 )   (523 )   (528 )
       

Operating income

    1,137     1,132     1,019  
       

Other income (expense):

                   

(Loss) gain on investments

    (2 )   105     (6 )

Gain on financial instruments

    50     40     32  

Interest expense

    (231 )   (415 )   (357 )

Interest income

    2     2     6  

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (2 )   (8 )   19  

Other expense

        (23 )   (15 )
       

    (183 )   (299 )   (321 )
       

Income before income taxes

    954     833     698  

Income tax expense

    (342 )   (282 )   (281 )
       

Net income

    612     551     417  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    (52 )   (47 )   (38 )
       

Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 560     504     379  
   

Net revenue

Net revenue was generated in the following geographical areas:

   
 
  Years ended
December 31
 
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 5,412     5,241     4,987  

QVC-U.K. 

    626     599     578  

QVC-Germany

    1,068     956     942  

QVC-Japan

    1,127     1,015     867  

QVC-Italy

    35     2      
       

  $ 8,268     7,813     7,374  
   

QVC's consolidated net revenue increased 5.8% and 6.0% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year. The 2011 increase in

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net revenue was primarily comprised of $478 million due to a 5.6% increase in ASP and a $167 million increase due to favorable foreign currency rates in all markets. These increases were partially offset by $123 million decrease in net revenue due to an increase in estimated product returns, a $56 million decrease due to a 1% decline in units sold and a $5 million decrease due to a decline in shipping and handling revenue. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue increased to 19.4% from 18.9% primarily from an increase in apparel and accessories as a percentage of the total mix of products sold.

The 2010 increase in net revenue was primarily comprised of $358 million due to a 4.4% increase in units shipped from 157.8 million to 164.8 million, $193 million increase due to an increase of 2.3% in ASP, $34 million increase due to an increase in shipping and handling revenue and a $4 million increase due to net favorable foreign currency rates. These increases in net revenue were partially offset by a $134 million increase in estimated product returns. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue increased slightly to 18.9% from 18.7% due primarily to higher return rates experienced in the accessories, jewelry and electronics product categories.

During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the changes in revenue and expenses were affected by changes in the exchange rates for the U.K. pound sterling, the euro and the Japanese yen. In the event the U.S. dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's revenue and operating cash flow will be negatively affected. The percentage increase in revenue for each of QVC's geographic areas in U.S. dollars and in local currency was as follows:

   
 
  Percentage increase in net revenue  
 
  Year ended
December 31, 2011
  Year ended
December 31, 2010
 
 
  U.S. dollars
  Local currency
  U.S. dollars
  Local currency
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

    3.3%     3.3%     5.1%     5.1%  

QVC-U.K. 

    4.5     1.0     3.6     5.3  

QVC-Germany

    11.7     7.1     1.5     6.7  

QVC-Japan

    11.0     1.0     17.1     9.7  
   

QVC's net revenue in 2011 increased in U.S. dollars and local currency in each geographical area as compared to the prior year. QVC-U.S. net revenue growth of 3.3% was primarily due to an 8.9% increase in ASP offset by a 4.2% decrease in units sold. QVC-U.S. shipped sales increased mainly due to growth in sales of electronics, home and accessories product categories, which were offset by a decline in jewelry sales. QVC-U.K.'s growth was the result of increased sales in home and apparel that was offset by softness in sales in the jewelry category. The increase in net revenue in QVC-Germany compared to prior year was mainly due to growth in home, jewelry and apparel. QVC-Japan experienced growth in apparel, but was negatively affected by decreases in net revenue related to beauty and jewelry products. QVC-Italy sales consisted primarily of home, beauty, jewelry and apparel products. QVC-Italy was positively impacted by a 2.9% decline in returns.

On March 11, 2011, there was a significant earthquake in Japan. As a result, QVC-Japan was off-air for 12 days and experienced an interruption of its business. The QVC-Japan facilities suffered moderate damage. QVC-Japan returned on-air and resumed operations on March 23,

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2011. The earthquake and related events have affected the year-to-date December 31, 2011 results; however, QVC-Japan has experienced a steady increase in year-to-date sales results as compared to the prior year.

Gross profit

QVC's gross profit percentage was 36.2%, 35.9% and 35.5% for the three years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in gross profit percentage in 2011 was primarily due to warehouse and freight efficiencies as a result of fewer packages shipped. The increase in the gross profit percentage in 2010 was primarily due to lower obsolescence expense as we continued to maintain tight inventory control.

Operating expenses

QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, credit card processing fees, telecommunications expense and production costs. Operating expenses increased $43 million or 6.0% and $31 million or 4.5% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Included in these increases was growth of $9 million and $11 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to QVC-Italy operations, which launched in October 2010. The remaining increase in 2011 was primarily due to a $19 million effect of exchange rates, an increase in commissions expense due to sales growth, an increase in programming expense as well as increased fixed fee payments in the U.K. and Japan. Operating expenses as a percent of net revenue remained consistent at 9.2% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Aside from Italy, the other increases in 2010 included an increase in commissions expense due to sales growth, an increase in production personnel expenses and an increase in credit card fees due to sales growth as well as an increase in rates. Despite the Italy expense, as a percent of net revenue, operating expenses declined from 9.3% to 9.2% for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to the prior year. The 2010 decrease in operating expenses as a percent of net revenue was primarily due to lower customer service expenses as a result of an improvement in staff efficiencies as well as an increase in online ordering. In addition, telecommunications expenses decreased due to more favorable contract rates.

SG&A expenses

QVC's SG&A expenses include personnel, information technology, provision for doubtful accounts, credit card income and marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses increased $82 million, and as a percent of net revenue, from 5.3% to 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2011 as a result of a variety of factors. QVC-Italy's SG&A expenses increased $13 million and net credit card operations income decreased $33 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 (see last paragraph in this section regarding the replacement agreement with GE Capital Retail Bank). In addition, foreign exchange rates and a weakening dollar contributed $12 million of an increase in SG&A expense period over period. The remainder of our SG&A expense increased $24 million or 5.8% primarily as the result of increased online marketing expense of $17 million, increased outside services of $7 million, increased personnel expense of $5 million, increased software expense of $3 million and increased charitable contributions of $2 million related to Japan relief efforts, offset by a decrease in bad debt expense of $11 million. The increase in outside services for the year ended December 31, 2011 was due primarily to legal services related to (i) the defense of certain alleged patent

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infringement matters and (ii) the prosecution and defense of certain other intellectual property claims.

QVC's SG&A expenses increased $47 million, and as a percent of net revenue, grew from 5.0% to 5.3% for the year ended December 31, 2010. QVC-Italy's SG&A expenses increased $16 million period over period. Net credit card operations income increased $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 (see last paragraph in this section regarding the replacement agreement with GE Capital Bank). Excluding the effect of QVC-Italy and net credit card operations, QVC's SG&A expense increased $34 million or 9.2% for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to a $5 million increase in bad debt expense, an $8 million increase in online marketing and public relations events, an $8 million increase in personnel expenses primarily related to increased management bonus compensation, a $7 million increase in software expenses and a $6 million increase in outside services.

Effective August 2, 2010, upon the expiration of the existing contract, QVC entered into a replacement agreement with GE Capital Retail Bank (formerly GE Money Bank) that provides revolving credit directly to QVC's customers solely for the purchase of merchandise from QVC. Under the replacement agreement, QVC receives a portion of the economics from the credit card program according to percentages that vary with the performance of the portfolio. The replacement agreement, which will expire in August 2015, is substantially different than the expired agreement between the parties. QVC's operating income (and Adjusted OIBDA) have been negatively affected due to the terms of the replacement agreement. However, QVC used the $501 million of cash proceeds from the recovery of a noninterest bearing cash deposit maintained at GE Capital Retail Bank in connection with the prior arrangement to retire a portion of QVC, Inc.'s outstanding bank facility in 2010. QVC's net credit card income would have been approximately $22 million and $14 million more favorable in 2011 and 2010, compared to the respective prior years, based on the terms of the expired contract compared to the replacement agreement.

Depreciation and amortization

QVC's depreciation and amortization consisted of the following:

   
 
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Affiliate agreements

  $ 152     152     152  

Customer relationships

    173     173     180  
       

Acquisition related amortization

    325     325     332  

Property, plant and equipment

   
135
   
128
   
125
 

Software amortization

    95     51     49  

Channel placement amortization

    19     19     22  
       

Total depreciation and amortization

  $ 574     523     528  
   

In regards to software amortization, during the fourth quarter of 2011, it was determined that certain capitalized customer relationship management ("CRM") software did not meet our service-level expectations and desired functionality. As a result, QVC recorded an impairment of certain CRM assets in the amount of $47 million.

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Gain (loss) on investments

In 2010, QVC sold its ownership interest in GSI Commerce for aggregate cash proceeds of $220 million. We recognized a $105 million gain on the sale.

Interest expense

Consolidated interest expense decreased 44.3% and increased 16.2% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease in 2011 was due to lower effective borrowing rates under the replacement credit agreement completed September 2, 2010 and lower debt balances outstanding compared to the previous year as well as lower notional swap balances and lower fixed rate obligations related to those notional swap balances. The increase in 2010 was due primarily to higher effective borrowing rates on our bank debt due to the restructuring of our credit agreements in June 2009 and the issuance of senior secured notes in October 2009 and March 2010 that carried higher effective rates than the bank debt that was repaid with the proceeds from the secured notes. The increase in rates more than offset the benefit of a reduction in total outstanding debt over the same period.

Interest income

Interest income for the year-ended December 31, 2011 remained consistent with prior year. For the year-ended December 31, 2010, interest income decreased due to the discontinuance of recording interest income on QVC's receivables from Liberty as these receivables were distributed as a dividend to Liberty during the first quarter of 2009. Refer also to note 15 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Foreign currency gains (losses)

Certain loans between QVC and its subsidiaries were deemed to be short-term in nature, and accordingly, the translation of these loans is recorded on the statements of operations. The change in foreign currency gains (losses) was primarily due to variances in interest and operating payable balances between QVC and its international subsidiaries denominated in the currency of the subsidiary and the effects of currency exchange rate changes on those balances.

Income taxes

QVC's effective tax rate was 35.8% in 2011, 33.9% in 2010 and 40.3% in 2009. For all three years, these rates differ from the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% due to state tax expense. In addition, the 2011 rate differs due to expected deferred tax rate changes, and the 2010 and 2009 rates differ due to revisions of expected settlement estimates and the effect of permanent differences.

Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (Adjusted OIBDA)

QVC defines adjusted OIBDA as net revenue less cost of goods sold, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock compensation). QVC's chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate the businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among the businesses. QVC believes that this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of the businesses, including the ability to service

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debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows QVC to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and perform benchmarking among its businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation, amortization and stock compensation that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The primary material limitations associated with the use of Adjusted OIBDA as compared to GAAP results are (i) it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in the industry, and (ii) it excludes financial information that some may consider important in evaluating QVC's performance. QVC compensates for these limitations by providing disclosure of the difference between Adjusted OIBDA and GAAP results, including providing a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to GAAP results, to enable investors to perform their own analysis of QVC's operating results. Refer to note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Income before income taxes.

Seasonality

QVC's business is seasonal due to a higher volume of sales in the fourth calendar quarter related to year-end holiday shopping. In recent years, QVC has earned on average between 22% and 23% of its revenue in each of the first three quarters of the year and 32% of its revenue in the fourth quarter of the year.

Financial position, liquidity and capital resources

Historically, QVC's primary sources of cash have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility. In general, QVC uses this cash to fund its operations, make capital purchases, make payments to Liberty, make interest payments and minimize QVC, Inc.'s outstanding senior secured credit facility balance.

As of December 31, 2011, substantially all of QVC's cash and cash equivalents were invested in AAA rated money market funds and time deposits with banks rated A or above.

Availability under QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility as of December 31, 2011 was $1.6 billion. QVC, Inc.'s senior secured credit facility matures in September 2015.

During the year, were no significant changes to QVC, Inc.'s debt credit ratings.

QVC, Inc. was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2011.

On March 23, 2010, QVC, Inc. issued $1 billion of Senior Secured Notes. QVC, Inc. issued $500 million principal amount of 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 at par and $500 million principal amount of 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 at par. QVC, Inc. used the proceeds to fund the purchase and cancellation of certain then outstanding term loans under our previous bank credit facility that were scheduled to mature on various dates through 2014.

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During the third quarter of 2010, QVC, Inc. entered into a new credit agreement that provided for a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility, with a $250 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. QVC, Inc. may elect that the loans extended under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR Rate or LIBOR, as each is defined in the credit agreement, plus a margin of 0.50% to 3.00% depending on various factors. The credit facility is a multi-currency facility and there is no prepayment penalty. The loans are scheduled to mature in September of 2015. The proceeds drawn under the new credit facility were used to repay outstanding indebtedness under the previous bank facilities, which are no longer outstanding.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, QVC's primary uses of cash were $372 million of debt repayments and capital lease obligations, $259 million of capital expenditures, $205 million of dividends to Liberty and a $50 million dividend payment to the minority shareholder of QVC-Japan. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $818 million of cash provided by operating activities. As of December 31, 2011, QVC's cash balance was $560 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, QVC's primary uses of cash were $4,142 million of debt repayments and capital lease obligations, $220 million of capital expenditures and a $63 million dividend payment to the minority shareholder of QVC-Japan. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $1,204 million of cash provided by operating activities, $2,905 million in debt borrowings and $220 million in proceeds from joint ventures and equity investees. As of December 31, 2010, QVC's cash balance was $621 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, QVC's primary uses of cash were $2,244 million of debt repayments and capital lease obligations, $181 million of capital expenditures and a $59 million dividend payment to the minority shareholder of QVC-Japan. These uses of cash were funded primarily with $1,148 million of cash provided by operating activities, $983 million in debt borrowings and a $522 million contribution from Liberty. As of December 31, 2009, QVC's cash balance was $748 million.

As discussed above under "—Selling, general and administrative expenses", QVC entered into a replacement agreement with GE Capital Retail Bank pursuant to which the bank provides revolving credit directly to QVC's customers solely for the purchase of merchandise from QVC. QVC receives a portion of the economics from the credit card program according to percentages that vary with the performance of the portfolio. QVC's operating income (and Adjusted OIBDA) has been negatively affected due to the terms of the new agreement. However, QVC used the $501 million of cash proceeds from the recovery of our noninterest bearing cash deposit maintained at GE Capital Retail Bank in connection with the prior arrangement to retire a portion of QVC, Inc.'s outstanding bank facility in 2010. QVC's net credit card income would have been approximately $22 million and $14 million more favorable in 2011 and 2010, compared to the respective prior years, based on the terms of the expired contract compared to the amended agreement.

Refer to the chart under the "—Off-balance sheet arrangements and aggregate contractual obligations" section below for additional information concerning the amount and timing of expected future payments under QVC's contractual obligations at December 31, 2011.

QVC has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible QVC may incur losses upon

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the conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, that may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

QVC is exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to ongoing investing and financial activities and the conduct of operations by subsidiaries in different foreign countries. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. QVC has established procedures and internal processes governing the management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage exposure to such risks.

Interest rate risk

QVC is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of borrowing activities. QVC manages the exposure to interest rates by maintaining what QVC believes is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. QVC believes this best protects itself from interest rate risk. QVC also achieves this mix by entering into interest rate swap arrangements when deemed appropriate. As of December 31, 2011, QVC's debt, excluding capital leases and unamortized discounts, was comprised of $2.0 billion of fixed rate debt and $434 million of variable rate debt. After considering the effects of the interest rate swaps, the weighted average rate applicable to all of the outstanding debt and interest rate swaps was 8.3% as of December 31, 2011.

QVC periodically assess the effectiveness of the derivative financial instruments. With regard to interest rate swaps, QVC monitors the fair value of interest rate swaps as well as the effective interest rate the interest rate swap yields in comparison to historical interest rate trends.

QVC's interest rate swaps are executed with counterparties who are well known major financial institutions with high credit ratings. While QVC believes these interest rate swaps effectively mitigate interest rate risk, they are subject to counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty is unable to perform under the terms of the interest rate swaps upon settlement of the swaps. To protect itself against credit risk associated with these counterparties QVC generally executes interest rate swaps with several different counterparties.

Due to the importance of these derivative instruments to its risk management strategy, QVC actively monitors the creditworthiness of each of these counterparties. Based on this analysis, QVC currently considers nonperformance by any of its counterparties to be unlikely.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk

QVC is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to the monetary assets and liabilities and the financial results of its foreign subsidiaries. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Exchange rate fluctuations on translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. Dollars that result in unrealized gains or losses are

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referred to as translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholder's equity. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in income as unrealized (based on period-end transactions) or realized upon settlement of the transactions. Cash flows from operations in foreign countries are translated at the average rate for the period. Accordingly, QVC may experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings and equity with respect to its holdings solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. QVC's reported adjusted OIBDA for the year ended December 31, 2011 would have been impacted by approximately $5 million for every 1% change in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar.

The credit facility provides QVC the ability to borrow in multiple currencies. This allows QVC to somewhat mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risks. As of December 31, 2011, QVC, Inc. had borrowings of 13 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to $169 million based on an exchange rate of 76.92 Japanese yen per U.S. dollar, outstanding under the credit facility. As of December 31, 2011, the foreign currency exchange exposure to these borrowings approximated $1.7 million for every 1% change in the Japanese yen exchange rate per U.S. dollar.

Off-balance sheet arrangements and aggregate contractual obligations

Information concerning the amount and timing of required payments, both accrued and off-balance sheet, under our contractual obligations at December 31, 2011 is summarized below (in millions):

   
 
  Payments due by period  
 
  Total
  Less than
1 year

  2-3 years
  4-5 years
  After
5 years

 
   

Long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations)

  $ 2,434             434     2,000  

Interest payments(1)

    1,236     210     332     304     390  

Capital lease obligations (including imputed interest)

    81     13     21     17     30  

Operating lease obligations

    166     23     30     17     96  

Purchase obligations and other

    1,280     1,252     24     4      
   

(1)   Amounts (i) are based on the terms of QVC Inc.'s senior secured credit facility and senior secured notes, (ii) assumes the interest rates on the floating rate debt remain constant at the rates in effect as of December 31, 2011, (iii) assumes that our existing debt is repaid at maturity, (iv) is inclusive of interest rate swaps entered into as of the date of these financial statements and (v) excludes capital lease obligations.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards amended the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) as summarized in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. As summarized in ASU 2011-08 , ASC Topic 350 has been amended to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a

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basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. Previously under ASC Topic 350, an entity would be required to test goodwill, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, then, if the carrying amount was greater than the fair value of the reporting unit, step two of the test would be required to determine whether an impairment was necessary. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, QVC reviewed the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluated other relevant factors as identified in ASU 2011-08 to determine that it was more likely than not that there were no indicated impairments for any of the reporting units. QVC does not believe the outcome of performing a qualitative analysis versus immediately performing a step one test had any financial statement effect.

Critical accounting estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires QVC to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates include, but are not limited to, sales returns, uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence, medical and other benefit related costs, depreciable lives of fixed assets, internally developed software, valuation of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes and stock-based compensation. QVC bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that QVC believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. In addition, as circumstances change, QVC may revise the basis of its estimates accordingly.

Fair value measurements

QVC records a number of assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value on a recurring basis. QVC has adopted the GAAP prescribed hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value of financial and nonfinancial instruments.

Long-lived assets

QVC's long-lived asset valuations are primarily comprised of the annual assessment of the recoverability of goodwill and other nonamortizable intangibles, such as trademarks and the evaluation of the recoverability of other long-lived assets upon certain triggering events. If the carrying value of long-lived assets exceeds their undiscounted cash flows, QVC is required to write the carrying value down to the fair value. Any such writedown is included in depreciation/amortization in the consolidated statements of operations. A high degree of judgment is required to estimate the fair value of the long-lived assets. QVC may use quoted market prices, prices for similar assets, present value techniques and other valuation techniques to prepare these estimates. QVC may need to make estimates of future cash flows and discount rates as well as other assumptions in order to implement these valuation techniques. Due to the high degree of judgment involved in estimation techniques, any value ultimately derived from the long-lived assets may differ from the estimate of fair value. As each of QVC's

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operating segments has long-lived assets, this critical accounting policy affects the financial position and results of operations of each segment.

QVC performs its annual assessment of the recoverability of goodwill and other nonamortizable intangible assets as of December 31. As discussed above under, Recent accounting pronouncements , QVC adopted the new accounting guidance relating to annual assessments of the recoverability of goodwill and utilized a qualitative assessment for determining whether step one of the goodwill impairment analysis was necessary.

Retail related adjustments and allowances

QVC records adjustments and allowances for sales returns, inventory obsolescence and uncollectible receivables. Each of these adjustments is estimated based on historical experience. Sales returns are calculated as a percent of sales and are netted against revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales returns represented 19.4%, 18.9% and 18.7% of gross product revenue, respectively. The inventory obsolescence reserve is calculated as a percent of our inventory at the end of a reporting period based on, among other factors, the average inventory balance for the preceding twelve months and historical experience with liquidated inventory. The change in the reserve is included in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2011, inventory was $906 million, which was net of the obsolescence adjustment of $90 million. At December 31, 2010, inventory was $939 million, which was net of the obsolescence adjustment of $103 million. The allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated as a percent of accounts receivable at the end of a reporting period, and it is based on historical experience, with the change in such allowance being recorded as bad debt expense in the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2011, trade accounts receivable was $1,020 million, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $79 million. At December 31, 2010, trade accounts receivable was $857 million, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $66 million. Each of these adjustments requires management judgment and may not reflect actual results.

Accounting for income taxes

QVC is required to estimate the amount of tax payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the financial statements or tax returns for each taxing jurisdiction in which QVC operates. This process requires management to make judgments regarding the timing and probability of the ultimate tax impact of the various agreements and transactions into which QVC enters. Based on these judgments, QVC may record tax reserves or adjustments to valuation allowances on deferred tax assets to reflect the expected realizability of future tax benefits. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law, significant changes in the jurisdictions in which QVC operates, QVC's inability to generate sufficient future taxable income or unpredicted results from the final determination of each year's liability by taxing authorities. These changes could have a significant impact on QVC's financial position.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Shareholder-Director of QVC, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company), a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

    /s/ KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 15, 2012, except as to notes 18
and 19, which are as of October 19, 2012

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated balance sheets
December 31, 2011 and 2010

   
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

Assets

 

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 560     621  

Restricted cash

    15     16  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $79 million in 2011 and $66 million in 2010

    1,020     857  

Inventories

    906     939  

Deferred income taxes

    138     155  

Prepaid expenses

    54     54  
       

Total current assets

    2,693     2,642  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    1,084     997  

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

    905     1,071  

Goodwill

    5,239     5,247  

Other intangible assets, net

    3,624     3,833  

Other noncurrent assets

    25     30  
       

Total assets

  $ 13,570     13,820  
       

Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:

             

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 10     14  

Accounts payable—trade

    491     539  

Accrued liabilities

    817     880  
       

Total current liabilities

    1,318     1,433  

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

    2,480     2,806  

Deferred compensation

    11     10  

Deferred income taxes

    1,534     1,679  

Other long-term liabilities

    208     238  
       

Total liabilities

    5,551     6,166  
       

Equity:

             

QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity:

             

Common stock, $0.01 par value

         

Additional paid-in capital

    6,644     6,613  

Retained earnings

    1,052     710  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    194     209  
       

Total QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity

    7,890     7,532  

Noncontrolling interest

    129     122  
       

Total equity

    8,019     7,654  
       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 13,570     13,820  
   

   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of operations
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

   
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Net revenue

  $ 8,268     7,813     7,374  

Cost of goods sold

    5,278     5,008     4,755  
       

Gross profit

    2,990     2,805     2,619  
       

Operating expenses:

                   

Operating

    758     715     684  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    521     435     388  

Depreciation

    135     128     125  

Amortization of intangible assets

    439     395     403  
       

    1,853     1,673     1,600  
       

Operating income

    1,137     1,132     1,019  
       

Other income (expense):

                   

Gain (loss) on investments

    (2 )   105     (6 )

Gain on financial instruments

    50     40     32  

Interest expense

    (231 )   (415 )   (357 )

Interest income

    2     2     6  

Foreign currency gain (loss)

    (2 )   (8 )   19  

Other expense

        (23 )   (15 )
       

    (183 )   (299 )   (321 )
       

Income before income taxes

    954     833     698  

Income tax expense

    (342 )   (282 )   (281 )
       

Net income

    612     551     417  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

    (52 )   (47 )   (38 )
       

Net income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 560     504     379  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

   
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Net income

  $ 612     551     417  
       

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    (10 )   (39 )   15  

Cash flow hedging derivatives

        46     47  

Unrealized (loss) gain on investment

        (77 )   89  
       

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

    (10 )   (70 )   151  
       

Total comprehensive income

    602     481     568  
       

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (57 )   (62 )   (32 )
       

Comprehensive income attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 545     419     536  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of equity
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

   
 
  QVC, Inc.    
   
 
 
  Common stock   Additional
paid-in
capital

  Note
receivable
related
party

   
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income

   
   
 
(in millions, except share data)
  Retained
earnings

  Noncontrolling
interest

  Total
equity

 
  Shares
  Amount
 
   

Balance, January 1, 2009

    5,006,696   $     9,696     (7,835 )   4,035     137     150     6,183  

Net income

                    379         38     417  

Other comprehensive income (expense):

                                                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax expense of $1 million

                        21     (6 )   15  

Cash flow hedging derivatives, net of income tax expense of $29 million

                        47         47  

Unrealized loss on investment, net of income tax benefit of $49 million

                        89         89  

Recapitalization

    (5,006,695 )                            

Dividends

            (3,744 )   7,835     (4,091 )            

Contribution received from (dividend paid to) Liberty and other

            597         (75 )       (59 )   463  

Stock-based compensation

            14                     14  
       

Balance, December 31, 2009

    1         6,563         248     294     123     7,228  

Net income

                    504         47     551  

Other comprehensive income (expense):

                                                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax expense of $1 million

                        (54 )   15     (39 )

Cash flow hedging derivatives, net of income tax expense of $28 million

                        46         46  

Unrealized loss on investment, net of income tax benefit of $9 million

                        (15 )       (15 )

Reclassification adjustment for gain recognized in net income, net of tax benefit of $33 million

                        (62 )       (62 )

Contribution received from (dividend paid to) Liberty and other

            35         (42 )       (63 )   (70 )

Stock-based compensation

            15                     15  
       

Balance, December 31, 2010

    1         6,613         710     209     122     7,654  

Net income

                    560         52     612  

Other comprehensive income (expense):

                                                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $10 million

                        (15 )   5     (10 )

Contribution received from (dividend paid to) Liberty and other

            13         (218 )       (50 )   (255 )

Stock-based compensation

            18                     18  
       

Balance, December 31, 2011

    1   $     6,644         1,052     194     129     8,019  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of cash flows
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009

   
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Operating activities:

                   

Net income

  $ 612     551     417  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                   

(Gain) loss on investments

    2     (105 )   6  

Deferred income taxes

    (116 )   (129 )   (139 )

Foreign currency translation (gain) loss

    2     8     (19 )

Depreciation

    135     128     125  

Amortization of intangible assets

    439     395     403  

(Gain) loss on derivatives and noncash interest

    (43 )   73     98  

Stock based compensation

    18     16     16  

Change in other long-term liabilities

            (35 )

Effects of changes in working capital items

    (231 )   267     276  
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    818     1,204     1,148  
       

Investing activities:

                   

Capital expenditures, net

    (259 )   (220 )   (181 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

    (2 )   (4 )   (15 )

Expenditures for intangible assets

            (1 )

Proceeds from joint ventures and equity investees

        220     3  

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

    1     2     (18 )

Changes in other noncurrent assets

    4     (7 )   7  
       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (256 )   (9 )   (205 )
       

Financing activities:

                   

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (372 )   (4,142 )   (2,244 )

Principal borrowings of debt

        1,905      

Proceeds from issuance of senior secured notes, net of original issue discount

        1,000     983  

Payment of debt origination fees

        (27 )   (65 )

Contribution received from (dividend paid to) Liberty and other

    (205 )   (9 )   522  

Dividend paid to noncontrolling interest

    (50 )   (63 )   (59 )
       

Net cash used in financing activities

    (627 )   (1,336 )   (863 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    4     14     (17 )
       

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (61 )   (127 )   63  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    621     748     685  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 560     621     748  
       

Effects of changes in working capital items:

                   

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

  $ (167 )   356     (72 )

(Increase) decrease in inventories

    29     (66 )   58  

(Increase) decrease in current deferred income taxes

    (9 )   23     12  

Increase in prepaid expenses

    (1 )   (15 )   (6 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable-trade

    (29 )   50     89  

Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities

    (54 )   (81 )   195  
       

  $ (231 )   267     276  
       

Supplemental cash flow information:

                   

Cash paid for taxes-to Liberty

  $ 358     266     179  

Cash paid for taxes-other

    145     127     80  

Cash paid for interest

    231     319     237  
   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
December 31, 2011

(1)   Basis of presentation

QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries ("QVC" or the "Company") is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised-shopping programs, the internet and mobile applications. In the United States, QVC's program is aired through its nationally televised-shopping program—24 hours a day, 364 days per year ("QVC-U.S."). Internationally, the Company has retailing program services in the United Kingdom ("QVC-U.K."), Germany ("QVC-Germany"), Japan ("QVC-Japan") and Italy ("QVC-Italy"). QVC-U.K. and QVC-Italy broadcast 24 hours a day with 17 hours of live programming, and QVC-Germany and QVC-Japan each broadcast live 24 hours a day. Additionally, QVC-U.K. and QVC-Germany have second channels that provide alternate, pre-recorded programming 24 hours a day.

QVC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation ("Liberty," formerly known as Liberty Media Corporation) (NASDAQ: LINTA and LINTB). Liberty owns interests in a broad range of video and online commerce businesses.

During 2009, QVC underwent a recapitalization pursuant to which all of QVC's outstanding shares of common stock were canceled and exchanged for a single share of QVC's common stock in a many-for-one reverse stock split. The following table summarizes information about the Company's shares of common stock:

   
 
  December 31  
 
  2011
  2010
 
   

Shares authorized

    1     1  

Shares outstanding

    1     1  
   

The Company has a venture with Mitsui & Co. LTD ("Mitsui") for an electronic retailing program service in Japan. QVC-Japan is owned 60% by the Company and 40% by Mitsui. The Company and Mitsui share in all profits and losses based on their respective ownership proportions. The noncontrolling interest at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $129 million, $122 million and $123 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, QVC-Japan paid dividends to Mitsui of $50 million, $63 million and $59 million, respectively.

The consolidated financial statements included the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

(2)   Summary of significant accounting policies

(a) Cash and cash equivalents

All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents were $493 million and $550 million at

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December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair values.

(b) Restricted cash

Restricted cash at December 31, 2011 and 2010 secures a letter of credit that provides financial assurance that the Company will fulfill its obligation in relation to claims under its workers' compensation policy and a surety bond.

(c) Accounts receivable

A provision for customer bad debts is provided as a percentage of accounts receivable based on historical experience and is included within selling, general and administrative expense. A provision for noncustomer bad debt expense, related to amounts due from vendors for unsold and returned products, is provided based on an estimate of the probable expected losses and is included in cost of goods sold.

(d) Inventories

Inventories, consisting primarily of products held for sale, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost method, which approximates the first-in, first-out method. Assessments about the realizability of inventory require the Company to make judgments based on currently available information about the likely method of disposition including sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, liquidations and the estimated recoverable values of each disposition category.

(e) Property, plant and equipment

The costs of property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method beginning in the month of acquisition or in-service date. Transponders under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in net income. The costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

The Company is party to several transponder capacity arrangements as a lessee, which are accounted for as capital leases.

(f) Capitalized interest

The Company capitalizes interest cost incurred on debt during the construction of major projects exceeding one year. Capitalized interest was $2 million, $5 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(g) Internally developed software

Internal software development costs are capitalized in accordance with guidance on accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use, and are classified within other intangible assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company amortizes computer software and internal software development costs over an estimated useful life of three years using the straight-line method.

(h) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and more

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frequently if events and circumstances indicated that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit's fair value. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:

   
 
  Total
 
   

Balance, January 1, 2010

  $ 5,280  

Foreign currency translation

    (24 )

Distribution of subsidiary (note 3)

    (9 )
       

Balance, December 31, 2010

    5,247  

Foreign currency translation

    (8 )
       

Balance, December 31, 2011

  $ 5,239  
   

As discussed below, in the Recent Accounting Pronouncements, the Company adopted the recent accounting guidance relating to annual assessments of recoverability of goodwill and utilized a qualitative assessment for determining whether step one of the goodwill impairment analysis was necessary, and concluded it was not. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviewed the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluated other relevant factors as identified in ASU 2011-08 to determine whether it was more likely than not that an indicated impairment existed for any of the Company's reporting units. The Company considered whether there was any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods.

If a step one test would have been necessary based on the qualitative factors, the Company would compare the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in QVC's valuation analysis are based on management's best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts. For those reporting units whose carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second test is required to measure the impairment loss (the Step 2 Test). In the Step 2 Test, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit with any residual value being allocated to goodwill. The difference between such allocated amount and the carrying value of the goodwill is recorded as an impairment charge if the allocated amount is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill.

(i) Translation of foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the spot rate in effect at the applicable reporting date, and the consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable period. The resulting unrealized cumulative translation adjustment, net of applicable income taxes, is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity.

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Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates result in transaction gains and losses, which are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as unrealized (based on the applicable period-end exchange rate) or realized upon settlement of the transactions.

(j) Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue at the time of delivery to customers. The revenue for shipments in-transit is recorded as deferred revenue.

The Company's policy is to allow customers to return merchandise for up to thirty days after the date of shipment. An allowance for returned merchandise is provided at the time revenue is recorded as a percentage of sales based on historical experience. The total reduction in sales due to returns for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 aggregated to $1,900 million, $1,739 million and $1,607 million, respectively.

The Company evaluates the criteria for reporting revenue gross as a principal versus net as an agent, in determining whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. Generally, the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement, has inventory risk, has latitude in establishing the selling price and selecting suppliers, and accordingly, records revenue gross.

Sales and use taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and, therefore, are excluded from net revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Cost of goods sold principally consists of actual cost of merchandise sold, inbound and outbound shipping charges, the operating costs of the Company's distribution centers, packaging supplies and provisions for obsolescence.

(k) Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using statutory tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

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(l) Use of estimates in the preparation of consolidated financial statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates include, but are not limited to, sales returns, uncollectible receivables, inventory obsolescence, medical and other benefit related costs, depreciable lives of fixed assets, internally developed software, valuation of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes and stock-based compensation.

(m) Advertising costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $80 million, $54 million and $43 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These costs were included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(n) Stock-based compensation

As more fully described in note 11, the Company and Liberty have granted certain stock-based awards to employees of the Company. The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the award).

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were the following net amounts of stock-based compensation expense (in millions):

   

Year ended:

       

December 31, 2011

  $ 22  

December 31, 2010

    18  

December 31, 2009

    18  
   

(o) Derivatives

The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), which requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. Fair value is based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. For derivatives designated as hedges, changes in the fair value are either offset against the changes in fair value of the designated hedged item through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

The Company generally enters into derivative contracts that it intends to designate as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). For all hedging relationships, the Company

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formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting cash flows of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent that the derivative is effective as a hedge, until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative instrument that qualifies as a cash flow hedge is reported in earnings.

During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, QVC, Inc. entered into several interest rate swap arrangements to mitigate the cash flow risk associated with interest payments related to its variable rate debt. QVC, Inc. assesses the effectiveness of its interest rate swaps using the hypothetical derivative method. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, QVC, Inc.'s elected interest terms did not effectively match the terms of the swap arrangements. As a result, the swaps did not qualify as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value of these interest rate swaps of $50 million, $37 million and $32 million are included in gain on financial instruments in the consolidated statements of operations in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(p) Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, internally developed software and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Impairment charges are recognized as an acceleration of depreciation expense or amortization expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that certain capitalized customer relationship management ("CRM") software did not meet our service-level expectations and desired functionality. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment of certain CRM assets in the amount of $47 million included in depreciation and amortization in the statement of operations within the QVC-U.S. operating segment.

(q) Noncontrolling interests

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new guidance, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Among other matters, the new guidance requires that (a) the noncontrolling interest be reported within equity in the balance sheet and (b) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly presented in the statement of operations and gains in a subsidiary's stock are recorded in equity. The Company paid dividends to noncontrolling interests of $50 million, $63 million and $59 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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(r) Recent accounting pronouncements

In September 2011, the Company adopted standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which amended the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) as summarized in Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. As summarized in ASU 2011-08 , ASC Topic 350 has been amended to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. Previously under ASC Topic 350, an entity would be required to test goodwill, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, then, if the carrying amount was greater than the fair value of the reporting unit, step two of the test would be required to determine whether an impairment was necessary. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviewed the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluated other relevant factors as identified in ASU 2011-08 to determine that it was more likely than not that there were no indicated impairments for any of our reporting units. The Company does not believe the outcome of performing a qualitative analysis versus immediately performing a step one test had any financial statement impact.

(s) Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.

(3)   Distribution of subsidiary

On May 6, 2010, the Company distributed 100% of its interest in one of its consolidated subsidiaries, Commerce Technologies, Inc. (Commerce), to Liberty. The transfer was recorded at book value and the Company recognized no gain or loss on the transaction and is included in Contribution received from (dividend paid to) Liberty and other in the consolidated statements of equity. At the time of the transfer, the net book value of Commerce consisted of the following components (in millions):

   

Cash

  $ 12  

Goodwill

    9  

Other assets

    10  

Liabilities

    (10 )
       

Net book value

  $ 21  
   

(4)   Accounts receivable

The Company has two credit programs, the QVC Easy-Pay Plan (known as Q Pay in Germany and the United Kingdom) and the QVC revolving credit card program. The QVC Easy-Pay Plan permits customers to pay for items in two or more installments. When the QVC Easy-Pay Plan is offered by QVC and elected by the customer, the first installment is billed to the customer's credit card upon shipment. Generally, the customer's credit card is subsequently billed up to five additional monthly installments until the total purchase price of the products has been billed by the Company.

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Prior to August 2, 2010, the Company had an agreement with the GE Capital Retail Bank (the Bank), whereby the Bank provided revolving credit directly to QVC customers solely for the purchase of merchandise from the Company. The Company was required to maintain noninterest bearing deposits with the Bank of 100% of the uncollected portfolio balance at all times. The Company was obligated to purchase from the Bank any uncollected customers' accounts. The Company was required to pay certain servicing fees, which were offset by finance and other charges earned on customer account balances.

Effective August 2, 2010, upon the expiration of the existing agreement, the Company entered into a replacement agreement that expires in August 2015 with the Bank. Under the replacement agreement, the Company receives a portion of the economics from the credit card program according to percentages that vary with the performance of the portfolio. Upon entering the replacement agreement, the Company recovered its noninterest bearing cash deposit maintained in connection with the prior arrangement in the amount of $501 million, which is included in the effects of changes in working capital items on the consolidated statement of cash flows. This deposit had previously been recorded as a component of accounts receivable. During 2011 and the five months ended December 31, 2010, the Company recognized $58 million and $20 million from the portfolio, respectively. These amounts were included in the consolidated statement of operations as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses.

The net amount of finance income resulting from credit card operations is included as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses and comprised the following:

   
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Finance charges earned on customers' account balances

  $     81     107  

Less service fees

        (10 )   (18 )
       

Subtotal

        71     89  

Finance income under amended agreement

    58     20      
       

Net finance income

  $ 58     91     89  
   

The Company also accepts major credit cards for its sales. Accounts receivable from major credit cards represents amounts owed to QVC from the credit card clearing houses for amounts billed but not yet collected. Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

   
 
  December 31  
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

QVC Easy-Pay plan

  $ 808     666  

Major credit card and other receivables

    291     257  
       

    1,099     923  

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

    (79 )   (66 )
       

Accounts receivable, net

  $ 1,020     857  
   

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A summary of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

   
(in millions)
  Balance
beginning
of year

  Additions-
charged
to expense

  Deductions-
write-offs

  Change in
revolving
credit card
program

  Balance
end of
year

 
   

2011

  $ 66     68     (55 )       79  

2010

    81     78     (73 )   (20 )   66  

2009

    74     74     (67 )       81  
   

Pursuant to the replacement agreement with GE Capital Retail Bank (the "Bank"), QVC is no longer responsible for reimbursing the Bank for bad debts related to the portfolio. QVC had a balance of $20 million reserved for portfolio bad debt as of the date of the commencement of the replacement arrangement. QVC will recognize this amount as reduction of selling, general, and administrative expenses, over the 5 year life of the amended agreement.

The carrying value of accounts receivable, adjusted for the reserves described above, approximates fair value as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

(5)   Property, plant and equipment, net

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

 
 
  December 31   Estimated
useful
life

(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 

Land

  $ 104     95   N/A

Buildings and improvements

    834     819   8 - 20 years

Furniture and other equipment

    408     383   2 - 8 years

Broadcast equipment

    83     78   3 - 5 years

Computer equipment

    167     154   2 - 4 years

Transponders (note 10)

    150     118   8 - 15 years

Projects in progress

    151     45   N/A
         

    1,897     1,692    

Less accumulated depreciation

    (813 )   (695 )  
         

Property, plant and equipment, net

  $ 1,084     997    
 

QVC-Japan is constructing a new headquarters, which is expected to be substantially completed by 2012, for a cost of approximately $230 million, including $90 million already expended. There were no significant delays in the construction of the new headquarters nor material expenses as a result of damage to the facilities related to the natural disaster in Japan.

QVC-U.K. is improving a leased property for its new headquarters, which is expected to be completed in 2012 for a cost of approximately $53 million, including $42 million already expended.

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(6)   Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

Cable and satellite television distribution rights consisted of the following:

   
 
  December 31  
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

Cable and satellite television distribution rights

  $ 2,284     2,293  

Less accumulated amortization

    (1,379 )   (1,222 )
       

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

  $ 905     1,071  
   

The Company enters into affiliation agreements with cable and satellite television providers for carriage of the Company's shopping service, as well as for certain channel placement. If these cable and satellite affiliates were to add additional subscribers to the agreement through acquisition, the Company may be required to make additional payments.

The Company's ability to continue to sell products to its customers is dependent on its ability to maintain and renew these affiliation agreements. In some cases, renewals are not agreed upon prior to the expiration of a given agreement while the programming continues to be carried by the relevant distributor without an effective agreement in place. The Company does not have distribution agreements with some of the cable operators that carry its progamming.

Cable and satellite television distribution rights are amortized using the straight-line method over the lives of the individual agreements. The remaining weighted average lives of the cable and satellite television distribution rights was approximately 5.9 years at December 31, 2011. The Company recorded amortization expense of $167 million, $169 million and $174 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to cable and satellite television distribution rights.

As of December 31, 2011, related amortization expense for each of the next five years ended December 31 was as follows (in millions):

   

2012

  $ 163  

2013

    163  

2014

    159  

2015

    156  

2016

    155  
   

In return for carrying the QVC signals, each programming distributor in the United States receives an allocated portion, based upon market share, of up to 5% of the net sales of merchandise sold via the television programs and certain internet sales to customers located in the programming distributor's service areas. In the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, programming distributors receive an agreed-upon annual fee, a monthly fee per subscriber regardless of the net sales or a variable percentage of net sales. The Company recorded expense related to these commissions of $299 million, $280 million and $265 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included as part of operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

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(7)   Other intangible assets, net

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:

   
 
  December 31    
 
 
  2011   2010    
 
 
  Weighted
average
remaining
life

 
(in millions)
  Gross
cost

  Accumulated
amortization

  Gross
cost

  Accumulated
amortization

 
   
 
   
   
   
   
  (Years)
 

Purchased and internally developed software

  $ 473     (307 )   449     (259 )   2.5  

Affiliate and customer relationships

    2,440     (1,446 )   2,446     (1,273 )   5.7  

Debt origination fees

    47     (11 )   47     (5 )   6.5  

Trademarks (indefinite life)

    2,428         2,428          
             

  $ 5,388     (1,764 )   5,370     (1,537 )   5.3  
   

During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $272 million, $226 million and $229 million, respectively of amortization expense related to other intangible assets. As noted in note 2, during the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company determined that certain capitalized CRM software did not meet our service-level expectations and desired functionality. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment of certain CRM assets in the amount of $47 million included in depreciation and amortization in the statement of operations within the QVC-U.S. operating segment.

As of December 31, 2011, the amortization expense and interest expense for each of the next five years ended December 31 was as follows (in millions):

   

2012

  $ 254  

2013

    235  

2014

    219  

2015

    179  

2016

    176  
   

(8)   Accrued liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

   
 
  December 31  
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

Accounts payable nontrade

  $ 256     205  

Income taxes due to Liberty

    21     63  

Income taxes due to tax authorities

    53     55  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    98     102  

Sales and other taxes

    41     83  

Deferred revenue

    88     98  

Allowance for sales returns

    85     89  

Other

    175     185  
       

  $ 817     880  
   

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(9)   Long-term debt and interest rate swap arrangements

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

   
 
  December 31  
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

Bank credit facilities

  $ 434     785  

Senior secured notes, net of original issue discount

    1,986     1,985  

Capital lease obligations (note 10)

    70     50  
       

Total debt

    2,490     2,820  

Less current portion of capital lease obligations and bank credit facilities

    (10 )   (14 )
       

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 2,480     2,806  
   

(a) Senior Secured Notes due 2017

Effective March 23, 2010, QVC, Inc. issued $500 million principal amount of 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 at par. The notes are secured by the stock of QVC, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually.

(b) Senior Secured Notes due 2019

Effective September 25, 2009, QVC, Inc. issued $1.0 billion principal amount of 7.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 at an issue price of 98.278%. The Senior Secured Notes have equal priority to the bank credit facility. The notes are secured by the stock of QVC, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually.

(c) Senior Secured Notes due 2020

Effective March 23, 2010, QVC, Inc. issued $500 million principal amount of 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 at par. The notes are secured by the stock of QVC, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. Interest is payable semi-annually.

(d) Bank credit facilities

Effective September 2, 2010, QVC, Inc. entered into a new credit agreement which provides for a $2 billion revolving credit facility, with a $250 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. QVC, Inc. may elect that the loans extended under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR Rate or LIBOR, as each is defined in the credit agreement, plus a margin of 0.50% to 3.00% depending on various factors. The credit facility is a multi-currency facility and there is no prepayment penalty. The loans are scheduled to mature in September of 2015.

The weighted average interest rate for all borrowings under the bank credit facility outstanding at December 31, 2011 was 1.68%. QVC, Inc. had $1.6 billion available under the terms of the bank credit facility at December 31, 2011. The obligations under the bank credit facilities are secured by certain assets of QVC, Inc. and certain of its domestic subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, accounts receivable, inventory and intangible assets.

QVC, Inc. recognized a loss from the early extinguishment of debt in 2010 and 2009 in the amount of $22 million and $11 million, respectively, which is included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.

QVC, Inc. was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at December 31, 2011.

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At December 31, 2011, the Company has uncommitted credit lines with two banking institutions available for trade letters of credit. At December 31, 2011, outstanding letters of credit totaled $37 million.

The annual principal debt maturities, excluding capital lease obligations, for each of the next five years is as follows (amounts in millions):

   

2012

  $  

2013

     

2014

     

2015

    434  

2016

     
   

The fair values of the Senior Secured Notes and Bank Credit Facilities were approximately $2.2 billion and $0.4 billion, respectively, as of December 31, 2011. The terms on the existing variable rate debt approximate current market conditions; therefore, the fair values on these instruments approximate their carrying values.

(e) Interest rate swaps

During the third quarter of 2009, QVC, Inc. entered into seven interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.8 billion. Such arrangements provided for payments that began in March 2011 and will extend to March 2013. QVC, Inc. makes fixed payments at rates ranging from 2.98% to 3.67% and receives variable payments at 3 month LIBOR (0.55% at December 31, 2011). During the year ended December 31, 2011, QVC, Inc. entered into seven additional interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $1.4 billion that partially offset the existing 2009 swap arrangements. Such arrangements provided for payments that began in June 2011 and will extend to March 2013. QVC, Inc. receives fixed payments ranging from 0.57% to 0.95% and pays variable payments at 3 month LIBOR (0.55% at December 31, 2011). These swap arrangements do not qualify as cash flow hedges under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the swaps are reflected in gain on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The aggregate fair value of the interest rate swap arrangements is disclosed in note 16. At December 31, 2011, the fair value was $59 million, of which $61 million was included in other long-term liabilities and $2 million was included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2010, the fair value was $109 million, of which $23 million was included in accrued liabilities and $86 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

(10) Leases and transponder service agreements

Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases and capital transponder leases with initial terms of one year or more at December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:

   
(in millions)
  Capital
transponders

  Operating
leases

 
   

Year ended December 31:

             

2012

  $ 13     23  

2013

    12     18  

2014

    9     12  

2015

    9     10  

2016

    8     7  

Thereafter

    30     96  
       

Total

  $ 81     166  
   

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The Company transmits the QVC service in the United States on a protected, nonpreemptible transponder on a communication satellite.

The Company has entered into eight separate agreements with transponder suppliers to transmit its signals in the U.S., U.K. and Germany via various satellites at an aggregate monthly cost of $1 million. In 2011, two new agreements were entered into, resulting in the capitalization of an additional $35 million of capital lease obligations and related assets. In 2010, a new agreement was entered into, resulting in the capitalization of an additional $5 million of capital lease obligations and related assets. The agreements expire on various dates between 2012 and 2022. Depreciation expense related to the transponders was $14 million, $13 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Total future minimum lease payments of $81 million include $11 million of imputed interest.

In 2010, the Company entered into a twenty-one year operating lease for its QVC-U.K. headquarters commencing in 2012, which is included in the future minimum operating lease payments in the above table.

Expenses for operating leases, principally for data processing equipment and facilities, and for satellite uplink service agreements amounted to $24 million, $22 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

QVC's ability to continue to sell products to its customers is dependent on its ability to maintain uninterrupted broadcast via its satellite transponder network.

(11) Stock options and other share-based awards

(a) Liberty awards

QVC employees and officers receive stock options in LINTA common stock ("LINTA Options") in accordance with the Liberty Media Corporation 2000 Incentive Plan (the "Liberty Incentive Plan"). Under the Liberty Incentive Plan, the LINTA Options have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of LINTA common stock at the date of the grant. Under the Liberty Incentive Plan, LINTA Options have a seven year term from the date of grant, with LINTA Options generally becoming exercisable over four years from the date of grant, vesting in eight equal semi-annual traunches. For accounting purposes, LINTA Options are classified as equity-based awards.

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A summary of the activity of the Liberty Incentive Plan with respect to LINTA Options granted to QVC employees and officers as of and during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is presented below:

   
 
  LINTA
Options

  Weighted
average
exercise
price

  Aggregate
intrinsic
value
(000s)

  Weighted
average
remaining
life
(years)

 
   

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

    12,301,036   $ 17.10         5.4  

Granted

    11,976,369     4.57              

Exercised

    (169,139 )   4.28              

Forfeited/exchanged

    (12,949,732 )   16.22              
                         

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

    11,158,534     4.92     66,109     6.2  

Granted

    3,459,829     12.97              

Exercised

    (1,810,458 )   4.59              

Forfeited

    (434,559 )   5.86              
                         

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    12,373,346     7.18     106,270     5.4  

Granted

    5,883,749     15.99              

Exercised

    (1,759,090 )   5.41              

Forfeited

    (1,057,706 )   7.76              
                         

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

    15,440,299     10.70     85,216     5.1  
                         

Exercisable at December 31, 2011

    4,498,012     7.97     37,113     4.4  
   

Upon employee exercise of LINTA Options, the exercise price is remitted to Liberty in exchange for the shares. The aggregate intrinsic value of all options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $20 million, $18 million and $1 million, respectively.

The weighted average fair value at date of grant of a LINTA Option granted during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $7.32, $5.38 and $0.90, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the fair value of each LINTA Option award was determined as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

   
 
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Weighted average expected volatility

    45%     46%     36%  

Expected term (years)

    5.9         4.6         4.6      

Risk free interest rate

    1.2%-2.5%     2.3%     2.0%-2.4%  

Expected dividend yield

    —%     —%     —%  
   

Expected volatility is based on historical and implied volatilities of LINTA common stock over a period commensurate with the expected term of the LINTA Options. The expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and is calculated using the simplified method prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations due to lack of history. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant for an instrument with a maturity that is commensurate with the expected term of the LINTA Options. The dividend yield of zero is based on the fact that Liberty has not paid cash dividends on LINTA common stock and has no present intention to pay cash dividends.

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The fair value of LINTA Options is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. Based on QVC's historical experience of option pre-vesting cancellations, the Company has assumed an annualized forfeiture rate of 10% for all participants. QVC will record additional expense if the actual forfeiture rate is lower than estimated, and will record a recovery of prior expense if the actual forfeiture is higher than estimated.

As of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $18 million, $15 million and $14 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to these shares. As of December 31, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested LINTA Options, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $36 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. These LINTA Options had a weighted average life of 4.1 years at December 31, 2011.

On March 9, 2009, Liberty initiated an exchange offer pursuant to which eligible employees of the Company were offered the opportunity to exchange all (but not less than all) of their outstanding stock options to purchase shares of LINTA with an exercise price greater than $7.00 in exchange for new options to acquire LINTA shares.

Pursuant to the exchange offer, eligible optionholders tendered, and Liberty accepted for cancellation, eligible options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 11.2 million LINTA shares from 387 participants, representing approximately 99% of the total LINTA shares underlying options eligible for exchange in the exchange offer. On April 6, 2009, after the cancellation of the options accepted by Liberty in the exchange offer, Liberty granted to eligible optionholders who participated in the exchange offer new options, consisting of "market options" to purchase approximately 2.8 million shares at an exercise price of $3.41 per share, which was the per share closing price of LINTA shares on April 6, 2009, and "premium options" to purchase approximately 2.8 million shares at an exercise price of $6.00 per share. The exchange offer resulted in an immaterial amount of incremental compensation expense.

(b) LINTA Restricted Stock Plan

A summary of the activity of the Liberty Incentive Plan with respect to LINTA Restricted Shares granted to QVC employees and officers as of and during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 is presented below:

   
 
  Restricted
shares

  Weighted
average
grant date
fair value

 
   

Outstanding at January 1, 2009

      $  

Granted

    1,432,260     3.56  

Lapsed

         

Forfeited

    (116,950 )   3.24  
             

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

    1,315,310     3.59  

Granted

    586,586     12.97  

Lapsed

    (322,077 )   3.60  

Forfeited

    (61,650 )   4.83  
             

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

    1,518,169     7.16  

Granted

    375,160     16.33  

Lapsed

    (443,478 )   6.39  

Forfeited

    (139,379 )   8.69  
             

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

    1,310,472     9.83  
   

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As of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $4 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to these shares. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares of LINTA common stock, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $8 million as of December 31, 2011. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. These restricted shares of LINTA common stock had a weighted average life of 2.1 years at December 31, 2011.

(12) Retirement, savings and deferred compensation plans

The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan, the QVC, Inc. 401(k) Matched Savings, Retirement and Success Sharing Plan (the Plan). The Plan, which covers substantially all U.S. employees, permits eligible employees to contribute to the Plan on a pre-tax salary reduction basis in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. Employees may contribute to the Plan immediately upon their start date, with employer contributions beginning after completion of one year of service. Beginning on January 1, 2010, the Company matches a portion of the voluntary employee contributions to the Plan by contributing one dollar for every one dollar contributed by the employee up to 6% of their eligible compensation. Employees become fully vested in employer contributions immediately.

Prior to January 2010, the Company matched a portion of the voluntary employee contributions. Additionally, the Company made a retirement contribution to the Plan equal to 3% of eligible employees' salaries. Employees became fully vested in employer contributions when they attained three years of service, reach the early retirement age of 55, retire on account of long-term disability or become deceased while an active participant.

The aggregate cost of the Plan, and similar predecessor plans, net of forfeitures, charged to expense was $11 million, $11 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

QVC-U.K. sponsors a defined contribution Employee Pension Plan (the Pension Plan), which permits QVC-U.K.'s employees to make contributions up to an amount equal to 4% of their salary to the Pension Plan on a pre-tax salary reduction basis. Substantially all full-time employees are eligible to participate following the successful completion of a three month probation period. QVC-U.K. contributed an amount equal to 8% of the employee's salary in 2011, 2010 and 2009. The cost charged to expense was $3 million, $2 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

QVC-Germany sponsors a defined contribution Flexible Benefits Plan (the Benefits Plan) that covers certain employees after six months of service. QVC-Germany's contribution rate to the Benefits Plan amounts to 3% of the eligible annual employee's salary not exceeding the annual social security ceiling plus 9% of the annual salary exceeding the social security ceiling. The cost charged to expense was $1 million, for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company offers an unfunded, unsecured deferred compensation plan (the Deferred Plan) for employees who meet various eligibility requirements, most notably their annual salary exceeds a certain threshold. These eligible employees may elect to defer all or a portion of their salary and earn interest on these amounts. Interest accrues at 12% per annum on

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amounts deferred before December 31, 2005 and at prime lending rate, per the index defined in the Deferred Plan, plus 3% on amounts deferred after December 31, 2005.

(13) Income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

   
 
  Year ended
December 31
 
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Current:

                   

U.S. federal

  $ 313     282     282  

State and local

    28     (8 )   45  

Foreign jurisdiction

    117     112     81  
       

Total

    458     386     408  
       

Deferred:

                   

U.S. federal

    (97 )   (87 )   (99 )

State and local

    (15 )   (4 )   (22 )

Foreign jurisdiction

    (4 )   (13 )   (6 )
       

Total

    (116 )   (104 )   (127 )
       

Total income tax expense

  $ 342     282     281  
   

Pre-tax income was as follows:

   
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 785     663     560  

QVC-U.K. 

    (2 )   (6 )   (14 )

QVC-Germany

    32     27     8  

QVC-Japan

    199     187     149  

QVC-Italy

    (60 )   (38 )   (5 )
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 954     833     698  
   

Total income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% as a result of the following:

   
 
  Year Ended December 31  
 
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Provision at statutory rate

  $ 35.0%     35.0%     35.0%  

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

    0.9     (1.0 )   2.4  

Foreign taxes

    1.3     1.2     1.5  

Change in valuation allowance

        (0.2 )   0.3  

Foreign earnings repatriation

    (1.1 )   (1.0 )   (0.9 )

Permanent differences

        (0.5 )   2.0  

Other, net

    (0.3 )   0.4      
       

Total income tax expense

  $ 35.8%     33.9%     40.3%  
   

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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are presented below:

   
 
  December 31  
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

Deferred tax assets:

             

Accounts receivable, principally due to the allowance for doubtful accounts and related reserves for the uncollectible accounts

  $ 31     26  

Inventories, principally due to obsolescence reserves and additional costs of inventories for tax purposes pursuant to the Tax Reform Act of 1986

    39     46  

Allowance for sales returns

    31     33  

Deferred compensation

    33     27  

Unrecognized federal and state tax benefits

    32     33  

Accrued liabilities

    27     29  

Other

    42     46  
       

Subtotal

    235     240  

Valuation allowance

    (1 )   (1 )
       

Total deferred tax assets

    234     239  
       

Deferred tax liabilities:

             

Depreciation and amortization

    (1,579 )   (1,701 )

Translation of foreign currencies

    (51 )   (62 )
       

Total deferred tax liabilities

    (1,630 )   (1,763 )
       

Net deferred tax liability

  $ (1,396 )   (1,524 )
   

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was $1 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The current and prior year valuation allowance exists in part due to the uncertainty of whether or not the benefit of certain foreign tax credits will ultimately be utilized for income tax purposes.

The Company has recognized tax benefits from the exercise of employee stock options that reduced taxes payable and were credited to additional paid-in capital. The amount of the tax benefits were $8 million, $7 million and less than $1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company entered into a Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated April 26, 2004, with Liberty Interactive LLC ("Liberty LLC"). The Agreement establishes the methodology for the calculation and payment of income taxes in connection with the consolidation of the Company with Liberty for income tax purposes. Generally, the Agreement provides that the Company will pay Liberty LLC an amount equal to the tax liability, if any, that it would have if it were to file as a consolidated group separate and apart from Liberty, with exceptions for the treatment and timing of certain items, including but not limited to deferred intercompany transactions, credits, and net operating and capital losses. To the extent that the separate company tax expense is different from the payment terms of the Agreement, the difference is recorded as either a dividend or capital contribution. The differences recorded during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $10 million in dividend, $40 million in net capital contributions and $22 million in net capital contributions, respectively. The amounts of the tax-related balance due to Liberty at

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December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $21 million and $63 million, respectively, and are included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has provided for United States income taxes on the undistributed earnings of those foreign subsidiaries that are no longer intended to be permanently reinvested. The Company expects the amount of foreign tax credits available on those undistributed earnings to offset the U.S. income tax liability and to result in an incremental benefit related to the increased utilization of foreign tax credits. The amount of the U.S. income tax benefit recorded in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 on those undistributed earnings was $10 million, $8 million and $7 million, respectively.

A reconciliation of the 2011 beginning and ending amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

   
(in millions)
   
 
   

Balance at January 1, 2011

  $ 102  

Increases related to prior year tax positions

    1  

Decreases related to prior year tax positions

    (12 )

Increases related to current year tax positions

    13  

Settlements

    (4 )

Lapse of statute

    (1 )
       

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ 99  
   

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011 are potential benefits of $65 million (net of $34 million federal tax benefit) that, if recognized, would affect the effective rate on income from continuing operations.

The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other income (expense). The amount of reported interest (income) expense on unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $(1) million, $(5) million and $5 million, respectively. The Company had approximately $21 million and $22 million of interest expense accrued at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company reported penalty expense of $1 million, $1 million and $4 million on unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company has tax positions for which the amount of related unrecognized tax benefits could change during 2012. These include federal transfer pricing and nonfederal tax issues. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to the transfer pricing issue could increase by less than $1 million in 2012 as a result of potential settlements and revisions to settlement estimates. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to nonfederal tax issues could have a net decrease of $4 million in 2012 as a result of potential settlements, lapsing of statute of limitations and revisions to settlement estimates.

The Company participates in a consolidated federal return filing with Liberty. As of December 31, 2011, the Company's tax years through 2007 are closed for federal income tax purposes, and the IRS has completed its examination of the Company's 2008, 2009, and 2010 tax years. The Company's 2011 tax year is being examined currently as part of the Liberty consolidated return under the IRS's Compliance Assurance Process ("CAP") program. The Company is currently under examination in the states of California, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as in the U.K. and Germany.

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(14) Commitments and contingencies

The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that the amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Network and information systems, including the internet and telecommunication systems, third party delivery services and other technologies are critical to our business activities. Substantially all our customer orders, fulfillment and delivery services are dependent upon the use of network and information systems, including the use of third party telecommunication and delivery service providers. If information systems including the internet or telecommunication services are disrupted, or if the third party delivery services experience a disruption in their transportation delivery services, we could face a significant disruption in fulfilling our customer orders and shipment of our products. We have active disaster recovery programs in place to help mitigate risks associated with these critical business activities.

(15) Note receivable—related party

Prior to December 2008, the Company loaned various amounts to Liberty. In December 2008, it was determined by Liberty and the Company that the loans would be satisfied by means other than cash payment. Accordingly, the Company classified the notes as a reduction of equity. Included in equity at December 31, 2008 are $7,835 million of principal and accrued interest. The Company distributed $7,835 million of notes to Liberty in the form of dividends during the year ended December 31, 2009. As such, no amounts were collected by QVC in cash. There were no remaining balances outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(16) Assets and liabilities measured at fair value

For assets and liabilities required to be reported or disclosed at fair value, U.S. GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

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The Company's assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value were as follows:

   
 
   
  Fair value measurements
at December 31, 2011 using
 
Description
  Total
  Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)

  Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

  Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 
   

Assets:

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 493     493          

Interest rate swap arrangements (note 9)

    2         2      

Liabilities:

                         

Interest rate swap arrangements (note 9)

    61         61      

Debt (note 9)

    2,636         2,636      
   

 

   
 
   
  Fair value measurements
at December 31, 2010 using
 
Description
  Total
  Quoted prices
in active
markets for
identical
assets
(Level 1)

  Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

  Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 
   

Assets:

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 550     550          

Liabilities:

                         

Interest rate swap arrangements (note 9)

    109         109      

Debt (note 9)

    2,888         2,888      
   

The majority of the Company's Level 2 financial assets and liabilities are debt instruments with quoted market prices that are not considered to be traded on "active markets", as defined in U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the financial instruments are reported in the foregoing tables as Level 2 fair value instruments.

U.S. GAAP requires the incorporation of a credit risk valuation adjustment in the Company's fair value measurements to estimate the impact of both its own nonperformance risk and the nonperformance risk of its counterparties. The Company estimates credit risk associated with its own and its counterparties' nonperformance primarily by using observable credit default swap rates for terms similar to those of the remaining life of the instrument, adjusted for any master netting arrangements or other factors that provide an estimate of nonperformance risk. These are Level 3 inputs. However, as the credit risk valuation adjustments were not significant, the Company continues to report its interest rate swaps as Level 2. The counterparties to the Company's interest rate swap arrangements are all major international financial institutions. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by these counterparties. The Company continually monitors its positions and the credit ratings of its counterparties and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

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(17) Information about QVC's operating segments

Each of the Company's operating segments are retailers of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised-shopping programs as well as via the internet and mobile applications in certain markets. The Company has operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy. As such, the Company has identified five reportable segments: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy. The Company previously managed its operations and reported results under two business segments: Domestic and International.

The Company evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as net revenue, adjusted OIBDA, gross margin, average sales price per unit, number of units shipped and revenue or sales per subscriber equivalent. The Company defines adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). The Company believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its segments, including the ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking among our businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation, that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Performance measures

   
 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  
(in millions)
  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

  Net
revenue

  Adjusted
OIBDA

 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 5,412     1,225     5,241     1,191     4,987     1,109  

QVC-U.K. 

    626     111     599     109     578     101  

QVC-Germany

    1,068     199     956     181     942     172  

QVC-Japan

    1,127     241     1,015     224     867     183  

QVC-Italy

    35     (43 )   2     (32 )        
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 8,268     1,733     7,813     1,673     7,374     1,565  
   

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Other information

   
 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2011   2010   2009  
(in millions)
  Depreciation
  Amortization
  Depreciation
  Amortization
  Depreciation
  Amortization
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 52     376     55     334     57     334  

QVC-U.K. 

    13     11     14     11     13     11  

QVC-Germany

    33     36     32     36     33     44  

QVC-Japan

    29     12     24     14     22     14  

QVC-Italy

    8     4     3              
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 135     439     128     395     125     403  
   

   
 
  December 31,  
 
  2011   2010  
(in millions)
  Total
assets

  Capital
expenditures

  Total
assets

  Capital
expenditures

 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 10,682     101     11,132     106  

QVC-U.K. 

    577     53     593     22  

QVC-Germany

    1,112     35     1,286     24  

QVC-Japan

    959     63     725     14  

QVC-Italy

    240     7     84     54  
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 13,570     259     13,820     220  
   

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to income before income taxes:

   
 
  Years Ended
December 31,
 
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
  2009
 
   

Consolidated adjusted OIBDA

  $ 1,733     1,673     1,565  

Stock-based compensation

    (22 )   (18 )   (18 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (574 )   (523 )   (528 )

Gain on financial instruments

    50     40     32  

Gain (loss) on investments

    (2 )   105     (6 )

Interest expense

    (231 )   (415 )   (357 )

Interest income

    2     2     6  

Foreign currency gain (loss)

    (2 )   (8 )   19  

Other, net

        (23 )   (15 )
       

Income before income taxes

  $ 954     833     698  
   

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Long-lived assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic area were as follows:

   
 
  December 31,  
(in millions)
  2011
  2010
 
   

QVC-U.S. 

  $ 432     432  

QVC-U.K. 

    142     106  

QVC-Germany

    233     216  

QVC-Japan

    224     183  

QVC-Italy

    53     60  
       

Consolidated QVC

  $ 1,084     997  
   

(18) Subsequent event

On February 21, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Send the Trend, Inc. ("STT") for $17 million in cash. The purchase agreements also provide for additional payments to be made based upon the achievement of certain objectives; however, the Company does not expect the additional payments to be material to the financial statements. STT is an e-commerce company based in New York City, NY, U.S. that provides customers a way to shop for personalized fashion accessories and beauty products. This transaction is expected to strengthen QVC's penetration in e-commerce.

On July 2, 2012, QVC issued $500 million principal amount of 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 at par. The net proceeds from the issuance of these instruments were used to reduce the outstanding principal under the QVC Bank Credit Facilities and for general corporate purposes.

On July 4, 2012, the Company entered into a joint venture with China Broadcasting Corporation, a limited liability company, owned by China National Radio ("CNR") for a 49% interest in a CNR subsidiary, CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd. ("CNRS") for $55 million including an $11 million capital contribution that was paid in June 2012 and was included in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet. CNRS operates a retailing business in China through a televised shopping channel with an associated website. CNRS is headquartered in Beijing, China. The joint venture's strategy is to combine CNRS' existing knowledge of the digital shopping market and consumers in China with QVC's global experience and know-how in multimedia retailing.

On August 9, 2012, Liberty completed the recapitalization of its common stock into shares of the corresponding series of two new tracking stocks, Liberty Interactive (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB) and Liberty Ventures (Nasdaq: LVNTA, LVNTB). QVC is now attributed to the Liberty Interactive tracking stock, which will track the assets and liabilities of Liberty's Interactive Group (the "Interactive Group"). The Interactive Group does not represent a separate legal entity; rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that are attributed to that group. Liberty attributed to its Interactive Group those businesses primarily focused on digital commerce. To partially fund the cash attributed to Liberty Ventures, QVC declared and paid dividends to Liberty in the amount of $1.2 billion, $0.8 billion of which was funded with borrowings from QVC's senior secured credit facility.

In addition to the $1.2 billion dividend noted in the preceding paragraph, QVC declared and paid dividends to Liberty in the amount of $0.5 billion during 2012.

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(19) Guarantor/Non-guarantor Subsidiary Financial Information

The following information contains the condensed consolidating financial statements for the Company, the subsidiary issuer and parent (QVC, Inc.), the combined subsidiary guarantors (Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.; Affiliate Investment, Inc.; AMI 2, Inc.; ER Marks, Inc.; QVC International LLC; QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. and QVC San Antonio, LLC) and the combined non-guarantor subsidiaries pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. Certain non-guarantor subsidiaries are majority owned by QVC International LLC, which is a guarantor subsidiary.

These condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company's financial information on the same basis of accounting as the Company's consolidated financial statements. The principal elimination entries relate to investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions, such as management fees, royalty revenue and expense and interest income and expense. Goodwill and other intangible assets have been allocated to the subsidiaries based on management's estimates. Certain costs have been partially allocated to all of the subsidiaries of the Company.

The subsidiary issuer and subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by the Company. All guarantees are full and unconditional and are joint and several. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company to obtain funds from its domestic subsidiaries, including the guarantors, by dividend or loan. The Company has not presented separate notes and other disclosures concerning the subsidiary guarantors as the Company has determined that such material information is available in the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated balance sheets

   
 
  December 31, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Assets

 

Current assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3     223     334         560  

Restricted cash

    15                 15  

Accounts receivable, net

    721         299         1,020  

Inventories

    693         213         906  

Deferred income taxes

    116         22         138  

Prepaid expenses

    27         27         54  
       

Total current assets

    1,575     223     895         2,693  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    247     66     771         1,084  

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

        724     181         905  

Goodwill

    4,162         1,077         5,239  

Other intangible assets, net

    1,443     2,049     132         3,624  

Other noncurrent assets

    13         12         25  

Investments in subsidiaries

    3,891     1,168         (5,059 )    
       

Total assets

  $ 11,331     4,230     3,068     (5,059 )   13,570  
       

Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:

                               

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 2         8         10  

Accounts payable—trade

    257         234         491  

Accrued liabilities

    348     69     400         817  

Intercompany accounts (receivable) payable

    (300 )   (307 )   607          
       

Total current liabilities

    307     (238 )   1,249         1,318  

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

    2,435         45         2,480  

Deferred compensation

    11                 11  

Deferred income taxes

    489     1,002     43         1,534  

Other long-term liabilities

    199     1     8         208  
       

Total liabilities

    3,441     765     1,345         5,551  
       

Equity:

                               

QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity

    7,890     3,465     1,594     (5,059 )   7,890  

Noncontrolling interest

            129         129  
       

Total equity

    7,890     3,465     1,723     (5,059 )   8,019  
       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 11,331     4,230     3,068     (5,059 )   13,570  

                               
   

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QVC, inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated balance sheets

   
 
  December 31, 2010  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Assets

 

Current assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 44     160     417         621  

Restricted cash

    16                 16  

Accounts receivable, net

    591         266         857  

Inventories

    726         213         939  

Deferred income taxes

    129         26         155  

Prepaid expenses

    24         30         54  
       

Total current assets

    1,530     160     952         2,642  

Property, plant and equipment, net

    248     63     686         997  

Cable and satellite television distribution rights, net

        855     216         1,071  

Goodwill

    4,162         1,085         5,247  

Other intangible assets, net

    1,633     2,048     152         3,833  

Other noncurrent assets

    16         14         30  

Investments in subsidiaries

    4,010     1,288         (5,298 )    
       

Total assets

  $ 11,599     4,414     3,105     (5,298 )   13,820  
       

Liabilities and equity

 

Current liabilities:

                               

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations

  $ 2         12         14  

Accounts payable—trade

    313         226         539  

Accrued liabilities

    381     67     432         880  

Intercompany accounts (receivable) payable

    (217 )   (400 )   617          
       

Total current liabilities

    479     (333 )   1,287         1,433  

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

    2,786         20         2,806  

Deferred compensation

    10                 10  

Deferred income taxes

    566     1,049     64         1,679  

Other long-term liabilities

    226     1     11         238  
       

Total liabilities

    4,067     717     1,382         6,166  
       

Equity:

                               

QVC, Inc. shareholder's equity

    7,532     3,697     1,601     (5,298 )   7,532  

Noncontrolling interest

            122         122  
       

Total equity

    7,532     3,697     1,723     (5,298 )   7,654  
       

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 11,599     4,414     3,105     (5,298 )   13,820  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  December 31, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Net revenue

  $ 5,684     790     2,789     (995 )   8,268  

Cost of goods sold

    3,580     120     1,833     (255 )   5,278  
       

Gross profit

    2,104     670     956     (740 )   2,990  
       

Operating expenses:

                               

Operating

    191     201     366         758  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    947         314     (740 )   521  

Depreciation

    36     4     95         135  

Amortization of intangible assets

    242     133     64         439  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    89     (27 )   (62 )        
       

    1,505     311     777     (740 )   1,853  
       

Operating income

    599     359     179         1,137  
       

Other income (expense):

                               

Loss on sale of investments

            (2 )       (2 )

Gain on financial instruments

    50                 50  

Interest expense

    (230 )       (1 )       (231 )

Interest income

            2         2  

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (3 )   (2 )   3         (2 )

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (9 )   53     (44 )        
       

    (192 )   51     (42 )       (183 )
       

Income before income taxes

    407     410     137         954  

Income tax expense

    (110 )   (124 )   (108 )       (342 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    263     70         (333 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    560     356     29     (333 )   612  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (52 )       (52 )
       

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 560     356     (23 )   (333 )   560  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  December 31, 2010  
(in millions)
  Subsidiary
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Net revenue

  $ 5,480     783     2,529   (979 )   7,813  

Cost of goods sold

    3,478     121     1,663   (254 )   5,008  
       

Gross profit

    2,002     662     866   (725 )   2,805  
       

Operating expenses:

                             

Operating

    185     202     328       715  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    887     1     272   (725 )   435  

Depreciation

    37     5     86       128  

Amortization of intangible assets

    197     135     63       395  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    105     (33 )   (72 )      
       

    1,411     310     677   (725 )   1,673  
       

Operating income

    591     352     189       1,132  
       

Other income (expense):

                             

(Loss) gain on sale of investments

    (27 )       132       105  

Gain on financial instruments

    40               40  

Interest expense

    (414 )       (1 )     (415 )

Interest income

            2       2  

Foreign currency (loss) gain

    (6 )   (9 )   7       (8 )

Other expense

    (22 )       (1 )     (23 )

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (6 )   51     (45 )      
       

    (435 )   42     94       (299 )
       

Income before income taxes

    156     394     283       833  

Income tax expense

    (9 )   (122 )   (151 )     (282 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    357     78       (435 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    504     350     132   (435 )   551  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (47 )     (47 )
       

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 504     350     85   (435 )   504  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of operations

   
 
  December 31, 2009  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Net revenue

  $ 5,189     759     2,393     (967 )   7,374  

Cost of goods sold

    3,333     120     1,560     (258 )   4,755  
       

Gross profit

    1,856     639     833     (709 )   2,619  
       

Operating expenses:

                               

Operating

    171     196     317         684  

Selling, general and administrative, including stock based compensation

    843         254     (709 )   388  

Depreciation

    38     5     82         125  

Amortization of intangible assets

    202     129     72         403  

Intercompany management expense (income)

    109     (42 )   (67 )        
       

    1,363     288     658     (709 )   1,600  
       

Operating income

    493     351     175         1,019  
       

Other income (expense):

                               

Loss on sale of investments

            (6 )       (6 )

Gain on financial instruments

    32                 32  

Interest expense

    (356 )       (1 )       (357 )

Interest income

    3     1     2         6  

Foreign currency gain (loss)

    1     19     (1 )       19  

Other expense

    (11 )       (4 )       (15 )

Intercompany interest (expense) income

    (6 )   53     (47 )        
       

    (337 )   73     (57 )       (321 )
       

Income before income taxes

    156     424     118         698  

Income tax expense

    (58 )   (132 )   (91 )       (281 )

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

    281     108         (389 )    
       

Net income (loss)

    379     400     27     (389 )   417  

Less net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

            (38 )       (38 )
       

Net income (loss) attributable to QVC, Inc. shareholder

  $ 379     400     (11 )   (389 )   379  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

   
 
  December 31, 2011  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Operating activities:

                               

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 327     380     111         818  
       

Investing activities:

                               

Capital expenditures, net

    (87 )   (8 )   (164 )       (259 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

        (2 )           (2 )

Decrease in restricted cash

    1                 1  

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

    4                 4  

Intercompany investing activities

    382     190         (572 )    
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    300     180     (164 )   (572 )   (256 )
       

Financing activities:

                               

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (351 )       (21 )       (372 )

Dividends paid to Liberty

    (205 )               (205 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

            (50 )       (50 )

Net short-term intercompany debt (repayments) borrowings

    (83 )   93     (10 )        

Intercompany financing activities

    (29 )   (590 )   47     572      
       

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (668 )   (497 )   (34 )   572     (627 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            4         4  
       

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (41 )   63     (83 )       (61 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    44     160     417         621  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 3     223     334         560  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

   
 
  December 31, 2010  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Operating activities:

                               

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 693     371     140         1,204  
       

Investing activities:

                               

Capital expenditures, net

    (25 )   (1 )   (194 )       (220 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

        (2 )   (2 )       (4 )

Proceeds from joint ventures and equity investees

            220         220  

Decrease in restricted cash

    2                 2  

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

    (13 )       6         (7 )

Intercompany investing activities

    460     324         (784 )    
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    424     321     30     (784 )   (9 )
       

Financing activities:

                               

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (4,117 )       (25 )       (4,142 )

Principal borrowings of debt

    1,905                 1,905  

Proceeds from issuance of senior secured notes, net of original issue discount

    1,000                 1,000  

Payment of debt origination fees

    (27 )               (27 )

Dividends paid to Liberty

    (9 )               (9 )

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

            (63 )       (63 )

Net short-term intercompany debt borrowings (repayments)

    97     14     (111 )        

Intercompany financing activities

        (739 )   (45 )   784      
       

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (1,151 )   (725 )   (244 )   784     (1,336 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            14         14  
       

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (34 )   (33 )   (60 )       (127 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    78     193     477         748  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 44     160     417         621  
   

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QVC, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

   
 
  December 31, 2009  
(in millions)
  Parent
issuer—
QVC, Inc.

  Combined
subsidiary
guarantors

  Combined
non-guarantor
subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  Consolidated—
QVC, Inc. and
subsidiaries

 
   

Operating activities:

                               

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 478     404     266         1,148  
       

Investing activities:

                               

Capital expenditures, net

    (54 )   (4 )   (123 )       (181 )

Expenditures for cable and satellite television distribution rights

        (85 )   69         (16 )

Proceeds from joint ventures and equity investees

            3         3  

Increase in restricted cash

    (18 )               (18 )

Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

    (10 )       17         7  

Intercompany investing activities

    594     448         (1,042 )    
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    512     359     (34 )   (1,042 )   (205 )
       

Financing activities:

                               

Principal payments of debt and capital lease obligations

    (2,235 )       (9 )       (2,244 )

Proceeds from issuance of senior secured notes, net of original issue discount

    983                 983  

Payment of debt origination fees

    (65 )               (65 )

Contributions from Liberty

    522                 522  

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

            (59 )       (59 )

Net short-term intercompany debt (repayments) borrowings

    (153 )   3     150          

Intercompany financing activities

        (781 )   (261 )   1,042      
       

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (948 )   (778 )   (179 )   1,042     (863 )
       

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

            (17 )       (17 )
       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    42     (15 )   36         63  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

    36     208     441         685  
       

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $ 78     193     477         748  
   

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$500,000,000

LOGO

QVC, Inc.

Exchange Offer for
5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022



Prospectus

[                           ], 2012




Table of Contents


Part II: Information not required in prospectus

Item 20.    Indemnification of directors and officers.

QVC, Inc.

Delaware law

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") provides, generally, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (except actions by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matters as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides, generally, that the certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision may not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of Title 8 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision may eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision became effective.

Restated certificate of incorporation

Article Six of our restated certificate of incorporation provides as follows:

No director of the corporation (which shall include any stockholder of the corporation exercising any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the board of directors by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for any breach of fiduciary duty of such director as a director to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

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Bylaws

Article VII of our bylaws provides in relevant part (with capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meanings assigned to them in the bylaws) as follows:

Section 7-1.    Indemnification.    Subject to Section 7-3 of this Article VII, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who is a Shareholder Director or officer of the Corporation or any Shareholder Director or officer who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (any such person is hereinafter referred to in this Article VII as a "Shareholder Director or officer") against expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by such Shareholder Director or officer ("liabilities"), to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (as used in this Article VII, "Proceeding" or, in the plural, "Proceedings"), brought or threatened to be brought against such Shareholder Director or officer by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving in any such capacity or in any other capacity on behalf of the Corporation, its parent or any of its subsidiaries.

The Board by resolution adopted in each specific instance may similarly indemnify any person other than a Shareholder Director or officer (any such person is hereinafter referred to in this Article VII as an "Other Person") for liabilities incurred by him or her in connection with services rendered by him or her for or at the request of the Corporation, its parent or any of its subsidiaries.

Section 7-2.    Advances.    Subject to Section 7-3 of this Article VII, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees) incurred by any Shareholder Director or officer in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding as authorized by the Board in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Shareholder Director or officer, to repay such amount without interest if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by law. Advance expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees) incurred by Other Persons may be paid if the Board deems appropriate and upon such terms and conditions, including the giving of an undertaking, as the Board deems appropriate.

Section 7-3.    Actions Initiated Against the Corporation.    Anything in Sections 7-1 or 7-2 of this Article VII to the contrary notwithstanding, with respect to a Proceeding initiated against the Corporation by any person who is or was a Shareholder Director or officer, or by an indemnified person other than a Shareholder Director or officer who is or was adopted by resolution of the Board as an Other Person, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify or to advance expenses (including attorney's fees) to such Shareholder Director, officer or Other Person in connection with prosecuting such Proceeding (or part thereof) or in defending any counterclaim, cross-claim, affirmative defense, or like claim of the Corporation in such Proceeding (or part thereof) unless such Proceeding was authorized by the Board.

Section 7-4.    Applicability; Survival.    The provisions of Sections 7-1 and 7-2 shall be applicable to all Proceedings commenced before or after the amendment, repeal, or modification of, or adoption of this Article VII, regardless of whether such arise out of acts or omissions which occurred prior or subsequent to such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Shareholder Director or officer (or, where and

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so long as the Board has authorized indemnification or advancement of expenses to an Other Person in accordance with this Article VII, to an Other Person who has ceased to render services for or at the request of the Corporation its parent or subsidiaries), and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 7-5.    Insurance.    The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Shareholder Director, officer, or Other Person of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Shareholder Director, officer, or Other Person of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under law.

Section 7-6.    Non-Exclusivity.    The indemnification and advancement of the expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII, shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Stockholder Directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

Indemnification agreements

We have entered into certain indemnity agreements with certain of our executive officers that require us to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by law as soon as practicable, but in any event no later than 30 days after written demand is presented to us, against any and all expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such expenses, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement) of such claim. If such person requests, we will also advance (within five business days of such request) any and all expenses related to such claims. The indemnification agreements also set forth certain procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification and for reimbursement to us if it is found that such person is not entitled to such indemnification under applicable law.

Subsidiary guarantors

Affiliate Investment, Inc.; Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.; AMI 2, Inc.; ER Marks, Inc.

Delaware law

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") provides, generally, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (except actions by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may similarly indemnify such person for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in

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connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the corporation, provided that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in the case of claims, issues and matters as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, provided that a court shall have determined, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides, generally, that the certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision may not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of Title 8 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision may eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision became effective.

Affiliate Investment, Inc.

Certificate of incorporation

Article Seven of the certificate of incorporation of Affiliate Investment, Inc. provides as follows:

A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director's capacity as a director, except that this provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for (i) a breach of a director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its shareholders; (ii) an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) a transaction from which a director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director's office; nor (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly provided for by statute, including § 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Any repeal or amendment of this provision by the shareholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or amendment. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not liable as set forth in the preceding sentences, a director shall be exonerated from liability to the fullest extent permitted by any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a director.

Bylaws

Section 5 of Article VII of the bylaws of Affiliate Investment, Inc. provides as follows:

The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. With regard to a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

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Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.

Certificate of incorporation

Article Seven of the certificate of incorporation of Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc. provides as follows:

No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

Bylaws

Section 5 of Article VII of the bylaws of Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc. provides as follows:

The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. With regard to a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

AMI 2, Inc.

Certificate of incorporation

Article Seven of the certificate of incorporation of AMI 2, Inc. provides as follows:

No Director of the Corporation shall have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholder for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director; provided, however, that nothing herein shall eliminate or limit the liability of a Director: (1) for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (4) for any transaction from which the Director received an improper benefit.

Bylaws

Article VI of the bylaws of AMI 2, Inc. provides as follows:

Section 6.1.    Right to Indemnification.    The corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity,

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including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

Section 6.2.    Prepayment of Expenses.    The corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.

Section 6.3.    Claims.    If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses under this Article is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the corporation the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

Section 6.4.    Non-Exclusivity of Rights.    The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, these by-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 6.5.    Other Indemnification.    The corporation's obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

Section 6.6.    Amendment or Repeal.    Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VI shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

ER Marks, Inc.

Certificate of incorporation

Article Seven of the certificate of incorporation of ER Marks, Inc. provides as follows:

No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

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Bylaws

Section 5 of Article VII of the bylaws of ER Marks, Inc. provides as follows:

The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. With regard to a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

QVC International LLC

Delaware law

Section 108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company has the power to absolutely indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager from and against any claims.

Limited Liability Company Agreement

Section 11.3 of the limited liability company agreement of QVC International LLC provides in relevant part (with capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meanings assigned to them in the limited liability company agreement) the following:

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Director or officer of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (as defined below) and any officer, director, shareholder, partner, employee, representative or agent of any such Director, officer or Affiliate (each, a "Covered Person") and each former Covered Person from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts (including any investigation, legal and other reasonable expenses) arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative ("Claims"), in which the Covered Person or former Covered Person may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its management of the affairs of the Company or that relates to or arises out of the Company or its formation, operation, dissolution or termination or its property, business or affairs. The Company may indemnify any employee, representative or agent of the Company when, as and if determined by the Board of Directors, to the same extent as provided to Covered Persons pursuant to this Section 11.3. A Covered Person or former Covered Person will not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 11.3 with respect to (a) any Claim that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined results from (i) any breach of such Covered Person's duty of loyalty to the Company or its Shareholders, (ii) any act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) any transaction from which such Covered Person derived an improper personal benefit or (b) any Claim initiated by such Covered Person unless such Claim (or part thereof) (i) was brought to enforce such Covered Person's rights to indemnification under this Agreement or (ii) was authorized or consented to by the Board.

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.

North Carolina law

Section 55-8-51 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act ("NCBCA") provides that a corporation may indemnify an individual made a party to a proceeding because he is or was a

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director against liability incurred in the proceeding if (1) he conducted himself in good faith; (2) he reasonably believed (a) in the case of conduct in his official capacity with the corporation, that his conduct was in its best interests; and (b) in all other cases, that his conduct was at least not opposed to its best interests; and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. However, a corporation may not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to him, whether or not involving action in his official capacity, in which he was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him.

Section 55-8-52 of the NCBCA provides that unless the Articles of Incorporation state otherwise, requires a corporation to indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he was a party because he is or was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding.

Additionally, § 55-8-53 of the NCBCA allows a corporation to advance expenses incurred by a director in defending a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding as authorized by the board of directors in the specific case or as authorized or required under any provision in the articles of incorporation or bylaws or by any applicable resolution or contract upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director to repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation against such expenses. Section 55-8-56 of the NCBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent to the same extent as a director.

Bylaws

Article VII of the bylaws of QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. provides in relevant part (with capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meanings assigned to them in the bylaws) as follows:

Section 7.01.    Right to Indemnification.    Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (hereinafter, a "proceeding" and including without limitation, a proceeding brought by or behalf of the Corporation itself), by reason that he is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or as trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a Director of officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent, trustee or administrator, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Act as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than the Act permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to

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a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity that initially entitled such person to indemnification hereunder and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators; provided , however , that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article VII shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided , however , that, if the Act so requires, the payment of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.

Section 7.02.    Right of Claimant to Bring Suit.    If a claim under Section 7.01 hereof is not paid in full by the Corporation within 90 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholder) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the act, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 7.03.    Nonexclusivity of Rights.    The right to indemnification and the advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law (common or statutory), the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement, the vote of shareholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.

QVC San Antonio, LLC

Texas Law

Section 101.402 of the Texas Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company may indemnify a person; pay in advance or reimburse expenses incurred by a person; and purchase or procure or establish and maintain insurance or another arrangement to indemnify or hold harmless a person.

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Company agreement

Article IX of the company agreement of QVC San Antonio, LLC provides in relevant part (with capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meanings assigned to them in the company agreement) as follows:

9.3    Indemnification.    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Shareholder, Director, and officer shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Person by this Agreement, unless it is finally adjudicated that such loss, damage or claim was incurred by reason of such Person's gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of contract; provided , however , that any indemnity under this Section 9.3 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and no Shareholder shall have any personal liability on account thereof. The indemnification provided by this Section 9.3 shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to serve in the capacity by reason of which the Person was indemnified under this Section with respect to matters arising during the period the Person served in such capacity, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such Person.

9.4    Advancement of Expenses.    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Shareholder, Director, or officer in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (including court costs and attorneys' fees) shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 9.3 hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, the Company may pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a Shareholder, Director, or officer in connection with his appearance as a witness or other participation in a proceeding at a time when the Shareholder, Director, or officer is not named a defendant or respondent in the proceeding.

Item 21.    Exhibits and financial statement schedules.

(a)
Exhibits . The following is a complete list of Exhibits filed as part of this registration statement.

 
Exhibit
No.

  Description of exhibit
 
  3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of QVC, Inc. dated October 26, 2009*
  3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws of QVC, Inc.*
  3.3   Certificate of Incorporation of Affiliate Investment, Inc. dated October 8, 1999*
  3.4   Bylaws of Affiliate Investment, Inc.*
  3.5   Certificate of Incorporation of Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc. dated December 23, 1996*
  3.6   By-Laws of Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.*
  3.7   Certificate of Incorporation of AMI 2, Inc. dated February 18, 2009*
  3.8   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of AMI 2, Inc. dated March 31, 2009*
  3.9   By-Laws of AMI 2, Inc. dated February 24, 2009*

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Exhibit
No.

  Description of exhibit
 
  3.10   Certificate of Incorporation of ER Marks, Inc. dated December 23, 1996*
  3.11   Certificate of Ownership and Merger of TBH Marks, Inc. with and into ER Marks, Inc. dated April 9, 2012*
  3.12   By-Laws of ER Marks, Inc.*
  3.13   Certificate of Incorporation of QVC International, Inc. dated June 25, 1993*
  3.14   Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company of QVC International, Inc. dated October 23, 2008*
  3.15   Certificate of Formation of QVC International LLC dated October 23, 2008*
  3.16   Limited Liability Company Agreement of QVC International LLC dated October 23, 2008*
  3.17   Articles of Incorporation of QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. dated July 20, 1999*
  3.18   Bylaws of QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.*
  3.19   Certificate of Conversion of QVC San Antonio, Inc. dated October 28, 2008*
  3.20   Certificate of Formation of QVC San Antonio, LLC dated October 28, 2008*
  3.21   Statement of Change of Address of Registered Agent of QVC San Antonio, LLC dated October 30, 2009*
  3.22   Company Agreement of QVC San Antonio, LLC dated October 29, 2008*
  4.1   Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 among QVC, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association*
  4.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, by and among QVC, Inc., the guarantors named therein and the initial purchasers named therein*
  5.1   Opinion of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. as to the validity of the securities being registered*
  5.2   Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC concerning matters of North Carolina law*
  5.3   Opinion of Jackson Walker L.L.P. concerning matters of Texas law*
  8.1   Opinion of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. with respect to federal tax matters*
  10.1   Indenture dated as of September 25, 2009 among QVC, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2011*
  10.2   Indenture dated as of March 23, 2010 among QVC, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2011*
  10.3   Credit Agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among QVC, Inc., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto*
  10.4   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 28, 2006 between Barclays Bank PLC and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of August 28, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 12, 2009 and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.5   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 18, 2006 between Calyon and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of April 18, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 31, 2009, and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.6   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 12, 2006 between The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of April 12, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 21, 2009, and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*

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Exhibit
No.

  Description of exhibit
 
  10.7   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between The Bank of Nova Scotia and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 30, 2009, and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.8   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006*
  10.9   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 8, 2006 between Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of August 28, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.10   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of July 20, 2010 between BNP Paribas and the Company as amended by the First Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.11   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006*
  10.12   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between Suntrust Bank and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006*
  10.13   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 10, 2009, as further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.14   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 11, 2009 between Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of August 11, 2009, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.15   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of July 21, 2009 between Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of July 21, 2009, as amended by the Amendment dated September 2, 2010*
  10.16   Forms of Indemnification Agreements between QVC, Inc. and executive officers*
  12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (included in the attached prospectus)
  21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant*
  23.1   Consent of KPMG L.L.P.*
  23.2   Consent of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.3   Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.2)
  23.4   Consent of Opinion of Jackson Walker L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.3)
  24.1   Power of Attorney for each Registrant (included beginning on Page II-15)
  25.1   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee*
  99.1   Form of Letter of Transmittal*
  99.2   Form of Letter to Clients*
  99.3   Form of Letter to Depository Trust Company Participants*
 

*      Filed herewith.

(b)
Financial Statement Schedules . Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information set forth therein is not material, not applicable or is included in the financial statements or notes of the prospectus, which forms a part of this registration statement.

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Item 22.    Undertakings.

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 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act 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;

    (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.

(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 liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

    (i)    Each prospectus filed by the 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; 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)   That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, 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 purchaser by means of any of the

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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.

(6)   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 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to 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.

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 Securities and Exchange 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.

(7)   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 of 1939 (the "Act") in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(8)   To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

(9)   To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of West Goshen, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on October 19, 2012.

    QVC, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE

    Name:   Michael A. George
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer


Power of attorney

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Lawrence R. Hayes and Daniel T. O'Connell, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) of the type contemplated by Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE

Michael A. George
  President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 19, 2012

/s/ DANIEL T. O'CONNELL

Daniel T. O'Connell

 

Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

October 19, 2012

/s/ CHRISTOPHER W. SHEAN

Christopher W. Shean

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Interactive, LLC, as the sole member of Liberty QVC Holding, LLC, as Shareholder-Director of QVC,  Inc.

 

October 19, 2012

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, on October 19, 2012.

    Affiliate Investment, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DANIEL FEINER

    Name:   Daniel Feiner
    Title:   President

 

 

Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DANIEL FEINER

    Name:   Daniel Feiner
    Title:   President

 

 

AMI 2, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DANIEL FEINER

    Name:   Daniel Feiner
    Title:   President

 

 

ER Marks, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DANIEL FEINER

    Name:   Daniel Feiner
    Title:   President

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Power of attorney

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Daniel Feiner, Nicole Maganas, and Kathy Blankley, as his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) of the type contemplated by Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ DANIEL FEINER

Daniel Feiner
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 19, 2012

/s/ NICOLE MAGANAS

Nicole Maganas

 

Vice President, Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

October 19, 2012

/s/ KATHY BLANKLEY

Kathy Blankley

 

Director

 

October 19, 2012

 

Charles J. Durante

 

Director

 

 

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of West Goshen, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on October 19, 2012.

    QVC International LLC

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE

    Name:   Michael A. George
    Title:   President

 

 

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE

    Name:   Michael A. George
    Title:   President

 

 

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE

    Name:   Michael A. George
    Title:   President

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Power of attorney

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Lawrence R. Hayes and Daniel T. O'Connell, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) of the type contemplated by Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ MICHAEL A. GEORGE

Michael A. George
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  October 19, 2012

/s/ DANIEL T. O'CONNELL

Daniel T. O'Connell

 

Executive Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

October 19, 2012

/s/ LAWRENCE R. HAYES

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

Director

 

October 19, 2012

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Exhibit list

(a)
Exhibits . The following is a complete list of Exhibits filed as part of this registration statement.

 
Exhibit
No.

  Description of exhibit
 
  3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of QVC, Inc. dated October 26, 2009*
  3.2   Amended and Restated By-Laws of QVC, Inc.*
  3.3   Certificate of Incorporation of Affiliate Investment, Inc. dated October 8, 1999*
  3.4   Bylaws of Affiliate Investment, Inc.*
  3.5   Certificate of Incorporation of Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc. dated December 23, 1996*
  3.6   By-Laws of Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.*
  3.7   Certificate of Incorporation of AMI 2, Inc. dated February 18, 2009*
  3.8   Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of AMI 2, Inc. dated March 31, 2009*
  3.9   By-Laws of AMI 2, Inc. dated February 24, 2009*
  3.10   Certificate of Incorporation of ER Marks, Inc. dated December 23, 1996*
  3.11   Certificate of Ownership and Merger of TBH Marks, Inc. with and into ER Marks, Inc. dated April 9, 2012*
  3.12   By-Laws of ER Marks, Inc.*
  3.13   Certificate of Incorporation of QVC International, Inc. dated June 25, 1993*
  3.14   Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company of QVC International, Inc. dated October 23, 2008*
  3.15   Certificate of Formation of QVC International LLC dated October 23, 2008*
  3.16   Limited Liability Company Agreement of QVC International LLC dated October 23, 2008*
  3.17   Articles of Incorporation of QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. dated July 20, 1999*
  3.18   Bylaws of QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.*
  3.19   Certificate of Conversion of QVC San Antonio, Inc. dated October 28, 2008*
  3.20   Certificate of Formation of QVC San Antonio, LLC dated October 28, 2008*
  3.21   Statement of Change of Address of Registered Agent of QVC San Antonio, LLC dated October 30, 2009*
  3.22   Company Agreement of QVC San Antonio, LLC dated October 29, 2008*
  4.1   Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 among QVC, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association*
  4.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, by and among QVC, Inc., the guarantors named therein and the initial purchasers named therein*
  5.1   Opinion of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. as to the validity of the securities being registered*
  5.2   Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC concerning matters of North Carolina law*
  5.3   Opinion of Jackson Walker L.L.P. concerning matters of Texas law*
  8.1   Opinion of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. with respect to federal tax matters*

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Exhibit
No.

  Description of exhibit
 
  10.1   Indenture dated as of September 25, 2009 among QVC, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2011*
  10.2   Indenture dated as of March 23, 2010 among QVC, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2011*
  10.3   Credit Agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among QVC, Inc., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto*
  10.4   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 28, 2006 between Barclays Bank PLC and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of August 28, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 12, 2009 and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.5   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 18, 2006 between Calyon and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of April 18, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 31, 2009, and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.6   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 12, 2006 between The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of April 12, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 21, 2009, and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.7   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between The Bank of Nova Scotia and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 30, 2009, and further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.8   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006*
  10.9   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 8, 2006 between Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of August 28, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.10   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of July 20, 2010 between BNP Paribas and the Company as amended by the First Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.11   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006*
  10.12   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between Suntrust Bank and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006*
  10.13   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of October 3, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 10, 2009, as further amended by the Second Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*
  10.14   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 11, 2009 between Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of August 11, 2009, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of September 2, 2010*

II-21


Table of Contents

 
Exhibit
No.

  Description of exhibit
 
  10.15   ISDA Master Agreement dated as of July 21, 2009 between Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association and the Company and the Schedule thereto dated as of July 21, 2009, as amended by the Amendment dated September 2, 2010*
  10.16   Forms of Indemnification Agreements between QVC, Inc. and executive officers*
  12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (included in the attached prospectus)
  21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant*
  23.1   Consent of KPMG L.L.P.*
  23.2   Consent of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.3   Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.2)
  23.4   Consent of Opinion of Jackson Walker L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.3)
  24.1   Power of Attorney for each Registrant (included beginning on Page II-15)
  25.1   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee*
  99.1   Form of Letter of Transmittal*
  99.2   Form of Letter to Clients*
  99.3   Form of Letter to Depository Trust Company Participants*
 

*      Filed herewith.

(b)
Financial Statement Schedules . Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information set forth therein is not material, not applicable or is included in the financial statements or notes of the prospectus, which forms a part of this registration statement.

II-22




Exhibit 3.1

 

Delaware

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF “QVC, INC.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2009, AT 6:44 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS.

 

AND I DO HEREBY FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AFORESAID RESTATED CERTIFICATE IS THE TWENTY-SIXTH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2009, AT 8:03 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Jeffrey W Bullock, Secretary of State

2093627     8100

 

AUTHENTICATION:

  7604152

 

 

 

 

090965206

You may verify this certificate online

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

DATE:

  10-26-09

 

1



 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 06:52 PM 10/26/2009

 

FILED 06:44 PM 10/26/2009

 

SRV 090965206 - 2093627 FILE

 

 

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

QVC, INC.

A Delaware Close Corporation

 

(Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

 

QVC, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a close corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”),

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

1.                                       That the name of the Corporation is QVC, Inc. The Corporation was originally incorporated pursuant to the General Corporation Law under the name QVC Network, Inc. The date of filing of the Corporation’s original Certificate of Incorporation (the “Original Certificate”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was June 13, 1986. The Original Certificate was amended and restated on July 21, 1986 and again on February 15, 1995 (as so amended and restated, the “1995 Certificate”). The 1995 Certificate was further amended on September 27, 1995, October 23, 1996, May 7, 2001, and December 30, 2008 (as so amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

 

2.                                       That the Corporation elected, by amendment to the 1995 Certificate filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 30, 2008, to be a close corporation pursuant to Sections 341 through 356 of the General Corporation Law, whose business is managed by the stockholders of the Corporation rather than by a board of directors.

 

3.                                       That this Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and further amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

4.                                       That this Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law and by written consent of its sole stockholder in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law.

 

5.                                       That this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective at 8:03 p.m. eastern time on October 26, 2009.

 

6.                                       Pursuant to Sections 228, 242, and 245 of the General Corporation Law, the text of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 



 

FIRST : The name of this corporation shall be:

 

QVC, INC.

 

This corporation is a close corporation as defined in Section 342 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SECOND :  The address of the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

 

THIRD :  The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

FOURTH :  The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is one share of common stock having a par value of one cent ($0,01). Upon this Restated Certificate of Incorporation becoming effective pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be automatically reclassified as and converted into one five-million-six-thousand-six-hundred-ninety-sixth (1/5,006,696) of a share of common stock. Any stock certificate for common. stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will, from and after the Effective Time, automatically and without the necessity of presenting the same for exchange, represent the number of shares of common stock as equals the product obtained by multiplying the number of shares of common stock represented by such certificate immediately prior to the Effective Time by one five-million-six-thousand-six-hundred-ninety-sixth (1/5,006,696). All of the corporation’s issued stock of all classes, exclusive of treasury shares, shall be represented by certificates and shall be held of record by not more than 30 persons. No transfer of any of the corporation’s issued shares of capital stock, including all classes of stock, shall be effective without the consent of the corporation. The corporation shall make no public offering of any of its stock of any class which would constitute a “public offering” within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C, See. 77a et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.

 

FIFTH :  the business of the corporation shall be managed by the stockholders of the corporation rather than by a board of directors.

 

SIXTH :  No director of the corporation (which shall include any stockholder of the corporation exercising any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the board of directors by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for any breach of fiduciary duty of such director as a director to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

SEVENTH :  Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this corporation or of any creditor or

 

2



 

stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the ease may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors of class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this corporation, as the case may be, and also on this corporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by the undersigned duly authorized officer of the Corporation on this 26th day of October, 2009.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

Title:

S. Vice President

 

3




Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS OF

QVC, INC .

 

A Close  Corporation

 

ARTICLE I — OFFICES

 

Section 1-1 .                       Registered Office and Registered Agent . The Corporation shall maintain a registered office and registered agent within the State of Delaware, which may be changed by the Board from time to time.

 

Section 1-2 .                       Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE II — STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

 

Section 2-1 .                       Place of Stockholders’ Meetings . Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board from time to time. If no such place is designated by the Board, meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware.

 

Section 2-2 .                       Special Meetings . Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time:

 

(a)                        By the Board; or

 

(b)                        By the President of the Corporation; or

 

(c)                         By the holders of record of not less than a majority of all the shares outstanding and entitled to vote.

 



 

Upon the written request of any person entitled to call a special meeting, which request shall set forth the purpose for which the meeting is desired, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to give prompt written notice of such meeting to be held at such time as the Secretary may fix, subject to the provisions of Section 2-3 hereof. If the Secretary shall fail to fix such date and give notice within ten (10) days after receipt of such request, the person or persons making such request may do so.

 

Section 2-3 .                       Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings .  Written notice stating the place, date and hour of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Such notice may be given by or at the direction of the person or persons authorized to call the meeting.

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 2-4 .                       Remote Communication .   If authorized by the Board, and subject to applicable law and such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders may, by means of conference telephone or other means of remote communication, participate in and vote during any meeting of stockholders, and for all purposes of these by-laws, participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, whether such meeting is held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication. In lieu of

 

2



 

holding a stockholder meeting at a designated place, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any stockholder meeting may be held solely by means of remote communication.

 

Section 2-5 .                       Quorum .  Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or in these by-laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum but in no event shall be quorum consist of less than one-third (1/3) of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting can continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. If a meeting cannot be organized because of the absence of a quorum, those present may, except as otherwise provided by law, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine.

 

Section 2-6 .                    Voting List; Proxies .  The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder of the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons

 

3



 

to act for him by proxy. All proxies shall be executed in writing and shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the day on which exercised. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all matters coming before the meeting shall be determined by a vote by shares. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all other votes may be taken by voice unless a stockholder demands that it be taken by ballot, in which latter event the vote shall be taken by written ballot.

 

Section 2-7 .                       Informal Action by Stockholders .   Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

 

Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders or members, who have not consented in writing.

 

ARTICLE III — THE BOARD

 

Section 3-1 .                       Management of the Corporation . For such time as the stockholders of the Corporation have elected to manage the Corporation pursuant to Section 351 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the stockholders. To the extent that the stockholders shall act in their capacity as

 

4



 

managers of the Corporation, the stockholders shall be referred to collectively as the “Board,” and individually as a “Shareholder Director.”

 

Section 3-2 .                       Place of Meeting . Meetings of the Board may be held at such place either within or without the State of Delaware, as a majority of the Shareholder Directors may from time to time designate or as may be designated in the notice calling the meeting.

 

Section 3-3 .                       Regular Meetings . A regular meeting of the Board shall be held annually. At such meeting the Board shall elect officers of the Corporation. In addition to such regular meeting, the Board shall have the power to fix, by resolution, the place, date and hour of other regular meetings of the Board.

 

Section 3-4 .                       Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever ordered by the President, by a majority of the members of the executive committee, if any, or by a majority of the Shareholder Directors in office.

 

Section 3-5 .                       Notices of Meetings of the Board .

 

(a)                        Regular Meetings . No notice shall be required to be given of any regular meeting, unless the same be held at other than the time or place for holding such meetings as fixed in accordance with Section 3-3 of these by-laws, in which event one (1) day’s notice shall be given of the time and place of such meeting.

 

(b)                        Special Meetings . At least one (1) day’s notice shall be given of the time, place and purpose for which any special meeting of the Board is to be held.

 

Section 3-6 .                       Quorum . A majority of the total number of the Shareholder Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the Shareholder Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. If there be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the

 

5



 

meeting from time to time and place to place and shall cause notice of each such adjourned meeting to be given to all absent Shareholder Directors.

 

Section 3-7 .                       Informal Action by the Board . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 3-8 .                       Powers .

 

(a)                        General Powers . The Board shall have all powers necessary or appropriate to the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and, in addition to the power of authority conferred by these by-laws, may exercise all powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute, these by-laws or the Certificate of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

(b)                        Specific Powers . Without limiting the general powers conferred by the last preceding clause and the powers conferred by the Certificate of Incorporation and by-laws of the Corporation, it is hereby expressly declared that the Board shall have the following powers:

 

(i)                                      To confer upon any officer or officers of the Corporation the power to choose, remove or suspend assistant officers, agents or servants.

 

(ii)                                   To appoint any person, firm or corporation to accept and hold in trust for the Corporation any property belonging to the Corporation on in which it is interested, and to authorize any such person, firm or corporation to execute any documents and perform any duties that may be requisite in relation to any such trust.

 

(iii)                                To appoint a person or persons to vote shares of another corporation held and owned by the Corporation.

 

6



 

(iv)                               By resolution adopted by a majority of the full Board, to designate one (1) or more of its number to constitute an executive committee which, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise the power of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed.

 

(v)                                  By resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, to designate one (1) or more additional committees, each to consist of one (1) or more additional committees, each to consist of one (1) or more Shareholder Directors, to have such duties, powers and authority as the Board shall determine. All committees of the Board, including the executive committee, shall have the authority to adopt their own rules of procedure. Absent the adoption of specific procedures, the procedures applicable to the Board shall also apply to committees thereof.

 

(vi)                               To fix the place, time and purpose of meetings of stockholders.

 

(vii)                            To purchase or otherwise acquire for the Corporation any property, rights or privileges which the Corporation is authorized to acquire, at such prices, on such terms and conditions and for such consideration as it shall from time to time see fit, and, at its discretion, to pay any property or rights acquired by the Corporation, either wholly or partly in money or in stocks, bonds, debentures or other securities of the Corporation.

 

(viii)                         To create, make and issue mortgages, bonds, deeds of trust, trust agreements and negotiable or transferable instruments and securities, secured by mortgage or otherwise, and to do every other act and thing necessary to effectuate the same.

 

(ix)                               To appoint and remove or suspend such subordinate officers, agents or servants, permanently or temporarily, as it may from time to time think fit, and to determine their

 

7



 

duties, and fix, and from time to time change, their salaries or emoluments, and to require security in such instances and in such amounts as it thinks fit.

 

(x)                                  To determine who shall be authorized on the Corporation’s behalf to sign bills, notes, receipts, acceptances, endorsements, checks, releases, contracts and documents.

 

Section 3-9 .                    Compensation of Shareholder Directors . Compensation of Shareholder Directors and reimbursement of their expenses incurred in connection with the business of the Corporation, if any, shall be as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 3-10 .                Participation by Conference Telephone , Shareholder Directors may participate in regular or special meetings of the Board by telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all other persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence at the meeting.

 

ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS

 

Section 4- 1 .                    Election and Office . The Corporation shall have a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer who shall be elected by the Board. The Board may elect such additional officers as it may deem proper, including , including a Chairman and a Vice Chairman of the Board, one (1) or more Vice Presidents, a Controller and one (1) or more assistant or honorary officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

Section 4-2 .                       Term .  The President, the Secretary and the Treasurer shall each serve for a term of one (1) year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, unless removed from office by the Board during their respective tenures. The term of office of any other officer shall be as specified by the Board.

 

Section 4-3 .                       power and Duties of the President . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the President shall have the usual duties of an executive officer with general

 

8



 

supervision over and direction of the affairs of the Corporation. In the exercise of these duties and subject to the limitations of the laws of the State of Delaware, these by-laws, and the actions of the Board, he may appoint, suspend and discharge employees and agents, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders at which he shall be present and, unless there is a Chairman of the Board, shall preside at all meetings of the Board. He shall also do and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board.

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and to vote at any meeting of the stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock, and, at any such meeting, shall possess and may exercise any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised.

 

Section 4-4 .                       Powers and Duties of the Secretary . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Secretary shall record all proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation, the Board and all committees, in books to be kept for that purpose, and shall attend to the giving an serving of all notices for the Corporation. He shall have charge of the corporate seal, the certificate books, transfer books and stock ledgers, and such other books and papers as the Board may direct. He shall perform all other duties ordinarily incident to the office of Secretary and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board.

 

Section 4-5 .                       Powers and Duties of the Treasurer . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Treasurer shall have charge of all the funds and securities of the Corporation which may come into his hands. When necessary or proper, unless otherwise ordered by the Board, he shall endorse for collection on behalf of the Corporation checks, notes and other obligations, and

 

9



 

shall deposit the same to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or depositories as the Board may designate and shall sign all receipts and vouchers for payments made to the Corporation. He shall sign all checks made by the Corporation, except when the Board shall otherwise direct. He shall enter regularly, in books of the Corporation to be kept by him for that purpose, a full and accurate account of all moneys received and paid by him on account of the Corporation. Whenever required by the Board, he shall render a statement of the financial condition of the Corporation. He shall at all reasonable times exhibit his books and accounts to any Shareholder Director of the Corporation, upon application at the office of the Corporation during business hours. He shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board. He shall give such bond, if any, for the faithful performance of his duties as shall be required by the Board and any such bond shall remain in the custody of the President.

 

Section 4-6 .                       Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the Board . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholder Directors and shall serve ex officio as a member of every committee of the Board. He shall have such other powers and perform such further duties as may be assigned to him by the Board.

 

Section 4-7 .                       Powers and Duties of Vice President and Assistant Officers . Unless otherwise determined by the Board, each Vice President and each assistant officer shall have the powers and perform the duties of his respective superior officer. Vice Presidents and assistant officers shall have such rank as shall be designated by the Board and each, in the order of rank, shall act for such superior officer in his absence, or upon his disability or when so directed by such superior officer or by the Board. Vice Presidents may be designated as having

 

10


 

responsibility for a specific aspect of the Corporation’s affairs, in which event each such Vice President shall be superior to the other Vice Presidents in relation to matters within his aspect. The President shall be the superior officer of the Vice Presidents. The Treasurer and the Secretary shall be the superior officers of the Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, respectively.

 

Section 4-8 .                                      Delegation of Office . The Board may delegate the powers or duties of any officer of the Corporation to any other officer or to any Shareholder Director from time to time.

 

Section 4-9 .                                      Vacancies . The Board shall have the power to fill any vacancies in any office occurring from whatever reason.

 

Section 4-10 .                               Resignations . Any officer may resign at any time by submitting his written resignation to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time of its receipt by the Corporation, unless another time be fixed in the resignation, in which case it shall become effective at the time so fixed. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

 

Section 4-11 .                               Designation of Chief Financial Officer . The Board shall have the power to designate from among the Chairman, any Vice Chairman, President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of this Corporation a Chief Financial Officer who shall be deemed the principal financial and accounting officer and who shall have the ultimate responsibility to oversee the financial operation and performance of the Corporation. In the event that the Treasurer is not designated by the Board as the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer shall report to the Chief Financial Officer from time to time concerning all duties which the Treasurer is obligated to perform and the Chief Financial Officer shall, at his election, assume such of the duties of the Treasurer as are provided herein as he shall deem appropriate. The Chief Financial Officer shall

 

11



 

have the power to modify and/or amend any and all actions taken by the Treasurer and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board.

 

ARTICLE V — CAPITAL STOCK

 

Section 5-1 .                                      Stock Certificates . Shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board, or the President or a Vice President, and (b) the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. If such certificate is countersigned (i) by a transfer agent other than the Corporation or its employee, or (ii) by a registrar other than the Corporation or its employee, the signatures of the officers of the Corporation may be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer at the date of issue.

 

Section 5-2 .                                 Determination of Stockholders of Record . The Board may fix, in advance, a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such date shall be not more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action.

 

If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next

 

12



 

preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

Section 5-3 .                                 Transfer of Shares . Transfer of shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation only upon surrender of the share certificate, duly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer, which certificate shall be cancelled at the time of the transfer. No transfer of shares shall be made on the books of this Corporation if such transfer is in violation of a lawful restriction noted conspicuously on the certificate.

 

Section 5-4 .                                 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Share Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock, or uncertified shares in place of any certificate therefore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction or any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

ARTICLE VI — NOTICES

 

Section 6-1 .                                 Contents of Notice . Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to these by-laws or the Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, the notice shall

 

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specify the place, day and hour of the meeting and, where otherwise required by law, the general nature of the business to be transacted at such meeting.

 

Section 6-2 .                                 Method of Notice . All notices shall be given to each person entitled thereto, either personally or by sending a copy thereof through the mail or by telegraph, charges prepaid, to his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, or supplied by him to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. If notice is sent by mail or telegraph, it shall be deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto when deposited in the United States Mail or with the telegraph office for transmission. If no address for a stockholder appears on the books of the Corporation and such stockholder has not supplied the Corporation with an address for the purpose of notice, notice deposited in the United States Mail addressed to such stockholder care of General Delivery in the city in which the principal office of the Corporation is located shall be sufficient.

 

Section 6-3 .                                 Waiver of Notice . Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the Corporation, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, Shareholder Directors, or members of a committee of Shareholder Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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ARTICLE VII — INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDER DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS AND OTHER PERSONS

 

Section 7-1 .                                 Indemnification . Subject to Section 7-3 of this Article VII, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who is a Shareholder Director or officer of the Corporation or any Shareholder Director or officer who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (any such person is hereinafter referred to in this Article VII as a “Shareholder Director or officer”) against expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by such Shareholder Director or officer (“liabilities”), to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (as used in this Article VII, “Proceeding” or, in the plural, “Proceedings”), brought or threatened to be brought against such Shareholder Director or officer by reason of the fact that he or she is or was serving in any such capacity or in any other capacity on behalf of the Corporation, its parent or any of its subsidiaries.

 

The Board by resolution adopted in each specific instance may similarly indemnify any person other than a Shareholder Director or officer (any such person is hereinafter referred to in this Article VII as an “Other Person”) for liabilities incurred by him or her in connection with services rendered by him or her for or at the request of the Corporation, its parent or any of its subsidiaries.

 

Section 7-2 .                                 Advances . Subject to Section 7.3 of this Article VII, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees) incurred by any Shareholder Director or officer in defending a Proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such

 

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Proceeding as authorized by the Board in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Shareholder Director or officer, to repay such amount without interest if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by law. Advance expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees) incurred by Other Persons may be paid if the Board deems appropriate and upon such terms and conditions, including the giving of an undertaking, as the Board deems appropriate.

 

Section 7-3 .                                 Actions Initiated Against the Corporation . Anything in Sections 7-1 or 7-2 of this Article VII to the contrary notwithstanding, with respect to a Proceeding initiated against the Corporation by any person who is or was a Shareholder Director or officer, or by an indemnified person other than a Shareholder Director or officer who is or was adopted by resolution of the Board as an Other Person, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify or to advance expenses (including attorney’s fees) to such Shareholder Director, officer or Other Person in connection with prosecuting such Proceeding (or part thereof) or in defending any counterclaim, cross-claim, affirmative defense, or like claim of the Corporation in such Proceeding (or part thereof) unless such Proceeding was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 7-4 .                                 Applicability; Survival . The provisions of Sections 7-1 and 7-2 shall be applicable to all Proceedings commenced before or after the amendment, repeal, or modification of, or adoption of this Article VII, regardless of whether such arise out of acts or omissions which occurred prior or subsequent to such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Shareholder Director or officer (or, where and so long as the Board has authorized indemnification or advancement of expenses to an Other Person in accordance with this Article VII, to an Other Person who has ceased to render services

 

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for or at the request of the Corporation its parent or subsidiaries), and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

 

Section 7-5 .                                 Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Shareholder Director, officer, or Other Person of the Corporation, or is of was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Shareholder Director, officer, or Other Person of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under law.

 

Section 7.6 .                                  Non-Exclusivity . The indemnification and advancement of the expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII, shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested Stockholder Directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

ARTICLE VIII — SEAL

 

The form of the seal of the Corporation, called the corporate seal [Form of Seal] of the Corporation, shall be as impressed adjacent hereto.

 

ARTICLE IX — FISCAL YEAR

 

The Board shall have the power by resolution to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation. If the Board shall fail to do so, the President shall fix the fiscal year.

 

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ARTICLE X — AMENDMENTS

 

The by-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote thereon at any regular or special meeting or, if the Certificate of Incorporation so provides, by the Board, The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the Board shall not divest the stockholders of the power nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal by-laws.

 

ARTICLE XI — INTERPRETATION OF BY-LAWS

 

All words, terms or provisions of these by-laws shall be interpreted and defined by and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, and as amended from time to time hereafter.

 

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Exhibit 3.3

 

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 09:00 AM 10/08/1999

 

991431338 - 3108629

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

FIRST:

 

The name of the Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) is Affiliate Investment, Inc.

 

 

 

SECOND:

 

The Corporation’s registered agent in the State of Delaware is to be located at 1013 Centre Road, in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19805 and its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

 

 

 

THIRD:

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

 

 

FOURTH:

 

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock with a par value of One Cent ($.01) per share.

 

 

 

FIFTH:

 

The name and mailing address of the Incorporator is Joan M. Stoltzfus, Connolly, Bove, Lodge & Hutz, 1220 Market Street, P.O. Box 2207, Wilmington, Delaware, 19899.

 

 

 

SIXTH:

 

The Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized and empowered to make, alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

 

 

SEVENTH:

 

A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director’s capacity as a director, except that this provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for (i) a breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its shareholders; (ii) an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (iii) a transaction from which a director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director’s office; or (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly provided for by statute, including § 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Any repeal or amendment of this provision by the shareholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or amendment. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not liable as set forth in the preceding sentences, a director shall be exonerated from liability to the fullest extent permitted by any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a director.

 



 

I, the undersigned Incorporator, hereby acknowledge that the foregoing certificate of incorporation is my act and deed and that the facts therein stated are true, and accordingly hereunto have set my hand this 8th day of October,1999

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

JOAN M. STOLTZFUS

 




Exhibit 3.4

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.
BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

Section 1.                                         Registered Office.  The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The registered agent in charge thereof shall be Corporation Service Company.

 

Section 2.                                         Other Offices.  The corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.                                         Place of Meeting.  Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. If the place of meeting is not designated in the notice, the meeting shall be held at the corporation’s registered office.

 

Section 2.                                         Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held following the end of the corporation’s fiscal year on a date and at a time specified by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated by the Board of Directors for any annual meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders as soon thereafter as is convenient.

 

Section 3.                                         Special Meetings.  Special Meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning majority in amount of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of the date of such request. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

 

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Section 4.                                         Notices.  Written notice stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting either personally or by mail or telegraph, addressed to each stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered three business days after being deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company.

 

Section 5.                                         Adjourned Meetings.  When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, if the adjournment is for not more than thirty (30) days, and if no new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 6.                                         Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

Section 7.                                         The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole

 

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time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Section 8.                                         Judges of Election.  The Board of Directors, or if the board shall not have made the appointment, the chairman presiding at any meeting of stockholders, shall have the power to appoint two or more persons to act as judges, to receive, canvass, and report the votes cast by the stockholders at such meeting, but no candidate for director shall be appointed as a judge at any meeting.

 

Section 9.                                         Voting.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Except where the transfer books of the corporation have been closed or a date has been fixed as a record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, no share of stock shall be voted at any election for directors which has been transferred on the books of the corporation within ten (10) days next preceding such election of directors. No corporate action requiring shareholder approval, including the election or removal of directors, may occur without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Section 10.                                  Action Without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted; provided that prompt notice of the taking of such action shall be given to those stockholders who have not so consented in writing to such action.

 

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.                                            Number and Term.  The business and affairs of the corporation shall managed by a board of not less than two nor more than seven directors, the precise number to be determined by resolution of the board of directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and each director elected shall serve for a term of one year from the date of election and until a successor is

 

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elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 2.                                         Vacancies.  Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

 

Section 3.                                         Resignation or Removal.  Any director may at any time resign by delivering to the Board of Directors his resignation in writing, to take effect no later than ten days thereafter. Any director may at any time be removed effective immediately, with or without cause, by the vote, either in person or represented by proxy, of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at a special meeting held for such purpose or by the written consent of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding; provided that if such director is elected by the holders of a particular class of stock, such director may be removed by the vote of a majority of the shares of that class or by the written consent of a majority of the shares of that class.

 

Section 4.                                            Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held quarterly at such time and place and on such dates as shall be determined by the President.

 

Section 5.                                         Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or on the written request of any two directors. The President shall have the right to fix the time, place and date of each special meeting.

 

Section 6.                                         Notice.  At least three days prior written notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given, either personally or by mail, telegraph or courier service, addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If mailed such notice shall be deemed to be delivered three days after being deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be by telegram or courier service, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram or notice is delivered to the telegraph company or courier service.

 

Section 7.                                         Quorum.  At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the directors then serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors

 

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present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. A director present at a meeting shall be counted in determining the presence of a quorum, regardless of whether a contract or transaction between the corporation and such director or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which such director is a director or officer, or has a financial interest, is authorized or considered at such meeting.

 

Section 8.                                         Action Without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 9.                                         Meetings by Conference Telephone.  Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 10.                                  Committees.  The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more directors, and to have such name or title determined by the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such person or persons constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to amend the certificate of incorporation, adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s property and assets, recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amend the by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority

 

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to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

 

Section 11.                             Compensation of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid a fixed sum and/or their expenses, if any, of attendance for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

ARTICLE  IV
OFFICERS

 

Section 1.                                    Designation.  The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, one or more Vice Presidents (the number and designation of which to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose such additional officers, assistant officers and agents as it may deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the President.

 

Section 2.                                    Salaries.  The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.                                    Election and Term of Office.  The officers of the corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. Any officer appointed by the Board may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board of Directors. An officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Each officer shall hold his office until his or her successor is appointed or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

Section 4.                                    The President.  The President shall be the chief executive and chief operating officer of the corporation; the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors; the President shall have general and active supervision of the business of the corporation subject to the direction of the Board of Directors; shall sign or countersign all certificates, contracts or other instruments; and the President shall perform any and all duties assigned to him by the Board or as are incident to the office of the President of a corporation.

 

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Section 5.                                         The Vice-President.  In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President (or in the event there be more than one Vice-President, the Vice-Presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.                                         The Secretary.  The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the committees of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law; and shall have custody of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary; shall keep at the registered office or at the principal place of business of the corporation a record of the stockholders of the corporation, giving the names and addresses of all such stockholders (which addresses shall be furnished to the Secretary by such stockholders) and the number and class of the shares held by each; the Secretary shall have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and in general the Secretary shall perform all duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.                                         The Treasurer.  The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep, or cause to be kept, correct and complete books of account, including full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors; shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; shall render to the Board of Directors, when the Board so requires, an account of all transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation; and, in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the Treasurer’s office and for the restoration to the corporation, in

 

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case of the Treasurer’s death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in the possession or control of the Treasurer belonging to the corporation.

 

Section 8.                                         Assistant Officers.  The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors for if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or the Treasurer as the case may be or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary or Treasurer, as the case may be, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

Section 1.                                    Signature by Officers.  Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the President or a Vice-President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by the stockholder in the corporation.

 

Section 2.                                    Facsimile Signature.  Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 3.                                    Lost Certificates.  The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such person’s legal representative, to advertise the sale in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

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Section 4.                                         Transfer of Stock.  Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

Section 5.                                         Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date.  The Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books of the corporation for a period of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date: (i) of any meeting of stockholders; (ii) for payment of any dividend; (iii) for the allotment of rights; or (iv) when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or for a period of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date: (i) of any dividend; (ii) for the allotment of rights; (iii) when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect; or (iv) in connection with obtaining such consent, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and in such case such stockholders, and only such stockholders, as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent as the case may be notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.

 

Section 6.                                         Registered Stockholders.  The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

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ARTICLE VI
DIVIDENDS

 

Section 1.                                         Declaration of Dividends.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

 

Section 2.                                         Reserves.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.                                         Annual Statement.  The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and conditions of the corporation.

 

Section 2.                                         Checks.  All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

Section 3.                                         Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.                                         Seal.  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

Section 5.                                         Indemnification.  The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. With regard to a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders to the full extent permitted

 

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pursuant to Section 102 (b) (7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

Section 6.                                         Waiver of Notice.  Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, a waiver thereof, in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

 

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.                                         These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting. The power to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws conferred upon the Board of Directors shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws.

 

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Exhibit 3.5

 

12/23/1996

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 


 

FIRST.  The name of this corporation shall be:

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

SECOND.  Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 1013 Centre Road, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle and its registered agent at such address is CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY.

 

THIRD.  The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be:

 

To engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

FOURTH.  The total number of shares of stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is:

 

One Thousand Five Hundred (1,500) shares without par value

 

FIFTH.  The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Sarah Bolden

Corporation Service Company

1013 Centre Road

Wilmington, DE 19805

 

SIXTH.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws.

 



 

SEVENTH.  No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, has executed, signed and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this twenty-third day of December, A.D., 1996.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Sarah Bolden

 

Incorporator

 




Exhibit 3.6

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
BY-LAWS

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

Section 1.      Registered Office. The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The registered agent in charge thereof shall be Corporation Service Company.

 

Section 2.      Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.      Place of Meeting. Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. If the place of meeting is not designated in the notice, the meeting shall be held at the corporation’s registered office.

 

Section 2.      Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held following the end of the corporation’s fiscal year on a date and at a time specified by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated by the Board of Directors for any annual meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders as soon thereafter as is convenient.

 

Section 3.      Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning majority in amount of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of the date of

 

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such request. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

 

Section 4.     Notices. Written notice stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting either personally or by mail or telegraph, addressed to each stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered three business days after being deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company.

 

Section 5.     Adjourned Meetings. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, if the adjournment is for not more than thirty (30) days, and if no new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 6.     Quorum. The holders of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

Section 7.     The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any

 

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stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Section 8.     Judges of Election. The Board of Directors, or if the board shall not have made the appointment, the chairman presiding at any meeting of stockholders, shall have the power to appoint two or more persons to act as judges, to receive, canvass, and report the votes cast by the stockholders at such meeting, but no candidate for director shall be appointed as a judge at any meeting.

 

Section 9.     Voting. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Except where the transfer books of the corporation have been closed or a date has been fixed as a record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, no share of stock shall be voted at any election for directors which has been transferred on the books of the corporation within ten (10) days next preceding such election of directors. No corporate action requiring shareholder approval, including the election or removal of directors, may occur without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Section 10.  Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted; provided that prompt notice of the taking of such action shall be given to those stockholders who have not so consented in writing to such action.

 

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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.      Number and Term. The business and affairs of the corporation shall managed by a board of not less than two nor more than seven directors, the precise number to be determined by resolution of the board of directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and each director elected shall serve for a term of one year from the date of election and until a successor is elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 2.      Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

 

Section 3.      Resignation or Removal. Any director may at any time resign by delivering to the Board of Directors his resignation in writing, to take effect no later than ten days thereafter. Any director may at any time be removed effective immediately, with or without cause, by the vote, either in person or represented by proxy, of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at a special meeting held for such purpose or by the written consent of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding; provided that if such director is elected by the holders of a particular class of stock, such director may be removed by the vote of a majority of the shares of that class or by the written consent of a majority of the shares of that class.

 

Section 4.      Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held quarterly at such time and place and on such dates as shall be determined by the President.

 

Section 5.      Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or on the written request of any two directors. The President shall have the right to fix the time, place and date of each special meeting.

 

Section 6.      Notice. At least three days prior written notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given, either

 

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personally or by mail, telegraph or courier service, addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If mailed such notice shall be deemed to be delivered three days after being deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be by telegram or courier service, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram or notice is delivered to the telegraph company or courier service.

 

Section 7.      Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the directors then serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. A director present at a meeting shall be counted in determining the presence of a quorum, regardless of whether a contract or transaction between the corporation and such director or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which such director is a director or officer, or has a financial interest, is authorized or considered at such meeting.

 

Section 8.      Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 9.      Meetings by Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 10.    Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more directors, and to have such name or title determined by the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee the member

 

5



 

or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such person or persons constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to amend the certificate of incorporation, adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s property and assets, recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amend the by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

 

Section 11.  Compensation of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid a fixed sum and/or their expenses, if any, of attendance for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

 

Section 1.     Designation. The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, one or more Vice Presidents (the number and designation of which to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose such additional officers, assistant officers and agents as it may deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the President.

 

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Section 2.               Salaries. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.               Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. Any officer appointed by the Board may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board of Directors. An officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Each officer shall hold his office until his or her successor is appointed or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

Section 4.               The President. The President shall be the chief executive and chief operating officer of the corporation; the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors; the President shall have general and active supervision of the business of the corporation subject to the direction of the Board of Directors; shall sign or countersign all certificates, contracts or other instruments; and the President shall perform any and all duties assigned to him by the Board or as are incident to the office of the President of a corporation.

 

Section 5.     The Vice-President. In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President (or in the event there be more than one Vice-President, the Vice-Presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.     The Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the committees of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law; and shall have custody of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary; shall keep at the registered office or at the principal place of business of the corporation a record of the stockholders of the corporation, giving the names and addresses of all such

 

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stockholders (which addresses shall be furnished to the Secretary by such stockholders) and the number and class of the shares held by each; the Secretary shall have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and in general the Secretary shall perform all duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.      The Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep, or cause to be kept, correct and complete books of account, including full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors; shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; shall render to the Board of Directors, when the Board so requires, an account of all transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation; and, in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the Treasurer’s office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of the Treasurer’s death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in the possession or control of the Treasurer belonging to the corporation.

 

Section 8.      Assistant Officers. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or the Treasurer as the case may be or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary or Treasurer, as the case may be, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

Section 1.      Signature by Officers. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by,

 

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or in the name of the corporation by the President or a Vice-President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by the stockholder in the corporation.

 

Section 2.      Facsimile Signature. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 3.      Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed.  When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such person’s legal representative, to advertise the sale in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

Section 4.      Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

Section 5.      Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books of the corporation for a period of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date: (i) of any meeting of stockholders; (ii) for payment of any dividend; (iii) for the allotment of rights; or (iv) when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or for a period of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any

 

9



 

purpose. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date: (i) of any dividend; (ii) for the allotment of rights; (iii) when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect; or (iv) in connection with obtaining such consent, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and in such case such stockholders, and only such stockholders, as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent as the case may be notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.

 

Section 6.      Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VI
DIVIDENDS

 

Section 1.      Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

 

Section 2.      Reserves. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for

 

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such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.      Annual Statement. The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and conditions of the corporation.

 

Section 2.      Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

Section 3.      Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.      Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

Section 5.      Indemnification. The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. With regard to a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

Section 6.                    Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, a waiver thereof, in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.      These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting. The power to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws conferred upon the Board of Directors shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws.

 

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Exhibit 3.7

 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 04:31 PM 02/18/2009

 

FILED 04:45 PM 02/18/2009

 

SRV 090157588 - 4656872 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AMI 2, INC.

 

ONE : The name of this Corporation (hereinafter as “the Corporation”) is AMI 2, Inc.

 

TWO : The Corporation’s registered address in the State of Delaware is 1007 Orange Street, Ninth Floor, P.O. Box 2207, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19899. The Corporation’s registered agent at that address is Delaware Entity Services LLC.

 

THREE : The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

FOUR : The Corporation shall have authority to issue three thousand (3,000) shares, all of which shall be of one cent ($0.01) par value.

 

FIVE : The name and address of the Incorporator is Charles J. Durante, Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP; Ninth Floor, 1007 Orange Street; P.O. Box 2207; Wilmington, Delaware 19899.

 

SIX : The Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized and empowered to make, alter, amend and repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation. Elections of Directors need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws of the Corporation shall so provide.

 

SEVEN : No Director of the Corporation shall have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director; provided, however, that nothing herein shall eliminate or limit the liability of a Director: (1) for any breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (4) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

The undersigned Incorporator hereby acknowledges that he is authorized to execute this Certificate of Incorporation on behalf of the Corporation, and that the facts therein stated are true, and accordingly hereunder has set his hand and seal this February 18, 2009.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Charles J. Durante

 




Exhibit 3.8

 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

Delivered 05:56 PM 03/31/2009

 

FILED 05:53 PM 03/31/2009

 

SRV 090321790 - 4656872 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

AMI 2, INC.

 

AMI 2, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that the following amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, and consented to in writing by each Stockholder, in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

1.                             Article Two of the Certificate of Incorporation is amended to read as follows:

 

TWO : The Corporation’s registered address in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19808. The Corporation’s registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Corporation.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its secretary this 31 st  day of March, 2009.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Charles J. Durante

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 




Exhibit 3.9

 

BY-LAWS

OF

 

AMI 2, INC.
(A Delaware corporation)

 

ARTICLE I - Stockholders

 

Section 1.1. Annual Meetings . An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

 

Section 1.2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, or by a committee of the Board of Directors which has been duly designated by the Board of Directors and whose powers and authority, as expressly provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors, include the power to call such meetings, but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons.

 

Section 1.3. Notice of Meetings . Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation.

 

Section 1.4. Adjournments . Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 1.5. Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, at each meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the stockholders so present may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 1.4 of these by-laws until a quorum shall attend. Shares of its own stock belonging to the corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held,

 



 

directly or indirectly, by the corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 1.6. Organization . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his absence by the President, or in his absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall announce at the meeting of stockholders the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote.

 

Section 1.7. Voting; Proxies . Except as otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him which has voting power upon the matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the corporation. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot and need not be conducted by inspectors of election unless so determined by the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person or by proxy at such meeting. At all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect. All other elections and questions shall, unless otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, be decided by the vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority of the votes which could be cast by the holders of all shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting.

 

Section 1.8. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record . In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date: (1) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting; (2)

 

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in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than ten days from the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors; and (3) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (1) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; (2) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting when no prior action of the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and (3) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

Section 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. Upon the willful neglect or refusal of the directors to produce such a list at any meeting for the election of directors, they shall be ineligible for election to any office at such meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list of stockholders or the books of the corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 1.10. Action By Consent of Stockholders . Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered (by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested) to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of minutes of stockholders are recorded. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action

 

3



 

without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

Section 1.11. Conduct of Meetings . The Board of Directors of the corporation may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (I) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

ARTICLE II - Board of Directors

 

Section 2.1. Number; Qualifications . The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 2.2. Election; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . The Board of Directors shall initially consist of the persons named as directors in the certificate of incorporation, and each director so elected shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified. At the first annual meeting of stockholders and at each annual meeting thereafter, the stockholders shall elect directors each of whom shall hold office for a term of one year or until his successor is elected and qualified. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Any newly created directorship or any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors for any cause may be filled by a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although such majority is less than a quorum, or by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders, and each director so elected shall hold office until the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he has replaced or until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

Section 2.3. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places within or without the State of Delaware and at such times as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and if so determined notices thereof need not be given.

 

4



 

Section 2.4. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, or by any member of the Board of Directors. Notice of a special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given by the person or persons calling the meeting at least twenty-four hours before the special meeting.

 

Section 2.5. Telephonic Meetings Permitted . Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting thereof by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this by-law shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 2.6. Quorum: Vote Recruited for Action . At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the whole Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except in cases in which the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws otherwise provide, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2.7. Organization . Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his absence by the President, or in their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.8. Informal Action by Directors . Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee.

 

ARTICLE III - Committees

 

Section 3.1. Committees . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by law and to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of

 

5



 

the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

 

Section 3.2. Committee Rules . Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article II of these by-laws.

 

ARTICLE IV - Officers

 

Section 4.1. Executive Officers; Election; Qualifications; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; vacancies . The Board of Directors shall elect a President and Secretary, and it may, if it so determines, choose a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board from among its members. The Board of Directors may also choose one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers. Each such officer shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding his election, and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. The Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.

 

4.2. Powers and Duties of Executive Officers . The officers of the corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the corporation as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his duties.

 

ARTICLE V - Stock

 

Section 5.1. Certificates . Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

6



 

Section 5.2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates . The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

ARTICLE VI - Indemnification

 

Section 6.1. Right to Indemnification . The corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The corporation shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

 

Section 6.2. Prepayment of Expenses . The corporation shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article or otherwise.

 

Section 6.3. Claims . If a claim for indemnification or payment of expenses under this Article is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the corporation the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

 

Section 6.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The rights conferred on any person by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, these by-laws, agree ment, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

Section 6.5. Other Indemnification . The corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity shall be reduced by any

 

7



 

amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

 

Section 6.6. Amendment or Repeal . Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VI shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE VII - Miscellaneous

 

Section 7.1. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.2. Seal . The corporate seal shall have the name of the corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.3. Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees . Any written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at I nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors, or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.

 

Section 7.4. Interested Directors; Quorum . No contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (1) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (2) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (3) the contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

 

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Section 7.5. Form of Records . Any records maintained by the corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs, or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.

 

Section 7.6. Amendment of By-Laws . These by-laws may be altered or repealed, and new by-laws made, by the Board of Directors, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter and repeal any by-laws whether adopted by them or otherwise.

 

CERTIFIED A TRUE COPY OF THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION THIS 24 TH  DAY OF FEBRUARY , 2009.

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Charles J. Durante

 

Title:

Asst Secretary

 

 

9




Exhibit 3.10

 

12/23/1996

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 


 

FIRST.  The name of this corporation shall be:

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

SECOND.  Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 1013 Centre Road, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle and its registered agent at such address is CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY.

 

THIRD.  The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be:

 

To engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

FOURTH.  The total number of shares of stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is:

 

One Thousand Five Hundred (1,500) shares without par value

 

FIFTH.  The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Sarah Bolden

Corporation Service Company

1013 Centre Road

Wilmington, DE 19805

 

SIXTH.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws.

 



 

SEVENTH.  No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, has executed, signed and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this twenty-third day of December, A.D., 1996.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Sarah Bolden

 

Incorporator

 



 

ACTION OF SOLE INCORPORATOR

ER MARKS, INC.

 


 

The undersigned, without a meeting, being the sole incorporator of the Corporation, does hereby elect the persons listed below to serve as directors of the corporation until the first annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualify:

 

DOUGLAS BRIGGS
NEAL GRABELL

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Sarah Bolden

 

Incorporator

 

 

Dated: December 23, 1996

 

 




Exhibit 3.11

 

Delaware

The First State

 

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP, WHICH MERGES:

 

“TBH MARKS, INC.”, A DELAWARE CORPORATION,

 

WITH AND INTO “ER MARKS, INC.” UNDER THE NAME OF “ER MARKS, INC.”, A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AS RECEIVED AND FILED IN THIS OFFICE THE NINTH DAY OF APRIL, A.D. 2012, AT 1:32 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

A FILED COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE NEW CASTLE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2698573 8100M

 

120408009

You may verify this certificate online
at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

GRAPHIC

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State

 

AUTHENTICATION : 9494407

 

DATE: 04-11-12

 

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State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 01:37 PM 04/09/2012

 

FILED 01:32 PM 04/09/2012

 

SRV 120408009 - 2698573 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

 

OF

 

TBH MARKS, INC.

 

WITH AND INTO

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

ER Marks, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

1.                                       ER Marks, Inc. (the “Corporation” ) is a corporation of the State of Delaware and was organized pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ( “DGCL” ) on the 23 rd  day of December, 1996.

 

2.                                       The Corporation is the owner of 100% of the outstanding shares of stock of TBH Marks, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Subsidiary Corporation” ).

 

3.                                       The Board of Directors of the Corporation determined and did adopt resolutions to merge the Subsidiary Corporation with and into the Corporation pursuant to Section 253 of the DGCL, with the Corporation being the surviving corporation (the “Merger”).

 

4.                                       Attached as Exhibit A to this Certificate of Ownership and Merger is a copy of the resolutions adopted on April 5, 2012 by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to merge the Subsidiary Corporation with and into the Corporation.

 

5.                                       The Merger may be terminated and the transactions contemplated herein may be abandoned by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at any time prior to the effective date and time of any requisite merger documents filed with the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

6.                                       The Merger shall become effective on filing with the Delaware Secretary of State.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Ownership and Merger.

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

Title

President and Secretary

 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit A

 

Board Resolutions Adopted April 5, 2012

 

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors (the “Board” ) has determined that it is advisable and in the best interest of ER Marks, Inc. (the “Corporation” ) for the Corporation to enter into a plan of merger pursuant to which TBH Marks, Inc. will merge with and into the Corporation, with the Corporation as the survivor of the merger (the “Merger” ); and

 

WHEREAS , it is intended that the Merger constitute a complete liquidation of TBH Marks, Inc., within the meaning of Section 332 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” ) and that this consent constitute a “plan of liquidation” within the meaning of Section 332 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the terms and provisions of the following plan of merger and the transactions contemplated thereby, are hereby adopted, authorized and approved in all respects and deemed to be advisable to the Corporation:

 

Plan of Merger

 

1.                                       TBH Marks, Inc. (the “Merging Entity” ) shall be merged with and into the Corporation (the “Surviving Entity” ), which shall be the surviving entity of the Merger upon the effective date and time of the Merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ( “DGCL” ). The separate existence of the Merging Entity shall cease at the effective date and time of the Merger in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL.

 

2.                                       Upon the effective date and time of the Merger, the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Surviving Entity as in effect immediately prior to the Merger shall continue without any change as the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Surviving Entity and will continue in full force and effect until thereafter amended and changed in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the DGCL and such Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as applicable.

 

3.                                       At the effective date and time of the Merger, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any other person or entity, each share of capital stock of the Merging Entity issued and outstanding immediately prior to such effective date and time shall automatically be canceled, retired and cease to exist without payment of any consideration therefor and without any conversion thereof, and each share of capital stock of the Surviving Entity issued and outstanding immediately prior to such effective date and time shall remain and continue without any change as a share of capital stock in the Surviving Entity.

 

4.                                       Upon the effective date and time of the Merger, all rights, privileges and powers and all property, real, personal and mixed, of, and all debts due to, the Merging Entity, as well as all other things and causes of action belonging to it, shall be vested in the Surviving Entity, and shall thereafter be the rights, privileges, powers, and property of and debts due to the Surviving Entity as they were of the Merging Entity, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Merging Entity shall thereafter attach to the Surviving Entity and may be enforced against it to the same

 



 

extent as if such debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it. If at any time the Surviving Entity shall consider or be advised that any further assignment or assurances in law are necessary or desirable to vest in the Surviving Entity, according to the terms hereof, the title to any property or rights of the Merging Entity, the last acting officers of the Merging Entity shall execute and make all such proper assignments and assurances and take all such actions necessary or proper to vest title to such property or rights in the Surviving Entity, and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Plan of Merger.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that each of the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer the Secretary, the Assistant Treasurer or the Assistant Secretary of the Corporation (collectively, the “Authorized Officers” ) is hereby authorized, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to execute and deliver the Certificate of Ownership and Merger to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, and such other documents and to take such further actions as such Authorized Officer determines to be necessary or advisable to effect the Merger and otherwise to carry out the intent of the foregoing resolutions.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED , that all actions heretofore taken by or at the direction of any Authorized Officer with respect to the foregoing transactions and all other matters contemplated by the foregoing resolutions are hereby approved, adopted, ratified and confirmed.

 

The Secretary of the Corporation is hereby directed to file an executed copy of this Consent in the minute book of the Corporation.

 

*****************************

 




Exhibit 3.12

 

ER MARKS, INC.
BY–LAWS

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

Section 1.                                            Registered Office.  The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The registered agent in charge thereof shall be Corporation Service Company.

 

Section 2.                                            Other Offices.  The corporation may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.                                            Place of Meeting.  Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. If the place of meeting is not designated in the notice, the meeting shall be held at the corporation’s registered office.

 

Section 2.                                            Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held following the end of the corporation’s fiscal year on a date and at a time specified by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated by the Board of Directors for any annual meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders as soon thereafter as is convenient.

 

Section 3.                                            Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning majority in amount of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of the date of

 

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such request. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

 

Section 4.                                            Notices.  Written notice stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting either personally or by mail or telegraph, addressed to each stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered three business days after being deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company.

 

Section 5.                                            Adjourned Meetings.  When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, if the adjournment is for not more than thirty (30) days, and if no new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the adjourned meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 6.                                            Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

 

Section 7.                                            The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any

 

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stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

 

Section 8.                                            Judges of Election.  The Board of Directors, or if the board shall not have made the appointment, the chairman presiding at any meeting of stockholders, shall have the power to appoint two or more persons to act as judges, to receive, canvass, and report the votes cast by the stockholders at such meeting, but no candidate for director shall be appointed as a judge at any meeting.

 

Section 9.                                            Voting.  Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Except where the transfer books of the corporation have been closed or a date has been fixed as a record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, no share of stock shall be voted at any election for directors which has been transferred on the books of the corporation within ten (10) days next preceding such election of directors. No corporate action requiring shareholder approval, including the election or removal of directors, may occur without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Section 10.                                     Action Without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted; provided that prompt notice of the taking of such action shall be given to those stockholders who have not so consented in writing to such action.

 

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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.                                            Number and Term.  The business and affairs of the corporation shall managed by a board of not less than two nor more than seven directors, the precise number to be determined by resolution of the board of directors or by the stockholders at the annual meeting. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article, and each director elected shall serve for a term of one year from the date of election and until a successor is elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 2.                                            Vacancies.  Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.

 

Section 3.                                            Resignation or Removal.  Any director may at any time resign by delivering to the Board of Directors his resignation in writing, to take effect no later than ten days thereafter. Any director may at any time be removed effective immediately, with or without cause, by the vote, either in person or represented by proxy, of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at a special meeting held for such purpose or by the written consent of a majority of the shares of stock issued and outstanding; provided that if such director is elected by the holders of a particular class of stock, such director may be removed by the vote of a majority of the shares of that class or by the written consent of a majority of the shares of that class.

 

Section 4.                                            Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held quarterly at such time and place and on such dates as shall be determined by the President.

 

Section 5.                                            Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or on the written request of any two directors. The President shall have the right to fix the time, place and date of each special meeting.

 

Section 6.                                            Notice.  At least three days prior written notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given, either

 

4



 

personally or by mail, telegraph or courier service, addressed to each director at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If mailed such notice shall be deemed to be delivered three days after being deposited in the United States mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be by telegram or courier service, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram or notice is delivered to the telegraph company or courier service.

 

Section 7.                                            Quorum.  At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the directors then serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. A director present at a meeting shall be counted in determining the presence of a quorum, regardless of whether a contract or transaction between the corporation and such director or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which such director is a director or officer, or has a financial interest, is authorized or considered at such meeting.

 

Section 8.                                            Action Without a Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 9.                                            Meetings by Conference Telephone.  Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or such committee, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 10.                                     Committees.  The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more directors, and to have such name or title determined by the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee the member

 

5



 

or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such person or persons constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

Any such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to amend the certificate of incorporation, adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s property and assets, recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amend the by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors.

 

Section 11.                                     Compensation of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid a fixed sum and/or their expenses, if any, of attendance for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

 

Section 1.                                            Designation.  The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, one or more Vice Presidents (the number and designation of which to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors), a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose such additional officers, assistant officers and agents as it may deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the President.

 

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Section 2.                                            Salaries.  The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.                                            Election and Term of Office.  The officers of the corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. Any officer appointed by the Board may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board of Directors. An officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the corporation. Each officer shall hold his office until his or her successor is appointed or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

Section 4.                                            The President.  The President shall be the chief executive and chief operating officer of the corporation; the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors; the President shall have general and active supervision of the business of the corporation subject to the direction of the Board of Directors; shall sign or countersign all certificates, contracts or other instruments; and the President shall perform any and all duties assigned to him by the Board or as are incident to the office of the President of a corporation.

 

Section 5.                                            The Vice-President.  In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President (or in the event there be more than one Vice-President, the Vice-Presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 6.                                            The Secretary.  The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the committees of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law; and shall have custody of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it may be attested by the signature of the Secretary; shall keep at the registered office or at the principal place of business of the corporation a record of the stockholders of the corporation, giving the names and addresses of all such

 

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stockholders (which addresses shall be furnished to the Secretary by such stockholders) and the number and class of the shares held by each; the Secretary shall have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and in general the Secretary shall perform all duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.                                            The Treasurer.  The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep, or cause to be kept, correct and complete books of account, including full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors; shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements; shall render to the Board of Directors, when the Board so requires, an account of all transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation; and, in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of the Treasurer’s office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of the Treasurer’s death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in the possession or control of the Treasurer belonging to the corporation.

 

Section 8.                                            Assistant Officers.  The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or the Treasurer as the case may be or in the event of their inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary or Treasurer, as the case may be, and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE V
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

Section 1.                                            Signature by Officers.  Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by,

 

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or in the name of the corporation by the President or a Vice-President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by the stockholder in the corporation.

 

Section 2.                                            Facsimile Signature.  Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

Section 3.                                            Lost Certificates.  The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such person’s legal representative, to advertise the sale in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

Section 4.                                            Transfer of Stock.  Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

Section 5.                                            Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date.  The Board of Directors may close the stock transfer books of the corporation for a period of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date: (i) of any meeting of stockholders; (ii) for payment of any dividend; (iii) for the allotment of rights; or (iv) when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or for a period of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any

 

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purpose. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books as aforesaid, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date of no more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days preceding the date: (i) of any dividend; (ii) for the allotment of rights; (iii) when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect; or (iv) in connection with obtaining such consent, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and in such case such stockholders, and only such stockholders, as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent as the case may be notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.

 

Section 6.                                            Registered Stockholders.  The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VI
DIVIDENDS

 

Section 1.                                            Declaration of Dividends.  Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

 

Section 2.                                            Reserves.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for

 

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such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

 

Section 1.                                            Annual Statement.  The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting, and at any special meeting of the stockholders when called for by vote of the stockholders, a full and clear statement of the business and conditions of the corporation.

 

Section 2.                                            Checks.  All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

Section 3.                                            Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.                                            Seal.  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

 

Section 5.                                            Indemnification.  The corporation shall indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. With regard to a breach of fiduciary duty by a director, no director shall be personally liable for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders to the full extent permitted pursuant to Section 102(b) (7) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

Section 6.                                            Waiver of Notice.  Whenever any notice is required to be given by law or under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or of these by-laws, a waiver thereof, in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.                                            These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting. The power to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws conferred upon the Board of Directors shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws.

 

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Exhibit 3.13

 

STATE OF DELAWARE

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS

 

FILED 09:00 AM 06/25/1993

 

713176002 - 2341581

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 


 

FIRST.                                       The name of this corporation shall be:

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

SECOND.                        Its registered office in the State of Delaware is to be located at 1013 Centre Road, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle and its registered agent at such address is CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY.

 

THIRD.                                  The purpose or purposes of the corporation shall be:

 

To engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

FOURTH.                       The total number of shares of stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is:

 

One Thousand (1,000) Shares With A Par Value Of One Cent ($.01) Each, Amounting To Ten Dollars ($10.00).

 

FIFTH.                                      The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Jane S. Krayer

Corporation Service Company

1013 Centre Road

Wilmington, DE 19805

 

SIXTH.                                    The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws.

 



 

 

SEVENTH.                No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law, (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article Seventh shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, has executed, signed and acknowledged this certificate of incorporation this twenty-fifth day of June, A.D., 1993.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Jane S. Krayer

 

Incorporator

 




Exhibit 3.14

 

Delaware

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION OF A DELAWARE CORPORATION UNDER THE NAME OF “QVC INTERNATIONAL, INC .” TO A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, CHANGING ITS NAME FROM “QVC INTERNATIONAL, INC.” TO “QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D.2008, AT 5:22 O’CLOCK P.M .

 

 

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

2341581 8100V

AUTHENTICATION: 6929984

 

081062647

DATE: 10-24-08

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

1



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 05:22 PM 10/23/2008

 

FILED 05:22 PM 10/23/2008

 

SRV 081062647 - 2341581 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION TO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

OF

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

This Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company, dated as of October 23, 2008, hereby is executed and filed by QVC International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), to convert the Corporation to QVC International LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC”), under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. Sec. 18-101 et   seq .) and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (8  Del. C. Sec. 101, et   seq .) (the “DGCL”).

 

1.                                            The name of the Corporation is QVC International, Inc., which is the name under which the Corporation originally was incorporated.

 

2.                                            The certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 25, 1993.

 

3.                                            The name of the Delaware limited liability company into which the Corporation shall be converted as set forth in its certificate of formation is QVC International LLC.

 

4.                                            The conversion of the Corporation to the LLC has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Section 266 of the DGCL.

 

5.                                            This Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company shall become effective upon its filing with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company as of the 23rd day of October, 2008.

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL, LLC

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 




Exhibit 3.15

 

Delaware

The First State

 

I, HARRIET SMITH WINDSOR, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION OF “QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC” FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2008, AT 5:22 O’CLOCK P.M.

 

 

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

 

Harriet Smith Windsor, Secretary of State

2341581 8100V

AUTHENTICATION

:

6929984

 

DATE

:

10-24-08

081062647

You may verify this certificate online

 

at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

 

 

2



 

 

State of Delaware

 

Secretary of State

 

Division of Corporations

 

Delivered 05:22 PM 10/23/2008

 

FILED 05:22 PM 10/23/2008

 

SRV 081062647 - 2341581 FILE

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

 

OF

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

The undersigned, an authorized person, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the State of Delaware (particularly Chapter 18, Title 6 of the Delaware Code and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, and known, identified, and referred to as the “Delaware Limited Liability Company Act”), hereby certifies that:

 

FIRST:                               The name of the limited liability company (hereinafter called the “limited liability company”) is: QVC International LLC.

 

SECOND:                     The address of the registered office and the name of the registered agent of the limited liability company required to be maintained by Section 18-104 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act are: Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE 19808.

 

THIRD:                           This Certificate of Formation shall become effective upon its filing with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware

 

Executed this 23rd day of October, 2008.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Name: Lawrence R. Hayes

 

Authorized Person

 




Exhibit 3.16

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

Limited Liability Company Agreement

 

THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) of QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC (the “ Company ”) is dated as of October 23rd, 2008, and is made by QVC, Inc., as the initial member of the Company (the “ Initial Shareholder ”) .

 

Section I

Defined Terms

 

The following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section I. Other terms are defined in the text of this Agreement and, throughout this Agreement, those terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them.

 

Act means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq., as amended from time to time.

 

Agreement means this Limited Liability Company Agreement, as amended from time to time.

 

Board of Directors or the “ Board means a board of one or more Directors designated by the Shareholders as described in Section V.

 

Capital of the Company means, at any time, the aggregate par value of the issued and outstanding Shares (subject to reduction for distributions as provided in Section 4.1 or payments as provided in Section 9.2). For the avoidance of doubt, the Capital of the Company shall initially be equal to One Dollar ($1.00), such amount being the par value of the Shares issued to the Initial Shareholder upon the Conversion, and being an amount equal to the par value of the outstanding capital stock of the Converted Corporation immediately prior to the Conversion.

 

Certificate of Formation means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act, as amended from time to time.

 

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any corresponding provision of any succeeding law.

 

Company Assets means all right, title and interest of the Company in and to all or any portion of the assets of the Company and any property (real, personal, tangible or intangible) or estate acquired in exchange therefor or in connection therewith.

 

Converted Corporation means QVC International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, of which the Company is a continuation.

 

DGCL means the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 



 

Director means each Person elected to the Board of Directors from time to time by the Shareholders, in their capacity as a manager of the Company. A Director is hereby designated as a “manager” of the Company within the meaning of Section 18-101(10) of the Act.

 

Earnings of the Company means, at any time, the amount of undistributed net earnings (if any) of the Company other than earnings from the issuance of Shares, and shall be calculated by subtracting the Capital and Premium of the Company at such time from the net assets of the Company at such time (provided that Earnings shall not be less than zero).

 

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust, estate, or other entity.

 

Premium of the Company means, initially, Nineteen Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars ($19,999) (such amount being the value of the consideration received by the Converted Corporation for the issuance of the shares of capital stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion less the par value of such capital stock), as increased from time to time by the amount (if any) by which the value of the consideration received by the Company in connection with each issuance of new Shares exceeds the par value of the Shares so issued, and as reduced from time to time by distributions as provided in Section 4.1 or payments as provided in Section 9.2).

 

Share means a limited liability company interest in the Company held by a Shareholder. All of a Shareholder’s Shares, in the aggregate, represent such Shareholder’s entire limited liability company interest in the Company.

 

Share Certificate means a certificate issued by the Company to a Shareholder to evidence the Shareholder’s ownership of Shares. Each Share Certificate shall be in substantially the form attached as Annex A hereto or otherwise in a form as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe, but in any event shall be numbered and registered in the Share Register in the order issued, bear the Shareholder’s name and the number of Shares and be signed by any officer of the Company.

 

Shareholder means the Initial Shareholder and any Person who subsequently is recorded in the Share Register as a Shareholder of the Company and admitted as such in accordance with this Agreement, each in its capacity as a member of the Company.

 

Transfer ”, when used as a noun, means any voluntary sale, hypothecation, pledge, assignment, attachment, or other transfer and, when used as a verb, means voluntarily to sell, hypothecate, pledge, assign, or otherwise transfer.

 



 

Section II

Formation and Name: Office; Purpose; Term

 

2.1.                          Organization. The Company was formed by filing a Certificate of Conversion and a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on or about October 23, 2008 and effective upon filing pursuant to the Act, by an authorized person (such filings being hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects). The Company constitutes a continuation of the Converted Corporation, which was converted to a Delaware limited liability company in accordance with Section 266 of the DGCL and Section 18-214 of the Act (the “ Conversion ). As provided in the Act, the existence of the Company is deemed to have commenced on June 25, 1993, the date the Converted Corporation was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. As provided in the Act and the DGCL, the Conversion will not affect any rights, privileges, powers and interests, or debts, liabilities and duties of the Converted Corporation prior to the Conversion all of which will be those of the Company upon the Conversion. Effective as of the time of the Conversion, (i) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Converted Corporation and the By-Laws of the Converted Corporation, each in effect on the date hereof, are replaced and superseded in their entirety by this Agreement in respect of all periods beginning on or after the Conversion, (ii) all of the shares of capital stock in the Converted Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion are converted to all the limited liability company interests in the Company as set forth in Section 3.2, and the sole stockholder of the Converted Corporation immediately prior to the Conversion is automatically admitted to the Company as a member of the Company upon its execution of this Agreement, and (iii) all certificates evidencing shares of capital stock in the Converted Corporation issued by the Converted Corporation and outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion shall be surrendered to the Company and shall be canceled on the books and records of the Converted Corporation.

 

2.2.                             Name; Qualification. The name of the Company shall be QVC International LLC and its business will be carried on in such name with such variations and changes as the Board of Directors determines or deems necessary to comply with requirements of the jurisdictions in which the Company conducts its operations. The Company may be qualified, licensed or registered to do business in its name or under assumed or fictitious name statutes or similar laws, in any other jurisdiction in which the Company transacts or proposes to transact business and where such qualification, license or registration is required or desirable. Any authorized agent or officer of the Company may execute, deliver and file any certificates and other documents and take any and all actions as may be necessary or desirable to obtain such qualification, license or registration.

 

2.3.                               Purpose. The Company may engage in any lawful business or activity that may be engaged in by a limited liability company formed under the Act and any and all activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Company Assets shall be used only for such businesses and activities.

 



 

2.4.                          Term. The term of the Company will be perpetual unless the Company is dissolved in accordance with Section IX hereof.

 

2.5.                          Registered Office. The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, in the State of Delaware, 19808 or at any other place within the State of Delaware which the Board of Directors shall select.

 

2.6.                          Principal Office. The principal office of the Company shall be at any location which the Board of Directors shall select.

 

2.7.                          Registered Agent. The name of the Company’s registered agent in the State of Delaware shall be Corporation Service Company.

 

Section III

Shareholders; Shares

 

3.1.                          Share capital. The authorized share capital of the Company is divided into 100 Shares with a par value of $0.01 per share. The share capital of the Company is represented by the Shares.

 

3.2.                             Initial Shareholder. Effective on the date hereof, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Converted Corporation and the written consent of the Initial Shareholder, which was the sole shareholder of the Converted Corporation at the effective time of the Conversion, (a) all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Converted Corporation (consisting of 100 shares) were, by virtue of the Conversion and without any further action, converted into 100 Shares of the Company with a par value of $0.01 per share, (b) the Initial Shareholder was admitted as the sole Shareholder of the Company, (c) the Share Register was updated to reflect the Initial Shareholder’s ownership of 100 Shares and (d) a Share Certificate was issued to the Initial Shareholder evidencing such ownership. Immediately following the effective time of the Conversion, any certificate evidencing any shares of capital stock of the Converted Corporation is deemed null and void.

 

3.3.                             New Shareholders. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Agreement, the Company may issue new Shares at any time and from time to time, upon resolution by the Board of Directors, for such consideration (which may consist of cash, other assets or services to the Company) and to such Persons as the Board of Directors may determine, provided that the Company may not issue any additional Shares unless the Shareholders, acting unanimously, consent thereto. Each new Shareholder shall be admitted as a Shareholder upon their execution of an instrument evidencing their agreement to be bound by this Agreement and the listing of such Person as a Shareholder in the Share Register.

 



 

3.4.                          Additional Consideration. No Shareholder shall be required to provide additional consideration to the Company in respect of the Shares held by such Shareholder.

 

3.5.                          Return of Consideration. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Shareholder shall have the right to the return of any consideration paid to the Company upon acquiring Shares or to withdraw any of other amounts from the Company.

 

3.6.                          Loans. Any Shareholder or the Board of Directors may, at any time, make or cause a loan to be made to the Company in any amount and on those terms upon which the Company and the Shareholder and the Board of Directors shall agree.

 

3.7.                          Share Certificates. The ownership of the Shares of the Company shall be evidenced by Share Certificates. Every Shareholder, upon becoming a Shareholder, shall be entitled without further payment to one or more Share Certificates evidencing the Shares held be such Shareholder and, upon transferring a portion of such Shareholder’s Shares, to a Share Certificate for the balance of such Shareholder’s Shares.

 

3.8.                          Share Register. The Company shall maintain a physical share register (the “ Share Register ”) for the registration of Shares and the registration of Transfers of Shares at the principal office of the Company or such other place as may be determined by the Company. All Share Certificates issued shall be duly recorded in the Share Register. Upon any surrender for registration of any Share Certificate at the principal office of the Company, with an assignment or power of transfer endorsed thereon or delivered therewith, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature and of authority to transfer and of payment of transfer taxes, if applicable, as the Company may reasonably require, an officer of the Company shall execute and deliver, in the name of the Company, a new Share Certificate representing the Shares being transferred. The Company shall treat the individual or entity in whose name each Share Certificate is registered on the Share Register as the sole and absolute owner thereof for all purposes and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any legal, equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Share on the part of any other Person, whether or not the Company shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly required by applicable law.

 

3.9.                             Replacement Certificates. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Share Certificate and of a letter of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company, and upon reimbursement to the Company of all reasonable expenses incident thereto, and upon surrender or cancellation of a Share Certificate, if mutilated, an officer of the Company shall make and deliver a new Share Certificate for the Share Certificate lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

 

3.10.                        Rights or Powers. The Shareholders, in such capacity, shall have no right or power to take part in the management or control of the Company or its business and

 



 

affairs and shall have not have any right or power to act for or bind the Company in any way except with respect to their voting rights as set forth herein or as required by the Act.

 

3.11.                   Title to Company Assets and nature of Shares. All Company Assets shall be owned by the Company as an entity in its own name and not in the name of any Shareholder and no Shareholder shall have any ownership interest in its individual name in any such assets. The Company Assets shall be used solely for the benefit of the Company and no Company Asset shall be transferred in satisfaction of or encumbered for, or in payment of, any individual obligation of any Shareholder or be commingled with the assets of any Shareholder. Any amounts contributed to the capital of the Company on a subscription of Shares shall, upon contribution, become property of the Company. No Shareholder shall have the status of a creditor of the Company by virtue of owning Shares or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement. No amounts contributed to the capital of the Company shall be considered loans to the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the interest of a Shareholder in the Company is personal property.

 

Section IV

Distributions

 

4.1.                             Distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of the Company will be made at such times and in such amounts as resolved and determined by the Shareholders. Distributions will be made to Shareholders pro rata based on the number of Shares owned by each Shareholder. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company will not make a distribution to the Shareholders (i) if such distribution would violate the Act (including without limitation Sections 18-607 and 18-804 thereof) or other applicable law, and (ii) of the initial Capital ($1.00) and the initial Premium ($19,999) except upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company. The Shareholders shall specify in the resolutions approving such distributions the extent to which the distribution shall be a distribution of Earnings, Premium or Capital of the Company, provided however that, in the absence of any such provision in the approving resolutions, the distribution shall be: first, a distribution of Earnings, to the extent thereof; second, a distribution of Premium, to the extent thereof; and third, a distribution of Capital. In connection with any distribution, the Shareholders shall receive information in a form the Shareholders deem sufficient (including without limitation a written or oral report of an officer or Director of the Company or any other party) as to the amount of Earnings, Premium and Capital as of the most recent practicable date.

 

4.2.                             Record Dates. Distributions shall be made to the Persons recorded in the Share Register as Shareholders as of a record date specified by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.1.8 hereof.

 



 

Section V

Board of Directors

 

5.1.                             Board of Directors. Subject to matters that are expressly reserved under this Agreement or under the Act to the Shareholders for vote, decision or approval and any delegation of rights and powers as provided for in this Agreement, the business and affairs of the Company shall be solely managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The initial number of Directors shall be two and the initial Directors shall be the individuals who were directors of the Converted Corporation immediately prior to the Conversion. Unless otherwise restricted by law, any Director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by action of the Shareholders. The Shareholders may take action to increase or decrease the authorized number of Directors upon notice to all Directors. Each Director shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified or until such Director’s earlier death, resignation, expulsion or removal. The Directors need not be Shareholders. Any vacancy caused by a Director’s death, resignation, expulsion or removal or any increase in the size of the Board may be filled by action of the Shareholders.

 


 

5.2.                             Powers. The Board of Directors has the sole right to manage the business and affairs of the Company and has all powers and rights necessary, appropriate or advisable to effectuate and carry out the purposes, business and affairs of the Company. Each Director is deemed to be a “manager” within the meaning to Section 18-101(10) of the Act. The Board of Directors has the authority to bind the Company.

 

5.3.                             Meetings of the Board of Directors. Regular meetings of the Board may be held with or without notice at such time as shall from time to time be determined by the Board. Special meetings of the Board may be called by any Director on reasonable notice to each other Director by telephone, facsimile, mail, telegram or any other means of communication.

 

5.4.                             Place of Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held at such place as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

5.5.                             Quorum Acts of the Board. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and, except as otherwise provided in any other provision of this Agreement, the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the Directors present at such meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

5.6.                             Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or the committee, as the case may be.

 

5.7.                          Electronic Communications. Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in meetings of the Board, or any committee, by means of telephone conference or similar communications equipment that allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. If all participants are participating by telephone conference or similar communications equipment, the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the principal place of business of the Company.

 

5.8.                                  Committee of Directors. The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one of more of the Directors of the Company. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or member s thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in

 



 

the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.

 

5.9.                             Director Compensation. Unless approved by Shareholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares, the Directors shall not be entitled to compensation for services performed for the Company. However, upon substantiation of the amount and purpose thereof, the Directors shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the activities of the Company.

 

Section VI

Officers

 

6.1.                             Election; Powers. The Board of Directors will elect as officers of the Company a President and a Secretary, and may also elect persons to hold such other offices as the Board determines. The initial President and Secretary of the Company will be the individuals who were President and Secretary of the Converted Corporation immediately prior to the Conversion. Officers will have such powers, authority and responsibilities as the Board of Directors may determine. A person may hold any number of offices.

 

6.2.                             Term. Officers will hold their offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, or until their earlier resignation. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors.

 

Section VII

Actions by Shareholders; Shareholder Meetings

 

7.1.                             Meetings of Shareholders

 

7.1.1.                     Actions by Shareholders. The Shareholders may approve a matter or take any action at a meeting or without a meeting by the written consent of the Shareholders, in either case, upon the affirmative vote of Shareholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares.

 

7.1.2.                     Determination of Shareholders Entitled to Vote at Meeting of Shareholders. Unless a record date for voting purposes has been fixed as provided in Section 7.1.8, only Persons who are listed as Shareholders in the Share Register at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given or, if such notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting of Shareholders is held (except that the record date for Shareholders entitled to give consent to action without a meeting shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.2.3) shall be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at such meeting, and such day shall be the record date for such meeting.

 



 

7.1.3.                     Place of Meetings. All meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at any place convenient to the Shareholders and which may be approved by the Board or by the written consent of all Shareholders entitled to vote thereat given either before or after the meeting and filed with the Secretary of the Company. In the event of any inconsistency in the places designated by the Board of Directors or the Shareholders as herein provided, or in the absence of any such designation, Shareholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Company.

 

7.1.4.                     Meetings of Shareholders; Notice of Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders for the purpose of taking any action permitted to be taken by the Shareholders may be called by the any Director or by Shareholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares. Upon a request in writing that a meeting of Shareholders be called for any proper purpose, the Secretary of the Company shall cause notice to be given to the Shareholders entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the Person or Persons calling the meeting, not less than ten nor more than sixty days after receipt of the request. Except in special cases where other express provision is made by statute, written notice of such meetings shall be given to each Shareholder entitled to vote not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the meeting. Such notices shall state: the place, date and hour of the meeting; those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of the mailing of the notice, intend to present for action by the Shareholders; and, if applicable, the names of the Directors intended at the time of the notice to be presented for election.

 

7.1.5.                     Quorum. The presence at any meeting in person or by proxy of Shareholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding Shares entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

7.1.6.                     Waiver of Notice. The actions of any meeting of Shareholders, however called and noticed, and wherever held, shall be as valid as if taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of any Shareholder at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the Shareholder objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting.

 

7.1.7.                     Electronic Communications. Shareholders may participate in meetings by means of telephone conference or similar communications equipment that allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

7.1.8.                     Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix a time in the future as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of Shareholders or entitled to given consent to action by the Company in

 



 

writing without a meeting, to receive any report, to receive any dividend or distribution, or any allotment of rights, or to exercise rights with respect to any change, conversion or exchange of interests. The record date so fixed shall be not more than sixty days nor less than ten days prior to the date of any meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other event for the purposes of which it is fixed. When a record date is so fixed, only Shareholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of and to vote at any such meeting, to given consent without a meeting, to receive any report, to receive a dividend, distribution, or allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any Shares on the books of the Company after the record date.

 

7.2.                          Actions by Shareholders Without a Meeting

 

7.2.1.                Any other action which, under any provision of this Agreement, may be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders, may be taken without a meeting, and without notice, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by Shareholders having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the taking of such action at a meeting at which all Shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. All such consents shall be filed with the Secretary of the Company and shall be maintained in the Company’s records.

 

7.2.2.                Unless the consent of all Shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing, prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other action approved by Shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those Shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing.

 

7.2.3.                Unless, as provided in this Agreement, a record date has been fixed for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and to give such written consent, the record date for such determination shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.

 

7.2.4.                     Any Shareholder giving a written consent, or the Shareholder’s proxy holders, or a representative of the Shareholder or their respective proxy holders, may revoke the consent by a writing received by the Secretary of the Company prior to the time that written consents of the number of votes required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary of the Company, but may not do so thereafter. Such revocation is effective upon its receipt by the Secretary of the Company, or, if there shall be no person then holding such office, upon its receipt by any other officer or Director of the Company.

 

Section VIII

Transfer of Shares and Resignations of Shareholders

 

8.1.                             Transfers. Any Shareholder may Transfer all or any of its Shares, and the transferee of all or any of such Shares will be admitted as a substituted Shareholder, effective upon registration of the Transfer in the Share Register, without prior approval of

 



 

the Board of Directors or any Shareholder, provided that the transferee delivers to the Company a written instrument agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

 

8.2.                             Resignation. No Shareholder may resign from the Company except in connection with the Transfer of all Shares held by such Shareholder to a transferee who is admitted as a substituted Shareholder in accordance with this Agreement (including the Conditions of Transfer).

 

Section IX

Dissolution of the Company

 

9.1.                             Events of Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up upon the happening of any of the following events:

 

9.1.1.                   the unanimous written agreement of all of the Shareholders with the consent of the Board of Directors;

 

9.1.2.                any time there are no members of the Company, unless the Company is continued as permitted under the Act; or

 

9.1.3.                the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18-802 of the Act.

 

9.2.                          Procedure for Winding Up and Dissolution. If the Company is dissolved, the Board shall wind up the Company’s affairs. If there shall be no Directors, the Shareholders shall elect a Person to wind up the affairs of the Company. On winding up of the Company, the Company Assets shall be distributed:

 

9.2.1.                first, to creditors of the Company in satisfaction of the liabilities of the Company (including Shareholders who are creditors), with such payments being: first, payments out of Capital, to the extent thereof; second, payments out of Premium, to the extent thereof; and third, payments out of Earnings; and

 

9.2.2.                   second, to the Shareholders pro rata based on the number of Shares owned by each Shareholder.

 

9.3.                          Filing of Certificate of Cancellation. Upon completion of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the Board shall promptly cause the filing of a Certificate of Cancellation with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 



 

Section X

Books, Records, Accounting, and Tax Elections

 

10.1.              Books and Records.

 

10.1.1.              The Board shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate books and records of the Company and supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business. The records shall include, but not be limited to, complete and accurate information regarding the level of Capital and Premium on an ongoing basis, the state of the business and financial condition of the Company, a copy of the Certificate of Formation, Certificate of Conversion and Limited Liability Company Agreement and all amendments to the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement; the Share Register; and the Company’s federal, state, or local tax returns or overseas tax returns.

 

10.1.2.              The books and records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be available at the Company’s principal office for examination by any Shareholder or the Shareholder’s duly authorized representative at any and all reasonable times during normal business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Shareholder’s interest as a Shareholder.

 

10.1.3.              Each Shareholder shall reimburse the Company for all costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Shareholder’s inspection and copying of the Company’s books and records.

 

10.2.                   Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

10.3.                   Tax Elections. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to make all Company elections permitted under the Code. The decision to make or not make an election shall be at the Board’s sole and absolute discretion, subject to the Board’s obligations to act in the best interest of the Company and its Shareholders.

 

Section XI

Liability and Indemnification

 

11.1.                   Limitation on Liability. Except as otherwise expressly provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, will be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, and no Shareholder, Director or officer of the Company will be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Shareholder, Director and/or officer.

 

11.2.                   Director’s Standard of Care. Each Director of the Company will be deemed to owe to the Company and its Shareholders all of the fiduciary duties that a director of a corporation formed under the DGCL would owe to such corporation and its

 



 

shareholders. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, however, a Director of the Company will not be personally liable to the Company or any Shareholder for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability for: (a) any breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its Shareholders; (b) any act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or (c) any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

11.3.                   Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Director or officer of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (as defined below) and any officer, director, shareholder, partner, employee, representative or agent of any such Director, officer or Affiliate (each, a “ Covered Person ”) and each former Covered Person from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts (including any investigation, legal and other reasonable expenses) arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (“ Claims ”), in which the Covered Person or former Covered Person may be involved, or threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its management of the affairs of the Company or that relates to or arises out of the Company or its formation, operation, dissolution or termination or its property, business or affairs. The Company may indemnify any employee, representative or agent of the Company when, as and if determined by the Board of Directors, to the same extent as provided to Covered Persons pursuant to this Section 11.3. A Covered Person or former Covered Person will not be entitled to indemnification under this Section 11.3 with respect to (a) any Claim that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined results from (i) any breach of such Covered Person’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its Shareholders, (ii) any act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) any transaction from which such Covered Person derived an improper personal benefit or (b) any Claim initiated by such Covered Person unless such Claim (or part thereof) (i) was brought to enforce such Covered Person’s rights to indemnification under this Agreement or (ii) was authorized or consented to by the Board. For purposes of this Section 11.3, “Affiliate of the Company” means any person or entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company. For the purposes of this definition, “control” of a person or entity means the power to direct the management and policies of such person or entity, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Section XII

General Provisions

 

12.1.                   Assurances. Each Shareholder shall execute all such certificates and other documents and shall do all such filing, recording, publishing, and other acts as the Board of Directors deems appropriate to comply with the requirements of law for the formation and operation of the Company and to comply with any laws, rules and regulations relating to the acquisition, operation or holding of the property of the Company.

 



 

12.2 .                   Notifications. Any notice, demand, consent, election, offer, approval, request, or other communication (collectively a “notice”) required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and either delivered personally, by express courier, mail, fax or email. Any notice to be given hereunder by the Company shall be given by the Board. A notice must be addressed to a Shareholder at the Shareholder’s last known address (including a fax number or email address) in the records of the Company. A notice to the Company must be addressed to the Company’s principal office. Any party may designate, by notice to all of the others, substitute addresses (including a fax number or email address) or addressees for notices; and, thereafter, notices are to be directed to those substitute addresses or addressees. Any notice will be deemed to be given at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

12.3.                   Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement among the Shareholders. It supersedes all prior written and oral statements, including any prior representation, statement, condition, or warranty. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, this Agreement may not be amended without the written consent of all of the Shareholders.

 

12.4.                   Applicable Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement shall be governed by the internal law, not the law of conflicts, of the State of Delaware.

 

12.5.                   Section Titles. The headings herein are inserted as a matter of convenience only, and do not define, limit, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of the provisions hereof.

 

12.6.                      Binding Provisions. This Agreement is binding upon, and inures to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, personal and legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns.

 

12.7.                   Jurisdiction. The parties of this Agreement consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of, and arbitration in, the State of Delaware.

 

12.8.                      Terms. Common nouns and pronouns shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular, and plural, as the identity of the Person may in the context require.

 

12.9.                   Separability of Provisions. Each and every provision of this Agreement shall be considered separable; and if, for any reason, any provision or provisions herein are determined to be invalid and contrary to any existing or future law, such invalidity shall not impair the operation of or affect those portions of this Agreement which are valid.

 

12.10.               Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, when

 



 

taken together, constitute one and the same document. The signature of any party to any counterpart shall be deemed a signature to, and may be appended to, any other counterpart.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed, or caused this Agreement to be executed, under seal, as of the date set forth hereinabove.

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Lawrence Hayes

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 




Exhibit 3.17

 

STATE OF

NORTH

CAROLINA

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

Department of The

Secretary of State

 

 

To all whom these presents shall come, Greetings:

 

I, ELAINE F. MARSHALL, Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify the following and hereto attached to be a true copy of

 

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

the original of which was filed in this office on the 20th day of July, 1999.

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my official seal at the
City of Raleigh, this 20th day of July, 1999.

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Secretary of State

 



 

992019037

 

CORP ID # 0500542

 

 

FILED

 

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

3:52 PM

 

 

JUL 20 1999

 

OF

 

 

 

Effective                  

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

ELAINE F.MARSHALL

 

 

SECRETARY OF STATE

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA

 

Pursuant to Section 55-2-02 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby submit these Articles of Incorporation for the purpose of forming a business corporation.

 

1.                                       The name of the corporation is:

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

2.                                       The number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue is 100,000 shares of common stock all of one class.

 

3.                                       The street address and county of the initial registered office of the corporation is:

 

 

 

Number and Street:

225 Hillsborough Street

City, State and Zip Code:

Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

County:

Wake

 

4.                                       The mailing address of the initial registered office is the same as the street address.

 

5.                                       The name of the initial registered agent is:  CT Corporation System

 

6.                                       The following additional provision is included in these Articles of Incorporation:

 

The number of directors constituting the initial board of directors shall be two (2); and the name and address of the persons who are to serve as directors until the first meeting of shareholders, or until their successors are elected and qualify, are:

 

 

 

 

NAME

 

ADDRESS

 

 

 

Douglas Briggs

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

Studio Park

 

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380

 

 

 

Neal S. Grabell

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

Studio Park

 

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380

 

7.                                       The name and address of the incorporator is Spruillco, Ltd., 3600 Glenwood Avenue,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612.

 

8.                                       These articles will be effective upon filing unless a different date and time are
specified.

 



 

This the 20 th  day of July, 1999.

 

 

SPRUILLCO, LTD.,

 

Incorporator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

William S. Cherry, Jr

 

 

Vice President

 


 

 

 



Exhibit 3.18

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1.01. Principal Office . The principal office of the Corporation shall be located at such place, within or without the State of North Carolina, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 1.02. Registered Office . The Corporation shall maintain a registered office as required by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, as amended from time to time (the “Act”), at a location in the State of North Carolina designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. The registered office of the Corporation may, but need not be, identical with the principal office of the Corporation.

 

Section 1.03. Other Offices . The Corporation may have such other offices within and without the State of North Carolina as the business of the Corporation may require from time to time. The authority to establish or close such other offices may be delegated by the Board of Directors to one or more of the Corporation’s Officers.

 

ARTICLE II

 

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 2.01. Place of Meetings . All meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation, or at such other place, either within or without the State of North Carolina, as shall in each case be (i) fixed by the President, the Secretary, the Chairman of the Board, or the Board of Directors and designated in the notice of meeting or (ii) agreed upon by a majority of the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Section 2.02. Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of the Corporation’s shareholders shall be held at 2:00 P.M. on the second Tuesday in February in each year beginning with the year 2000 for the purpose of electing Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. If the day fixed for the annual meeting shall be a legal holiday in the State of North Carolina, then such annual meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. If the annual meeting shall not be held on the day designated by these Bylaws for the annual meeting of shareholders, or at any adjournment thereof, then a substitute annual meeting may be called in accordance with Section 2.03 of these Bylaws, and the meeting so called may be designated as the annual meeting.

 



 

Section 2.03. Special Meetings . Special meeting of the Corporation’s shareholders may be called for any one or more lawful purposes by the Corporation’s President, Secretary, Chairman of the Board, the Board of Directors, or otherwise as authorized by the Act. Only business within the purpose or purposes described in the notice of the meeting may be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders.

 

Section 2.04. Notice of Meetings . Written or printed notice of all meetings of shareholders shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting date, to all shareholders of record (determined pursuant to Section 9.06 of these Bylaws) entitled to vote at such meeting, and to such other persons as the Corporation is required to notify pursuant to the Act or the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. The notice shall state the date, time, and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting was called.

 

Section 2.05. Shareholders’ List . Not later than two (2) business days after the date notice of a meeting of shareholders is first given, the Secretary or other officer or person having charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall prepare an alphabetical list of the shareholders entitled to notice of such meeting, with the address of and number of shares held by each, arranged by voting group and by class or series of shares within each voting group, which list shall be kept on file at the principal office of the Corporation, or at a place in the city where the meeting is to be held and identified in the notice of meeting, for the period commencing two (2) business days after notice of the meeting is first given and continuing through such meeting, and which list shall be available for inspection by any shareholder, or his or her agent or attorney, upon his or her demand, at any time during regular business hours. This list shall also be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder, or his or her attorney, during the whole time of the meeting and any adjournment thereof.

 

Section 2.06. Quorum . Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, at any meeting of shareholders the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business properly before the meeting. Shares entitled to vote as a separate voting group on a matter may take action at a meeting only if a quorum of the shares in the separate voting group are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. In the absence of a quorum a meeting may be adjourned from time to time, in accordance with the provisions concerning adjournments contained elsewhere in these Bylaws, by the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting in person or in proxy. At such adjourned meeting a quorum of shareholders may transact any business as might have been properly transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 2.07. Organization . Each meeting of shareholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, or, in the absence or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, by the President, or, in the absence or at the request of the President, by such other officer as the Board of Directors may designate, or in their absence and in the absence of such designation, by any person selected to preside by plurality vote of the shares represented and entitled to vote at the meeting, with each share having the same number of votes to which it would be entitled on any other matter on which all shares represented and entitled to vote at the meeting would be entitled

 

2



 

to vote. The Secretary, or in the absence or at the request of the Secretary, any person designated by the person presiding at the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.08. Voting . Except as may otherwise be required by the Act or the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions concerning shareholders of record contained elsewhere in these Bylaws, a person (or his or her proxy) present at a meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of voting stock as to which such person is the shareholder of record.

 

Except in the election of Directors as governed by Section 3.03 of these Bylaws, if a quorum of a voting group exists, action on a matter by such voting group is approved by such voting group if the votes cast within such voting group favoring the action exceed the votes cast within such voting group opposing the action, unless a greater number of affirmative votes is required by the Act or the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws. As used in these Bylaws, the term “voting group” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Act. So long as the Corporation shall have only one class of shares outstanding and the voting rights of all shares of such class are identical, then all such outstanding shares shall constitute a single voting group and the sole voting group, except to the extent that the Act or the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation requires that any of such shares be treated as a separate voting group.

 

Section 2.09. Adjournments . A majority of the voting shares held by shareholders of record present in person or by proxy at a meeting of shareholders may adjourn a meeting from time to time to a date, time, and place fixed by notice as provided for above or, if such date is less than thirty (30) days from the date of adjournment, to a date, time, and place fixed by the majority and announced at the original meeting prior to adjournment.

 

Section 2.10. Action Without Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all the shareholders entitled to vote on the action. The action must be evidenced by one or more written consents signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof before or after such action, describing the action and delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records.

 

Section 2.11. Proxies . At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution unless it qualifies as an irrevocable proxy under the Act.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Directors

 

Section 3.01. Authority . All corporate power of the Corporation shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors.

 

3



 

Section 3.02. Number, Tenure and Qualification . The Corporation shall have two (2) Director(s). An election of all Directors by the shareholders shall be held at each annual meeting of the Corporation’s shareholders. Directors need not be residents of the State of North Carolina nor shareholders of the Corporation. Each Director shall hold office from the date of his election  and qualification until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier removal, resignation, death, or incapacity.

 

Section 3.03. Election . Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election of Directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

 

Section 3.04. Removal . Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or the Act, any Director may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation’s voting stock. Any Director may be removed from office with cause by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting at which only the removal and replacement of the Director or Directors in question shall be considered.

 

Section 3.05. Vacancies . A vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors, including positions not filled by the shareholders or those resulting from an increase in the number of Directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining Directors, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. The shareholders may elect a director at any time to fill any vacancy not filled by the Directors.

 

Section 3.06. Regular Meetings . A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without notice other than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors may by resolution provide for the holding of additional regular meetings without notice other than such resolution; provided, however, the resolution shall fix the date, time, and place (which may be anywhere within or without the State of North Carolina) for these regular meetings.

 

Section 3.07. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called for any lawful purpose or purposes by the Chairman of the Board, the President or any two Directors. The person calling a special meeting shall give, or cause to be given, to each Director at his business address, notice of the date, time and place of the meeting by any normal means of communication not less than two days prior thereto.

 

Section 3.08. Participation by Telecommunications . Any Director may participate in, and be regarded as present at, any meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or any other means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.

 

Section 3.09. Quorum . Unless the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, a majority of the number of Directors fixed by or pursuant to these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or if no number is so fixed a majority of the number of Directors in office immediately before the meeting begins shall constitute a quorum.

 

4



 

Section 3.10. Action . The Board of Directors shall take action adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or the affirmative vote of a greater number of Directors where required by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or the Act.

 

Section 3.11. Action Without Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors at an annual, regular, or special meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action taken, shall be signed by all of the Directors.

 

Section 3.12. Committees . The Board of Directors may by resolution designate and delegate authority to an Executive Committee and other committees with such authority as may be permitted by the Act. Special meetings of any committee may be called at any time by any Director who is a member of the committee or by any person entitled to call a special meeting of the full Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the section, the conduct of all meetings of any committee, including notice thereof, shall be governed by Sections 3.06 through 3.11 of this Article.

 

Section 3.13 Compensation . The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may compensate Directors for their services as such and may provide for the payment of all expenses reasonably incurred by Directors in attending meetings of the Board or of any committee or in the performance of their other duties as Directors. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 4.01. In General . The principal officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, or such of them as the Board of Directors may elect from time to time. Each officer shall exercise such authority and perform such duties as may be set forth in these Bylaws and any additional authority and duties as the Board of Directors shall determine from time to time. The same individual may simultaneously hold more than one office, but no individual may act in more than one capacity where action of two or more officers is required.

 

Section 4.02. Election, Term of Office, Qualification . Each of the principal officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors and shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until he shall resign, or until he shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.

 

Section 4.03. Chairman of the Board . The Chairm of the Board of Directors shall preside at the meetings of the Board of Directors and may call meetings of the Board and of any committee thereof, whenever he deems it necessary, and he shall call to order and preside at all meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation. In addition he shall have such other powers and

 

5



 

duties as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall have power to sign all certificates of stock, bonds, deeds and contracts of the Corporation. If the Board of Directors shall fail to elect a Chairman of the Board, the President shall serve in such capacity.

 

Section 4.04. President . The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors, shall manage the business and affairs of the Corporation. The President shall see that the resolutions of the Board of Directors are put into effect. The President shall have full authority to execute on the Corporation’s behalf any and all contracts, agreements, notes, bonds, deeds, mortgages, certificates, instruments, and other documents except as may be specifically limited by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4.05. Vice Presidents . Each Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. The Board of Directors may elect or designate one or more of the Vice Presidents as Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents or with such other title as the Board may deem appropriate.

 

Section 4.06. Secretary . The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the shareholders and the Board of Directors and record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices in connection with such meetings. The Secretary shall be the custodian of the corporate seal and affix the seal to any document requiring it.

 

Section 4.07. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall keep safe custody of the Corporation’s funds and maintain complete and accurate books and records of account. The Treasurer shall upon request report to the Board of Directors on the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

Section 4.08. Additional Officers . The Board of Directors may elect or appoint such additional officers as it may deem necessary or advisable, and may delegate the power to appoint such additional officers to any committee or principal officer. Such additional officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold office for such terms as may be determined by the Board or such committee or officer.

 

Section 4.09. Removal . Except as may otherwise be provided by law or in the Articles of Incorporation, any officer may be removed by the Board of Directors with or without cause at any time.

 

Section 4.10. Salaries . The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. No officer shall be prevented from receiving a salary by reason of the fact that he is also a Director of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

Section 5.01. Contracts . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of

 

6



 

and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

Section 5.02. Loans . No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

Section 5.03. Checks, Drafts, etc . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by the officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.04. Deposits . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

Section 6.01. Certificates for Shares . Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be in the form approved by the Board of Directors and shall be signed, either manually or in facsimile, by the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered. The name and address of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issuance, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the Corporation.

 

Section 6.02. Transfer of Shares . Subject to the provisions of the Act and to any transfer restrictions binding on the Corporation, transfer of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his agent, attorney-in-fact or other legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, upon surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares stand on the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.

 

Section 6.03. Lost Certificates . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of a new share certificate in place of a certificate claimed to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, upon receipt of an affidavit of such fact from the person claiming the loss or destruction. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate, the Board may require the claimant to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such sureties as it may direct to indemnify the Corporation against loss from any claim with respect to the certificate claimed to have been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken; or the Board may, by resolution reciting that the circumstances

 

7



 

justify such action, authorize the issuance of the new certificate without requiring such a bond with respect to a certificate claimed to have been lost or destroyed. Any such authorization by the Board of Directors may be general or confined to specific instances. Nothing herein shall require the Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of any such replacement certificate under any circumstances in which the Corporation is not required to issue such certificate, this provision being permissive and not mandatory.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 7.01. Right to Indemnification . Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal (hereinafter, a “proceeding” and including without limitation, a proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Corporation itself), by reason that he is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or as a trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a Director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent, trustee or administrator, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Act as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than the Act permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity that initially entitled such person to indemnification hereunder and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article VII shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Act so requires, the payment of expenses incurred by a Director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the Director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.

 

Section 7.02. Right of Claimant to Bring Suit . If a claim under Section 7.01 hereof is not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety (90) days after a written claim has been received

 

8



 

by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Act, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

Section 7.03. Nonexclusivity of Rights . The right to indemnification and the advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law (common or statutory), the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement, the vote of shareholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.

 

Section 7.04. Insurance . The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan against any liability asserted against and incurred by that person in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify that person against such liability under the Act.

 

Section 7.05. Savings Clause . If this Article VII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each director and officer of the Corporation, as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VII that shall not have been invalidated and to the full extent permitted by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

Section 8.01. General . The Corporation shall keep all records and submit and file all reports and filings as are required by applicable law. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise directs, the Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping, or causing to be kept, all financial and accounting records of the Corporation and for submitting or filing, or causing to be submitted or

 

9



 

filed, all reports and filings of a financial or accounting nature, and the Secretary shall be responsible for keeping, or causing to be kept, all other records and for submitting or filing, or causing to be submitted or filed, all other reports and filings.

 

The Corporation shall keep as permanent records minutes of all meetings of its incorporators, shareholders and Board of Directors, a record of all actions taken by the shareholders or Board of Directors without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by Committees of the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall maintain appropriate accounting records. The Corporation shall maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.

 

Section 8.02. Records at Principal Office . The Corporation shall keep a copy of the following records at the Corporation's principal office:

 

(a)                                  Its Articles of Incorporation or restated Articles of Incorporation and all amendments to them currently in effect.

 

(b)                                  Its Bylaws or restated Bylaws and all amendments to them currently in effect.

 

(c)                                   Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors creating one or more classes or series of shares, and fixing their relative rights, preferences, and limitations, if shares issued pursuant to those resolutions are outstanding.

 

(d)                                  The minutes of all shareholders’ meetings, and records of all action taken by shareholders without a meeting, for the past three years.

 

(e)                                   All written communications to shareholders generally within the past three years and the financial statements required by law to be made available to the shareholders for the past three years.

 

(f)                                    A list of the names and business addresses of its current Directors and officers.

 

(g)                                   Its most recent annual report delivered to the North Carolina Secretary of State pursuant to the Act.

 

Section 8.03. Financial Statements . The Corporation shall make available to the shareholders annual financial statements, which may be consolidated or combined statements of the Corporation and one or more of its subsidiaries, as appropriate, that include a balance sheet as of the end of the fiscal year, an income statement for that year, and a statement of cash flows for the year unless that information appears elsewhere in the financial statements. If financial statements are prepared for the Corporation on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, the annual financial statements shall also be prepared on that basis.

 

If the annual financial statements are reported upon by a public accountant, such accountant's report shall accompany them. If not, the statements shall be accompanied by a statement of the President or the Treasurer or other person responsible for the Corporation’s accounting records:

 

10



 

(a)                                  stating his or her reasonable belief whether the statements were prepared on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles and, if not, describing the basis of preparation; and

 

(b)                                  describing any respects in which the statements were not prepared on a basis of accounting consistent with the statements prepared for the preceding year.

 

The Corporation shall mail the annual financial statements, or a written notice of their availability, to each shareholder within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year; provided that the failure of the Corporation to comply with this requirement shall not constitute the basis for any claim of damages by any shareholder unless such failure was in bad faith. Thereafter, on written request from a shareholder who was not mailed the statements, the Corporation shall mail such shareholder the latest financial statements.

 

Section 8.04. Other Reports to Shareholders . If the Corporation is not a public corporation and it indemnifies or advances expenses to a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation, the Corporation shall report the indemnification or advance in writing to the shareholders with or before notice of the next shareholders’ meeting.

 

If the Corporation is not a public corporation and it issues or authorizes the issuance of shares for promissory notes or for promises to render services in the future, other than in a transaction or pursuant to a plan previously approved by a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereon, the Corporation shall report in writing to the shareholders the number of shares authorized or issued, and the consideration received by the Corporation, with or before the notice of the next shareholders’ meeting.

 

Section 8.05. Annual Report . The Corporation shall prepare and deliver to the North Carolina Secretary of State for filing each year the annual report required by the Act.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01. Dividends . The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by the Act and the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for determining the shareholders entitled to a dividend. If such record date is not fixed by the Board of Directors, the date the Board of Directors authorizes such dividend shall be the record date.

 

Section 9.02. Seal . The corporate seal of the Corporation shall consist of two concentric circles between or within which are the name of the Corporation, the year of incorporation and the word “SEAL.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed, stamped or reproduced by any means. Any officer of the Corporation authorized to execute or attest a document on behalf of the Corporation may affix or reproduce on such document, as and for the corporate seal of the Corporation, a seal in any other form sufficient to

 

11



 

evidence that it is intended by such officer to represent the corporate seal of the Corporation, in which case such seal shall be as effective as the corporate seal in the form herein prescribed.

 

Section 9.03. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be established, and may be altered, by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time as the Board deems advisable.

 

Section 9.04. Amendments . Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or the Act, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by action of the Board of Directors or shareholders.

 

Section 9.05. Notice; Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given under the Act, the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, it shall be in writing and may be communicated in person; by telephone, telegraph, teletype or other form of wire or wireless communication, or by facsimile transmission; or by mail or private carrier. If mailed, notice to a shareholder is effective when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid and correctly addressed to the shareholder’s address shown in the Corporation’s current record of shareholders. All other notice is effective at the earliest of the following: (i) when received; (ii) five days after its deposit in the United States mail, as evidenced by the postmark, if mailed with postage thereon prepaid and correctly addressed; (iii) on the date shown on the return receipt, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and the receipt is signed by or on behalf of the addressee. A shareholder or Director, as the case may be, may waive notice otherwise required by these Bylaws, before or after the date stated in such notice, by delivery of a written waiver of such notice signed by such shareholder or Director to the Corporation for filing or inclusion with the minutes or corporate records, or, to the extent provided by the Act, by attendance at the meeting to which such notice relates.

 

Section 9.06. Shareholders of Record . For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders, or entitled to receive dividends or other distributions, or in connection with any other proper, purpose requiring a determination of shareholders, the Board of Directors shall by resolution fix a record date for such determination. The date shall be not more than sixty (60) and not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the activity requiring the determination is to occur. The shareholders of record appearing in the stock transfer books of the Corporation at the close of business on the record date so fixed shall constitute the shareholders of record in respect of the activity in question. In the absence of action by the Board of Directors to fix a record date, the record date (unless otherwise specified in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws) shall be ten (10) days prior to the date on which the activity requiring a determination of shareholders is to occur.

 

Section 9.07. Conflict with Act and Articles of Incorporation; Severability . In the event of a conflict between the Act or the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the Act or Articles of Incorporation, as the case may be, shall prevail to the extent of such conflict. Any provision of these Bylaws, or any amendment hereto, which is determined to be in violation of the Act shall not in any way render the remaining provisions invalid.

 

12




Exhibit 3.19

 

Corporations Section

P.O.Box 13697

Austin, Texas 78711-3697

 

 

Hope Andrade

Secretary of State

 

Office of the Secretary of State

 

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION

 

The undersigned, as Secretary of State of Texas, hereby certifies that a filing instrument for

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, INC.
File Number: 120822200

 

Converting it to

 

QVC San Antonio, LLC
File Number: 801045631

 

has been received in this office and has been found to conform to law. ACCORDINGLY, the undersigned, as Secretary of State, and by virtue of the authority vested in the secretary by law, hereby issues this certificate evidencing the acceptance and filing of the conversion on the date shown below.

 

Dated: 10/28/2008

Effective: 10/28/2008

 

 

GRAPHIC

Hope Andrade
Secretary of State

 

Phone: (512) 463-5555
Prepared by: Delores Moore

Come visit us on the Internet at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/

Fax: (512) 463-5709
T1D: 10340

Dial: 7-1-1 for Relay Services
Document: 234704030002

 



 

Form 632

GRAPHIC

This space reserved for office use.

(Revised 01/06)

 

 

 

Return in duplicate to:
Secretary of State

FILED

P.O. Box 13697

In the Office of the

Austin, TX 78711-3697

Certificate of Conversion

Secretary of State of Texas

512 463-5555

of a

OCT 28 2008

FAX: 512 463-5709

Corporation Converting

 

 

to a

Corporations Section

Filing Fee: See instructions

Limited Liability Company

 

 

The name of the converting corporation is:
QVC San Antonio, Inc.

 

The jurisdiction of formation of the corporation is: Texas

The date of formation of the corporation is: October 7, 1991

The file number, if any, issued to the corporation by the secretary of state, is: 120822200

 

Plan of Conversion—Alternative Statements

 

The corporation named above is converting to a limited liability company. The name of the limited liability company is:

 

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 

The limited liability company will be formed under the laws of : Texas

o  The plan of conversion is attached.

 

If the plan of conversion is not attached, the following statements must be completed.

 

x  Instead of attaching the plan of conversion, the corporation certifies to the following statements:

 

A signed plan of conversion is on file at the principal place of business of the corporation, the converting entity. The address of the principal place of business of the corporation is:

 

9855 Westover Hills Boulevard

San Antonio

TX

U.S.

78251

Street or Mailing Address

City

State

Country

Zip Code

 

A signed plan of conversion will be on file after the conversion at the principal place of business of the limited liability company, the converted entity. The address of the principal place of business of the limited liability company is:

 

9855 Westover Hills Boulevard

San Antonio

TX

U.S.

78251

Street or Mailing Address

City

State

Country

Zip Code

 

A copy of the plan of conversion will be furnished on written request without cost by the converting entity before the conversion or by the converted entity after the conversion to any owner or member of the converting or converted entity.

 

1



 

Certificate of Formation for the Converted Entity

 

x The converted entity is a Texas limited liability company. The certificate of formation of the Texas limited liability company is attached to this certificate either as an attachment or exhibit to the plan of conversion, or as an attachment or exhibit to this certificate of conversion if the plan has not been attached to the certificate of conversion.

 

The plan of conversion has been approved as required by the laws of the jurisdiction of formation and the governing documents of the converting entity.

 

A. x This document becomes effective when the document is accepted and filed by the secretary of state.

 

B. o This document becomes effective at a later date, which is not more than ninety (90) days from the date of signing. The delayed effective date is:

 

C. o This document takes effect upon the occurrence of the future event or fact, other than the passage of time. The 90 th  day after the date of signing is:

 

The following event or fact will cause the document to take effect in the manner described below:

 

 

Tax Certificate

 

o     Attached hereto is a certificate from the comptroller of public accounts that all taxes under title 2, Tax Code, have been paid by the corporation.

 

x    In lieu of providing the tax certificate, the limited liability company as the converted entity is liable for the payment of any franchise taxes.

 

The undersigned signs this document subject to the penalties imposed by law for the submission of a materially false or fraudulent instrument.

 

 

Date:

10-28-2008

 

 

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

S. Vice President

 

 

 

Signature and title of authorized person on behalf of the converting entity

 

2




Exhibit 3.20

 

Corporations Section

P.O.Box 13697

Austin, Texas 78711-3697

 

 

Hope Andrade

Secretary of State

 

Office of the Secretary of State

 

CERTIFICATE OF FILING
OF

 

QVC San Antonio, LLC

File Number: 801045631

 

The undersigned, as Secretary of State of Texas, hereby certifies that a Certificate of Formation for the above named Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) has been received in this office and has been found to conform to the applicable provisions of law.

 

ACCORDINGLY, the undersigned, as Secretary of State, and by virtue of the authority vested in the secretary by law, hereby issues this certificate evidencing filing effective on the date shown below.

 

The issuance of this certificate does not authorize the use of a name in this state in violation of the rights of another under the federal Trademark Act of 1946, the Texas trademark law, the Assumed Business or Professional Name Act, or the common law.

 

Dated: 10/28/2008

Effective: 10/28/2008

 

GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC
Hope Andrade

Secretary of State

 

Phone: (512) 463-5555
Prepared by: Delores Moore

Come visit us on the Internet at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/

Fax: (512) 463-5709
T1D: 10306

Dial: 7-1-1 for Relay Services

Document: 234731110001

 



 

 

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

FILED

 

 

In the Office of the

 

OF

Secretary of State of Texas

 

 

OCT 28 2008

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

Corporations Section

 

(a Texas Limited Liability Company)

 

 

The undersigned natural person of the age of eighteen years or more, acting as organizer of a limited liability company under the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”), does hereby adopt the following Certificate of Formation for such limited liability company:

 

1.                             The filing entity being formed is a limited liability company. The name of the entity is QVC San Antonio, LLC (the “Company”).

 

2.                             The filing entity is being formed pursuant to a plan of conversion. The converting entity is QVC San Antonio, Inc., a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Texas on October 7, 1991, and whose business address is 9855 Westover Hills Boulevard, San Antonio, TX, 78251.

 

3.                             The purpose for which the Company is organized is the transaction of any or all lawful purposes for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Texas Business Organization Code.

 

4.                             The duration of the Company shall be perpetual.

 

5.                             The street address of the initial registered office of the Company is 701 Brazos Street Suite 1050, Austin, Texas 78701, and the name of the initial registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company d/b/a CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company.

 

6.                             The name and address of the organizer of the Company are as follows:

 

NAME

 

ADDRESS

 

Michael Laussade

 

901 Main Street, Suite 6000

 

 

 

Dallas, Texas 75202

 

 

7.                             The Company will have managers. The name and address of each initial manager are set forth below:

 

NAME

 

ADDRESS

 

Michael George

 

1200 Wilson Drive

 

 

 

West Chester, PA 19380

 

 

 

 

 

Neal Grabell

 

1200 Wilson Drive

 

 

 

West Chester, PA 19380

 

 

1



 

8.                             The Company Agreement may provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if a written consent thereto shall be signed by members entitled to vote thereon having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take such action at a meeting at which all members were present.

 

9.                             This Certificate of Formation shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas.

 

SIGNED AND DATED this 28 th  day of October, 2008.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Michael Laussade

 

Organizer

 

2




Exhibit 3.21

 

 

FILED

 

in the Office of the

 

Secretary of State of Texas

 

NOV 25 1998

 

 

 

Corporations Section

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE OR

REGISTERED AGENT OR BOTH BY A CORPORATION,

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

1.                             The name of the entity is QVC San Antonio, Inc.

 

The entity’s charter/certificate of authority/file number is 01208222

 

2.                             The registered office address as presently shown in the records of the Texas secretary of state is:  811 Dallas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002

 

3.         A. x The address of the NEW registered office is: (Please provide street address, state and zip code. The address must be in Texas.) 800 Brazos, Austin, Texas 78701

OR                    B. o  The registered office address will not change.

 

4.                             The name of the registered agent as PRESENTLY shown in the records of the secretary of state is  CT Corporation System

 

5.                             A. x  The name of the NEW registered agent is Corporation Service Company d/b/a CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company

OR                    B. o  The registered agent will not change.

 

6.                             Following the changes shown above, the address of the registered office and the address of the office of the registered agent will continue to be identical, as required by law.

 

7.                             The changes shown above were authorized by:

Business Corporations may select A or B                       Limited Liability Company may select D or E

Non-Profit Corporations may select A, B, or C Limited Partnerships select F

 

A. x                   The board of directors;

B. o                     An officer of the corporation so authorized by the board of directors;

C. o                     The members of the corporation in whom management of the corporation is vested pursuant to article 2.14C of the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act;

D. o                     Its members;

E. o                     Its managers; or

F. o                      The limited partnership.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

(Authorized Officer of Corporation)

 

(Authorized Member or Manager of LLC)

 

(General Partner of Limited Partnership)

 




Exhibit 3.22

 

COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

This Company Agreement (the “Agreement” ) of QVC San Antonio, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “Company” ), is hereby adopted as of October 29, 2008 by QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is the sole Shareholder of the Company.

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                                     The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings (unless otherwise expressly provided herein):

 

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

“Board of Directors” or the “Board” means a board of one or more Directors designated by the Shareholders as described in Article VI.

 

“Capital Account” means the individual capital account maintained for each Shareholder pursuant to Section 3.2 , as applicable.

 

“Capital Contribution” means any cash or other property contributed by a Shareholder to the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

“Certificate” means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Texas on October       , 2008, as amended from time to time.

 

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

“Director” has the same meaning ascribed to the term “manager” in the TBOC, and shall refer to any Person named as a Director in this Agreement and any Person who becomes an additional, substitute or replacement Director in accordance with this Agreement, but such term does not include any Person who has ceased to be a Director of the Company. “Directors” refers to such Persons as a group.

 

“Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 .

 

“Fiscal Year” means the calendar year. which is the period fixed by the Company as its taxable year for federal income tax purposes.

 

“Liquidation” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 .

 

“Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 .

 

“Majority of the Board” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 .

 



 

“Shareholder” has the same meaning ascribed to the term “member” in the TBOC, and means, initially, the sole Shareholder named in the first paragraph hereof, and any Person or Persons thereafter admitted as a substituted or additional Shareholder in accordance with this Agreement, each in their capacity as a Shareholder of the Company. “Shareholders” refers to such Persons or entities as a group.

 

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, or other legally recognized entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

 

“TBOC” means the Texas Business Organizations Code, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

1.2                                     Usage . In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears:

 

(a)                                  the singular number includes the plural number and vice versa;

 

(b)                                  reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are not prohibited by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity or individually;

 

(c)                                   reference to any gender includes each other gender and the neuter, as appropriate;

 

(d)                                  reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;

 

(e)                                   reference to any law means such law as amended, modified, codified, replaced, or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any law means that provision of such law from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of such section or other provision;

 

(f)                                    “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” “herein,” and words of similar import shall be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, or other provision thereof;

 

(g)                                   “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term;

 

(h)                                  “or” is used in the inclusive sense of “and/or”;

 

(i)                                      with respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including” and “to” means “to but excluding”; and

 

2



 

(j)                                     references to documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to refer as well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto.

 

ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

 

2.1                                     Name and Formation . The business of the Company shall be conducted under the name of QVC San Antonio, LLC or such other name as from time to time may be determined by the Board. The Company was originally formed as a Texas corporation on October 7, 1991 and thereafter filed a Certificate of Conversion with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas on October     , 2008, thereby converting the Company into a Texas limited liability company in accordance with the TBOC. The rights and liabilities of the Shareholders and Directors shall be as provided in the TBOC, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

2.2                                     Principal Office . The principal place of business and mailing address of the Company shall be 9855 Westover Hills Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas 78251, or at such other place or places as from time to time may be determined by the Shareholder or the Board.

 

2.3                                     Purpose . The purpose of the Company shall be the transaction of any or all lawful business for which limited liability companies may be organized under the TBOC. The Company shall have all powers necessary or desirable to accomplish the aforesaid purpose.

 

2.4                                     Qualification and Registration . The Company shall, as soon as practicable, take all action necessary to qualify the Company to do business and to execute all certificates or other documents, and perform all filings and recordings, as are required by the laws of the State of Texas and the other jurisdictions in which the Company does business.

 

2.5                                     Registered Office and Registered Agent . The Company’s initial registered office in the State of Texas and the name of its initial registered agent at such address are as set forth in the Certificate.

 

ARTICLE III
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND PERCENTAGE INTERESTS

 

3.1                                     Percentage Interest . The percentage interest of the initial Shareholder shall be 100%.

 

3.2                                     Capital Account . The Company may maintain a Capital Account for the Shareholder; provided, however, that so long as the Company has only one Shareholder, this Section 3.2 shall not be construed to require the maintenance of such a Capital Account. At any time a Capital Account is maintained for the Shareholder, it shall consist of the Shareholder’s Capital Contribution, increased by additional Capital Contributions and by the Shareholder’s share of Company profits and decreased by distributions to the Shareholder and by the Shareholder’s share of Company losses. No advance of money to the Company by the Shareholder as provided in Section 3.3 shall be credited to the Capital Account  of the Shareholder unless accompanied by evidence that the Shareholder intends the advance to be an additional Capital Contribution to the Company.

 

3



 

3.3                                     Additional Capital Contributions . The Shareholder shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Company. Any additional Capital Contribution shall be made by the Shareholder solely in its discretion.

 

3.4                                     Advances by the Shareholder . Subject to the limitations herein and to other agreements of the Company, the Company is authorized to borrow from the Shareholder on such terms as the Board deems appropriate.

 

3.5                                     Contributions Not to be Returned at Any Specified Time . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Shareholder shall not have the right to demand the return of its Capital Contribution.

 

3.6                                     Restrictions Relating to Capital . The Shareholder shall not (i) be entitled to receive interest on its Capital Contribution, (ii) have the right to partition the Company’s property, or (iii) be liable to the Company to restore any deficit balance in its Capital Account.

 

ARTICLE IV
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

4.1                                     Allocations . Except as otherwise required by applicable provisions of tax law, solely for federal income tax purposes and for purposes of certain state tax laws, the Company shall be disregarded as an entity separate from the Shareholder. Each item of Company income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit shall be treated as if realized directly by, and shall be allocated 100% to, the Shareholder.

 

4.2                                     Distributions . Distributions of cash or other assets shall be made in the amounts and at the times resolved and determined by the Shareholder (each a “Distribution”), provided, however, that if there should be more than one Shareholder, any such Distribution will be made pro rata in accordance with each Shareholder’s respective interests in the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Distribution shall be made to the extent prohibited by the TBOC, including, without limitation, any Distribution if immediately after making the Distribution the Company’s total liabilities would exceed the fair value of the Company’s total assets. For purposes of this Section, the terms (i) “total liabilities” shall not include (a) liabilities related to a Shareholder’s interest in the Company, or (b) liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the Company, and (ii) the term “total assets” shall include the fair value of that property subject to a liability for which recourse of creditors is limited To specified property of the Company only to the extent that the fair value of such property exceeds the liability.

 

ARTICLE V
ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

 

5.1                                     Books of Account . The Board shall maintain or cause to be maintained at all times true and proper books, records, reports and accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, in which shall be entered fully and accurately all transactions of the Company, and shall also maintain or cause to be maintained at all times any other documents or records required under Section 101.501 of the TBOC. The Shareholder shall

 

4



 

have access to the foregoing at all reasonable times. The Board shall keep vouchers, statements, receipted bills and invoices and all other records in connection with the Company’s business.

 

5.2                                     Accounting and Reports . The books of account shall be closed promptly after the end of each Fiscal Year. Promptly thereafter, the Board shall make such written reports to the Shareholder as requested by the Shareholder, which may include a balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such year, a statement of income and expenses for such year, a statement of the Shareholder’s Capital Account as of the end of such year, and such other statements with respect to the status of the Company and Distribution of the profits and losses therefrom as are considered necessary by the Shareholder to advise the Shareholder properly about its investment in the Company for federal and state income tax reporting purposes.

 

5.3                                     Banking . An account or accounts in the name of the Company shall be maintained in such bank or banks as the Board may from time to time select. All monies and funds of the Company, and all instruments for the payment of money to the Company, shall, when received, be deposited in said bank account or accounts, or prudently invested in marketable securities or other negotiable instruments. All checks, drafts and orders upon said account or accounts shall be signed in the Company name by such Persons and in such manner as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DUTIES

 

6.1                                     Directors . The powers of the Company shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by, a Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred by this Agreement upon the Board, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such lawful acts and things as are not directed or required to be exercised or done by the Shareholders; provided that no Director as such shall be an agent of the Company or have any authority to bind the Company except as authorized by resolution adopted by the Board. By resolution adopted by the Board, the Board may delegate to any Person any of its power and authority to manage the Company. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors (the “Board” ). Any action taken by the Board in compliance with this Agreement shall constitute the act of, and serve to bind, the Company. Persons dealing with the Company are entitled to rely exclusively on the power and authority of the Board as set forth in this Agreement. Any action taken by more than fifty percent (50%) of the Shareholders of the Board (a “Majority of the Board” ) shall be deemed to be an action approved by the Board.

 

6.2                                     Number; Term; Vacancies . The number of Directors may be increased or decreased (but not below one (1)) from time to time by resolution adopted by the Directors then in office. Directors need not be residents of the State of Texas or Shareholders of the Company. The initial Directors are Michael George and Lawrence Hayes. Each Director shall hold office until his or her death, resignation or removal. The vacancy of the Director occurring for any reason may be filled by the Shareholder. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office and shall hold office until the expiration of such term and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his earlier death,

 

5



 

resignation or removal. The Shareholder, in its sole discretion, may remove all or any Directors at any time.

 

6.3                                     Compensation . No Director shall receive any compensation for serving as a Director except as determined by the Shareholder and except that a Director shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in the course of its service hereunder (subject to substantiation requirements that may be established by the Shareholder).

 

6.4                                     Action Without Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board under the provisions of any applicable law, the Certificate or this Agreement may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by a Majority of the Board. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as the affirmative vote of the Board.

 

6.5                                     Telephonic Meeting . Subject to the provisions required or permitted for notice of meetings, unless otherwise restricted by any applicable law, the Certificate or this Agreement, Directors may participate in and hold a meeting by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a Person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

6.6                                     Related Party Transactions Permitted . The Company may (i) employ or retain a Shareholder or a Person directly or indirectly related to or affiliated with a Shareholder to render or perform a service on behalf of the Company and/or (ii) contract to buy property from a Shareholder or a Person directly or indirectly related to or affiliated with a Shareholder, provided that the charges made for services rendered and materials furnished by such Shareholder or Person must be reasonable and competitive with those charged by others in the same line of business and not so related. Each and every related-person transaction must be approved in writing by the Board. No contract or transaction between the Company and one or more of its Directors or its officers, or between the Company and any other Person in which one (1) or more of its Directors or its officers are managers or officers or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the Director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board that authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or its or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material facts as to his or its relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board, and the Board in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of the disinterested Directors, even though the disinterested Directors be less than a quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to his or its relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Shareholder, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by the Shareholder, and, in each case, the contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved, or ratified by the Board or the Shareholder.

 

6.7                                     Officers . The Board may from time to time elect officers of the Company, each of whom shall have the authority and responsibility and serve for the term designated by the

 

6



 

Board. None of the officers shall be deemed a manager as that term is used in the TBOC. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, each officer shall be deemed an agent of the Company and to have duties comparable to persons holding similar offices with Texas corporations.

 

6.8                                     Fiduciary Duties .

 

(a)                                  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Directors shall have fiduciary duties to the Company and the Shareholder equivalent to the fiduciary duties of directors of Texas corporations. The Shareholder has no fiduciary duties to the Company whatsoever.

 

(b)                                  A Director, Shareholder, or officer shall be entitled to rely, and shall not be deemed to have violated any fiduciary duty in respect of any action taken in good faith reliance, upon information opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared by (i) one or more Directors, officers or employees of the Company, or (ii) legal counsel, public accountants or other persons engaged by or on behalf of the Company as to which the Director, Shareholder, or officer reasonably believes are within such Person’s professional or expert competence.

 

ARTICLE VII
CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS OR INTERESTS

 

7.1                                     Transfer of Interests . The Shareholder may, in its own discretion, sell, transfer, assign, give, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any part or all of its interest in the Company now owned or hereafter acquired, whether voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise.

 

7.2                                     Admission of New Shareholders . New Shareholders may not be admitted to the Company without the prior written consent of, and may be admitted only upon terms approved by, the Shareholder. Upon admission, new Shareholders shall sign and thereby become subject to an amended version of this Agreement approved by the Shareholder and containing provisions in accordance with the TBOC.

 

7.3                                     Resignation of a Shareholder . A Shareholder may not resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company.

 

ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION OF THE COMPANY

 

8.1                                     Events Requiring Winding Up . The Company’s affairs shall be wound up only upon the first to occur of the following:

 

(a)                                  The written determination of the Shareholder; or

 

(b)                                  The entry of a judicial decree under the TBOC requiring the winding up or dissolution of the Company.

 

7



 

The death, dissolution, winding up, termination, bankruptcy, expulsion, withdrawal or other termination of the continued ownership in the Company of the last remaining Shareholder shall not constitute an event requiring winding up of the Company.

 

8.2                                     Liquidation and Distribution of Liquidation Proceeds . Upon the occurrence of any event requiring winding up of the Company for any reason, a Director selected by the Board, or if none is then serving, the Shareholder (as the case may be, the “Liquidator”), shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Company and to liquidate its assets (“Liquidation”). The Liquidator shall have full power to sell, assign and encumber Company assets. Any property distributed in kind in Liquidation shall be valued and treated as though the property were sold and the cash proceeds were distributed. Upon Liquidation, the assets of the Company shall be used and distributed in the following order:

 

(a)                                  To pay or provide for the payment of all debts and liabilities of the Company to creditors, including the Shareholder and the Directors if any of them is a creditor, to the extent permitted by law, in satisfaction of liabilities of the Company other than liabilities for Distributions to the Shareholder as a Shareholder; and

 

(b)                                  To the Shareholder (i) in satisfaction of the Company’s obligations for Distributions, (ii) for the return of its Capital Contributions, and (iii) to account for any remaining amounts.

 

8.3                                     Accounting . Within a reasonable time after the date the assets have been distributed in Liquidation, the Liquidator shall cause to be prepared and provided to the Shareholder a statement which shall set forth the assets and the liabilities of the Company as of the date of complete Liquidation.

 

8.4                                     Termination . Upon the completion of Liquidation of the Company and the distribution of all Company assets, the Liquidator or a Director shall file a Certificate of Termination with the Secretary of State of Texas, and upon such filing, the Company shall terminate.

 

ARTICLE IX
LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

9.1                                     Liability. No Shareholder or Director shall be personally liable for any debt, obligation, or liability of the Company, including any of the foregoing issued under a judgment, decree, or order of a court, and whether arising in tort, contract, or otherwise solely by reason of being a Shareholder.

 

9.2                                     Exculpation. No Shareholder or Director shall be liable to the Company or any other Shareholder for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Person by this Agreement, unless it is finally adjudicated that such loss, damage or claim was incurred by reason of such Person’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of contract.

 

8



 

9.3                                     Indemnification . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Shareholder, Director, and officer shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage, or claim incurred by such Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Person by this Agreement, unless it is finally adjudicated that such loss, damage or claim was incurred by reason of such Person’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or breach of contract; provided , however , that any indemnity under this Section 9.3 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and no Shareholder shall have any personal liability on account thereof. The indemnification provided by this Section 9.3 shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to serve in the capacity by reason of which the Person was indemnified under this Section with respect to matters arising during the period the Person served in such capacity, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a Person.

 

9.4                                     Advancement of Expenses . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Shareholder, Director, or officer in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding (including court costs and attorneys’ fees) shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Person to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 9.3 hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, : the Company may pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a Shareholder, Director, or officer in connection with his appearance as a witness or other participation in a proceeding at a time when the Shareholder, Director, or officer is not named a defendant or respondent in the proceeding.

 

9.5                                     Insurance . The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the Shareholder, Directors, officers, agents, and employees against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by any such Person in connection with the activities of the Company, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.6                                     Applicability to Strict Liability or Negligence . THE PROVISIONS IN THIS ARTICLE IX SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE LIABILITY IS BASED ON PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE ACTS, CLAIMS OR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE PERSON FROM WHOM INDEMNIFICATION IS SOUGHT) ALLEGES OR PROVES THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION, OR THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED ON THE PERSON SEEKING THE BENEFIT OF THE PROVISIONS IN THIS ARTICLE IX .

 

9.7                                     Effect of Amendment . No amendment, modification, or repeal of this Article or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Shareholder, Director, or officer to be indemnified by the Company, nor the obligation of the Company to indemnify any such Person, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Article as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or

 

9



 

repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

10.1                              Amendments . This Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or canceled only in writing and with the approval of the Shareholder.

 

10.2                              Company Property . All property, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, and wherever located, contributed by the Shareholder to the Company or acquired by the Company shall be the property of the Company. All files, documents, and records shall be the property of the Company and shall remain in the possession of the Company.

 

10.3                              Successors . This Agreement and all the terms and provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Shareholder and its legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns, except as expressly herein otherwise provided.

 

10.4                              Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed, construed and enforced in conformity with the laws of the State of Texas.

 

10.5                              Notices . All notices, offers, or other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered as properly given or made, if mailed, five business days after mailing from within the United States by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or if by personal delivery, when delivered in person to the address of the recipient’s principal place of business.

 

10.6                              Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the Shareholder and supersedes any prior understandings respecting the within subject matter. There are no representations, agreements, arrangements, or understandings, oral or written, between and among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter of this Agreement which are not fully expressed herein.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

10



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Shareholder has signed and adopted this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDER:
QVC, INC.

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

11




Exhibit 4.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.,

 

 

THE GUARANTORS
named herein

 

 

and

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of July 2, 2012

 


 

 

5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

 

 

 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

 

Indenture

Section

 

Section

 

 

 

 

310

 

 

11.01

 

(a)(1)

 

7.10

 

(a)(2)

 

7.10

 

(a)(3)

 

N.A.

 

(a)(4)

 

N.A.

 

(a)(5)

 

N.A.

 

(b)

 

7.10

 

(b)(1)

 

7.10

 

(c)

 

N.A.

311

 

 

11.01

 

(a)

 

7.11

 

(b)

 

7.11

 

(c)

 

N.A.

312

 

 

11.01

 

(a)

 

2.06

 

(b)

 

11.03

 

(c)

 

11.03

313

 

 

11.01

 

(a)

 

7.06

 

(b)

 

12.04

 

(b)(1)

 

N.A.

 

(b)(2)

 

7.06

 

(c)

 

7.06

 

(d)

 

7.06

314

 

 

4.04; 11.01; 12.04

 

(a)

 

N.A.

 

(b)

 

12.04

 

(c)(1)

 

N.A.

 

(c)(2)

 

N.A.

 

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

 

(d)

 

12.03; 12.04

 

(e)

 

N.A.

 

(f)

 

N.A.

315

 

 

11.01

316

 

 

11.01

317

 

 

11.01

 


N.A. means Not Applicable

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE One

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02.

Other Definitions

25

SECTION 1.03.

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

26

SECTION 1.04.

Rules of Construction

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE Two

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Amount of Notes

27

SECTION 2.02.

Form and Dating; Book Entry Provisions

27

SECTION 2.03.

Execution and Authentication

30

SECTION 2.04.

Registrar and Paying Agent

30

SECTION 2.05.

Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust

31

SECTION 2.06.

Holder Lists

31

SECTION 2.07.

Transfer and Exchange

31

SECTION 2.08.

Replacement Notes

32

SECTION 2.09.

Outstanding Notes

32

SECTION 2.10.

Treasury Notes

33

SECTION 2.11.

Temporary Notes

33

SECTION 2.12.

Cancellation

33

SECTION 2.13.

Defaulted Interest

33

SECTION 2.14.

CUSIP Number

34

SECTION 2.15.

Deposit of Moneys

34

SECTION 2.16.

Special Transfer Provisions

34

SECTION 2.17.

Certificated Notes

39

SECTION 2.18.

Computation of Interest

40

 

 

 

ARTICLE Three

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee

40

SECTION 3.02.

Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed

40

SECTION 3.03.

Notice of Redemption

41

SECTION 3.04.

Effect of Notice of Redemption

42

SECTION 3.05.

Deposit of Redemption Price

42

SECTION 3.06.

Notes Redeemed in Part

42

SECTION 3.07.

Mandatory Redemption

42

 

i



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE Four

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Payment of Notes

43

SECTION 4.02.

Reports to Holders

43

SECTION 4.03.

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

44

SECTION 4.04.

Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default

44

SECTION 4.05.

Payment of Obligations

45

SECTION 4.06.

Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness

45

SECTION 4.07.

Limitations on Restricted Payments

47

SECTION 4.08.

Limitations on Asset Sales

48

SECTION 4.09.

Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates

49

SECTION 4.10.

Limitations on Liens

50

SECTION 4.11.

Additional Note Guarantees

50

SECTION 4.12.

Limitations on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

51

SECTION 4.13.

Limitations on Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries

52

SECTION 4.14.

Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

53

SECTION 4.15.

Conduct of Business

53

SECTION 4.16.

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

54

SECTION 4.17.

Compliance with Laws

54

SECTION 4.18.

Existence

54

SECTION 4.19.

Payments for Consent

54

SECTION 4.20.

Change of Control Offer

54

SECTION 4.21.

Fall-Away Event

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE Five

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations, etc.

56

SECTION 5.02.

Successor Person Substituted

57

 

 

 

ARTICLE Six

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Events of Default

58

SECTION 6.02.

Acceleration

60

SECTION 6.03.

Other Remedies

60

SECTION 6.04.

Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default

60

SECTION 6.05.

Control by Majority

61

SECTION 6.06.

Limitation on Suits

61

SECTION 6.07.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

61

SECTION 6.08.

Rights of Holders To Receive Payment

61

SECTION 6.09.

Collection Suit by Trustee

62

SECTION 6.10.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

62

SECTION 6.11.

Priorities

62

 

ii



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 6.12.

Undertaking for Costs

63

 

 

 

ARTICLE Seven

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

Duties of Trustee

63

SECTION 7.02.

Rights of Trustee

64

SECTION 7.03.

Individual Rights of Trustee

65

SECTION 7.04.

Trustee’s Disclaimer

65

SECTION 7.05.

Notice of Defaults

66

SECTION 7.06.

Reports by Trustee to Holders

66

SECTION 7.07.

Compensation and Indemnity

66

SECTION 7.08.

Replacement of Trustee

67

SECTION 7.09.

Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc.

68

SECTION 7.10.

Eligibility; Disqualification

68

SECTION 7.11.

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer

68

SECTION 7.12.

Paying Agents

68

 

 

 

ARTICLE Eight

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

Without Consent of Holders

69

SECTION 8.02.

With Consent of Holders

70

SECTION 8.03.

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

71

SECTION 8.04.

Revocation and Effect of Consents

71

SECTION 8.05.

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

72

SECTION 8.06.

Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc.

72

 

 

 

ARTICLE Nine

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Discharge of Indenture

72

SECTION 9.02.

Legal Defeasance

73

SECTION 9.03.

Covenant Defeasance

73

SECTION 9.04.

Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

74

SECTION 9.05.

Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

75

SECTION 9.06.

Reinstatement

75

SECTION 9.07.

Moneys Held by Paying Agent

76

SECTION 9.08.

Moneys Held by Trustee

76

 

 

 

ARTICLE Ten

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

Guarantee

76

SECTION 10.02.

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

77

 

iii



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 10.03.

Limitation of Guarantee

77

SECTION 10.04.

Release of Guarantor

78

SECTION 10.05.

Waiver of Subrogation

78

 

 

 

ARTICLE Eleven

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.

Trust Indenture Act Controls

79

SECTION 11.02.

Notices

79

SECTION 11.03.

Communications by Holders with Other Holders

80

SECTION 11.04.

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

80

SECTION 11.05.

Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion

81

SECTION 11.06.

Rules by Trustee and Agents

81

SECTION 11.07.

Business Days

81

SECTION 11.08.

Governing Law

81

SECTION 11.09.

Waiver of Jury Trial

82

SECTION 11.10.

Force Majeure

82

SECTION 11.11.

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

82

SECTION 11.12.

No Recourse Against Others

82

SECTION 11.13.

Successors

82

SECTION 11.14.

Multiple Counterparts

83

SECTION 11.15.

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

83

SECTION 11.16.

Separability

83

SECTION 11.17.

USA Patriot Act

83

 

 

 

ARTICLE Twelve

 

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01.

Security Documents

83

SECTION 12.02.

Collateral Agent

84

SECTION 12.03.

Release of Collateral

85

SECTION 12.04.

Filing, Recording and Opinions

86

SECTION 12.05.

Possession and Use of Collateral

86

SECTION 12.06.

Authorization of Actions to Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents

87

SECTION 12.07.

Purchase Protected

87

SECTION 12.08.

Reinstatement; Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee

87

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Global Initial Note

A-1

Exhibit B

Form of Global Exchange Note

B-1

Exhibit C

Form of Notation of Guarantee

C-1

 

iv


 

INDENTURE, dated as of July 2, 2012, among QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “ Issuer ”), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) party hereto from time to time and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01.                                          Definitions .

 

2009 Notes ” means the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued by the Issuer on September 25, 2009.

 

2009 Notes Indenture ” means the indenture governing the 2009 Notes dated as of September 25, 2009, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.

 

2010 Notes ” means the 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 and the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 issued by the Issuer on March 23, 2010.

 

2010 Notes Indenture ” means the indenture governing each series of the 2010 Notes dated as of March 23, 2010, among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means (1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (2) with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person is merged with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of an asset or assets from another Person, which Indebtedness was not, in any case, incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or acquisition.

 

Additional Interest ” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Additional Notes ” means an unlimited principal amount of Notes having identical terms and conditions to the Notes issued pursuant to Article Two and in compliance with Section 4.06 and Section 4.10, except for issue date, issue price and first interest payment date.

 

Adjusted Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury

 



 

Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Remaining Life (as defined below), yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month); or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward.

 

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person which directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, the referent Person.

 

Affiliated Persons ” means, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, stepchildren, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such Persons.

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

amend ” means to amend, supplement, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, including successively, and “ amendment ” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Temporary Regulation S Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a Temporary Regulation S Global Note, to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

 

asset ” means any asset or property.

 

Asset Acquisition ” means

 

(1)                                   an Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or

 

(2)                                   the acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease, assignment or other disposition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by means of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction or a merger or consolidation) (collectively, for purposes of this definition, a “ transfer ”), in one transaction or a series of related transactions,

 

2



 

of any assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of this definition, the term “Asset Sale” shall not include:

 

(1)                                   transfers of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(2)                                   transfers of assets (including Equity Interests) that are governed by, and made in accordance with, Section 5.01;

 

(3)                                   Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07;

 

(4)                                   the creation of or realization on any Lien permitted under this Indenture;

 

(5)                                   transfers of inventory and damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or assets that are no longer used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(6)                                   sales or grants of licenses or sublicenses to use the patents, trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property, and licenses, leases or subleases of other assets, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not materially interfering with the business of Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(7)                                   any transfer or series of related transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the assets transferred in such transaction or any such series of related transactions does not exceed $50.0 million;

 

(8)                                   (x) Asset Sales by the Issuer or any Guarantor to any other Guarantor or the Issuer and (y) Asset Sales of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; and

 

(9)                                   any transfer or series of transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales if consummated at a time when, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (x) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Below Investment Grade Rating Event ” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date during the period commencing 60 days prior to the date of the first public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control and ending at the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Holders of Notes in writing at their request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprising or arising as a result of, or in

 

3



 

respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

 

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, or the functional equivalent of the foregoing, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or, in each case, other than for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control,” any duly authorized committee of such body.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; provided however, that any obligations relating to a lease that would have been accounted by such Person as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP as of the Issue Date shall be accounted for as an operating lease and not a Capitalized Lease Obligation for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)                                   marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(2)                                   certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;

 

(3)                                   commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition;

 

(4)                                   repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government;

 

(5)                                   securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing

 

4



 

authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor’s or A by Moody’s;

 

(6)                                   securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition;

 

(7)                                   money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (1) through (6) of this definition;

 

(8)                                   money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and

 

(9)                                   in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, investments substantially comparable to any of the foregoing investments with respect to the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(1)                                   the acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, the Issuer is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating;

 

(2)                                   after the consummation of an initial public offering, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Issuer (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Issuer was approved by a vote of the majority of the directors of the Issuer then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Issuer’s Board of Directors then in office; or

 

(3)                                   the Issuer shall adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution or any such plan shall be approved by the stockholders of the Issuer.

 

For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement

 

Change of Control Triggering Event ” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event occurring in respect of that Change of Control.

 

5



 

Collateral ” means all “Collateral” as such term is defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement and all other assets pledged from time to time to secure the Obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and Security Documents.

 

Collateral Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Security Documents and any successors in such capacity.

 

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such securities (“ Remaining Life ”).

 

Comparable Treasury Price ” means (1) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

Consolidated Amortization Expense ” for any period means the amortization expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow ” for any period means, without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of

 

(1)                                   Consolidated Net Income, plus

 

(2)                                   in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,

 

(a)                                   Consolidated Income Tax Expense,

 

(b)                                  Consolidated Amortization Expense (but only to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense),

 

(c)                                   Consolidated Depreciation Expense,

 

(d)                                  Consolidated Interest Expense net of consolidated interest income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and

 

(e)                                   stock compensation, as reported in the Issuer’s financial statements,

 

in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that

 

(i)                                      the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, expenses or losses reducing such Consolidated Net Income (excluding any non-cash charge, expense or loss that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period and any non-cash charge, expense or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts or inventory) for such period, and

 

6



 

(ii)                                   the aggregate amount of all non-cash items, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent such items increased Consolidated Net Income for such period

 

shall, in each case, be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for purposes of this definition only.

 

Consolidated Depreciation Expense ” for any period means the depreciation expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Income Tax Expense ” for any period means the provision for taxes of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means the ratio of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available (the “ Four-Quarter Period ”) ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (the “ Transaction Date ”) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Four-Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to:

 

(1)                                   the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and any repayment of other Indebtedness or redemption of other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) (other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period; and

 

(2)                                   any Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition or as a result of a Redesignation) incurring Acquired Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated Cash Flow (including any pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) associated with any such Asset Acquisition) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence of, or assumption or liability for, any such Indebtedness or Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period.

 

In calculating Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio:

 

(a)                                   interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have

 

7



 

accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date;

 

(b)                                  if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the Four-Quarter Period; and

 

(c)                                   notwithstanding clause (a) or (b) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of the agreements governing such Hedging Obligations.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” for any period means the sum, without duplication, of the total interest expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and including, without duplication,

 

(1)                                   imputed interest on Capitalized Lease Obligations,

 

(2)                                   commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit securing financial obligations, bankers’ acceptance financing and receivables financings,

 

(3)                                   the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations related to interest rates,

 

(4)                                   amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses,

 

(5)                                   the interest portion of any deferred payment obligations,

 

(6)                                   all other non-cash interest expense,

 

(7)                                   capitalized interest,

 

(8)                                   the product of (a) all dividend payments on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Disqualified Equity Interests or any Preferred Stock held by the Issuer or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent paid in Qualified Equity Interests), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal,

 

(9)                                   all interest payable with respect to discontinued operations, and

 

(10)                             all interest on any Indebtedness described in clause (6) or (7) of the definition of Indebtedness.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, at any date, the ratio of (i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to (ii) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal

 

8



 

quarters for which financial statements are available ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is made, then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

Consolidated Leverage Test ” means, at any date, that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” for any period means the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:

 

(1)                                   the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period;

 

(2)                                   except to the extent includible in the consolidated net income of the Issuer pursuant to the foregoing clause (1), the net income (or loss) of any Person that accrued prior to the date that (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the assets of such Person are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)                                   any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon (a) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the sale of any financial or equity investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)                                   gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects according to GAAP;

 

(5)                                   gains and losses with respect to Hedging Obligations;

 

(6)                                   the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles;

 

(7)                                   the net income (or loss) associated with minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(8)                                   any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or

 

9



 

the tax effect of any such extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), realized by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period.

 

For the purpose of this definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” “ nonrecurring ” means any gain or loss as of any date that is not reasonably likely to recur within the two years following such date; provided that if there was a gain or loss similar to such gain or loss within the two years preceding such date, such gain or loss shall not be deemed nonrecurring.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Coverage Ratio Exception ” has the meaning set forth in the proviso in the first paragraph of Section 4.06.

 

Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement dated September 2, 2010, by and among the Issuer, as Borrower, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and lead bookrunner, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and BNP Paribas, as syndication agents, and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Capital, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and the Bank of Nova Scotia, as documentation agents, including any notes, guarantees, collateral and security documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended or refinanced from time to time.

 

Credit Facilities ” means one or more (A) debt facilities (which may be outstanding at the same time and including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities (including, without limitation, the Notes), indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder).

 

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Default ” means (1) any Event of Default or (2) any event, act or condition that, after notice or the passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.16(e).

 

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

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Disqualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such Person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes; provided, however, that any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, authorizes such Person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for Disqualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness, will not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests so long as such Person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests; provided, further, however, that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Equity Interests are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Issuer to redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change in control occurring prior to the 91st day after the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if (1) the change of control provisions applicable to such Equity Interests are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions of Section 4.20, and (2) such Equity Interests specifically provide that the Issuer will not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the Issuer’s purchase of the Notes as required pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.20.

 

Disqualified Person ” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Issuer or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner of the Issuer.

 

Distribution Compliance Period ,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

 

Equity Interests ” of any Person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such Person.

 

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

 

Exchange Notes ” means the debt securities of the Issuer issued pursuant to this Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to, the Notes, in compliance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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Exchange Offer ” means the offer by the Issuer, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for their Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

 

Existing Notes ” means the 2009 Notes and each series of the 2010 Notes.

 

Existing Note Guarantees ” means the guarantees of the Existing Notes by the Guarantors.

 

Existing Notes Indentures ” means the 2009 Notes Indenture and the 2010 Notes Indenture.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, consistently applied.

 

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

 

guarantee ” means a direct or indirect guarantee by any Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person and includes any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); “ guarantee ,” when used as a verb, and “ guaranteed ” have correlative meanings.

 

Guarantors ” means each Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date, and each other Person that is required to, or at the election of the Issuer does, become a Guarantor by the terms of this Indenture after the Issue Date, in each case, until such Person is released from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

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Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

Holder ” means any registered holder, from time to time, of the Notes.

 

incur ” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or Obligation, incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to such Indebtedness or Obligation; provided that (1) the Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount or the accretion or accumulation of dividends on any Equity Interests shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person at any date means, without duplication:

 

(1)                                   all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof) or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind;

 

(2)                                   all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(3)                                   all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers’ acceptances and similar credit transactions;

 

(4)                                   all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services;

 

(5)                                   all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;

 

(6)                                   all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;

 

(7)                                   all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee; provided that Indebtedness of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Issuer or the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall only be counted once in the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and

 

(8)                                   all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such Person (excluding obligations arising from inventory transactions in the ordinary course of business).

 

The amount of any Indebtedness which is incurred at a discount to the principal amount at maturity thereof as of any date shall be deemed to have been incurred at the accreted value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above, the maximum liability of such Person for any

 

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such contingent obligations at such date and, in the case of clause (6), the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness secured.

 

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

 

Independent Investment Banker ” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Issuer.

 

Initial Notes ” means the 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 issued on the Issue Date.

 

Initial Purchasers ” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, Barclays Capital Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, RBS Securities Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Mizuho Securities USA Inc., SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Inc. and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor ” or “ IAI ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

interest ” means, with respect to the Notes, interest on the Notes (including Additional Interest, if any).

 

Interest Payment Dates ” means each January 2 and July 2, commencing January 2, 2013.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) if by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) if by Standard & Poor’s.

 

Investments ” of any Person means:

 

(1)                                   all direct or indirect investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions or other credit extensions constituting Indebtedness of such other Person, and any guarantee of Indebtedness of any other Person;

 

(2)                                   all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities of any other Person (other than any such purchase that constitutes a Restricted Payment of the type described in clause (2) of the definition thereof);

 

(3)                                   all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP (including, if required by GAAP, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business); and

 

(4)                                   the Designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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Except as otherwise expressly specified in this definition, the amount of any Investment (other than an Investment made in cash) shall be the Fair Market Value thereof on the date such Investment is made. The amount of Investment pursuant to clause (4) shall be the Fair Market Value of the Issuer’s proportionate interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of and all other Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary retained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, purchases or redemptions of Equity Interests of the Issuer or Parent shall be deemed not to be Investments.

 

Issue Date ” means July 2, 2012, the date on which the Notes are originally issued.

 

Issuer ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article Five and thereafter means the successor.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), pledge, easement, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind or nature in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

 

LINTA ” means Liberty Interactive Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of the Issuer then beneficially owned by LINTA as to which LINTA has dispositive power, the term “LINTA” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “ Transferee Parent ” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LINTA of a Person or Persons (a “ Transferred Person ”) that hold equity securities of the Issuer beneficially owned by LINTA, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LINTA, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LINTA (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LINTA designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “ Control Person ” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LINTA, (b) the President of LINTA, (c) any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of LINTA, (d) each of the directors of LINTA and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

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Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended, that has assets (including Equity Interests in Subsidiaries) or revenues (including both third party and intercompany revenues) with a value in excess of 2.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 2.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries; provided, that in the event Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries designated by the Issuer (or, if the Issuer shall make no designation, one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the Issuer), shall be included as Material Domestic Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.

 

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

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary:

 

(1)                                   as to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, and

 

(2)                                   no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Credit Agreement, Existing Notes or Notes) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on the other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

Non-U.S. Person ” means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in Regulation S.

 

Notes ” means the Initial Notes, the Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes.

 

Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Obligation ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated as of June 27, 2012, relating to the offering of the Notes.

 

Officer ” means any of the following of the Issuer: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary.

 

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Officer.

 

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Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee from legal counsel, which counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, opining on the matters required by Section 11.05 and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Parent ” means LINTA.

 

Parent Pledge Agreement ” means the pledge agreement by and among the Parent Pledgor and the Collateral Agent dated as of June 16, 2009 as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, March 23, 2010 and September 2, 2010, as further amended and restated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Parent Pledgor ” means the pledgor party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

Permitted Holders ” means any one or more of (a) LINTA, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b), and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

Permitted Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.06.

 

Permitted Investment ” means:

 

(1)                                   Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                   Investments in the Issuer by any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)                                   loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of the Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer (after the consummation of an initial public offering) not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(4)                                   cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(5)                                   receivables owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(6)                                   Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

 

(7)                                   Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with a sale of assets made in compliance with Section 4.08;

 

(8)                                   lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(9)                                   stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

 

(10)                             any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date; and

 

(11)                             Investments, including in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

Permitted Liens ” means the following types of Liens:

 

(1)                                   Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP;

 

(2)                                   statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

 

(3)                                   pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation (or pursuant to letters of credit issued in connection with such workers’ compensation compliance), unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

(4)                                   Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds, letters of credit and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

 

(5)                                   Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(6)                                   judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

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

 

(8)                                   Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed or the purchase of which is supported by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof;

 

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(9)                                   Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including rights of offset and setoff;

 

(10)                             bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

 

(11)                             leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(12)                             Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;

 

(13)                             [Reserved];

 

(14)                             Liens under the Security Documents securing Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business not for the purpose of speculation;

 

(15)                             Liens existing on the Issue Date securing obligations outstanding on the Issue Date (other than pursuant to clause (14) of this definition and other than Liens securing Permitted Parity Indebtedness);

 

(16)                             Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Guarantor;

 

(17)                             Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided that such Liens shall secure Capitalized Lease Obligations or be created within 90 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets and shall not extend to any asset other than the specified asset being financed and additions and improvements thereon;

 

(18)                             Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that the Liens do not extend to assets not subject to such Lien at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders than those securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(19)                             deposits and other Liens securing credit card operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided the amount secured does not exceed amounts owed by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in connection with such credit card operations;

 

(20)                             Liens to secure Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18); provided that in the case of Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses

 

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(15), (17) and (18) such Liens do not extend to any additional assets (other than improvements thereon and replacements thereof);

 

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

 

(22)                             Interests of vendors in inventory arising out of such inventory being subject to a “sale or return” arrangement with such vendor or any consignment by any third party of any inventory; and

 

(23)                             Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed $150.0 million at any one time outstanding, so long as such Liens do not encumber Collateral.

 

Permitted Parity Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

 

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

 

Plan of Liquidation ” with respect to any Person, means a plan that provides for, contemplates or the effectuation of which is preceded or accompanied by (whether or not substantially contemporaneously, in phases or otherwise): (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person other than as an entirety or substantially as an entirety; and (2) the distribution of all or substantially all of the proceeds of such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the remaining assets of such Person to holders of Equity Interests of such Person.

 

Preferred Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other equity interests (however designated) of such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.

 

principal ” means, with respect to the Notes, the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Notes.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated June 27, 2012 among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative of the Initial Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes.

 

Purchase Money Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness, including Capitalized Lease Obligations, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or the cost of installation, construction or improvement thereof; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is comprised of Capitalized Lease Obligations or (1) the amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed such purchase price or cost and (2) such Indebtedness shall be incurred within 90 days after such acquisition of such asset by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or such installation, construction or improvement.

 

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Qualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means Equity Interests of such Person other than Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that such Equity Interests shall not be deemed Qualified Equity Interests to the extent sold or owed to a Subsidiary of such Person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, without limitation, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan). Unless otherwise specified, Qualified Equity Interests refer to Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer.

 

Qualified Institutional Buyer ” or “ QIB ” has the meaning specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rating Agencies ” means (1) each of Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s; and (2) if any of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Issuer’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, that the Issuer selects (as certified by an Officer of the Issuer) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, or both of them, as the case may be.

 

redeem ” means to redeem, repurchase, purchase, defease, retire, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value; and “ redemption ” shall have a correlative meaning; provided that this definition shall not apply for purposes of Section 3.01.

 

Redemption Date ” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the terms of the Notes.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means any primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City selected by the Issuer.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

 

refinance ” means to refinance, repay, prepay, replace, renew or refund.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or refinance in whole or in part, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (the “ Refinanced Indebtedness ”); provided that:

 

(1)                                   the principal amount (and accreted value, in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of the Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (and accreted value, as the case may be) of the Refinanced Indebtedness plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Indebtedness, any reasonable premium paid to the holders of the Refinanced Indebtedness and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the incurrence of the Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

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(2)                                   the obligor of Refinancing Indebtedness does not include any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is not an obligor of the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(3)                                   if the Refinanced Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(4)                                   the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final stated maturity either (a) no earlier than the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid or amended or (b) after the final maturity date of the Notes; and

 

(5)                                   the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes; provided that Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Refinanced Indebtedness that has no amortization may provide for amortization installments, sinking fund payments, senior maturity dates or other required payments of principal of up to 1% of the aggregate principal amount per annum.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative of the Initial Purchasers.

 

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

 

Responsible Officer ” when used with respect to the Trustee, means an officer or assistant officer assigned to the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Note ” has the same meaning as “Restricted Security” set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any of the following:

 

(1)                                   the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding (a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests or through accretion or accumulation of such dividends on such Equity Interests and (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries, dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary and pro rata dividends or distributions payable to minority stockholders of any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(2)                                   the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any equity holder of the Issuer, including, without limitation, any payment in exchange for such Equity Interests in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding any such Equity Interests held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)                                   any Investment other than a Permitted Investment; or

 

(4)                                   any payment or redemption prior to the scheduled maturity or prior to any scheduled repayment of principal or sinking fund payment, as the case may be, in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness owed to and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary).

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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

 

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

 

Rule 144A Notes ” means all Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transactions ” means with respect to any Person an arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by such Person of any asset of such Person which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such asset.

 

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secured Party ” means the lenders and the agents under the Credit Agreement, holders of Existing Notes, the trustee under the Existing Notes and providers of the Specified Swap Agreements, the Trustee, the Holders, the Collateral Agent and any other party designated as an additional secured party under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents, Indenture, the Credit Agreement or the Existing Notes Indentures.

 

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

 

Security Documents ” means, collectively, the Parent Pledge Agreement and other security documents relating to the Collateral and instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the relevant states) applicable to the Collateral, each as in effect on the Issue Date and as amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means (1) any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date and (2) any Restricted Subsidiary that, when aggregated with all other Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries and as to which any event described in clause (7) or (8) under Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (1) of this definition.

 

Specified Swap Agreement ” means any Swap Agreement in respect of interest rate or currency exchange rates existing on September 2, 2010 or entered into by the Issuer or any Guarantor and any Person that is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreement at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into and is secured equally and ratably with such Credit Agreement(s) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and Security Documents or any such agreement secured equally and ratably with any Credit Facility pursuant to the terms of such Credit Facility and Security Documents.

 

Standard & Poor’s ” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

Stock Compensation Plans ” means compensation plans in connection with which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries make payments to Parent and its Affiliates in consideration for securities of Parent issued to employees of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                   any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2)                                   any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

 

Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

 

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Issuer or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement ” means that certain Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement entered into as of April 26, 2004 by and between Liberty Interactive LLC (f/k/a Liberty Media Corporation) and the Issuer, as amended, modified or replaced from time to time in a manner no less favorable to the Issuer than as in effect on the Issue Date; provided that such agreement may be amended from time to time in the future to permit Issuer to pay the portion of any

 

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additional consolidated, combined or similar income taxes payable by any direct or indirect parent of Issuer that are attributable to the income of Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e) hereto.

 

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

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (1) QVC Italia S.r.l., (2) any Subsidiary that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.13 and (3) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, means the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary of which 100% of the Equity Interests (except for directors’ qualifying shares or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is not in excess of what is required for such purpose) are owned directly by the Issuer or through one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 1.02.                                          Other Definitions .

 

The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections indicated as follows:

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

 

 

 

“Affiliate Transaction”

 

 

4.09

“Agent Members”

 

 

2.02(c)

“Change of Control Offer”

 

 

4.20

“Change of Control Payment”

 

 

4.20

“Covenant Defeasance”

 

 

9.03

“Designation”

 

 

4.13

“Event of Default”

 

 

6.01

“Exchange Global Note”

 

 

2.02(b)

“Global Notes”

 

 

2.02(b)

“IAI Global Note”

 

 

2.02(b)

“IAI Notes”

 

 

2.02(b)

 

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Term

 

Defined in Section

 

 

 

“Legal Defeasance”

 

 

9.02

“Note Guarantee”

 

 

10.01

“Paying Agent”

 

 

2.04

“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”

 

 

2.02(b)

“Permitted Parity Indebtedness”

 

 

4.10(b)

“Recovery”

 

 

12.08

“Redesignation”

 

 

4.13

“Registrar”

 

 

2.04

“Regulation S Global Note”

 

 

2.02(b)

“Regulation S Notes”

 

 

2.02(b)

“Rule 144A Global Note”

 

 

2.02(b)

“Rule 144A Notes”

 

 

2.02(b)

“Successor”

 

 

5.01

“Temporary Regulation S Global Note

 

 

2.02(b)

“Terminated Covenants”

 

 

4.21

 

SECTION 1.03.                                          Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes.

 

indenture securityholder ” means a Holder.

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee.

 

obligor on the indenture securities ” means the Issuer, the Guarantors or any other obligor on the Notes.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.04.                                          Rules of Construction .

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)                                   a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined expressly or by reference;

 

(2)                                   “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

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(4)                                   words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

 

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

 

(6)                                   unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer; and

 

(7)                                   “$,” “U.S. Dollars” and “United States Dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01.                                          Amount of Notes .

 

Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000 and (ii) subject to Section 4.06 (unless terminated pursuant to Section 4.21) and Section 4.10, Additional Notes in an unlimited principal amount, upon a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer. The Officer’s Certificate shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, and the names and delivery instructions for each Holder.

 

Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate Notes in substitution for Notes originally issued to reflect any name change of the Issuer. Any Additional Notes and the Exchange Notes shall be part of the same issue as the Notes being issued on the date hereof and shall vote on all matters as one class with the Notes being issued on the date hereof, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. For the purposes of this Indenture, except for Section 4.06, references to the Notes include Additional Notes and the Exchange Notes, if any.

 

SECTION 2.02.                                          Form and Dating; Book Entry Provisions .

 

(a)                                   The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which is incorporated in and forms a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rule or usage to which the Issuer is subject. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

(b)                                  (i) The Notes shall be offered and sold by the Issuer pursuant to a Purchase Agreement. The Notes shall be resold initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S

 

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under the Securities Act. Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, IAIs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Rule 144A Global Note ”); and Notes resold to IAIs (the “ IAI Notes ”) shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ IAI Global Note ”); and Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global securities in fully registered form (collectively, the “ Temporary Regulation S Global Note ”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.02(b), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, a permanent global security (the “ Permanent Regulation S Global Note ” and together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the “ Regulation S Global Note ”) or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note only upon certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that (i) beneficial ownership interests in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note are owned either by Non-U.S. Persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act and (ii) in the case of an exchange for an IAI Global Note, certification that the interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” under the Securities Act that is an institutional accredited investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investor.

 

(ii)                                   Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes or IAI Global Notes may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred to a Person (A) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (B) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and (C) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

(iii)                                Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes and Rule 144A Global Notes may be exchanged for an interest in IAI Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the securities in compliance with an exemption under the Securities Act and (2) the transferor of the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that (A) the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred to an “accredited investor” within the meaning of 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is an institutional investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of US$250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and (B) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

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(iv)                                    Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in this Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).

 

(v)                                       Exchange Notes exchanged for interests in the Rule 144A Notes, the Regulation S Notes, and the IAI Notes will be issued in the form of a permanent global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, deposited with the Registrar as hereinafter provided, including the appropriate legend set forth in Section 2.16(e) (the “Exchange Global Note”). The Exchange Global Note will be deposited upon issuance with, or on behalf of, the Registrar as custodian for DTC, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Exchange Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate.

 

(vi)                                    The Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the Permanent Regulation S Global Note and the Exchange Global Note are collectively referred to herein as “ Global   Notes ”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

 

(c)                              Book-Entry Provisions . This Section 2.02(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

 

(i)                                 The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.02(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (A) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depository and (B) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.

 

(ii)                              Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)                             Definitive Notes . Except as provided in this Section 2.02 or Section 2.16 or 2.17, owners of beneficial interests in Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

 

(e)                              The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee,

 

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by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and agree to be bound thereby.

 

(f)                                  The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.03.                                          Execution and Authentication .

 

An Officer (who shall, in each case, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate actions) shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Note shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Note to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12, for all purposes of this Indenture such Note shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate the Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer and Affiliates of the Issuer. Each Paying Agent is designated as an authenticating agent for purposes of this Indenture.

 

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

SECTION 2.04.                                          Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which shall be located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, State of New York) where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer, if any, in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. If and for so long as the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the register of the Notes during regular business hours. The Issuer may have one or more additional Paying Agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Issuer or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.

 

The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement, which shall incorporate the provisions of the TIA, with any Agent that is not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement

 

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the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.07. The Issuer or any wholly owned Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.05.                                          Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust .

 

On or prior to each due date of the principal or interest on any Notes, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes or the Guarantors), and the Issuer and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer serves as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. Money held in trust by the Paying Agent need not be segregated except as required by law and in no event shall the Paying Agent be liable for any interest on any money received by it hereunder. The Issuer at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2), upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith all money so held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon making such payment, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06.                                          Holder Lists .

 

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

 

SECTION 2.07.                                          Transfer and Exchange .

 

Subject to Sections 2.02(b), 2.16 and 2.17, when Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request from such Holder to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture are met. Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorneys duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall issue and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) evidencing such transfer or exchange at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange. The Issuer may require from the Holder payment of a sum sufficient

 

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to cover any transfer taxes or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.06, 4.20 or 8.05 (in which events the Issuer shall be responsible for the payment of such taxes). The Registrar shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or of any Note selected, called or being called for redemption except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

Any Holder of any Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuer and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. Federal or state securities law.

 

Except as expressly provided herein, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the Issuer’s compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the Issuer’s compliance with any Federal or state securities laws.

 

SECTION 2.08.                                          Replacement Notes .

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Trustee, or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) if such Holder furnishes to the Issuer and the Trustee evidence reasonably acceptable to them of the ownership and the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date of this Indenture are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond shall be posted by such Holder, sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any Paying Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if such Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge such Holder for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing such Note (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in replacing such Note. Every replacement Note shall constitute a contractual obligation of the Issuer.

 

SECTION 2.09.                                          Outstanding Notes .

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for (a) those cancelled by it, (b) those delivered to it for cancellation, (c) to the extent set forth in Sections 9.01 and 9.02, on or after the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 9.01 or 9.02 have been satisfied, those Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and (d) those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. Subject to Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or one of its Affiliates holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer.

 

If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in its capacity as such, on any Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all accrued interest and principal with respect to the Notes payable on

 

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that date and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10.                                          Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, Notes owned by the Issuer or any other Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, only Notes as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee established to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, a Guarantor, any other obligor on the Notes or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

SECTION 2.11.                                          Temporary Notes .

 

Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Notes.

 

SECTION 2.12.                                          Cancellation .

 

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall (subject to the record-retention requirements of the Exchange Act) destroy cancelled Notes. The Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Issuer. The Issuer may not reissue or resell, or issue new Notes to replace, Notes that the Issuer has redeemed or paid, or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, other than in accordance with the express provisions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.13.                                          Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Issuer defaults on a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent permitted by law) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, in accordance with the terms hereof, to the Persons who are Holders of such Notes on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date. The Issuer shall fix such special record date and payment date in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. The Issuer shall promptly mail to each Holder of such Notes a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on defaulted interest, if any, to be paid. The Issuer may make payment of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements (if applicable) of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and, upon such notice as may be

 

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required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this sentence, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.14.                                          CUSIP Number .

 

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, ISIN and “Common Code” number (in each case if then generally in use), and if so, such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number shall be included in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such number either as printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Issuer shall promptly notify, and in any event within 10 Business Days, the Trustee of any such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number used by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Notes and of any change in the CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number.

 

SECTION 2.15.                                          Deposit of Moneys .

 

Subject to the following paragraph, prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Interest Payment Date and maturity date, the Issuer shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date or maturity date, as the case may be. The principal and interest on Global Notes shall be payable to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the Global Notes represented thereby. The principal and interest on Definitive Notes shall be payable, either in person or by mail, at the office of the Paying Agent.

 

If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Issuer at least ten Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, the Issuer (through the Paying Agent) will make all payments on such Holder’s Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on the Notes will be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent for the Notes within the City and State of New York unless the Issuer (with notice to the Paying Agent) elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

 

SECTION 2.16.                                          Special Transfer Provisions .

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(ii)                              if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.16(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

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

 

(B)                            if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Issuer, a certification to that effect; or

 

(C)                            if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Issuer so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e)(i).

 

(b)                                  Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note . A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, an IAI Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:

 

(i)                                 certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) being transferred to an IAI or (C) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note; and

 

(ii)                              written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)), IAI Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(C)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,

 

then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI

 

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Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Notes, IAI Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, are then outstanding, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer, a new Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(c)                                   Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .

 

(i)                                 The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

 

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

 

(iii)                           Notwithstanding any other provisions of Article Two (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.17), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

 

(iv)                          In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.17, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.16 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer.

 

(d)                                  Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes . During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to Issuer, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.

 

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(e)                                   Legend .

 

(i)                                 Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof), in the case of Notes offered otherwise than in reliance on Regulation S, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER SHALL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

Each certificate evidencing a Note offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN

 

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AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

Each Definitive Note shall also bear the following additional legend:

 

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

 

(ii)                              Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).

 

(iii)                           After a transfer of any Initial Notes during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to the restricted securities legend as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, on such Initial Notes shall cease to apply and the requirements that any such Initial Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

(iv)                          Upon the consummation of an Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes pursuant to which Holders of such Initial Notes are offered Exchange Notes in exchange for their Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to Initial Notes that Initial Notes be issued in global form shall continue to apply, and Exchange Notes in global form without the restricted securities legend as set forth in Exhibit A hereto, shall be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Exchange Offer.

 

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

 

(g)                             No Obligation of the Trustee .

 

(i)                                 The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only

 

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to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

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

 

SECTION 2.17.                                          Certificated Notes .

 

(a)                                   A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.02 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.16 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice, (ii) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Notes in definitive form, then, upon surrender by the relevant Global Note Holder of its Global Note, Notes in such form will be issued to each Person that such Global Note Holder and the Depository identifies as being the beneficial owner of the related Notes, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

 

(b)                                  Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of US$2,000 principal amount or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.16(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted securities legend and definitive note legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(d)                                  In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.17(a) hereof, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. In the event that the Definitive Notes are not

 

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issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Note to issue such Certificated Note, the Issuer expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Article 6 of this Indenture, the right of any beneficial holder of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Note that represents such beneficial holder’s Notes as if such Certificated Notes had been issued.

 

(e)                                   By its acceptance of any Note bearing any Legend in Section 2.16(e), each Holder of such Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in such Legend in Section 2.16(e) and agrees that it shall transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.

 

The Registrar shall retain for a period of two years copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.02 or this Section 2.17. The Issuer shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable notice to the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.18.                                          Computation of Interest .

 

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Additional Interest will be payable with respect to the Notes in certain circumstances if the Issuer does not consummate the Exchange Offer (or shelf registration, if applicable) as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.                                          Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of such Notes, at least 40 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee), the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the conditions contained in paragraph 6 of the Notes. Notice given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.01 may not be revoked after the time that notice is given to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03.

 

SECTION 3.02.                                          Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed .

 

In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to a redemption made pursuant to paragraph 6 of such Notes, selection of the Notes for redemption shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed or, if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided, however, that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. If a partial redemption is made pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable (subject

 

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to the procedures of the Depository), unless that method is otherwise prohibited. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. For all purposes of this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Issuer may acquire Notes by means other than redemption, whether pursuant to an Issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise, provided such acquisition does not otherwise violate the other terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.03.                                          Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. If the Issuer mails such notice to Holders, it shall mail a copy of such notice to the Trustee at the same time.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP numbers, ISIN and Common Code numbers, if any thereof) and shall state:

 

(1)                                   the Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                   the redemption price and the amount of premium (or the manner of calculation the redemption price and/or premium) and accrued interest to be paid;

 

(3)                                   if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued;

 

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

 

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

 

(6)                                   that unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

(7)                                   that the Notes are being redeemed pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes; and

 

(8)                                   the aggregate principal amount of Notes that are being redeemed.

 

At the Issuer’s written request made at least five Business Days prior to the date on which notice is to be given, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption prepared by the Issuer, in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s sole expense. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03.

 

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SECTION 3.04.                                          Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date, provided that if the Redemption Date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date, and provided, further, that if a Redemption Date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the period from such Redemption Date to such succeeding Business Day. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

SECTION 3.05.                                          Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. Promptly after the calculation of the Redemption Price, the Issuer shall give the Trustee and any Paying Agent written notice thereof.

 

On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on Notes called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Notes called for redemption shall cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes shall be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the first proviso in Section 3.04, accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to the Redemption Date. If any Note surrendered for redemption shall not be so paid, interest shall be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Note and any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.

 

SECTION 3.06.                                          Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder thereof a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

SECTION 3.07.                                          Mandatory Redemption .

 

The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.                                          Payment of Notes .

 

The Issuer shall pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment.

 

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal (including post-petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.

 

SECTION 4.02.                                          Reports to Holders .

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer will file with the SEC:

 

(1)                                   within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form);

 

(2)                                   within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for a non-accelerated filer, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form);

 

(3)                                   promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form); and

 

(4)                                   any other information, documents and other reports which the Issuer would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Issuer will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, including by posting such reports on the primary website of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the Holders, in the case of Form 10-K within 30 days, and in each other case within 15 days, after the time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as a non-accelerated filer.

 

(b)                                  In the event that (1) the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Issuer and any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and

 

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(2) such parent entity of the Issuer is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of the Issuer, such consolidated reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.02 for the Issuer will satisfy this Section 4.02.

 

In addition, the Issuer will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, the Issuer will, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the Holders if the Issuer has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether or not the Issuer shall have made such filings. In addition, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement, if required, of the exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Notes or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement by the filing with the SEC of the exchange offer registration statement and/or shelf registration statement in accordance with the provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement, and any amendments thereto, if such registration statement and/or amendments thereto are filed at times that otherwise satisfy the time requirements set forth in Section 4.02(a).

 

(c)                                   In the event that any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer is or becomes a Guarantor, Issuer may satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.02 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the other Subsidiaries of the Issuer on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.

 

SECTION 4.03.                                          Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

 

Each of the Issuer and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive any of the Issuer and the Guarantors from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) each of the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.04.                                          Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default .

 

(a)                                   The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining

 

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whether the Issuer and the Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Issuer and the Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and no Default occurred during such period (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action they are taking or propose to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuer and the Guarantors is taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)                             The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default and what action the Issuer and the Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(c)                              The Issuer’s fiscal year currently ends on December 31. The Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee of any change in its fiscal year.

 

SECTION 4.05.                                          Payment of Obligations .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay its material obligations, including material tax liabilities before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.06.                                          Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness .

 

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur additional Indebtedness, in each case, if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00 (the “ Coverage Ratio Exception ”).

 

Notwithstanding the above, each of the following shall be permitted (the “ Permitted Indebtedness ”):

 

(1)                                   Indebtedness of the Issuer and any Guarantor under the Credit Facilities (including the Notes and the Existing Notes) in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000,000;

 

(2)                                   the Note Guarantees and the Existing Note Guarantees;

 

(3)                                   Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1), (2) or (4));

 

(4)                                   (x) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer and (y) guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer of

 

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any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Indebtedness being owed to any Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (4);

 

(5)                                   Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

 

(6)                                   Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding $100.0 million;

 

(7)                                   Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

 

(8)                                   Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)                                   Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or clause (2) or (3) above or this clause (9);

 

(10)                             indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing or in contemplation of any such acquisition; provided that (a) any amount of such obligations included on the face of the balance sheet of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be permitted under this clause (10) and (b) in the case of a disposition, the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such obligations outstanding under this clause (10) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

 

(11)                             Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of such indebtedness does not exceed $425.0 million (less the amount of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under clause (23) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” which Indebtedness is not incurred pursuant to this clause (11)); and

 

(12)                             Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.06, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described

 

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in clauses (1) through (12) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described and may later reclassify any item of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above ( provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories), except that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement and the Notes issued on the Issue Date (and any Exchange Notes and guarantees thereof) shall be deemed to have been incurred under clause (1) above. In addition, for purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this Section 4.06, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included so long as incurred by a Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.

 

SECTION 4.07.                                          Limitations on Restricted Payments .

 

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(1)                                   no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof; and

 

(2)                                   after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

 

(1)                                   the payment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if on the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)                                   the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer shall be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement);

 

(3)                                   the redemption of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer will be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement), (b) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent incurrence of, Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to

 

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be incurred under Section 4.06 and the other terms of this Indenture or (c) upon a Change of Control or in connection with a sale of assets to the extent required by the agreement governing such Subordinated Indebtedness but only if the Issuer shall have complied with Section 4.20 and purchased all Notes validly tendered pursuant to the relevant offer prior to redeeming such Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(4)                                   (x) prior to the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to Parent to permit Parent, and which are used by Parent or (y) after the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to the Issuer to permit the Issuer, and which are used by the Issuer, to redeem Equity Interests of Parent or the Issuer, as the case may be, held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed $25.0 million during any twelve consecutive months;

 

(5)                                   payments permitted pursuant to clause (3) of Section 4.09;

 

(6)                                   repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if the Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof;

 

(7)                                   [Reserved];

 

(8)                                   payments by the Issuer to Parent or its subsidiaries to the extent necessary to pay principal and interest when due in respect of Indebtedness of Parent and its subsidiaries;

 

(9)                                   Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for directors, management, employees or consultants of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or

 

(10)                             other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount from and after the Issue Date not to exceed $50.0 million;

 

provided that in the case of any Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (3), (8) or (10) above, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

 

For purposes of this covenant, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.

 

SECTION 4.08.                                          Limitations on Asset Sales .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

 

(1)                                   at the time of such transaction (or, if earlier, the date of the commitment to enter into such transaction) and after giving effect thereto and to the use of proceeds thereof, (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (b) the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied; and

 

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(2)            if such Asset Sale involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 4.09.              Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates .

 

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis by the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

 

(1)             transactions between or among the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate;

 

(2)             reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, and Stock Compensation Plans) and indemnification arrangements;

 

(3)             transactions pursuant to the Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement;

 

(4)             loans and advances permitted by clause (3) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

 

(5)             Restricted Payments of the type described in clause (1), (2) or (4) of the definition of “Restricted Payment” and which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;

 

(6)             (x) any agreement in effect on the Issue Date and disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, as in effect on the Issue Date or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner, that, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Holders or the Issuer in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Issue Date or (y) any transaction pursuant to any agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x);

 

(7)             any transaction with a joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such joint venture or similar entity; provided that no Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have a beneficial interest in such joint venture or similar entity;

 

(8)             ordinary overhead arrangements in which any Subsidiary participates; and

 

(9)             (a) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary is Qualified Equity Interests or (b) the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests.

 

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SECTION 4.10.              Limitations on Liens .

 

(a)             The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) of any nature whatsoever against any assets (including Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, which Lien secures Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or trade payables.

 

(b)             The provisions in the preceding clause (a) shall not apply to Liens on Collateral to secure Indebtedness (“ Permitted Parity Indebtedness ”) in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $5,000,000,000; provided that (i) such Permitted Parity Indebtedness shall be secured by a Lien that is equal and ratable or junior to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees, (ii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is not incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees and (iii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the secured parties under the Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees; provided that, at a time when there is no Credit Agreement outstanding, Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes may be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral ratably with the holders of any other such Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes in proportion to the amount of obligations under such Indebtedness.

 

Liens, if any, securing Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement, Existing Notes and the Notes on the Issue Date will be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to this Section 4.10(b).

 

SECTION 4.11.              Additional Note Guarantees .

 

If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) becomes a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) guarantees any Indebtedness under any Permitted Parity Indebtedness or (c) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(1)               execute and deliver to the Trustee (a) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture and (b) a notation of guarantee in respect of its Note Guarantee; and

 

(2)               deliver to the Trustee one or more opinions of counsel that such supplemental indenture (a) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary qualifications).

 

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SECTION 4.12.                                                                  Limitations on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)           pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Equity Interests;

 

(b)           make loans or advances or pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(c)           transfer any of its assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; except for:

 

(1)           encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of applicable law, regulation or order;

 

(2)           encumbrances or restrictions existing under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, Exchange Notes (and any guarantees thereof) and the Security Documents;

 

(3)           non-assignment provisions of any contract or any lease entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(4)           encumbrances or restrictions existing under agreements existing on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes Indentures, the Existing Notes and the Existing Note Guarantees) as in effect on that date;

 

(5)           restrictions relating to any Lien permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien that limit the right of the relevant obligor to transfer assets that are subject to such Lien;

 

(6)           restrictions imposed under any agreement to sell assets permitted under this Indenture to any Person pending the closing of such sale;

 

(7)           any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired;

 

(8)           any other agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are not materially more restrictive with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(9)           customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements and other similar

 

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agreements that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or similar Person;

 

(10)         Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred in compliance with Section 4.06 that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the assets acquired;

 

(11)         restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(12)         any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

 

SECTION 4.13.                                                                  Limitations on Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary) of the Issuer as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” under this Indenture (a “ Designation ”) only if:

 

(1)           no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Designation; and

 

(2)           at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Designation, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

No Subsidiary shall be Designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” unless such Subsidiary:

 

(1)           has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt and other obligations arising by operation of law, including joint and several liability for taxes, ERISA obligations and similar items, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;

 

(2)           is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of the agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding comply with Section 4.09;

 

(3)           is a Person with respect to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve the Person’s financial condition or to cause the Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07; and

 

(4)           will not become a Subsidiary of the Issuer or its other Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) where the Issuer or such other Subsidiary shall become a general partner of any such Subsidiary.

 

If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary fails to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture on the

 

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date that is 30 days after the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has obtained knowledge of such failure (unless such failure has been cured by such date), and any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary and any Liens on assets of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary at such time and, if the Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 or the Lien is not permitted under Section 4.10, the Issuer shall be in default of the applicable covenant.

 

The Issuer may redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (a “ Redesignation ”) only if:

 

(1)           no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of and after giving effect to such Redesignation; and

 

(2)           all Liens, Indebtedness and Investments of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Redesignation would, if incurred or made at such time, have been permitted to be incurred or made for all purposes of this Indenture.

 

All Designations and Redesignations must be evidenced by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer and an Officer’s Certificate certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 4.14.                                                                  Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

 

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

 

(1)           such Sale and Leaseback Transaction involves a lease for a term of not more than three years;

 

(2)           such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is between the Issuer and one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or between any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(3)           the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have (a) incurred the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.06 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.10 or the lease in the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is not a capital lease and the aggregate proceeds from such arrangements since the Issue Date do not exceed $150.0 million; or

 

(4)           the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction within 365 days after such Sale and Leaseback Transaction to the retirement or other discharge of Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 4.15.                                                                  Conduct of Business .

 

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its line of business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date (other than businesses incidental or related thereto).

 

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SECTION 4.16.                                                                  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies or in accordance with self insurance practices, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of similar size engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

SECTION 4.17.                                                                  Compliance with Laws .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so would not be adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.18.                                                                  Existence .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 5.01, and the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, franchise, permit, license or legal existence with respect to itself or any Restricted Subsidiary if the Issuer shall determine in good faith the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 4.19.                                                                  Payments for Consent .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

SECTION 4.20.                                                                  Change of Control Offer .

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to the Notes, unless the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes, the Issuer will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the Holder’s option, any part (equal to $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer.

 

In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuer will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to, but not including, the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment” ). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event with respect to the Notes, the Issuer shall mail a notice to Holders of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee for the Notes, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Notes (a “ Change of Control Offer”) on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no

 

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earlier than 30 and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”), pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will be required, to the extent lawful, to:

 

(1)               accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(2)               deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(3)               deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.

 

The Paying Agent will be required to promptly pay, to each Holder who properly tendered Notes, the purchase price for such Notes, and the Trustee will be required to promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each such Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In the event that such third party terminates or defaults its offer, the Issuer will be required to make a Change of Control Offer treating the date of such termination or default as though it were the date of the Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of applicable securities laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions under this Section 4.20, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.20 by virtue of this compliance.

 

SECTION 4.21.                                                                  Fall-Away Event .

 

If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, and the Issuer has delivered written notice of such Investment Grade Ratings to the Trustee, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day and continuing at all times thereafter regardless of any subsequent changes in the ratings of such Notes or the occurrence of any Default, the provisions in the following sections shall no longer be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the “ Terminated Covenants ”): Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.12 and clause (3) of Section 5.01.

 

No Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture or the Notes with respect to the Terminated Covenants based on, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring after the Notes attain

 

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an investment grade rating, regardless of whether such actions or event would have been permitted if the applicable Terminated Covenants remained in effect.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 5.01.                                                                  Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations, etc .

 

The Issuer will not, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person, or sell, lease, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of or assign all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) or (b) adopt a Plan of Liquidation unless, in either case:

 

(1)           either:

 

(a)               the Issuer will be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

(b)              the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall be made (or, in the case of a Plan of Liquidation, any Person to which assets are transferred) (collectively, the “ Successor ”) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia, and the Successor expressly assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture;

 

(2)           immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations as set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(3)           immediately after and giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.01, any Indebtedness of the Successor which was not Indebtedness of the Issuer immediately prior to the transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred in connection with such transaction.

 

Except as provided in Section 10.04, no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, unless:

 

(1)                                   either:

 

(a)                                   such Guarantor shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

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(b)                                  the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger is another Guarantor or assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Security Documents; and

 

(2)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, the Equity Interests of which constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

 

Upon any consolidation, combination or merger of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing, in which the Issuer or such Guarantor is not the continuing obligor under the Notes or its Note Guarantee, the surviving entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or the Person to which the conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named therein as the Issuer or such Guarantor and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes or in respect of its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and all of the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s other obligations and covenants under the Notes, this Indenture and its Note Guarantee, if applicable.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, that the surviving entity remains or becomes a Guarantor.

 

SECTION 5.02.                                                                  Successor Person Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary herein, and thereafter the predecessor entity shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01.                                          Events of Default .

 

Each of the following shall be an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(1)           failure by the Issuer to pay interest on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for 30 days;

 

(2)           failure by the Issuer to pay the principal on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption, upon purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;

 

(3)           failure by the Issuer to comply with Section 5.01 or in respect of its obligations to make a Change of Control Offer;

 

(4)           failure by the Issuer to comply with any other agreement or covenant in this Indenture and continuance of this failure for 30 days after written notice of the failure has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

 

(5)           default under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument or agreement under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is incurred after the Issue Date, which default:

 

(a)           is caused by a failure to pay at final maturity principal on such Indebtedness within the applicable express grace period and any extensions thereof,

 

(b)           results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express final maturity, or

 

(c)           results in the commencement of judicial proceedings to foreclose upon, or to exercise remedies under applicable law or the applicable security documents to take ownership of, the assets securing such Indebtedness, and

 

in each case, the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with any other Indebtedness with respect to which an event described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and is continuing, aggregates $100.0 million or more (and provided that, for purposes of this clause (5) only, “Indebtedness” shall include any Hedging Obligations with the “principal amount” of any Hedging Obligations at any time being the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if the agreement with respect to such Hedging Obligations terminated at such time);

 

(6)           one or more judgments or orders that exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) for the payment of money have been entered by a

 

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court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or judgments have not been satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;

 

(7)           the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(a)           commences a voluntary case,

 

(b)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(c)           consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its assets, or

 

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

 

(8)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(a)           is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

(b)           appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary, or

 

(c)           orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

 

(9)           any Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Note Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Note Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Note Guarantee);

 

(10)         (a) the security interest under the Security Documents, at any time, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) any security interest created thereunder or under this Indenture is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or (c) the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Parent Pledgor or any of their respective Affiliates asserts, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable; or

 

(11)         the Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in the Parent Pledge Agreement and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Collateral Agent to the Parent Pledgor.

 

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SECTION 6.02.                                          Acceleration .

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Notes, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under such Notes to be due and payable. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor), shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, the Trustee, by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration of acceleration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes shall immediately become due and payable; provided , however , that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders written notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided , however , that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

SECTION 6.03.                                          Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture and, subject to the terms thereof, the Security Documents and may take any necessary action requested of it as Trustee to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which it is a party.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative. Any costs associated with actions taken by the Trustee under this Section 6.03 shall be reimbursed to the Trustee by the Issuer.

 

SECTION 6.04.                                          Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default .

 

Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.08 and 8.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding have the right to waive any existing Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

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SECTION 6.05.                                          Control by Majority .

 

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder not taking part in such direction, and the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed may result in costs and expenses of the Trustee for which it has no source of payment or recovery or involve it in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 6.06.                                          Limitation on Suits .

 

No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless the Trustee:

 

(1)           has failed to act for a period of 60 days after receiving written notice of a continuing Event of Default by such Holder and a request to act by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding;

 

(2)           has been offered indemnity satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment; and

 

(3)           has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request.

 

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of any Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such Note on or after the due date therefor (after giving effect to the grace period specified in clause (1) of Section 6.01).

 

SECTION 6.07.                                          No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or this Indenture or of any Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

SECTION 6.08.                                          Rights of Holders To Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest of the Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.09.                                          Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor on the Notes) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate set forth in the Notes.

 

SECTION 6.10.                                          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceedings.

 

SECTION 6.11.                                                                  Priorities .

 

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents and any intercreditor agreement with the holders of Permitted Party Indebtedness, if the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest as to each, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes; and

 

THIRD: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount from any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.11. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

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SECTION 6.12.                                                                  Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.08 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01.                                          Duties of Trustee .

 

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

 

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

 

(1)           the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(2)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

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

 

(4)           no provision hereof shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its rights, powers or duties if it

 

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shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(d)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section 7.01 shall govern every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.

 

(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss, liability, expense or fee.

 

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

 

(g)           Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provision of the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.02.                                          Rights of Trustee .

 

Subject to Section 7.01:

 

(1)           The Trustee may rely on any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(2)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 11.05. The Trustee shall be protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

 

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

 

(4)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(5)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(6)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except (i) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 or (ii) any Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written notification or otherwise obtained actual knowledge. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no Default except as aforesaid.

 

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(7)             The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture, and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any such rights or powers, unless it shall have been offered reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the cost, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it in connection with such exercise of its rights or powers.

 

(8)             The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any Officer’s Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any Opinion of Counsel), notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, upon reasonable notice to the Issuer, to examine the books, records, and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the investigation. Except with respect to Sections 4.01, 4.02 (subject to paragraph 12 below) and 4.04, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ covenants set forth herein.

 

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

 

(10)           The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties hereunder.

 

(11)           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 to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(12)           Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officer’s Certificate).

 

SECTION 7.03.              Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for or otherwise deal with the either of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any Affiliates thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04.              Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or any Note Guarantee, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s use of the proceeds from the sale of Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or any Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and it shall not be responsible for the use or application of money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible for

 

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any statement in the Notes, Note Guarantee, this Indenture or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.              Notice of Defaults .

 

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided, however, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is not opposed to the interest of the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.06.              Reports by Trustee to Holders .

 

If required by TIA § 313(a), within 60 days after May 15th of any year, commencing May 15, 2013, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c) and TIA § 313(d).

 

Reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be transmitted by mail:

 

(1)           to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Registrar’s books; and

 

(2)           to such Holders as have, within the two years preceding such transmission, filed their names and addresses with the Trustee for that purpose.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee, and in any event within 10 Business Days, when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.07.              Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall pay to the Trustee and Agents from time to time reasonable compensation for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as agreed to from time to time by the Trustee and the Issuer. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee and Agents upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including without limitation taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee or such Agent) and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by each of them in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (including, without limitation, settlement costs). The Trustee or Agent shall notify the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee or Agent for

 

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which it may seek indemnity. However, the failure by the Trustee or Agent to so notify the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Issuer and Guarantors of their obligations hereunder except to the extent the Issuer and the Guarantors are prejudiced thereby.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and the Guarantors need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, discharge or other termination of this Indenture, including any termination or rejection hereof under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

For purposes of this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall include any trustee appointed pursuant to this Article Seven.

 

SECTION 7.08.              Replacement of Trustee .

 

The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by notifying the Issuer and the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Issuer’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Issuer may remove the Trustee at its election if:

 

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

 

(2)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

 

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

 

(4)           the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If a Trustee is removed with or without cause, all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Trustee incurred in the administration of the trust or in performing the duties hereunder shall be paid to the Trustee.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Immediately following such delivery, the retiring Trustee shall, subject to its rights under Section 7.07, transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09.              Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc .

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another entity, subject to Section 7.10, the successor entity without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided such entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Seven.

 

SECTION 7.10.              Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1) and (2) in every respect. The Trustee (together with its corporate parent) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in the most recent applicable published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b), including the provision in § 310(b)(1).

 

SECTION 7.11.              Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer.

 

The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311 (b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

SECTION 7.12.              Paying Agents.

 

The Issuer shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:

 

(A)        that it shall hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee;

 

(B)         that it shall at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and

 

(C)         that it shall give the Trustee written notice within three (3) Business Days of any failure of the Issuer (or by any obligor on the Notes) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable.

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 8.01.              Without Consent of Holders .

 

The Issuer and the Trustee (or in the case of the Security Documents, the Collateral Agent) may amend, waive or supplement this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Note Guarantees or the Notes without prior notice to or consent of any Holder:

 

(1)          to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders pursuant to Section 5.01;

 

(2)          to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(3)          to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(4)          to add Note Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;

 

(5)          to release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture (to the extent permitted by this Indenture);

 

(6)          to qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(7)          to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the Notes;

 

(8)          to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

 

(9)          to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any other Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent or Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the obligations under the Notes and this Indenture in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise;

 

(10)        to add or remove holders of any Permitted Parity Indebtedness (or any agent acting on their behalf) to or from any Security Documents or to release Collateral from the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or this Indenture; or

 

(11)        to make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder.

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any

 

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further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.02.              With Consent of Holders .

 

(a)           Subject to clause (b) of this Section 8.02, this Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of, this Indenture may be waived (other than any continuing Default in the payment of the principal or interest on the Notes) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; provided that, without the consent of each Holder affected, no amendment or waiver may:

 

(1)          reduce, or change the maturity of, the principal of any Note;

 

(2)          reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(3)          reduce any premium payable upon redemption of the Notes or change the date on, or the circumstances under, which any Notes are subject to redemption (other than provisions relating to the purchase of Notes described in Sections 4.20, except that if a Change of Control has occurred, no amendment or other modification of the obligation of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer relating to such Change of Control shall be made without the consent of each Holder affected);

 

(4)          make any Note payable in money or currency other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(5)          modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the Holders;

 

(6)          reduce the percentage of Holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(7)          waive a default in the payment of principal of or premium or interest on any Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders thereof as provided in this Indenture and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(8)          impair the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes on or after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Notes;

 

(9)          release any Guarantor that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except as permitted by this Indenture, or amend the definition of Material Domestic Subsidiary in a manner adverse to Holders; or

 

(10)        make any change in this Section 8.02.

 

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(b)           In addition, without the consent of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver may modify any Security Document or the provisions of this Indenture dealing with the Security Documents or application of trust moneys, or otherwise release any Collateral, in each case in any manner that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Holders to equally and ratably share in the Liens provided for in the Security Documents in a manner that is materially disproportionate to the effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver on the holders of the other obligations secured by the Security Documents.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 8.06, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03.              Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 8.04.              Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Note or portion thereof, and of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Note. Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of a Note, if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective.

 

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

 

After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (10) of Section 8.02(a). In that case the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has consented to

 

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it and every subsequent Holder or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note.

 

SECTION 8.05.              Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) shall request the Holder (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue, the Guarantors shall endorse, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 8.06.              Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc .

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Eight if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.01, shall be fully protected in relying conclusively upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to the matters required by Section 11.04, that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent required hereunder to such amendment, supplement or waiver have been satisfied.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 9.01.              Discharge of Indenture .

 

The Issuer may terminate its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.01, if

 

(1)          all the Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from this trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

 

(2)          (a) all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (i) have become due and payable, (ii) shall become due and payable, or may be called for redemption, within one year or (iii) have been called for redemption pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient (without consideration of any

 

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reinvestment of interest) to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness (including all principal and accrued interest) on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

(b)         the Issuer has paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture, and

 

(c)          the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

 

After such delivery, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture, except for those surviving obligations specified below.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer in Sections 7.07, 9.05 and 9.06 shall survive.

 

SECTION 9.02.              Legal Defeasance .

 

The Issuer may at its option, by Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantors discharged from their obligations under the Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and the Note Guarantees with respect thereto and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes, such Note Guarantees and this Indenture insofar as the Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall, subject to Section 9.06, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and Issuer acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.11 and 4.18, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07) and (d) this Article Nine. Subject to compliance with this Article Nine, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 9.02 with respect to Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.03 with respect to such Notes.

 

SECTION 9.03.              Covenant Defeasance .

 

At the option of the Issuer, pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, (x) the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Sections 4.02 (except for obligations mandated by the TIA), 4.05 through 4.16, inclusive, 4.20 and clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 and (y) clauses (4), (5), (6) and (9) of Section 6.01 shall no longer apply with respect to the Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuer

 

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and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

 

SECTION 9.04.              Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 to the outstanding Notes:

 

(1)           the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer, to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the stated date for payment or on the Redemption Date of the principal or installment of principal of or interest on the Notes,

 

(2)           in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States confirming that:

 

(a)          the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling, or

 

(b)         since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of such outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(3)           in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of such outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(4)           no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

 

(5)           the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute (a) a Default under this Indenture or (b) a default under any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound (other than any such Default or default resulting solely from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

 

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(6)          the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by it with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Notes over any other of its creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other of its creditors or others, and

 

(7)          the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions provided for in, in the case of the Officer’s Certificate, clauses (1) through (6) and, in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, clauses (2) and/or (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied with.

 

If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, then the obligations of the Issuer and the obligations of Guarantors under this Indenture shall be revived and no such defeasance shall be deemed to have occurred.

 

SECTION 9.05.                                          Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent, to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis) pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.04 or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article Nine to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 9.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

SECTION 9.06.                                          Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01; provided that if the Issuer or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case

 

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may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 9.07.              Moneys Held by Paying Agent .

 

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon written demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.04, to the Issuer (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

SECTION 9.08.              Moneys Held by Trustee .

 

Subject to applicable law, any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Issuer (or, if appropriate, the Guarantors), or if such moneys are then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, either mail to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.03, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining shall be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the Issuer or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

SECTION 10.01.            Guarantee .

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees (each, a “ Note Guarantee ” and collectively, the “ Note Guarantees ”) to each Holder (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of such Note, this Indenture and the Registration Rights

 

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Agreement, and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note, this Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note, this Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or such Guarantor.

 

Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.

 

SECTION 10.02.            Execution and Delivery of Guarantee .

 

To further evidence the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit C hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Note Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer or an Officer of a general partner, as the case may be, of each Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Note Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.

 

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

 

If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

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

 

SECTION 10.03.            Limitation of Guarantee .

 

The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor (including, without limitation, any guarantees under the Credit Agreement and the Existing Note Guarantees) and after giving effect to any

 

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collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Note Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the adjusted net assets of each Guarantor.

 

SECTION 10.04.            Release of Guarantor .

 

A Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture:

 

(1)           in the event of dissolution of such Guarantor;

 

(2)           if such Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or

 

(3)           upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Credit Agreement or such other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee,

 

and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.

 

The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article Ten.

 

SECTION 10.05.            Waiver of Subrogation .

 

Until the Notes have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or Note on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 10.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01.            Trust Indenture Act Controls .

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies any TIA provision that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified. If any provision of this Indenture excludes any TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision shall be excluded from this Indenture.

 

The provisions of TIA §§ 310 through 317 that impose duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.

 

SECTION 11.02.            Notices .

 

Except for notice or communications to Holders, any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in person, sent by facsimile, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

 

QVC, Inc.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 207

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax Number: (484) 701-1380

 

with copies to:

 

QVC, Inc.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 207

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention: General Counsel

Fax Number: (484) 701-1021

 

and

 

Liberty Interactive Corporation

12300 Liberty Boulevard

Englewood, CO 80112

Attention: Treasurer

Fax: (220) 875-5915

 

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with, in the case of any notice furnished pursuant to Article Six, a copy to:

 

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

633 17th Street, Suite 3000

Denver, Colorado 80202

Attention: Steve Miller

Fax Number: (303) 298-0940

 

If to the Trustee:

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Corporate Trust Service

Two Liberty Place

50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station: EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attention: George J. Rayzis

Fax Number: (215) 761-9412

 

Such notices or communications shall be effective when received and shall be sufficiently given if so given within the time prescribed in this Indenture.

 

The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by written notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to him by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication to a Holder is mailed in the manner provided above, it shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

SECTION 11.03.            Communications by Holders with Other Holders .

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04.            Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

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(1)          an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)          an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05.            Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion .

 

Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Guarantor with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the Officer’s Certificate required by Sections 3.01 or 4.04) shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture and shall include:

 

(1)          a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

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

 

(3)          a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(4)          a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to such matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificate of public officials, and provided, further, that an Opinion of Counsel may have customary qualifications for opinions of the type required.

 

SECTION 11.06.            Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or meetings of Holders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 11.07.            Business Days .

 

If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 11.08.            Governing Law .

 

This Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York.

 

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SECTION 11.09.            Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

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

 

SECTION 11.10.            Force Majeure .

 

In no event shall the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

 

SECTION 11.11.            No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Issuer or any Subsidiary. No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.12.            No Recourse Against Others .

 

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or of any successor corporation or against the property or assets of any such stockholder, officer, employee or director, either directly or through the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the Notes are solely obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any stockholder, officer, employee or director of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes or implied there from, and that any and all such personal liability of, and any and all claims against every stockholder, officer, employee and director, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Notes. It is understood that this limitation on recourse is made expressly for the benefit of any such shareholder, employee, officer or director and may be enforced by any of them.

 

SECTION 11.13.            Successors .

 

All agreements of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

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SECTION 11.14.            Multiple Counterparts .

 

The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.

 

SECTION 11.15.            Table of Contents, Headings, etc .

 

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

 

SECTION 11.16.            Separability .

 

Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.17.            USA Patriot Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and Agents, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they shall provide the Trustee and the Agents with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

 

The Issuer has agreed to qualify this Indenture under the TIA in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and to pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders) incurred in connection therewith to the extent set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Issuer any such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

SECTION 12.01.            Security Documents .

 

(a)          The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when due, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise and whether by the Issuer pursuant to the Notes or by any Guarantor pursuant to its Note Guarantees, the payment of all secured obligations under the Security Documents, and the performance of all other obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees,

 

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the Registration Rights Agreement and the Security Documents are secured by Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders prior to all other Liens except for Permitted Liens, as provided in the Security Documents, and shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents hereafter delivered as required or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the ratable benefit of the Trustee and the Holders and the other secured parties under the Security Document as provided therein and enforcing their rights (in their capacity as such) with respect to the Collateral, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the applicable Security Documents, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith. The Issuer shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Security Documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 12.01(a), to assure and confirm to the Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured thereby, according to the intent and purposes therein expressed. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each Guarantor to, and each Guarantor shall, make all filings (including filings of continuation statements and amendments to Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) and take all other actions as are required by the Security Documents to maintain (at the sole cost and expense of the Issuer and Guarantors) the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders as a valid and enforceable first priority perfected lien and security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens.

 

(b)         Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall take or omit to take any action that would materially adversely affect or impair the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Collateral. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall enter into any agreement that requires the proceeds received from any sale of Collateral to be applied to repay, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness of any Person, other than as permitted by this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 12.02.            Collateral Agent .

 

(a)         The Collateral Agent shall determine the time and method by which the security interests in the Collateral shall be enforced and shall have the sole and exclusive right to manage, perform and enforce the terms of the Security Documents relating to the Collateral and to exercise and enforce all privileges, rights and remedies thereunder, including to take or retake control or possession of such Collateral and to hold, prepare for sale, marshal, process, sell, lease, dispose of or liquidate such Collateral, including, without limitation, following the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

(b)         Prior to the repayment in full in cash of all obligations under the Credit Agreement, neither the Trustee nor the Holders shall be entitled to exercise or be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent, including the right to enforce the actions pursuant to the Security Documents, request any action, institute proceedings, give any instructions or notices, make any election, make collections, sell or otherwise foreclose on any portion

 

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of the Collateral or receive any payment (except for the right to receive payments as expressly set forth under the Security Documents).

 

(c)          None of the Collateral Agent, any lender or agent of the secured obligations under the Security Documents shall be liable to the Trustee or the Holders for any actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of the security interests on the Collateral, actions with respect to the occurrence of a default or an event of default, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release, or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the obligations under the Notes from any debtor, guarantor or any other party or the valuation, use or protection of the Collateral.

 

SECTION 12.03.            Release of Collateral .

 

(a)          The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be entitled to the release of the following property and other assets constituting Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees under any one or more of the following circumstances:

 

(1)          in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms hereof, the property and assets of such Guarantor;

 

(2)          concurrently with any release of such Collateral under the Credit Agreement, the Existing Notes, and all other then outstanding Permitted Parity Indebtedness;

 

(3)          any Collateral that is sold (other than any such sale to another grantor of Collateral) in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement;

 

(4)          as described under Section 8.02(b); or

 

(5)          upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid or (ii) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance hereunder made in accordance with Section 9.04 or a discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01.

 

(b)         Upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent hereunder and under the Security Documents (and TIA Section 314(d)), if any, to such release have been met and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall, to the extent it may do so under the applicable Security Documents, or shall cause the Collateral Agent to, execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in good faith in reliance upon any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Security Document to the contrary, the Trustee and Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

85



 

SECTION 12.04.            Filing, Recording and Opinions .

 

(a)             The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314 to the extent applicable. To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall cause TIA § 313(b), relating to reports, TIA § 314(b), relating to opinions, and TIA § 314(d), relating to the release of property or securities subject to the Lien of the Security Documents, to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) shall be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

(b)             Any release of Collateral permitted by Section 12.03 hereof shall be deemed not to impair the Liens under this Indenture and the Security Documents in contravention hereof and thereof. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) shall be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

(c)             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.04, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to comply with all or any portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if they determine in good faith, based on the advice of counsel, that under the terms of that section and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or the relevant portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is inapplicable to the released Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain no action letters issued by the SEC have permitted an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act to contain provisions permitting the release of collateral from Liens under such indenture in the ordinary course of the issuer’s business without requiring the issuer to provide certificates and other documents under Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Issuer and the Guarantors may, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, among other things, without any release or consent by the Collateral Agent, conduct ordinary course activities with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation, (i) selling or otherwise disposing of, in any transaction or series of related transactions, any property subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that has become worn out, defective, obsolete or not used or useful in the business; (ii) abandoning, terminating, canceling, releasing or making alterations in or substitutions of any leases or contracts subject to the Lien of this Indenture or any of the Security Documents; (iii) surrendering or modifying any franchise, license or permit subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that it may own or under which it may be operating; (iv) altering, repairing, replacing, changing the location or position of and adding to its structures, machinery, systems, equipment, fixtures and appurtenances; (v) granting a license of any intellectual property; (vi) selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (vii) collecting accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business; (viii) making cash payments (including for the repayment of Indebtedness or interest) from cash that is at any time part of the Collateral in the ordinary course of business that are not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents; and (ix) abandoning any intellectual property that is no longer used or useful in the Issuer’s business.

 

SECTION 12.05.            Possession and Use of Collateral .

 

Subject to the provisions of the Security Documents, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of and to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to operate, manage, develop, lease, use, consume and enjoy the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents

 

86



 

and herein), to alter or repair any Collateral so long as such alterations and repairs do not impair the Lien of the Security Documents thereon, and to collect, receive, use, invest and dispose of the reversions, remainders, interest, rents, lease payments, issues, profits, revenues, proceeds and other income thereof. Subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement, the Parent Pledgor will have the right to receive dividends paid in respect of the shares constituting the Collateral and to exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares constituting the Collateral.

 

SECTION 12.06.            Authorization of Actions to Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents .

 

(a)             The Holders agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by the Security Documents. Furthermore, each Holder, by accepting such Note and the Trustee hereby appoints JPMorgan (and any of its successors) as collateral agent under the Security Documents and consents to the terms of and authorizes and directs the Trustee (in each of its capacities) and the Collateral Agent to enter into and perform the Security Documents in each of its capacities thereunder.

 

(b)             The Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

(c)             The Issuer and the Holders each acknowledge that the Trustee may, but is not required to, act as collateral agent under any of the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 12.07.            Purchase Protected .

 

In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Collateral Agent to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article Twelve to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

 

SECTION 12.08.            Reinstatement; Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee .

 

(a)             To the extent the Trustee or any Holder is required in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay any amount, including with respect to the Obligations or proceeds of any Collateral, to the estate of the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar person therefor) because the payment of such amount was subsequently invalidated, set aside, declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any such amount (a “ Recovery ”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise, then as among the parties hereto, the Obligations owing to such party shall be deemed to be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and to be outstanding as if such payment had not been received. Such Secured Party and the Trustee shall be entitled to a reinstatement of the Obligations, the Liens and security interests with respect to all such recovered amounts and shall have all rights, powers and remedies as a Secured Party under this Indenture and the Security Documents which shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, this Indenture shall be automatically reinstated and each of the Issuer and the Guarantors shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to effect such reinstatement.

 

87



 

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

 

88


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this indenture to be duly executed all as of the date and year first written above.

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

[Signature Page — Indenture]

 



 

 

Guarantors:

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

By:

             GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By:

             GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMI 2, INC.

 

By:

             GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

By:

             GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page — Indenture]

 



 

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

   GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

John F. Misko

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

   GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

John F. Misko

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page — Indenture]

 



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

   GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

George J. Rayzis

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

[Signature Page — Indenture]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF GLOBAL NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

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

 

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

 

[[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE ONLY] UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered
Otherwise than in Reliance on Regulation S]

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) WITHIN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING

 

A-1



 

OF RULE 501(a)(1),(2),(3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER SHALL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S.]

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[Temporary Regulation S Global Note Legend]

 

EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE SHALL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN THE NOTES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(b)(2) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON CERTIFICATION IN FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. DURING SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE SHALL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE, IF THEN APPLICABLE.

 

A-2



 

AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, (B) TO A PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, AND (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

 

AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN AN IAI GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1),(2),(3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

 

BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR AN IAI GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERSON WHO TAKES DELIVERY IN THE FORM OF AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY IF THE TRANSFEROR FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OR RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE).

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

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

 

A-3



 

FORM OF GLOBAL INITIAL NOTE

 

 

 

CUSIP
ISIN

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

No.

 

$

 

 

5.125% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2022

 

QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of           dollars on July 2, 2022.

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 2 and July 2.

 

Record Dates: December 15 and June 15.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Dated:

 

A-5



 

Certificate of Authentication

 

This is one of the 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

A-6


 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF GLOBAL INITIAL NOTE]

QVC, INC.

 

5.125% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2022

 

1.               Interest .

 

QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 5.125% per annum. Interest hereon shall accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including July 2, 2012 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be payable in arrears on each January 2 and July 2 commencing on January 2, 2013. Interest (including Additional Interest) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate of 5.125% per annum.

 

In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Registrable Notes (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) shall have all rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and the other parties named on the signature pages thereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement in certain circumstances. If applicable, Additional Interest payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement shall be paid to the same Persons, in the same manner and at the same times as regular interest.

 

[Until this Temporary Regulation S Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest (including Additional Interest, if any) hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.]

 

2.               Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on December 15 or June 15 next preceding the interest payment date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company (through the Paying Agent) shall pay principal and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. If the Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company at least ten Business Days prior to the payment date, the Company shall make all payments on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on this Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

 

3.               Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), shall act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

A-7



 

4.               Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee. This is one of an issue of Notes of the Company issued, or to be issued, under the Indenture. The Notes include (i) $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “ Initial Notes ”), (ii) if and when issued, additional Notes that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture subsequent to July 2, 2012 (the “ Additional Notes ”) and (iii) if and when issued, the Company’s 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture in exchange for Initial Notes or Additional Notes in an offer registered under the Securities Act as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement (herein called “ Exchange Notes ”). The Initial Notes, the Additional Notes and the Exchange Notes shall be considered collectively as a single class for all purposes of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended from time to time. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of them. Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

5.               Mandatory Redemption . Except as set forth in paragraph 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

6.               Optional Redemption . (a) The Notes are redeemable at the Company’s election, in whole or in part at any time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(i)              100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, or

 

(ii)             as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points,

 

plus, in either of the above cases, accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) to the date of redemption on the Notes to be redeemed.

 

(b)             In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. The Notes shall be redeemable in whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, mailed by first class mail to a Holder’s last address as it shall appear on the register maintained by the Registrar of the Notes. On and after any Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company shall fail to redeem any such Note.

 

7.               Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder to be redeemed at his registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. On and after the Redemption

 

A-8



 

Date, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

8.               Offers To Purchase . The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

9.               Collateral . These Notes are initially secured by a security interest in the Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. Reference is made to the Indenture for events causing release of the security interest in the Collateral.

 

10.             Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay to it any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Notes or a portion of a Note selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before a mailing of notice of redemption.

 

[This Temporary Regulation S Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the expiration of the Restricted Period and (ii) upon presentation of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required by Article Two of the Indenture. Upon exchange of this Temporary Regulation S Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this Temporary Regulation S Global Note.]

 

11.             Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.

 

12.             Unclaimed Money . If money for the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest, if any, remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee shall pay the money back to the Company at its written request. After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.

 

13.             Amendment, Supplement, Waiver, Etc . The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (if a party thereto) may, without the consent of the Holders of any outstanding Notes, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture or the Notes for certain specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and making any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture or the Notes may be made by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, subject to certain exceptions requiring the consent of the Holders of the particular Notes to be affected.

 

14.             Successor Corporation . When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Article Five of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation shall, except as provided in Article Five, be released from those obligations.

 

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15.             Defaults and Remedies . Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company or any Guarantor) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Trustee and the Company, and the Trustee upon the request of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, declare all principal of and accrued interest on all Notes to be immediately due and payable and such amounts shall become immediately due and payable. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or a default in the observance or performance of any of the obligations of the Company under Article Five of the Indenture) if it determines that withholding notice is in their best interests.

 

16.             Trustee Dealings with Company . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

 

17.             Discharge . The Company’s obligations pursuant to the Indenture shall be discharged, except for obligations pursuant to certain sections thereof, subject to the terms of the Indenture, upon the payment of all the Notes or upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay when due principal of and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be.

 

18.             Guarantees . The Note shall be entitled to the benefits of certain Note Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders, and for events causing release of the Guarantors from the Note Guarantees.

 

19.             Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

20.             Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York. The Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Notes.

 

21.             Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TENANT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

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

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

 

QVC, INC.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

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ASSIGNMENT

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

 

 

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint:

 

 

 

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

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)

 

o

 

to the Issuer; or

 

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

o

 

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

 

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(3)

 

o

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

o

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

o

 

pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

 

 

 

 

(6)

 

o

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed

 

Signature

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

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

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-14


 

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:

 

 

o

Section 4.20

 

 

If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$

 

 

 

($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000)

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-15



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal amount of this
Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal amount of this
Global Note

 

Principal amount of this
Global Note following such
decrease or increase

 

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or Notes
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-16



 

FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

 

QVC, Inc.

Studio Park

1200 Wilson Drive, MC 207

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

U.S. Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Services

Two Liberty Place

50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station: EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

 

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration — Global Finance Unit

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of US$         principal amount of the 5.125%Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”) of QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), all as described in the confidential offering memorandum (the “ offering memorandum ”) relating to the offering.

 

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

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

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

 

2.                  We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we purchasing Notes, to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any

 

A-17



 

predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date ”) only (a) to the Company, (b) pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A (a “ QIB ”) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of US$250,000, or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The foregoing restrictions on resale shall not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in form of this letter to the Company and the trustee which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and that the transferee is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

(Name of Transferee)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

A-18



 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF FACE OF GLOBAL EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

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

 

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

 

B-1



 

FORM OF GLOBAL EXCHANGE NOTE

 

CUSIP

ISIN   

 

QVC, INC.

 

No.

$

 

5.125% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2022

 

QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of                              dollars on July 2, 2022.

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 2 and July 2.

 

Record Dates: December 15 and June 15.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

B-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Dated:

 

B-3



 

Certificate of Authentication

 

This is one of the 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Dated:

 

B-4


 

 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF GLOBAL EXCHANGE NOTE]

 

QVC, INC.

 

5.125% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2022

 

1.              Interest . QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 5.125% per annum. Interest hereon shall accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including July 2, 2012 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be payable in arrears on January 2 and July 2 commencing on January 2, 2013. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate 5.125% per annum.

 

2.              Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on December 15 or June 15 next preceding the interest payment date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company (through the paying agent) shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. If the Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company at least ten Business Days prior to the payment date, the Company shall make all payments on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on this Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

 

3.              Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), shall act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.              Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee. This is one of the Exchange Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include (i) $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “Initial Notes”) and (ii) if and when issued, additional Notes that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture subsequent to July 2, 2012 (the “Additional Notes”). The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be considered collectively as a single class for all purposes of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended from time to time. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of them. Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

5.              Mandatory Redemption . Except as set forth in paragraph 8 below, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

6.              Optional Redemption . (a) The Notes are redeemable at the Company’s election, in whole or in part at any time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

B-5



 

(i)             100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, or

 

(ii)            as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points,

 

plus, in either of the above cases, accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption on the Notes to be redeemed.

 

(b)            In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. The Notes shall be redeemable in whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, mailed by first class mail to a Holder’s last address as it shall appear on the register maintained by the Registrar of the Notes. On and after any Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company shall fail to redeem any such Note.

 

7.              Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder to be redeemed at his registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. On and after the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

8.              Offers To Purchase . The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

9.              Collateral . These Notes are secured initially by a security interest in the Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. Reference is made to the Indenture for events causing release of the security interest in the Collateral.

 

10.            Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay to it any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Notes or a portion of a Note selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before a mailing of notice of redemption.

 

11.            Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.

 

12.            Unclaimed Money . If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee shall pay the money back to the Company at its written request. After

 

B-6



 

that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.

 

13.            Amendment, Supplement, Waiver, Etc . The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (if a party thereto) may, without the consent of the Holders of any outstanding Notes, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture or the Notes for certain specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and making any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture or the Notes may be made by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, subject to certain exceptions requiring the consent of the Holders of the particular Notes to be affected.

 

14.            Successor Corporation . When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Article Five of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation shall, except as provided in Article Five, be released from those obligations.

 

15.            Defaults and Remedies . Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company or any Guarantor), occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Trustee and the Company, and the Trustee upon the request of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, declare all principal of and accrued interest on all Notes to be immediately due and payable and such amounts shall become immediately due and payable. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or a default in the observance or performance of any of the obligations of the Company under Article Five of the Indenture) if it determines that withholding notice is in their best interests.

 

16.            Trustee Dealings with Company . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

 

17.            Discharge . The Company’s obligations pursuant to the Indenture shall be discharged, except for obligations pursuant to certain sections thereof, subject to the terms of the Indenture, upon the payment of all the Notes or upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay when due principal of and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be.

 

18.            Guarantees . The Note shall be entitled to the benefits of certain Note Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective

 

B-7



 

rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders, and for events causing release of the Guarantors from the Note Guarantees.

 

19.            Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

20.            Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York. The Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Notes.

 

21.            Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TENANT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

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

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

 

QVC, INC.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

B-8



 

ASSIGNMENT

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

 

 

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint:

 

 

 

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

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

B-9



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:

 

 

o

Section 4.20

 

If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.20 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$

($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000)

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

B-10



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

 

 

Amount of decrease in

 

Amount of increase in

 

Principal amount of this

 

Signature of authorized

Date of

 

Principal amount of this

 

Principal amount of this

 

Global Note following such

 

officer of Trustee or Notes

Exchange

 

Global Note

 

Global Note

 

decrease or increase

 

Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-11



 

EXHIBIT C

 

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

 

Each of the undersigned (the “Guarantors”) hereby jointly and severally unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the Indenture dated as July 2, 2012 by and among QVC, Inc., as issuer, the Guarantors, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms and limitations of this Guarantee. Each Holder of the Note to which this Guarantee is endorsed, by accepting such Note, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.

 

[Signatures on Following Pages]

 

C-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Guarantors has caused this Notation of Guarantee to be signed by a duly authorized officer.

 

 

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMI 2, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

C-2



 

 

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

C-3




Exhibit 4.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of July 2, 2012
by and among

 

QVC, INC .

THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO

 

and

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

 

 



 

This Registration Rights Agreement (this Agreement ) is made and entered into as of July 2, 2012, by and among QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company ) , the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (the Guarantors ) and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative (the Representative ) of the several initial purchasers named in Schedule I attached to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (each such initial purchaser, an Initial Purchaser and, together, the Initial Purchasers ) , each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company’s $500,000,000 Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the Initial Notes ) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).

 

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated June 27, 2012 (the Purchase Agreement ) , by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Representative. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial Notes, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 6(k) of the Purchase Agreement. Unless indicated otherwise, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes (the Indenture ) .

 

The parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                                                                                               DEFINITIONS

 

As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Act : The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Affiliate : As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.

 

Broker-Dealer : Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

 

Business Day : Any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

Closing Date : The date hereof.

 

Commission : The Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Consummate : An Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

 

Consummation Deadline : As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

Effectiveness Target Date : As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 



 

Exchange Act : The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Notes : The Company’s 5.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.

 

Exchange Offer : The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal amount of Exchange Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of Initial Notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders in connection with such exchange and issuance.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement : The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

 

Free Writing Prospectus : Each offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Initial Notes or the Exchange Notes that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the sale of the Initial Notes or the Exchange Notes.

 

Holders : As defined in Section 2 hereof.

 

Interest Payment Date : As defined in the Initial Notes and Exchange Notes.

 

Prospectus : The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

 

Recommencement Date : As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.

 

Registration Default : As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 

Registration Statement : Any registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) that is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) including the Prospectus included therein, and (iii) including all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Rule 144 : Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

 

Shelf Effectiveness Deadline : As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

Shelf Filing Deadline : As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement : As defined in Section 4 hereof.

 

Special Interest : As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 

Suspension Notice : As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.

 

2



 

TIA : The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.

 

Transfer Restricted Securities : Each Initial Note until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Note has been exchanged in the Exchange Offer by a Person other than a Broker-Dealer for an Exchange Note entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Act, (b) following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of an Initial Note for an Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (c) the date on which such Initial Note has been effectively registered under the Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement (and the purchasers thereof have been issued Exchange Notes).

 

2.                                                                                                               HOLDERS

 

A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a Holder ) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

3.                                                                                                               REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER

 

(a)            No later than 270 days after the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) use all commercially reasonable efforts to file and cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission, (ii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and (C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iii) unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied with), upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Exchange Notes to be offered in exchange for the Initial Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) resales of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as contemplated by Section 3(c) below.

 

(b)            The Company and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided , however , that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days. The Company and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30 Business Days or longer, if required by the federal securities laws, after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become effective (such 30th day, or such later date required by the federal securities laws, being the Consummation Deadline ).

 

3



 

(c)            The Company shall include a “Plan of Distribution” section in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that contains the information included in Annex A attached hereto and indicate therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the date of this Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling no-action letter (available July 2, 1993).

 

Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Exchange Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantors agree to use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of 180 days from the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company and the Guarantors shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than two Business Days after such request, at any time during such period.

 

4.                                                                                                               SHELF REGISTRATION

 

(a)            Shelf Registration . If (i) the Company and the Guarantors are not (A) required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (B) permitted to Consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the Company and the Guarantors have complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) any Holder notifies the Company prior to the 20th Business Day following Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such Holder is prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(x) use all commercially reasonable efforts on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement will not be or cannot be, as the case may be, filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date on which the Company receives the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above (30) days after such earlier date, the Shelf Filing Deadline ), to file a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the Shelf Registration Statement )), covering the resale of all Transfer Restricted Securities, and

 

4



 

(y) use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 75 days after the Shelf Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement (such 75th day the Shelf Effectiveness Deadline ) .

 

If, after the Company and the Guarantors have filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company and the Guarantors are required to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause (a)(i)(B) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that, in such event, the Company and the Guarantors shall remain obligated to meet the Shelf Effectiveness Deadline set forth in clause (y).

 

To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and 6(c) hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) or 6(d)) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto or are no longer Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

(b)            Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement . No Holder may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 15 days after receipt of a request therefor, the information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the Act, or other information reasonably requested by the Company and required by Regulation S-K of the Act, for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder shall be entitled to Special Interest pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until (and from and after such time) such Holder shall have provided all such information. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading and shall promptly supply such other information as the Company may from time to time reasonably request.

 

5.                                                                                                               SPECIAL INTEREST

 

If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement has not been filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filling in this Agreement, (ii) any such Registration Statement has been filed but not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness in this Agreement (the Effectiveness Target Date ), (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within the period required by this Agreement after the Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement unless the Company has filed a Shelf Registration Statement or (iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose during any period in which such Registration Statement is required to remain effectiveness or be usable pursuant to this Agreement without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that is itself immediately declared effective and that cures such failure (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a Registration Default ), then the Company and the Guarantors

 

5



 

hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each Holder affected thereby special interest ( Special Interest ) at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for the first 90 days from and including such specified date, and increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, until all Registration Defaults have been cured; provided that Special Interest in the aggregate under this Section 5 may not exceed 1.00% per annum of the principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of clause (i) above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of clause (ii) above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of clause (iii) above, or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable in the case of clause (iv) above, the Special Interest payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.

 

All accrued Special Interest shall be paid by the Company and the Guarantors (or the Company and the Guarantors will cause the Paying Agent to make such payment on their behalf) to the Holders entitled thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture, the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which Special Interest are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to pay Special Interest with respect to securities that accrued prior to the time that such securities ceased to be Transfer Restricted Securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been satisfied in full, but the interest rate borne by such securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by the Initial Notes at the time such securities cease to be a Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

6.                                                                                                               REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

 

(a)            Exchange Offer Registration Statement . In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall (x) comply with all applicable provisions of Section 6(c) below, (y) use all commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all of the following provisions:

 

(i)             If, following the date hereof there has been announced a change in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable federal law, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree either to (x) seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities, or (y) file, in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement to permit the registration and/or resale of the Transfer Restricted Securities that would otherwise be covered by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement but for the announcement of a change in Commission policy. In the case of clause (x) above, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take action not commercially reasonable to affect a change of Commission policy. In connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to take all such other actions as may be

 

6



 

requested by the Commission or otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such decision, including without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted, and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be favorable) by the Commission staff.

 

(ii)            As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder (including, without limitation, any Holder who is a Broker-Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written representation to the Company and the Guarantors (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business, and (D) only if such Holder is a Broker-Dealer that will receive Exchange Notes in exchange for Initial Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own private account as a result of market making or other trading activities, it will deliver a Prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any sale of such Exchange Notes. As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer each Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Exchange Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Notes acquired directly from the Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.

 

(iii)           Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall provide a supplemental letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company and the Guarantors are registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a representation that the Company and the Guarantors have not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute the Exchange Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Company’s and each Guarantor’s information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes received in the Exchange Offer, and (C) any other undertaking or representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if applicable.

 

(b)            Shelf Registration Statement . In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

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(i)             comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) below and use all commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company and the Guarantors will prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof, and

 

(ii)            issue to any Holder or purchaser of Initial Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, upon the request of any such Holder or purchaser, registered Initial Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes in the names as such Holder or purchaser shall designate.

 

(c)            General Provisions . In connection with any Registration Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                  use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement curing such defect, and, if Commission review is required, use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable;

 

(ii)                 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or are no longer Transfer Restricted Securities; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A, and 462, as applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

 

(iii)                advise (a) each Holder whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement), and (b) each Holder who has provided notice to the Company promptly and, if requested by such Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted

 

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Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, and (D) of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein do not contain an untrue statement of material fact nor omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company and the Guarantors shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

 

(iv)                subject to Section 6(d), if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(v)                 furnish to each Holder whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) in connection with such exchange, registration or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least three Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably object within three Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act;

 

(vi)                promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus in connection with such exchange, registration or sale, if any, provide copies of such document to each Holder whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) in connection with such exchange, registration or sale, if any, make the Company’s and the Guarantors’ representatives available for discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, and include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders may reasonably request;

 

(vii)               make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each Holder whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, all financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Company and the Guarantors reasonably

 

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requested and cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness as is customary for similar due diligence examinations; provided that any Holder or representative thereof requesting or receiving such information shall agree to be bound by reasonable confidentiality agreements and procedures with respect thereto;

 

(viii)              if requested by any Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) in connection with such exchange, registration or sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Holders may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities and the use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus for market making activities; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

(ix)                furnish to each Holder whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) in connection with such exchange, registration or sale, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);

 

(x)                 deliver to each Holder whose Transfer Restricted Securities have been included in a Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holders reasonably may request; the Company and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law and subject to Section 6(d) hereof) of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

 

(xi)                enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be customarily and reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or, in the case of registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, by any Holder or Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who hold at least 50% in aggregate principal amount of such class of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, that, the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to enter into any such agreement more than once with respect to all of the Transfer Restricted Securities and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, may delay entering into such agreement if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that it is in the best interests of the Company and the Guarantors not to disclose the existence of or facts surrounding any proposed or pending material corporate transaction involving the Company and the Guarantors. In such connection, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

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(a)            upon the request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (ii) and (iii), use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be furnished) to each such Holder (in the case of the Shelf Registration Statement) and any underwriter, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be:

 

(i)                  a certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the Company and each Guarantor by (x) the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President, and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and such Guarantor, confirming, as of the date thereof, such matters as such Holders may reasonably request;

 

(ii)                 an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors in customary form and covering such other matters as such Holder may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors and representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and the Guarantors and representatives of the underwriters, if any, and their counsel at which the contents of the Registration Statement and related matters were discussed and, although such counsel need not pass upon or assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements (relying as to materiality to the extent such counsel deems appropriate upon the statements of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors and without independent check or verification), no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, schedules or other financial data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus and need express no view as to the accounting or financial records from which such financial statements, schedules and data are derived; and

 

(iii)                a customary comfort letter, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters in connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Purchase Agreement; and

 

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(b)            deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence compliance with the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in any agreement entered into by the Company and the Guarantors pursuant to this clause (xi);

 

(xii)               prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;

 

(xiii)              in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and such names as the selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;

 

(xiv)              use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (xii) above;

 

(xv)               provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

 

(xvi)              otherwise use all commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Act (which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act);

 

(xvii)            cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

 

(xviii)            provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(d)            Restrictions on Holders . Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in Section 6(c)(i) or 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a “Suspension Notice” ), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the “Recommencement Date” ). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession which have been replaced by the Company with more recently dated Prospectuses, or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days in the period from and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the Recommencement Date.

 

7.                                      REGISTRATION EXPENSES

 

(a)            All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors and one counsel for all of the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being registered; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Exchange Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company or the Guarantors be responsible for any underwriting discounts, commissions or fees attributable to the sale or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors’ internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.

 

(b)            In connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantors will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are tendering Initial Notes in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling Initial Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared, if any.

 

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8.                                      INDEMNIFICATION

 

(a)            The Company and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, (including without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission (A) that is based upon information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any of the Holders or (B) that is included in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or document incorporated by reference therein, which is used, relied upon or disseminated by any Holder or any underwriter for such Holder following the delivery of a notice by the Company to such Holder or any such underwriter pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(B), (C) or (D). This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any of the Guarantors may otherwise have.

 

(b)            Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, and their respective directors and officers, and each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, or the Guarantors to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors set forth in section (a) above, but only with reference to (A) information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or (B) the use, reliance or dissemination by such Holder or any underwriter for such Holder of a Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any document incorporated by reference therein, which was the subject of a notice delivered by the Company to such Holder or any such underwriter pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(B), (C) or (D).

 

(c)            In case any action shall be commenced involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the “indemnified party” ), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party” ) in writing and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the employment of such counsel has been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party has been advised by such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available

 

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to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company and the Guarantors, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any action effected with (i) its written consent, or (ii) effected without its written consent if the settlement is entered into more than 20 Business Days after the indemnifying party received a request from the indemnified party for reimbursement for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses are at the expense of the indemnifying party) and, prior to the date of such settlement, the indemnifying party has failed to comply with such reimbursement request. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability on claims that are or could have been the subject matter of such action, and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party.

 

(d)            To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer Restricted Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or such Guarantor, on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

 

The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations

 

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set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, in no event shall a Holder, its directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Transfer Restricted Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.

 

9.              RULE 144A AND RULE 144

 

The Company and each Guarantor agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the Company or such Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Act.

 

10.                                   MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a)            Remedies . The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that any failure by the Company and/or the Guarantors to comply with their respective obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The Company and the Guarantors further agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

(b)            Free Writing Prospectus . The Company represents, warrants and covenants that it (including its agents and representatives) will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) in connection with the issuance and sale of the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes, other than (i) any communication pursuant to Rule 134, Rule 135 or Rule 135c under the Securities Act, (ii) any document constituting an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Initial Notes or the Exchange Notes that falls within the exception from the definition of prospectus in Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act, or (iii) a prospectus satisfying the requirements of section 10(a) of the Securities Act or of Rule 430, Rule 430A, Rule 430B, Rule 430C or Rule 431 under the Securities Act.

 

(c)            No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company and any Guarantor will not, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company and any Guarantor have not previously entered into, nor is currently a party to, any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person that would require such securities to be included in any Registration Statement filed hereunder. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder

 

16



 

do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

 

(d)            Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 10(d)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities, and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to such Exchange Offer.

 

(e)            Additional Guarantors . The Company shall cause any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) that becomes, prior to the consummation of the Exchange Offer, a Guarantor in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Indenture to become a party to this Agreement as a Guarantor.

 

(f)             Third Party Beneficiary . The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

 

(g)            Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

 

(i)                  if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and

 

(ii)                 if to the Company or the Guarantors:

 

QVC, Inc.,

1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203,

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention: General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

 

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

633 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3000

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Steven D. Miller

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

 

17



 

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.

 

(h)            Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.

 

(i)             Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(j)             Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(k)            Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

 

(1)            Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

(m)           Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

(Signature Page Follows.)

 

18


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMI 2, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title: President

 

[Signature Page — Registration Rights Agreement]

 



 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: John F. Misko

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: John F. Misko

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page — Registration Rights Agreement]

 



 

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

As representatives of the several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule 1 of the Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Pamela Kendall

 

 

Title: Director

 

[Signature Page — Registration Rights Agreement]

 




Exhibit 5.1

 

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW

633 SEVENTEENTH STREET, SUITE 3000

DENVER, COLORADO 80202

TELEPHONE: (303) 297-2900

FAX: (303) 298-0940

WWW.SHERMANHOWARD.COM

 

October 19, 2012

 

QVC, Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380

 

Re:

QVC, Inc.

 

Registration Statement on Form S-4

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors” and together with the Issuer, the “Credit Parties”), in connection with the public offering of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Exchange Notes”).  The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) in exchange for a like principal amount of the Issuer’s issued and outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Original Notes”).  The Exchange Notes will be issued under the Company’s Indenture, dated July 2, 2012 (the “Indenture”) between the Credit Parties and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 2, 2012 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), between the Credit Parties and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers.  This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined (1) the Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to the Exchange Notes to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof under the Securities Act (the “Registration Statement”); (2) the Registration Rights Agreement; (3) the Indenture; (4) the Form T-1 of the Trustee to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; (5) the form of the Exchange Notes and related Novations of Guarantee; (6) the organizational documents of the Credit Parties; and (7) certain resolutions adopted by the board of directors or other governing bodies of the Credit Parties relating to the Exchange Offer, the issuance of the Original Notes and the Exchange Notes and related Novations of Guarantee, the Indenture and related matters.  We have also examined such records of the Credit Parties and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Credit Parties and others, and such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary to enable us to state the opinions expressed below.

 



 

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity and competency 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 or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such documents.  In making our examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Credit Parties, had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents, and the validity and binding effect on such parties.  We have also assumed, without investigation, that the Exchange Notes and related Novations of Guarantee will be issued in exchange for a like principal amount of the Original Notes and related Novations of Guarantee as described in the Registration Statement and that the Exchange Notes and related Novations of Guarantee will be in substantially the form attached to the Indenture and that any information omitted from such form will be properly added.  As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Credit Parties.

 

In expressing the opinions set forth below, to the extent such opinions involve matters of North Carolina law, we have, with your consent and without any independent investigation, relied solely and completely on the opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, dated the date hereof and to be filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement (the “North Carolina Opinion”).  In expressing the opinions set forth below, to the extent such opinions involve matters of Texas law, we have, with your consent and without any independent investigation, relied solely and completely on the opinion of Jackson Walker L.L.P., dated the date hereof and to be filed as Exhibit 5.3 to the Registration Statement (the “Texas Opinion”).

 

Our opinions are limited to matters governed by the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Colorado Limited Liability Company Act and the federal laws of the United States that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Exchange Offer and, to the extent that we have relied upon the North Carolina Opinion and the Texas Opinion, the laws of the State of North Carolina and the laws of the State of Texas.  We express no opinion as to the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction or the securities or blue sky laws of the various states to the Exchange Offer.

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to our stated assumptions, qualifications and limitations, in our opinion, when the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments, if any), shall have become effective under the Securities Act, the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the Exchange Notes (in the form examined by us) have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and have been delivered upon consummation of

 

2



 

the Exchange Offer against receipt of the Original Notes surrendered in exchange therefor in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the related Novations of Guarantee of the Exchange Notes by the Guarantor will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Issuer and the Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (1) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (2) equitable, constitutional and public policy limitations, whether considered in a proceeding at equity or at law.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.  We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption, “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are experts within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

 

SHERMAN & HOWARD L.L.C.

 

3



 

Schedule I

 

List of Guarantors

 

Subsidiary Guarantor

 

State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization

Affiliate Investment, Inc.

 

Delaware

Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

AMI 2, Inc.

 

Delaware

ER Marks, Inc.

 

Delaware

QVC International LLC

 

Delaware

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.

 

North Carolina

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 

Texas

 




Exhibit 5.2

 

 

150 Fayetteville Street

Suite 2100

Raleigh, NC 27601

 

Mailing Address :

Post Office Box 831

Raleigh, NC 27602

Telephone: (919) 755-2100

Fax: (919) 755-2150

www.wcsr.com

 

October 19, 2012

 

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.

100 QVC Boulevard

Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27801

 

Re:           Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to the Exchange Notes (defined below) (the “ Registration Statement ”) to be filed by QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent Company ”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on the date hereof under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special North Carolina counsel to QVC Rocky Mount, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “ Guarantor ”), in connection with the public offering of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Exchange Notes ”) to be issued by the Parent Company and guaranteed by the Guarantor and certain other subsidiaries of the Parent Company (collectively, the “ Credit Parties ”). The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to an exchange offer (the “ Exchange Offer ”) in exchange for a like principal amount of the Parent Company’s issued and outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Original Notes ”). The Exchange Notes will be issued under the Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 executed by the Parent Company, the Guarantor and the other guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Indenture ”), as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, between the Credit Parties and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative of the initial purchasers of the Original Notes.

 

A.             DOCUMENTS REVIEWED . For purposes of rendering this opinion we have examined and relied upon the following documents: (i) the Indenture; (ii) the forms of the Exchange Notes; (iii) the Notations of Guarantee affixed to the Exchange Notes executed by the Guarantor; and (iv) the Certificate of Secretary dated July 2, 2012 executed by the Secretary of the Guarantor (the “ Secretary’s Certificate ”). We have also reviewed and relied upon the following organizational documents of the Guarantor, which the Guarantor has represented to us, pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate, are the only documents pursuant to which the Guarantor is currently organized and which govern its affairs: (x) Articles of Incorporation of the Guarantor dated July 20, 1999 and filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State on July 20, 1999; (y) undated Bylaws of the Guarantor; and (z) a Certificate of Existence of the Guarantor issued by the North Carolina Secretary of State dated October 17, 2012 (the “ Guarantor Certificate of Existence ”). The organizational documents described in items (x) and (y) above are collectively referred to herein as the “ Guarantor Organizational Documents .”

 

We have also reviewed and relied upon such certificates of representatives of the Guarantor as to factual matters, certificates of public officials and other instruments, documents and agreements as a basis for the opinions set forth below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this opinion we

 

CALIFORNIA / DELAWARE / GEORGIA / MARYLAND / NORTH CAROLINA / SOUTH CAROLINA / VIRGINIA / WASHINGTON D.C.

 



 

have not made an independent review of any agreements, instruments, writs, orders, judgments, rules or regulations which may have been executed by or which may now be binding upon the Guarantor or which may affect the assets or business of the Guarantor, as applicable, nor have we undertaken to review our internal files or the files of the Guarantor relating to other transactions to which the Guarantor may be a party or to discuss such transactions or the business of the Guarantor generally with any other lawyers in our firm or representatives of the Guarantor. We have relied as to factual matters upon the representations, warranties, certifications and statements contained in the transaction documents described herein.

 

B.           ASSUMPTIONS . In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the following with your express permission and without independent verification or investigation: (i) that all natural persons executing the transaction documents described herein have the legal capacity to do so; (ii) that all signatures on all documents submitted to us are genuine; all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic; (iii) that all certificates of public officials and representatives of Guarantor have been properly issued and are accurate; and (iv) that all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents, which themselves are authentic.

 

C.           OPINIONS . Based on and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications and limitations set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1.              Based solely on the Guarantor Certificate of Existence, the Guarantor is a corporation in existence under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

 

2.              The execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Guarantor as a guarantor (including its guarantee of the Exchange Notes pursuant thereto) and the consummation by the Guarantor of the transactions provided for therein (a) do not violate the Guarantor Organizational Documents, (b) have been authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Guarantor, and (c) are within the corporate powers of the Guarantor.

 

Nothing contained in this opinion letter shall be construed as an opinion as to the enforceability of any of the documents referenced herein.

 

This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of North Carolina, and to the laws of the United States of America that are applicable to transactions similar to those contemplated by the transaction documents described herein, excluding the following legal issues or the application of any such laws or regulations to the matters on which our opinions are referenced: (i) federal and state securities laws; (ii) the local laws of the State of North Carolina (i.e., the statutes, ordinances, the administrative decisions and the rules and regulations of counties and municipalities of the State of North Carolina); (iii) federal and state antitrust and unfair competition laws and regulations; (iv) federal and state tax laws and regulations; (v) federal and state regulatory laws and regulations applicable to any entity because of the business in which it is engaged; (vi) federal and state environmental laws and regulations; and (vii) laws, rules and regulations relating to money laundering and terrorist groups (including any requirements imposed under the USA Patriot Act of 2001, as amended). We render no opinion as to any documents not specifically opined to herein, including documents referenced in transaction documents described herein.

 

2



 

This opinion is rendered solely to the Guarantor in connection with the transactions described above and may not be relied upon by the Guarantor for any other purpose. This opinion may also be relied upon by Sherman & Howard L.L.C. in connection with the opinion it is delivering to, a copy of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be quoted in whole or in part, referred to, filed with any governmental agency, or otherwise used or relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption, “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are experts within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

This opinion is rendered as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, LLP
A Limited Liability Partnership

 

 

/s/ Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP

 

3




Exhibit 5.3

 

 

October 19, 2012

 

QVC San Antonio, LLC

9855 Westover Hills Boulevard

San Antonio, TX 78251

 

Re:                              Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to the Exchange Notes (defined below) (the Registration Statement ”) to be filed by QVC, Inc. (the Issuer ”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ”) on the date hereof under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as local Texas counsel to QVC San Antonio, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the Company ”) in connection with the public offering of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Exchange Notes ”) to be issued by the Issuer and guaranteed by the Company and certain other subsidiaries of the Issuer (collectively, the Guarantors and together with the Issuer, the Credit Parties ”) . The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to an exchange offer (the Exchange Offer ”) in exchange for a like principal amount of the Issuer’s issued and outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Original Notes ”) . The Exchange Notes will be issued under the Issuer’s Indenture, dated July 2, 2012 (the Indenture ”) between the Credit Parties and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, between the Credit Parties and Barclays Capital Inc., as representative of the initial purchasers of the Original Notes.

 

In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined the (1) the Indenture; (2) the forms of the Exchange Notes and related Novation of Guarantee; (3) the organizational documents of the Company; (4) certain resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company relating to the Exchange Offer, the issuance of the Original Notes and the Exchange Notes and related Novations of Guarantee, the Indenture and related matters. We have also examined 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 to enable us to state the opinions expressed below.

 

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity and competency 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,

 

901 Main Street, Suite 6000    ·    Dallas, Texas 75202    ·    (214) 953-6000    ·    fax (214) 953-5822

www.jw.com    ·    Austin    ·    Dallas    ·    Fort Worth    ·    Houston    ·    San Angelo    ·    San Antonio    ·    Member of GLOBALAW SM

 



 

conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such documents. 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 other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents, and the validity and binding effect on such parties. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon the representations contained in the Registration Statement and the Indenture, upon certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company.

 

Our opinions expressed herein are limited solely to matters governed by the laws of the State of Texas (excluding, however, securities laws and other laws which are understood as a matter of customary practice to be covered by third-party opinion letters only when they are referred to expressly). We express no opinion as to the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction or the securities or blue sky laws of the various states to the Exchange Offer.

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to our stated assumptions, qualifications and limitations, in our opinion:

 

1.                                       Based solely on (a) the Certificate of Fact dated October 10, 2012, issued by the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and (b) the Certificate of Account Status dated October 10, 2012, issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Company is validly existing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Texas and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.

 

2.                                       The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Indenture as a Guarantor (including its guarantee of the Exchange Notes pursuant thereto) are within its limited liability company powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action of the Company, and do not result in a violation of any provisions of (i) the Certificate of Formation of the Company dated October 28, 2008, filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Texas on October 28, 2008, or (ii) the Company Agreement of the Company dated October 29, 2008.

 

This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof and is being delivered to you in connection with the above described transactions and may not be relied on by you for any other purpose. This opinion may also be relied upon by Sherman & Howard L.L.C. in connection with the opinion it is delivering to you as filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. No other person shall be entitled to rely hereon (it being acknowledged by the recipients hereof that reliance in such circumstances would be unreasonable). Further, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption, “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are experts within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

2



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jackson Walker L.L.P.

 

 

JCH; AB

 

 

3




Exhibit 8.1

 

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW

633 SEVENTEENTH STREET, SUITE 3000

DENVER, COLORADO 80202

TELEPHONE: (303) 297-2900

FAX: (303) 298-0940

WWW.SHERMANHOWARD.COM

 

October 19, 2012

 

QVC, Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380

 

Re:

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

Registration Statement on Form S-4

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”) and the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (together with the Issuer, the “Credit Parties”), in connection with the public offering of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Exchange Notes”).  The Exchange Notes are to be issued pursuant to an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) in exchange for a like principal amount of the Issuer’s issued and outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Original Notes”) pursuant to (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) as filed by the Credit Parties on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and (ii) the related prospectus (the “Prospectus”) that forms a part of the Registration Statement.

 

Subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the discussion in the Prospectus under the caption “Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences,” we confirm that such discussion, insofar as it concerns conclusions of law, constitutes our opinion as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the exchange of Original Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are experts within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

 

SHERMAN & HOWARD L.L.C.

 



 

Schedule I

 

List of Guarantors

 

Subsidiary Guarantor

 

State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization

Affiliate Investment, Inc.

 

Delaware

Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

AMI 2, Inc.

 

Delaware

ER Marks, Inc.

 

Delaware

QVC International LLC

 

Delaware

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.

 

North Carolina

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 

Texas

 




Exhibit 10.1

 

 

QVC, INC.,

 

THE GUARANTORS

named herein

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of September 25, 2009

 


 

7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

 

Indenture

Section

 

Section

 

 

 

310

(a)(1)

 

7.10

 

(a)(2)

 

7.10

 

(a)(3)

 

N.A.

 

(a)(4)

 

N.A.

 

(a)(5)

 

7.10

 

(b)

 

7.08; 7.10; 11.02

 

(b)(1)

 

7.10

 

(c)

 

N.A.

311

(a)

 

7.11

 

(b)

 

7.11

 

(c)

 

N.A.

312

(a)

 

2.06

 

(b)

 

11.03

 

(c)

 

11.03

313

(a)

 

7.06

 

(b)(1)

 

N.A.

 

(b)(2)

 

7.06; 7.07

 

(c)

 

7.06; 11.02

 

(d)

 

7.06

314

(a)

 

4.02; 4.04; 11.02

 

(b)

 

N.A.

 

(c)(1)

 

11.04

 

(c)(2)

 

11.04

 

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

 

(d)

 

N.A.

 

(e)

 

11.05

 

(f)

 

N.A.

315

(a)

 

7.01(b)

 

(b)

 

7.05; 11.02

 

(c)

 

7.01(a)

 

(d)

 

7.01(c)

 

(e)

 

6.12

316

(a) (last sentence)

 

2.10

 

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

 

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

 

(b)

 

6.08

 

(c)

 

2.13; 8.04

317

(a)(1)

 

6.09

 

(a)(2)

 

6.10

 

(b)

 

2.05; 7.12

318

(a)

 

11.01

 

(b)

 

11.01

 

(c)

 

11.01

 


N.A. means Not Applicable

Note:   This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1

SECTION 1.02.

 

OTHER DEFINITIONS

 

25

SECTION 1.03.

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 

26

SECTION 1.04.

 

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

 

 

 

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

 

AMOUNT OF NOTES

 

27

SECTION 2.02.

 

FORM AND DATING; BOOK ENTRY PROVISIONS

 

27

SECTION 2.03.

 

EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION

 

29

SECTION 2.04.

 

REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT

 

30

SECTION 2.05.

 

PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST

 

30

SECTION 2.06.

 

HOLDER LISTS

 

31

SECTION 2.07.

 

TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

 

31

SECTION 2.08.

 

REPLACEMENT NOTES

 

32

SECTION 2.09.

 

OUTSTANDING NOTES

 

32

SECTION 2.10.

 

TREASURY NOTES

 

32

SECTION 2.11.

 

TEMPORARY NOTES

 

33

SECTION 2.12.

 

CANCELLATION

 

33

SECTION 2.13.

 

DEFAULTED INTEREST

 

33

SECTION 2.14.

 

CUSIP NUMBER

 

33

SECTION 2.15.

 

DEPOSIT OF MONEYS

 

34

SECTION 2.16.

 

SPECIAL TRANSFER PROVISIONS

 

34

SECTION 2.17.

 

CERTIFICATED NOTES

 

38

SECTION 2.18.

 

COMPUTATION OF INTEREST

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

 

 

 

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

 

ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICES TO TRUSTEE

 

39

SECTION 3.02.

 

SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED

 

40

SECTION 3.03.

 

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

 

40

SECTION 3.04.

 

EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

 

41

SECTION 3.05.

 

DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE

 

41

SECTION 3.06.

 

NOTES REDEEMED IN PART

 

41

SECTION 3.07.

 

MANDATORY REDEMPTION

 

42

 

i



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

 

 

 

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

 

PAYMENT OF NOTES

 

42

SECTION 4.02.

 

REPORTS TO HOLDERS

 

42

SECTION 4.03.

 

WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS

 

43

SECTION 4.04.

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE; NOTICE OF DEFAULT

 

43

SECTION 4.05.

 

PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS

 

44

SECTION 4.06.

 

LIMITATIONS ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS

 

44

SECTION 4.07.

 

LIMITATIONS ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS

 

46

SECTION 4.08.

 

LIMITATIONS ON ASSET SALES

 

47

SECTION 4.09.

 

LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

49

SECTION 4.10.

 

LIMITATIONS ON LIENS

 

50

SECTION 4.11.

 

ADDITIONAL NOTE GUARANTEES

 

51

SECTION 4.12.

 

LIMITATIONS ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES

 

51

SECTION 4.13.

 

LIMITATIONS ON DESIGNATION OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES

 

53

SECTION 4.14.

 

LIMITATIONS ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS

 

54

SECTION 4.15.

 

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

54

SECTION 4.16.

 

MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE

 

54

SECTION 4.17.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

 

54

SECTION 4.18.

 

EXISTENCE

 

55

SECTION 4.19.

 

PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT

 

55

SECTION 4.20.

 

CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER

 

55

SECTION 4.21.

 

FALL-AWAY EVENT

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

 

 

 

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

 

LIMITATIONS ON MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, ETC.

 

56

SECTION 5.02.

 

SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

 

 

 

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

58

SECTION 6.02.

 

ACCELERATION

 

60

SECTION 6.03.

 

OTHER REMEDIES

 

61

SECTION 6.04.

 

WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

61

SECTION 6.05.

 

CONTROL BY MAJORITY

 

61

SECTION 6.06.

 

LIMITATION ON SUITS

 

61

SECTION 6.07.

 

NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS

 

62

SECTION 6.08.

 

RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT

 

62

SECTION 6.09.

 

COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE

 

62

 

ii



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.10.

 

TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM

 

62

SECTION 6.11.

 

PRIORITIES

 

63

SECTION 6.12.

 

UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS

 

63

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

 

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

 

DUTIES OF TRUSTEE

 

63

SECTION 7.02.

 

RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

 

64

SECTION 7.03.

 

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

 

66

SECTION 7.04.

 

TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER

 

66

SECTION 7.05.

 

NOTICE OF DEFAULTS

 

66

SECTION 7.06.

 

REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS

 

66

SECTION 7.07.

 

COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY

 

67

SECTION 7.08.

 

REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE

 

67

SECTION 7.09.

 

SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC.

 

68

SECTION 7.10.

 

ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION

 

68

SECTION 7.11.

 

PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST ISSUER

 

69

SECTION 7.12.

 

PAYING AGENTS

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

 

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

 

WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS

 

69

SECTION 8.02.

 

WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS

 

70

SECTION 8.03.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 

72

SECTION 8.04.

 

REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS

 

72

SECTION 8.05.

 

NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES

 

72

SECTION 8.06.

 

TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

 

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

73

SECTION 9.02.

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE

 

73

SECTION 9.03.

 

COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

74

SECTION 9.04.

 

CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

74

SECTION 9.05.

 

DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

75

SECTION 9.06.

 

REINSTATEMENT

 

76

SECTION 9.07.

 

MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT

 

76

SECTION 9.08.

 

MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

76

 

iii



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

 

GUARANTEE

 

77

SECTION 10.02.

 

EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF GUARANTEE

 

78

SECTION 10.03.

 

LIMITATION OF GUARANTEE

 

78

SECTION 10.04.

 

RELEASE OF GUARANTOR

 

78

SECTION 10.05.

 

WAIVER OF SUBROGATION

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS

 

79

SECTION 11.02.

 

NOTICES

 

79

SECTION 11.03.

 

COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS

 

81

SECTION 11.04.

 

CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

81

SECTION 11.05.

 

STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE AND OPINION

 

81

SECTION 11.06.

 

RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS

 

82

SECTION 11.07.

 

BUSINESS DAYS; LEGAL HOLIDAYS

 

82

SECTION 11.08.

 

GOVERNING LAW

 

82

SECTION 11.09.

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

82

SECTION 11.10.

 

FORCE MAJEURE

 

82

SECTION 11.11.

 

NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

82

SECTION 11.12.

 

NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

 

83

SECTION 11.13.

 

SUCCESSORS

 

83

SECTION 11.14.

 

MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS

 

83

SECTION 11.15.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

 

83

SECTION 11.16.

 

SEPARABILITY

 

83

SECTION 11.17.

 

USA PATRIOT ACT

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

 

 

 

 

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01.

 

SECURITY DOCUMENTS; ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL

 

84

SECTION 12.02.

 

COLLATERAL AGENT

 

85

SECTION 12.03.

 

RELEASE OF COLLATERAL

 

85

SECTION 12.04.

 

FILING, RECORDING AND OPINIONS

 

86

SECTION 12.05.

 

POSSESSION AND USE OF COLLATERAL

 

87

SECTION 12.06.

 

AUTHORIZATION OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT UNDER THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS

 

87

SECTION 12.07.

 

PURCHASE PROTECTED

 

88

SECTION 12.08.

 

REINSTATEMENT; POWERS EXERCISABLE BY RECEIVER OR TRUSTEE

 

88

 

iv



 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit A.

 

Form of Note

 

A-1

Exhibit B.

 

Form of Legends

 

B-1

Exhibit C.

 

Form of Notation of Guarantee

 

C-1

 

v


 

INDENTURE, dated as of September 25, 2009, among QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “ Issuer ”), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) party hereto from time to time and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders.

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01.               Definitions .

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means (1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (2) with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person is merged with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of an asset or assets from another Person, which Indebtedness was not, in any case, incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or acquisition.

 

Additional Notes ” shall mean an unlimited principal amount of Notes having identical terms and conditions to the Notes issued pursuant to Article Two and in compliance with Section 4.06 and Section 4.10, except for issue date, issue price and first interest payment date.

 

Adjusted Net Assets ” of a Guarantor at any date shall mean the lesser of the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities), but excluding liabilities under the Guarantee, of such Guarantor at such date and (y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Guarantor on its debts and all other fixed and contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee), excluding Indebtedness in respect of the Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

 

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person which directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, the referent Person.  For purposes of the definition of “Qualified Equity Offering” only, “Affiliate” shall not include any Person who is an Affiliate of the Issuer solely because such Person is Controlled directly or indirectly by John C. Malone so long as such Affiliate does not purchase securities in any Qualified Equity Offering with the proceeds, directly or indirectly, of any Restricted Payment permitted under this Indenture.

 

Affiliated Persons ” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle

 



 

Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such Persons.

 

After-Acquired Collateral Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(c).

 

After-Acquired Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(c).

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

amend ” means to amend, supplement, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, including successively, and “ amendment ” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Temporary Regulation S Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a Temporary Regulation S Global Note, to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

 

asset ” means any asset or property.

 

Asset Acquisition ” means

 

(1)           an Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or

 

(2)           the acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease, assignment or other disposition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by means of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction or a merger or consolidation) (collectively, for purposes of this definition, a “ transfer ”), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of any assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business.  For purposes of this definition, the term “Asset Sale” shall not include:

 

(1)           transfers of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(2)           transfers of assets (including Equity Interests) that are governed by, and made in accordance with, Section 5.01;

 

(3)           Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07;

 

(4)           the creation of or realization on any Lien permitted under this Indenture;

 

(5)           transfers of inventory and damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or assets that are no longer used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(6)           sales or grants of licenses or sublicenses to use the patents, trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property, and licenses, leases or subleases of other assets, of the Issuer

 

2



 

or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not materially interfering with the business of Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(7)           any transfer or series of related transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the assets transferred in such transaction or any such series of related transactions does not exceed $50.0 million;

 

(8)           (x) Asset Sales by the Issuer or any Guarantor to any other Guarantor or the Issuer and (y) Asset Sales of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; and

 

(9)           any transfer or series of transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales if consummated at a time when, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (x) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

 

Attributable Indebtedness ”, when used with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at a rate borne by the Notes, compounded on a semi-annual basis) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in any such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, or the functional equivalent of the foregoing, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or, in each case, other than for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control,” any duly authorized committee of such body.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.07.

 

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

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)           marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition;

 

3



 

(2)           certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;

 

(3)        commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition;

 

(4)        repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government;

 

(5)        securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor’s or A by Moody’s;

 

(6)        securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition;

 

(7)        money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (1) through (6) of this definition;

 

(8)        money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and

 

(9)        in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, investments substantially comparable to any of the foregoing investments with respect to the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(1)        the acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, the Issuer is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating;

 

(2)        after the consummation of an initial public offering, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors

 

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of the Issuer (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Issuer was approved by a vote of the majority of the directors of the Issuer then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Issuer’s Board of Directors then in office;

 

(3)           the Issuer shall adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution or any such plan shall be approved by the stockholders of the Issuer; or

 

(4)           a “Change of Control” shall have occurred under any Permitted Parity Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement

 

Collateral ” shall mean all “Collateral” as such term is defined in the Security Agreement and the Parent Pledge Agreement and all other assets pledged from time to time to secure the Obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and Security Documents.

 

Collateral Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Security Documents and any successors in such capacity.

 

Consolidated Amortization Expense ” for any period means the amortization expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow ” for any period means, without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of

 

(1)           Consolidated Net Income, plus

 

(2)           in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,

 

(a)          Consolidated Income Tax Expense,

 

(b)          Consolidated Amortization Expense (but only to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense),

 

(c)          Consolidated Depreciation Expense,

 

(d)          Consolidated Interest Expense net of consolidated interest income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and

 

(e)          stock compensation, as reported in the Issuer’s financial statements,

 

in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that

 

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(i)            the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, expenses or losses reducing such Consolidated Net Income (excluding any non-cash charge, expense or loss that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period and any non-cash charge, expense or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts or inventory) for such period, and

 

(ii)           the aggregate amount of all non-cash items, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent such items increased Consolidated Net Income for such period

 

shall, in each case, be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for purposes of this definition only.

 

Consolidated Depreciation Expense ” for any period means the depreciation expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Income Tax Expense ” for any period means the provision for taxes of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means the ratio of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available (the “ Four-Quarter Period ”) ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (the “ Transaction Date ”) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Four-Quarter Period.  For purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to:

 

(1)           the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and any repayment of other Indebtedness or redemption of other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) (other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the FourQuarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period; and

 

(2)           any Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition or as a result of a Redesignation) incurring Acquired Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated Cash Flow (including any pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) associated with any such Asset Acquisition) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence of, or assumption or liability for, any such Indebtedness or Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period.

 

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In calculating Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio:

 

(a)           interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which shall continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date;

 

(b)           if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date shall be deemed to have been in effect during the Four-Quarter Period; and

 

(c)           notwithstanding clause (a) or (b) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such agreements governing such Hedging Obligations.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” for any period means the sum, without duplication, of the total interest expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and including, without duplication,

 

(1)           imputed interest on Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable Indebtedness,

 

(2)           commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit securing financial obligations, bankers’ acceptance financing and receivables financings,

 

(3)           the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations related to interest rates,

 

(4)           amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses,

 

(5)           the interest portion of any deferred payment obligations,

 

(6)           all other non-cash interest expense,

 

(7)           capitalized interest,

 

(8)           the product of (a) all dividend payments on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Disqualified Equity Interests or any Preferred Stock held by the Issuer or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent paid in Qualified Equity Interests), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal,

 

(9)           all interest payable with respect to discontinued operations, and

 

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(10)         all interest on any Indebtedness described in clause (6) or (7) of the definition of Indebtedness.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, at any date, the ratio of (i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to (ii) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio.  In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is made, then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

Consolidated Leverage Test ” means, at any date, that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is no greater than (i) prior to March 31, 2010, 3.90 to 1.00, (ii) on or after March 31, 2010 and prior to March 31, 2011, 3.75 to 1.00 and (iii) on or after March 31, 2011, 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” for any period means the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:

 

(1)           the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period;

 

(2)           except to the extent includible in the consolidated net income of the Issuer pursuant to the foregoing clause (1), the net income (or loss) of any Person that accrued prior to the date that (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the assets of such Person are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)           any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon (a) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the sale of any financial or equity investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)           gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects according to GAAP;

 

(5)           gains and losses with respect to Hedging Obligations;

 

(6)           the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles;

 

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(7)           the net income (or loss) associated with minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(8)           any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or the tax effect of any such extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), realized by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period.

 

For the purpose of this definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” “ nonrecurring ” means any gain or loss as of any date that is not reasonably likely to recur within the two years following such date; provided that if there was a gain or loss similar to such gain or loss within the two years preceding such date, such gain or loss shall not be deemed nonrecurring.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Coverage Ratio Exception ” has the meaning set forth in the proviso in the first paragraph of Section 4.06.

 

Credit Agreements ” means (a) the Credit Agreement dated March 3, 2006, and amended and restated as of June 16, 2009, by and among the Issuer, as Borrower, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC), as syndication agent, JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC), as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Calyon New York Branch and Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, as documentation agents, and (b) and the Credit Agreement dated October 4, 2006, and amended and restated as of June 16, 2009, by and among the Issuer, as Borrower, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Wachovia Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agents, JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC), as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Fortis Bank SA, NV, New York Branch and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as documentation agents, and in each case, including any notes, guarantees, collateral and security documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended or refinanced from time to time (other than as refinanced by the Notes).

 

Credit Facilities ” means one or more (A) debt facilities (which may be outstanding at the same time and including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements) or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder).

 

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Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Default ” means (1) any Event of Default or (2) any event, act or condition that, after notice or the passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.16(e).

 

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such Person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes; provided , however , that any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, authorizes such Person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for Disqualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness, shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests so long as such Person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests; provided , further , however , that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Equity Interests are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Issuer to redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change in control or an asset sale occurring prior to the 91st day after the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if (1) the change of control or asset sale provisions applicable to such Equity Interests are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions of Sections 4.20 and 4.08, respectively, and (2) such Equity Interests specifically provide that the Issuer shall not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the Issuer’s purchase of the Notes as required pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.20 and 4.08, respectively.

 

Disqualified Person ” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Issuer or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner of the Issuer.

 

Distribution Compliance Period ,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

 

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Equity Interests ” of any Person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such Person.

 

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

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction, as such price is determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or a duly authorized committee thereof, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board or committee.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, consistently applied.

 

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

 

guarantee ” means a direct or indirect guarantee by any Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person and includes any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); “ guarantee ,” when used as a verb, and “ guaranteed ” have correlative meanings.

 

Guarantors ” means each Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date, and each other Person that is required to, or at the election of the Issuer does, become a Guarantor by the terms of this Indenture after the Issue Date, in each case, until such Person is released from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

Holder ” means any registered holder, from time to time, of the Notes.

 

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incur ” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or Obligation, incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to such Indebtedness or Obligation; provided that (1) the Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount or the accretion or accumulation of dividends on any Equity Interests shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person at any date means, without duplication:

 

(1)           all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof) or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind;

 

(2)           all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(3)           all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers’ acceptances and similar credit transactions;

 

(4)           all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services;

 

(5)           all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;

 

(6)           all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;

 

(7)           all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee; provided that Indebtedness of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Issuer or the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall only be counted once in the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and

 

(8)           all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such Person (excluding obligations arising from inventory transactions in the ordinary course of business).

 

The amount of any Indebtedness which is incurred at a discount to the principal amount at maturity thereof as of any date shall be deemed to have been incurred at the accreted value thereof as of such date.  The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above, the maximum liability of such Person for any such contingent obligations at such date and, in the case of clause (6), the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness secured.

 

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

 

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Initial Purchasers ” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Calyon Securities (USA) Inc., Fortis Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA Inc., RBS Securities Inc., Daiwa Securities America Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Commerzbank Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and UBS Securities LLC and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor ” or “ IAI ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

interest ” means, with respect to the Notes, interest on the Notes.

 

Interest Payment Dates ” means each April 1 and October 1, commencing April 1, 2010.

 

Investments ” of any Person means:

 

(1)           all direct or indirect investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions or other credit extensions constituting Indebtedness of such other Person, and any guarantee of Indebtedness of any other Person;

 

(2)           all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities of any other Person (other than any such purchase that constitutes a Restricted Payment of the type described in clause (2) of the definition thereof);

 

(3)           all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP (including, if required by GAAP, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business); and

 

(4)           the Designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Except as otherwise expressly specified in this definition, the amount of any Investment (other than an Investment made in cash) shall be the Fair Market Value thereof on the date such Investment is made. The amount of Investment pursuant to clause (5) shall be the Fair Market Value of the Issuer’s proportionate interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.  If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of and all other Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary retained.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, purchases or redemptions of Equity Interests of the Issuer or Parent shall be deemed not to be Investments.

 

Issue Date ” means September 25, 2009, the date on which the Notes are originally issued.

 

Issuer ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article Five and thereafter means the successor.

 

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Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), pledge, easement, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind or nature in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

 

LMC ” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided , that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of the Issuer then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets.  “ Transferee Parent ” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “ Transferred Person ”) that hold equity securities of the Issuer beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series.  “ Control Person ” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

Make Whole Amount ” means, with respect to any Note at any redemption date, the greater of (A) 1.00% and (B) the excess, if any, of (1) an amount equal to the present value of (a) the redemption price of such Note at October 1, 2014 plus (b) the remaining scheduled interest payments on the Notes to be redeemed (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) to October 1, 2014 (other than interest accrued to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended, that has assets (including Equity Interests in Subsidiaries) or revenues (including both third party and intercompany revenues) with a value in excess of 2.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 2.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries; provided, that in the event Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries designated by the Issuer (or, if the Issuer shall make no designation, one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the Issuer), shall be included

 

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as Material Domestic Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. For the purposes of this definition only, Commerce Technologies, Inc. shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Issuer so long as (a) it is not a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuer and (b) its operations are substantially of the type and scope existing as of the Issue Date.

 

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

 

Net Available Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents, net of

 

(1)           brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees, discounts and expenses of legal counsel, accountants and investment banks, consultants and placement agents) of such Asset Sale;

 

(2)           provisions for taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements);

 

(3)           amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and other than under a Credit Facility) owning a beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset Sale or having a Lien thereon;

 

(4)           payments of unassumed liabilities (not constituting Indebtedness) relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after the date of, such Asset Sale; and

 

(5)           appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP against any adjustment in the sale price of such asset or assets or liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including pensions and other postemployment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as reflected in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee; provided , however , that any amounts remaining after adjustments, revaluations or liquidations of such reserves shall constitute Net Available Proceeds.

 

Non-Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer other than a Material Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary:

 

(1)           as to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, and

 

(2)           no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Credit Agreement or Notes) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on the other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

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Non-U.S. Person ” means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in Regulation S.

 

Notes ” means the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued by the Issuer, treated as a single class of securities, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, that are issued from time to time pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Obligation ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated as of September 22, 2009, relating to the offering of the Notes.

 

Officer ” means any of the following of the Issuer:  the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Officer.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee from legal counsel, which counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, opining on the matters required by Section 11.05 and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Parent ” means LMC.

 

Parent Loan Purchases ” means purchases and the retirement of term loans under the Credit Agreements at par by Parent or its Subsidiary (other than the Issuer and its Subsidiaries) as specified in the definition of “Specified Loan Purchases” under and as defined under each of the Credit Agreements.

 

Parent Pledge Agreement ” means the pledge agreement by and among the Parent Pledgors and the Collateral Agent dated as of June 16, 2009 as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Parent Pledgor ” means any pledgor party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

Permitted Business ” means the businesses engaged in by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date as described in the Offering Memorandum and businesses that are reasonably related thereto or reasonable extensions thereof.

 

Permitted Holders ” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

Permitted Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.06.

 

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Permitted Investment ” means:

 

(1)           Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)           Investments in the Issuer by any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)           loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of the Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer (after the consummation of an initial public offering) not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(4)           cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(5)           receivables owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(6)           Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

 

(7)           Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with a sale of assets made in compliance with Section 4.08;

 

(8)           lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)           stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

 

(10)         any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date; and

 

(11)         Investments, including in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

Permitted Liens ” means the following types of Liens:

 

(1)           Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP;

 

(2)           statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary

 

17



 

course of business for sums not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

 

(3)           pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation (or pursuant to letters of credit issued in connection with such workers’ compensation compliance), unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

(4)           Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

 

(5)           Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(6)           judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

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

 

(8)           Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed or the purchase of which is supported by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof;

 

(9)           Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including rights of offset and setoff;

 

(10)         bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

 

(11)         leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(12)         Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;

 

(13)         Liens securing all of the Notes and Liens securing any Note Guarantee;

 

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(14)         Liens under the Security Documents securing Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business not for the purpose of speculation;

 

(15)         Liens existing on the Issue Date securing obligations outstanding on the Issue Date (other than pursuant to clauses (13) and (14) of this definition and other than Liens securing Permitted Parity Indebtedness);

 

(16)         Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Guarantor;

 

(17)         Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness that do not in the aggregate exceed $100.0 million at any one time outstanding; provided that such Liens shall be created within 90 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets and shall not extend to any asset other than the specified asset being financed and additions and improvements thereon;

 

(18)         Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that the Liens do not extend to assets not subject to such Lien at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders than those securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(19)         deposits and other Liens securing credit card operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided the amount secured does not exceed amounts owed by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in connection with such credit card operations;

 

(20)         Liens to secure Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (13), (15), (17) and (18); provided that in the case of Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18) such Liens do not extend to any additional assets (other than improvements thereon and replacements thereof);

 

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

 

(22)         Interests of vendors in inventory arising out of such inventory being subject to a “sale or return” arrangement with such vendor or any consignment by any third party of any inventory; and

 

(23)         Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed $100.0 million at any one time outstanding; so long as such Liens do not encumber Collateral.

 

Permitted Parity Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

 

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

 

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Physical Notes ” means certificated Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A .

 

Plan of Liquidation ” with respect to any Person, means a plan that provides for, contemplates or the effectuation of which is preceded or accompanied by (whether or not substantially contemporaneously, in phases or otherwise):  (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person other than as an entirety or substantially as an entirety; and (2) the distribution of all or substantially all of the proceeds of such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the remaining assets of such Person to holders of Equity Interests of such Person.

 

Preferred Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other equity interests (however designated) of such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.

 

principal ” means, with respect to the Notes, the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Notes.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated September 22, 2009 among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes.

 

Purchase Money Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness, including Capitalized Lease Obligations, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or the cost of installation, construction or improvement thereof; provided, however , that (1) the amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed such purchase price or cost and (2) such Indebtedness shall be incurred within 90 days after such acquisition of such asset by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or such installation, construction or improvement.

 

Qualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means Equity Interests of such Person other than Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that such Equity Interests shall not be deemed Qualified Equity Interests to the extent sold or owed to a Subsidiary of such Person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, without limitation, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan).  Unless otherwise specified, Qualified Equity Interests refer to Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer.

 

Qualified Equity Offering ” means the issuance and sale of Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer to Persons other than (x) Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) any other Person who is, prior to such issuance and sale, an Affiliate of the Issuer; provided , however , that cash proceeds therefrom equal to not less than the redemption price of the Notes to be redeemed are received by the Issuer as a capital contribution immediately prior to such redemption.

 

Qualified Institutional Buyer ” or “ QIB ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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redeem ” means to redeem, repurchase, purchase, defease, retire, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value; and “ redemption ” shall have a correlative meaning; provided that this definition shall not apply for purposes of Section 3.01.

 

Redemption Date ” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the terms of the Notes.

 

refinance ” means to refinance, repay, prepay, replace, renew or refund.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or refinance in whole or in part, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (the “ Refinanced Indebtedness ”); provided that:

 

(1)           the principal amount (and accreted value, in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of the Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (and accreted value, as the case may be) of the Refinanced Indebtedness plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Indebtedness, any reasonable premium paid to the holders of the Refinanced Indebtedness and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the incurrence of the Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(2)           the obligor of Refinancing Indebtedness does not include any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is not an obligor of the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(3)           if the Refinanced Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(4)           the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final stated maturity either (a) no earlier than the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid or amended or (b) after the maturity date of the Notes; and

 

(5)           the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the maturity date of the Notes has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the maturity date of the Notes.

 

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

 

Responsible Officer ” when used with respect to the Trustee, means an officer or assistant officer assigned to the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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Restricted Note ” has the same meaning as “Restricted Security” set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any of the following:

 

(1)           the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding (a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests or through accretion or accumulation of such dividends on such Equity Interests and (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries, dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary and pro rata dividends or distributions payable to minority stockholders of any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)           the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any equity holder of the Issuer, including, without limitation, any payment in exchange for such Equity Interests in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding any such Equity Interests held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)           any Investment other than a Permitted Investment; or

 

(4)           any payment or redemption prior to the scheduled maturity or prior to any scheduled repayment of principal or sinking fund payment, as the case may be, in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness owed to and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary).

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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

 

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

 

Rule 144A Notes ” means all Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transactions ” means with respect to any Person an arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by such Person of any asset of such Person which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such asset.

 

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secretary’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Issuer.

 

Secured Party ” shall mean the Trustee and the Note Holders.

 

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

 

Security Agreement ” means the Security Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009 as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009 by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Security Documents ” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Parent Pledge Agreement and other security documents relating to the Collateral and instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the relevant states) applicable to the Collateral, each as in effect on the Issue Date and as amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

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

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means (1) any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date and (2) any Restricted Subsidiary that, when aggregated with all other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries and as to which any event described in clause (7) or (8) under Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (1) of this definition.

 

Specified Swap Agreement ” means any Swap Agreement in respect of interest rate or currency exchange rates entered into by the Issuer or any Guarantor and any Person that is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreements at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into and is secured equally and ratably with such Credit Agreement(s) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreements and the Security Documents or any such agreement secured equally and ratably with any Credit Facility pursuant to the terms of such Credit Facility and the Security Documents.

 

Standard & Poor’s ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

 

Stock Compensation Plans ” means compensation plans in connection with which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries make payments to Parent and its Affiliates in consideration for securities of Parent issued to employees of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)           any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2)           any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

 

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Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

 

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Issuer or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement ” means that certain Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement entered into as of April 26, 2004 by and between Liberty Media LLC, as successor to Liberty Media Corporation and the Issuer, as in effect on the Issue Date.

 

Total Assets ” means, as of any date, the total amount of assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such date of determination computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e) hereto.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, at the time of computation, the yield to maturity of United States Treasury Securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to October 1, 2014; provided , however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury Security for which a weekly average yield is given the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury Securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to October 1, 2014 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date. Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward.

 

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

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (1) QVC Italia S.r.l, (2) any Subsidiary that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.13 and (3) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

 

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Voting Stock ” with respect to any Person, means securities of any class of Equity Interests of such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or other relevant equity interest has voting power by reason of any contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, means the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary of which 100% of the Equity Interests (except for directors’ qualifying shares or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is not in excess of what is required for such purpose) are owned directly by the Issuer or through one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 1.02.               Other Definitions .

 

The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections indicated as follows:

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

 

 

 

“Affiliate Transaction”

 

4.09

 

“Agent Members”

 

2.02

(c)

“Change of Control Offer”

 

4.20

 

“Change of Control Purchase Price”

 

4.20

 

“Covenant Defeasance”

 

9.03

 

“Designation”

 

4.13

 

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

 

“Excess Proceeds”

 

4.08

 

“Global Notes”

 

2.02

(b)

“IAI Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

“Legal Defeasance”

 

9.02

 

“Legal Holiday”

 

11.07

 

“Net Proceeds Offer”

 

4.08

 

“Net Proceeds Deficiency”

 

4.08

 

“Note Guarantee”

 

10.01

 

“Offered Price”

 

4.08

 

“Parity Indebtedness Price”

 

4.08

 

“Paying Agent”

 

2.04

 

“Payment Amount”

 

4.08

 

“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

“Permitted Indebtedness”

 

4.06

 

“Permitted Parity Indebtedness”

 

4.10

(b)

“Recovery”

 

12.08

 

“Redesignation”

 

4.13

 

“Registrar”

 

2.04

 

 

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Term

 

Defined in Section

 

 

 

“Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

“Regulation S Notes”

 

2.02

(b)

“Restricted Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

“Rule 144A Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

“Rule 144A Notes”

 

2.02

(b)

“Successor”

 

5.01

 

“Temporary Regulation S Global Note

 

2.02

(b)

“Terminated Covenants”

 

4.21

 

 

SECTION 1.03.               Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes.

 

indenture securityholder ” means a Holder.

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee.

 

obligor on the indenture securities ” means the Issuer, the Guarantors or any other obligor on the Notes.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.04.               Rules of Construction .

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)           a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined expressly or by reference;

 

(2)           “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

(4)           words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

 

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

 

(6)           unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required

 

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to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer; and

 

(7)           “$,” “U.S. Dollars” and “United States Dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01.               Amount of Notes .

 

The Trustee shall authenticate (i) Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000 and (ii) subject to Section 4.06 and Section 4.10, Additional Notes in an unlimited principal amount, upon a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer.  The Officers’ Certificate shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, and the names and delivery instructions for each Holder.

 

Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate Notes in substitution for Notes originally issued to reflect any name change of the Issuer.  Any Additional Notes shall be part of the same issue as the Notes being issued on the date hereof and will vote on all matters as one class with the Notes being issued on the date hereof, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and Offers to Purchase.  For the purposes of this Indenture, except for Section 4.06, references to the Notes include Additional Notes, if any.

 

SECTION 2.02.               Form and Dating; Book Entry Provisions .

 

(a)           The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A , which is incorporated in and forms a part of this Indenture.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rule or usage to which the Issuer is subject.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

(b)           (i)  The Notes will be offered and sold by the Issuer pursuant to a Purchase Agreement.  The Notes will be resold initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.  Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, IAIs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein.  Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Rule 144A Global Note ”); and Notes initially resold to IAIs shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ IAI Global Note ”); and Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially  in the form of one or more temporary global securities in fully registered form (collectively, the “ Temporary Regulation S Global Note ”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities

 

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legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture.  Except as set forth in this Section 2.02(b), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note will not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, a permanent global security (the “ Permanent Regulation S Global Note ” and together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the “ Regulation S Global Note ”) or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note only upon certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that (i) beneficial ownership interests in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note are owned either by non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act and (ii) in the case of an exchange for an IAI Global Note, certification that the interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” under the Securities Act that is an institutional accredited investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investor.

 

(ii)           Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes or IAI Global Notes may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred to a Person (A) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (B) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and (C) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

(iii)          Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes and Rule 144A Global Notes may be exchanged for an interest in IAI Global Notes if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the securities in compliance with an exemption under the Securities Act and (2) the transferor of the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that (A) the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred to an “accredited investor” within the meaning of 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is an institutional investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of US$250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and (B) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

(iv)          Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).

 

(v)           The Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the Permanent Regulation S Global Note are collectively referred to herein as “ Global Notes ”.  The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased

 

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by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

 

(c)             Book-Entry Provisions .  This Section 2.02(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

 

(i)            The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.02(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (A) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depository and (B) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.

 

(ii)           Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)           Definitive Notes .  Except as provided in this Section 2.02 or Section 2.16 or 2.17, owners of beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

 

(e)           The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and agree to be bound thereby.

 

(f)            The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.03.               Execution and Authentication .

 

Two Officers shall sign, or one Officer shall sign and one Officer (each of whom shall, in each case, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate actions) shall attest to, the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly

 

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authenticated and delivered hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Note shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Note to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12, for all purposes of this Indenture such Note shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes.  Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate the Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer and Affiliates of the Issuer.  Each Paying Agent is designated as an authenticating agent for purposes of this Indenture.

 

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

SECTION 2.04.               Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which shall be located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, State of New York) where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer, if any, in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. If and for so long as the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the register of the Notes during regular business hours.  The Issuer may have one or more additional Paying Agents.  The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent.  The Issuer or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.

 

The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement, which shall incorporate the provisions of the TIA, with any Agent that is not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent.  If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.07. The Issuer or any wholly owned Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.05.               Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust .

 

On or prior to each due date of the principal or interest on any Notes, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes or the Guarantors), and the Issuer and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment.  If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer serves as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund.  Money

 

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held in trust by the Paying Agent need not be segregated except as required by law and in no event shall the Paying Agent be liable for any interest on any money received by it hereunder.  The Issuer at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2), upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith all money so held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent.  Upon making such payment, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06.               Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

 

SECTION 2.07.               Transfer and Exchange .

 

Subject to Sections 2.02(b), 2.16 and 2.17, when Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request from such Holder to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture are met.  Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorneys duly authorized in writing.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall issue and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) evidencing such transfer or exchange at the Registrar’s request.  No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange.  The Issuer may require from the Holder payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer taxes or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.06, 4.08, 4.20 or 8.05 (in which events the Issuer shall be responsible for the payment of such taxes).  The Registrar shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or of any Note selected, called or being called for redemption except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

Any Holder of the Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuer and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. Federal or state securities law.

 

Except as expressly provided herein, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the Issuer’s compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the Issuer’s compliance with any Federal or state securities laws.

 

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SECTION 2.08.                                              Replacement Notes .

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Trustee, or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) if such Holder furnishes to the Issuer and the Trustee evidence reasonably acceptable to them of the ownership and the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date of this Indenture are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond shall be posted by such Holder, sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any Paying Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if such Note is replaced.  The Issuer and the Trustee may charge such Holder for their  reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing such Note (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in replacing such Note.  Every replacement Note shall constitute a contractual obligation of the Issuer.

 

SECTION 2.09.                                              Outstanding Notes .

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for (a) those cancelled by it, (b) those delivered to it for cancellation, (c) to the extent set forth in Sections 9.01 and 9.02, on or after the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 9.01 or 9.02 have been satisfied, those Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and (d) those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding.  Subject to Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or one of its Affiliates holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer.

 

If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in its capacity as such, on any redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all accrued interest and principal with respect to the Notes payable on that date and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10.                                              Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, Notes owned by the Issuer or any other Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, only Notes as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes are so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee established to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, a Guarantor, any other obligor on the Notes or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

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SECTION 2.11.                                              Temporary Notes .

 

Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes.  Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.  Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Notes.

 

SECTION 2.12.                                              Cancellation .

 

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall (subject to the record-retention requirements of the Exchange Act) destroy cancelled Notes.  The Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Issuer.  The Issuer may not reissue or resell, or issue new Notes to replace, Notes that the Issuer has redeemed or paid, or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, other than in accordance with the express provisions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.13.                                              Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Issuer defaults on a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent permitted by law) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, in accordance with the terms hereof, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date.  The Issuer shall fix such special record date and payment date in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. The Issuer shall promptly mail to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on defaulted interest, if any, to be paid.  The Issuer may make payment of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements (if applicable) of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and, upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this sentence, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.14.                                              CUSIP Number .

 

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, ISIN and “Common Code” number (in each case if then generally in use), and if so, such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number shall be included in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such number either as printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.  The Issuer shall promptly notify, and in any event within 10 Business Days, the Trustee of any such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number used by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Notes and of any change in the CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number.

 

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SECTION 2.15.                                              Deposit of Moneys .

 

Prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Interest Payment Date and maturity date, the Issuer shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date or maturity date, as the case may be.  The principal and interest on Global Notes shall be payable to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the Global Notes represented thereby. The principal and interest on Physical Notes shall be payable, either in person or by mail, at the office of the Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.16.                                              Special Transfer Provisions .

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(ii)                                  if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.16(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

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

 

(B)                                 if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Issuer, a certification to that effect; or

 

(C)                                 if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act:  (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Issuer so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e)(i).

 

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(b)                                      Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note .  A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, an IAI Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below.  Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:

 

(i)                                      certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) being transferred to an IAI or (C) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note; and

 

(ii)                                  written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)), IAI Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(C)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,

 

then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled.  If no Rule 144A Global Notes, IAI Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, are then outstanding, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer, a new Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(c)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .

 

(i)                                     The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor.  A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Note.  The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

 

(ii)                                      If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date

 

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and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

 

(iii)                               Notwithstanding any other provisions of Article Two (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.17), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

 

(iv)                              In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.17, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.16 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer.

 

(d)                                 Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes .  During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to Issuer, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.

 

(e)                                  Legend .

 

(i)                                     Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof), in the case of Notes offered otherwise than in reliance on Regulation S, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION  UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.  EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III)

 

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TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

Each certificate evidencing a Note offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

Each Definitive Note shall also bear the following additional legend:

 

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

 

(ii)                                  Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).

 

(f)                                     Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note .  At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned to the Depository for cancellation or retained and canceled by the

 

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Trustee.  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

 

(g)                                 No Obligation of the Trustee .

 

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

 

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

 

SECTION 2.17.                                              Certificated Notes .

 

(a)                                   A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.02 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.16 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

(b)                                  Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of US$2,000 principal amount or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct.  Any Definitive

 

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Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.16(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted securities legend and definitive note legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(d)                                  In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.17(a) hereof, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.  In the event that the Definitive Notes are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Note to issue such Certificated Note, the Issuer expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Article 6 of the Indenture, the right of any beneficial holder of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Note that represents such beneficial holder’s Notes as if such Certificated Notes had been issued.

 

(e)                                   By its acceptance of any Note bearing any Legend in Section 2.16(e), each Holder of such Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in such Legend in Section 2.16(e) and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.

 

The Registrar shall retain for a period of two years copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.02 or this Section 2.17.  The Issuer shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable notice to the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.18.                                              Computation of Interest .

 

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.                                              Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, at least 40 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee), the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the conditions contained in paragraph 6 of the Notes.  Notice given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.01 may not be revoked after the time that notice is given to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03.

 

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SECTION 3.02.                                     Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed .

 

In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to a redemption made pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, selection of the Notes for redemption shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not then listed on a national security exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot; provided , however , that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.  If a partial redemption is made pursuant clause (c) of paragraph 6 of the Notes, selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of the Depository), unless that method is otherwise prohibited.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000.  For all purposes of this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.  The Issuer may acquire Notes by means other than redemption, whether pursuant to an Issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise, provided such acquisition does not otherwise violate the other terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.03.                                     Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. If the Issuer mails such notice to Holders, it shall mail a copy of such notice to the Trustee at the same time.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP numbers, ISIN and Common Code numbers, if any thereof) and shall state:

 

(1)                                   the Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                   the redemption price and the amount of premium (or the manner of calculation the redemption price and/or premium) and accrued interest to be paid;

 

(3)                                   if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;

 

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

 

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

 

(6)                                   that unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

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(7)                                   the provision of paragraph 6 of the Notes, pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(8)                                   the aggregate principal amount of Notes that are being redeemed.

 

At the Issuer’s written request made at least five Business Days prior to the date on which notice is to be given, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption prepared by the Issuer, in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s sole expense.  In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03.

 

SECTION 3.04.                                     Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date, provided that if the Redemption Date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date, and provided , further , that if a Redemption Date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the period from such Redemption Date to such succeeding Business Day. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

SECTION 3.05.                                     Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. Promptly after the calculation of the Redemption Price, the Issuer will give the Trustee and any Paying Agent written notice thereof.

 

On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on Notes called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Notes called for redemption will cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes will be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the first proviso in Section 3.04, accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to the Redemption Date.  If any Note surrendered for redemption shall not be so paid, interest will be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Note and any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.

 

SECTION 3.06.                                     Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder thereof a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

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SECTION 3.07.             Mandatory Redemption .

 

The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.             Payment of Notes .

 

The Issuer shall pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture.  An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment.

 

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal (including post-petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.

 

SECTION 4.02.             Reports to Holders .

 

(a)            Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders, or file electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system):

 

(1)            within 60 days of the end of any fiscal quarter (other than any fiscal end that coincides with the end of a fiscal year), all quarterly and, within 120 days of the end of any fiscal year, annual financial statements (including footnote disclosure) that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, as applicable, if the Issuer were required to file these Forms (other than separate financial statements of any subsidiary of the Issuer that would be due solely to the fact that such Subsidiary’s securities secure the Notes as required by Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (or any successor regulation)), and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Issuer’s certified independent accountants; and

 

(2)            all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file these reports to the extent such reports relate to the occurrence of any event which would require an 8-K to be filed pursuant to the following Items set forth in the instruction to Form 8-K: (i) Item 1.03 Bankruptcy or Receivership, (ii) Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition (in excess of $20.0 million), (iii)  Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement (other than with respect to lease obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in excess of $25.0 million), (iv) Item 2.04 Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement, (v) Item 2.06 Material Impairment, (vi) Item 4.01 Change in Certifying Accountant, (vii) Item 4.02 Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial

 

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Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review, (viii) Item 5.01 Change in Control and (ix) Item 5.02 Departure of Director or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;

 

provided , however , that (A) reports provided pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) shall not be required to comply with (i) Sections 302 (Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports), 906 (Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports) and 404 (Management Assessment of Internal Controls) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Items 307 (Disclosure Controls and Procedures), 308 (Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) and 402 (Executive Compensation) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) Regulation G under the Exchange Act or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K with respect to any non-U.S. GAAP financial measures contained therein and (B) reports and information provided pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) shall not be required to be accompanied by any exhibits consisting of commercial agreements (not including notes or other debt instruments) with customers and suppliers.

 

The Issuer shall deliver with each report referred to in clause (1) above, a schedule eliminating Unrestricted Subsidiaries and reconciling the same to the financial statements in such report.

 

(b)            The Issuer and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders and upon their request, to prospective investors and securities analysts, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

(c)            In the event that a direct or indirect parent becomes a Guarantor, if such parent has complied with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, and has furnished the Holders, or filed electronically with the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), the reports described herein with respect to such parent (including any consolidating financial information required by Regulation S-X relating to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent on the one hand, and the information relating to Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis on the other hand), the Issuer shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this covenant.

 

SECTION 4.03.             Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

 

Each of the Issuer and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive any of the Issuer and the Guarantors from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) each of the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.04.             Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default .

 

(a)            The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries

 

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during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuer and the Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Issuer and the Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and no Default occurred during such period (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action they are taking or propose to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuer and the Guarantors is taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)            The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default and what action the Issuer and the Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(c)            The Issuer’s fiscal year currently ends on December 31.  The Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee of any change in its fiscal year.

 

SECTION 4.05.             Payment of Obligations .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay its material obligations, including material tax liabilities before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.06.             Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur additional Indebtedness, in each case, if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00 (the “ Coverage Ratio Exception ”).

 

Notwithstanding the above, each of the following shall be permitted (the “ Permitted Indebtedness ”):

 

(1)            Indebtedness of the Issuer and any Guarantor under the Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $3,500,000,000, less , to the extent a permanent repayment and/or commitment reduction is required thereunder as a result of such application, the aggregate amount of Net Available Proceeds applied to repayments under the Credit Facilities in accordance with Section 4.08;

 

(2)            the Notes issued on the Issue Date and the Note Guarantees;

 

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(3)            Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent outstanding on the Issue Date after giving effect to the intended use of proceeds of the Notes (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1), (2) or (4));

 

(4)            (x) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer and (y) guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Indebtedness being owed to any Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (4);

 

(5)            Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

 

(6)            Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding $100.0 million;

 

(7)            Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

 

(8)            Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)            Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or clause (2) or (3) above or this clause (9);

 

(10)          indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing or in contemplation of any such acquisition; provided that (a) any amount of such obligations included on the face of the balance sheet of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be permitted under this clause (10) and (b) in the case of a disposition, the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such obligations outstanding under this clause (10) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

 

(11)          Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors in an aggregate amount not to exceed $425.0 million at any time outstanding (less the amount of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under clause (23) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” which Indebtedness is not incurred pursuant to this clause (11)); and

 

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(12)          Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.06, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described and may later reclassify any item of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above ( provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories), except that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred under clause (1) above.  In addition, for purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this Section 4.06, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included so long as incurred by a Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.

 

SECTION 4.07.             Limitations on Restricted Payments .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(1)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof; and

 

(2)            after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

The foregoing provisions shall not prohibit:

 

(1)            the payment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if on the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)            the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer shall be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement);

 

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(3)            the redemption of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer shall be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement), (b) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent incurrence of, Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 and the other terms of this Indenture or (c) upon a Change of Control or in connection with a sale of assets to the extent required by the agreement governing such Subordinated Indebtedness but only if the Issuer shall have complied with Section 4.08 and Section 4.20 and purchased all Notes validly tendered pursuant to the relevant offer prior to redeeming such Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(4)            (x) prior to the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to Parent to permit Parent, and which are used by Parent or (y) after the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to the Issuer to permit the Issuer, and which are used by the Issuer, to redeem Equity Interests of Parent or the Issuer, as the case may be, held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed $25.0 million during any twelve consecutive months;

 

(5)            payments to Parent permitted pursuant to clause (3) of Section 4.09;

 

(6)            repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if the Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof;

 

(7)            payments used solely to fund Parent Loan Purchases;

 

(8)            payments by the Issuer to Parent or its subsidiaries to the extent necessary to pay principal and interest when due in respect of Indebtedness of Parent and its subsidiaries allocated to the Liberty Media Interactive tracking stock or any comparable successor thereto;

 

(9)            Restricted Payments by the Issuer pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for directors, management, employees or consultants of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or

 

(10)          other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million;

 

provided that in the case of any Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (3), (7), (8) or (10) above, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

 

For purposes of this covenant, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.

 

SECTION 4.08.             Limitations on Asset Sales .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

 

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(1)            at the time of such transaction (or, if earlier, the date of the commitment to enter into such transaction) and after giving effect thereto and to the use of proceeds thereof, (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (b) the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied; and

 

(2)            if such Asset Sale involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents.

 

The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the conditions described in clause (1) above have been satisfied.

 

If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall, no later than 365 days following the consummation thereof, apply all or any of the Net Available Proceeds therefrom to:

 

(1)            satisfy all mandatory repayment obligations under the Credit Agreements arising by reason of such Asset Sale and, in the case of any such repayment under any revolving credit facility, effect a permanent reduction in the availability under such revolving credit facility;

 

(2)            with respect to Asset Sales of Collateral, repay other Permitted Parity Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors that ranks pari passu with the Notes;

 

(3)            repay any Indebtedness which was secured by the assets sold in such Asset Sale or any Indebtedness to which the Notes and the Note Guarantees are structurally subordinated; or

 

(4)            (A) invest all or any part of the Net Available Proceeds thereof in the purchase of assets (other than securities) to be used by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Permitted Business, (B) acquire Qualified Equity Interests in a Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary or in a Person engaged in a Permitted Business that shall become a Restricted Subsidiary immediately upon the consummation of such acquisition or (C) a combination of (A) and (B).

 

The amount of Net Available Proceeds not applied or invested as provided in this paragraph shall constitute “ Excess Proceeds .”  To the extent Net Available Proceeds are received by a Foreign Subsidiary and the Issuer determines that the application of such Net Available Proceeds in compliance with this paragraph would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, such Net Available Proceeds shall not be subject to the requirements of this paragraph and shall not be included in Excess Proceeds.

 

When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuer shall be required to make an offer to purchase from all Holders and, if applicable, redeem (or make an offer to do so) any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes of the Issuer and the Guarantors the provisions of which require the Issuer to redeem such Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Sales (or offer to do so), in an aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes equal to the amount of such Excess Proceeds as follows:

 

(1)            the Issuer shall (a) make an offer to purchase (a “ Net Proceeds Offer ”) to all Holders in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture, and (b) redeem (or make an offer to do so) any such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes,

 

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pro rata in proportion to the respective principal amounts of the Notes and such other Indebtedness required to be redeemed, the maximum principal amount of Notes and other Indebtedness that may be redeemed out of the amount (the “ Payment Amount ”) of such Excess Proceeds;

 

(2)            the offer price for the Notes shall be payable in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date such Net Proceeds Offer is consummated (the “ Offered Price ”), in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture, and the redemption price for such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes (the “ Parity Indebtedness Price ”) shall be as set forth in the related documentation governing such Indebtedness;

 

(3)            if the aggregate Offered Price of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by Holders thereof exceeds the pro rata portion of the Payment Amount allocable to the Notes, Notes to be purchased shall be selected on a pro rata basis; and

 

(4)            upon completion of such Net Proceeds Offer in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the amount of Excess Proceeds with respect to which such Net Proceeds Offer was made shall be deemed to be zero.

 

To the extent that the sum of the aggregate Offered Price of Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer and the aggregate Parity Indebtedness Price paid to the holders of such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness is less than the Payment Amount relating thereto (such shortfall constituting a “ Net Proceeds Deficiency ”), the Issuer may use the Net Proceeds Deficiency, or a portion thereof, for general corporate purposes, subject to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

In the event of the transfer of substantially all (but not all) of the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a Person in a transaction covered by and effected in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor shall be deemed to have sold for cash at Fair Market Value the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries not so transferred for purposes of this covenant, and the successor shall comply with the provisions of this covenant with respect to such deemed sale as if it were an Asset Sale (with such Fair Market Value being deemed to be Net Available Proceeds for such purpose).

 

The Issuer shall comply with applicable tender offer rules, including the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.08, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.08 by virtue of this compliance.

 

SECTION 4.09.             Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length

 

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basis by the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

 

(1)            transactions between or among the Issuer and its Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate;

 

(2)            reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, and Stock Compensation Plans) and indemnification arrangements;

 

(3)            transactions pursuant to the Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(4)            loans and advances permitted by clause (3) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

 

(5)            Restricted Payments of the type described in clause (1), (2) or (4) of the definition of “Restricted Payment” and which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;

 

(6)            (x) any agreement in effect on the Issue Date and disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, as in effect on the Issue Date or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner, that, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Holders or the Issuer in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Issue Date or (y) any transaction pursuant to any agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x);

 

(7)            any transaction with a joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such joint venture or similar entity; provided that no Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have a beneficial interest in such joint venture or similar entity;

 

(8)            ordinary overhead arrangements in which any Subsidiary participates; and

 

(9)            (a) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary is Qualified Equity Interests or (b) the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests.

 

SECTION 4.10.             Limitations on Liens .

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) of any nature whatsoever against any assets (including Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, which Lien secures Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or trade payables.

 

(b)            The provisions in the preceding clause (a) shall not apply to Liens on Collateral to secure Indebtedness (“ Permitted Parity Indebtedness ”) in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding

 

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the sum of (x) the amount of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (1) of Section 4.06 and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued hereunder on the Issue Date; provided that (i) such Permitted Parity Indebtedness, shall be secured by a Lien that is equal and ratable or junior to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees, (ii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is not incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees and (iii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the secured parties under the Credit Agreements as in effect on the Issue Date unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees; provided that, at a time when there are no Credit Agreements outstanding, Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes may be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral ratably with the holders of any other such Indebtedness and the holders of the Notes in proportion to the amount of obligations under such Indebtedness.

 

Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreements on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to this clause (b).

 

SECTION 4.11.             Additional Note Guarantees .

 

If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) becomes a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) guarantees any Indebtedness under any Permitted Parity Indebtedness or (c) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(1)            execute and deliver to the Trustee (a) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, (b) a notation of guarantee in respect of its Note Guarantee and (c) execute joinders in respect of the applicable Security Documents and take the actions required thereby to perfect the security interests created thereby; and

 

(2)            deliver to the Trustee one or more opinions of counsel that such supplemental indenture (a) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary qualifications).

 

SECTION 4.12.       Limitations on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

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(a)            pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Equity Interests;

 

(b)            make loans or advances or pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(c)            transfer any of its assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

 

except for:

 

(1)            encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of applicable law, regulation or order;

 

(2)            encumbrances or restrictions existing under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents;

 

(3)            non-assignment provisions of any contract or any lease entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(4)            encumbrances or restrictions existing under agreements existing on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements) as in effect on that date;

 

(5)            restrictions relating to any Lien permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien that limit the right of the relevant obligor to transfer assets that are subject to such Lien;

 

(6)            restrictions imposed under any agreement to sell assets permitted under this Indenture to any Person pending the closing of such sale;

 

(7)            any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired;

 

(8)            any other agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are not materially more restrictive with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(9)            customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements and other similar agreements that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or similar Person;

 

(10)          Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred in compliance with Section 4.06 that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the assets acquired;

 

(11)          restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

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(12)          any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

 

SECTION 4.13.             Limitations on Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary) of the Issuer as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” under this Indenture (a “ Designation ”) only if:

 

(1)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Designation; and

 

(2)            at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Designation, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

No Subsidiary shall be Designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” unless such Subsidiary:

 

(1)            has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt (it being understood that a Subsidiary may have provided a Note Guarantee prior to the time it was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) and other obligations arising by operation of law, including joint and several liability for taxes, ERISA obligations and similar items, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;

 

(2)            is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of the agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding comply with Section 4.09;

 

(3)            is a Person with respect to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve the Person’s financial condition or to cause the Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07; and

 

(4)            shall not become a Subsidiary of the Issuer or its other Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) where the Issuer or such other Subsidiary shall become a general partner of any such Subsidiary.

 

If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary fails to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture on the date that is 30 days after the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has obtained knowledge of such failure (unless such failure has been cured by such date), and any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary and any Liens on assets of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary at such time and, if the Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 or the Lien is not permitted under Section 4.10, the Issuer shall be in default of the applicable covenant.

 

The Issuer may redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (a “ Redesignation ”) only if:

 

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(1)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of and after giving effect to such Redesignation; and

 

(2)            all Liens, Indebtedness and Investments of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Redesignation would, if incurred or made at such time, have been permitted to be incurred or made for all purposes of this Indenture.

 

All Designations and Redesignations must be evidenced by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions.

 

SECTION 4.14.             Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

 

(1)            the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have (a) incurred the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.06 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.10 or the lease in the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is not a capital lease and the aggregate proceeds from such arrangements since the Issue Date do not exceed $100.0 million; and

 

(2)            the transfer of assets in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction in accordance with Section 4.08.

 

SECTION 4.15.             Conduct of Business .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its line of business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date (other than businesses incidental or related thereto).

 

SECTION 4.16.             Maintenance of Properties; Insurance .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies or in accordance with self insurance practices, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of similar size engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

SECTION 4.17.             Compliance with Laws .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so would not be adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

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SECTION 4.18.             Existence .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 5.01, and the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, franchise, permit, license or legal existence with respect to itself or any Restricted Subsidiary if the Issuer shall determine in good faith the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 4.19.             Payments for Consent .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

SECTION 4.20.             Change of Control Offer .

 

Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require that the Issuer purchase that Holder’s Notes for a cash price (the “ Change of Control Purchase Price ”) equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to the date of purchase.

 

Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall mail, or caused to be mailed, to the Holders a notice:

 

(1)            describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control;

 

(2)            offering to purchase, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in the notice (a “ Change of Control Offer ”), on a date specified in the notice (which shall be a Business Day not earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date the notice is mailed) and for the Change of Control Purchase Price, all Notes properly tendered by such Holder pursuant to such Change of Control Offer; and

 

(3)            describing the procedures that Holders must follow to accept the Change of Control Offer.  The Change of Control Offer is required to remain open for at least 20 Business Days or for such longer period as is required by law.

 

The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the date of purchase.

 

The Issuer’s obligation to make a Change of Control Offer shall be satisfied if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner and at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

 

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The Issuer shall comply with applicable tender offer rules, including the requirements of Rule 14e-l under the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions under this Section 4.20, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.20 by virtue of this compliance.

 

SECTION 4.21.             Fall-Away Event .

 

If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have investment grade ratings from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, and the Issuer has delivered written notice of such investment grade ratings to the Trustee, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day and continuing at all times thereafter regardless of any subsequent changes in the ratings of the Notes or the occurrence of any Default, the provisions in the following sections shall no longer be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the “ Terminated Covenants ”):  Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.12 and clause (3) of Section 5.01.

 

No Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture or the Notes with respect to the Terminated Covenants based on, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring after the Notes attain an investment grade rating, regardless of whether such actions or event would have been permitted if the applicable Terminated Covenants remained in effect.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 5.01.             Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations, etc .

 

The Issuer shall not, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person, or sell, lease, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of or assign all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) or (b) adopt a Plan of Liquidation unless, in either case:

 

(1)            either:

 

(a)            the Issuer shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

(b)            the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall be made (or, in the case of a Plan of Liquidation, any Person to which assets are transferred) (collectively, the “ Successor ”) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia, and the Successor expressly assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture;

 

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(2)            immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations as set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(3)            immediately after and giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.01, any Indebtedness of the Successor which was not Indebtedness of the Issuer immediately prior to the transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred in connection with such transaction.

 

Except as provided in Section 10.04, no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, unless:

 

(1)            either:

 

(a)            such Guarantor shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

(b)            the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger is another Guarantor or assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, this Indenture and the Security Documents; and

 

(2)            immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, the Equity Interests of which constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

 

Upon any consolidation, combination or merger of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing, in which the Issuer or such Guarantor is not the continuing obligor under the Notes or its Note Guarantee, the surviving entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or the Person to which the conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named therein as the Issuer or such Guarantor and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes or in respect of its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and all of the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s other obligations and covenants under the Notes, this Indenture and its Note Guarantee, if applicable.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially

 

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all of its assets to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, that the surviving entity remains or becomes a Guarantor.

 

SECTION 5.02.             Successor Person Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary herein, and thereafter the predecessor entity shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01.             Events of Default .

 

Each of the following shall be an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(1)            failure by the Issuer to pay interest on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for 30 days;

 

(2)            failure by the Issuer to pay the principal on any of the Notes when it becomes due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption, upon purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;

 

(3)            failure by the Issuer to comply with Section 5.01 or in respect of its obligations to make a Change of Control Offer;

 

(4)            failure by the Issuer to comply with any other agreement or covenant in this Indenture and continuance of this failure for 30 days after notice of the failure has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

 

(5)            default under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument or agreement under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is incurred after the Issue Date, which default:

 

(a)            is caused by a failure to pay at final maturity principal on such Indebtedness within the applicable express grace period and any extensions thereof,

 

(b)            results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express final maturity, or

 

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(c)            results in the commencement of judicial proceedings to foreclose upon, or to exercise remedies under applicable law or applicable security documents to take ownership of, the assets securing such Indebtedness, and

 

in each case, the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with any other Indebtedness with respect to which an event described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and is continuing, aggregates $50.0 million or more (and provided that, for purposes of this clause (5) only, “Indebtedness” shall include any Hedging Obligations with the “principal amount” of any Hedging Obligations at any time being the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if the agreement with respect to such Hedging Obligations terminated at such time);

 

(6)            one or more judgments or orders that exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) for the payment of money have been entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or judgments have not been satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;

 

(7)            the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(a)            commences a voluntary case,

 

(b)            consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(c)            consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its assets, or

 

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

 

(8)            a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(a)            is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

(b)            appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary, or

 

(c)            orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary,

 

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

 

(9)            any Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Note Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Note Guarantee

 

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(other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Note Guarantee);

 

(10)         (a) the security interest under the Security Documents, at any time, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) any security interest created thereunder or under this Indenture is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or (c) the Issuer, any Guarantor, any Parent Pledgor or any of their respective Affiliates asserts, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable; or

 

(11)         (i) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Parent Pledgor in the Parent Pledge Agreement or any amendment, modification or waiver in respect thereof shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made, (ii) any Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 4.3 or 4.5 of the Parent Pledge Agreement, (iii) any Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in the Parent Pledge Agreement (other than those specified in clause (i) or (ii) above, and, in the case of this clause (iii), such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement) to the applicable Parent Pledgor, (iv) there shall exist any Lien on the Equity Interests of the Issuer other than Liens created by the Parent Pledge Agreement and Liens securing the Notes and Permitted Parity Indebtedness, (v) the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement) shall cease, for any reason, to have a perfected first priority Lien on all issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Issuer, or (vi) the Issuer shall issue any Equity Interests to any Person other than a Person that is or concurrently becomes a party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.02.              Acceleration .

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor) shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, the Trustee, by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable immediately.  Upon such declaration of acceleration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes shall immediately become due and payable; provided , however , that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such outstanding Notes may, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice.

 

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided , however , that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

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SECTION 6.03.              Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture and, subject to the terms thereof, the Security Documents and may take any necessary action requested of it as Trustee to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which it is a party.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative.  Any costs associated with actions taken by the Trustee under this Section 6.03 shall be reimbursed to the Trustee by the Issuer.

 

SECTION 6.04.              Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default .

 

Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.08 and 8.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding have the right to waive any existing Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.05.              Control by Majority .

 

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture.  The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder not taking part in such direction, and the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed may result in costs and expenses of the Trustee for which it has no source of payment or recovery or involve it in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 6.06.              Limitation on Suits .

 

No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless the Trustee:

 

(1)           has failed to act for a period of 60 days after receiving written notice of a continuing Event of Default by such Holder and a request to act by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding;

 

(2)           has been offered indemnity satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment; and

 

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(3)           has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such request.

 

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of any Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such Note on or after the due date therefor (after giving effect to the grace period specified in clause (1) of Section 6.01).

 

SECTION 6.07.              No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or this Indenture or of any Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

SECTION 6.08.              Rights of Holders To Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest of the Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.09.              Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor on the Notes) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate set forth in the Notes.

 

SECTION 6.10.              Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or

 

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composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceedings.

 

SECTION 6.11.              Priorities .

 

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents and any intercreditor agreement with the holders of Permitted Party Indebtedness, if the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

FIRST:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND:  to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest as to each, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes; and

 

THIRD:  to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount from any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.11.  At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

SECTION 6.12.              Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.08 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01.              Duties of Trustee .

 

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

 

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

 

(1)           the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(2)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

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

 

(4)           no provision hereof shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its rights, powers or duties if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(d)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section 7.01 shall govern every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.

 

(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss, liability, expense or fee.

 

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

 

(g)           Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provision of the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.02.              Rights of Trustee .

 

Subject to Section 7.01:

 

(1)           The Trustee may rely on any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(2)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 11.05.

 

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The Trustee shall be protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

 

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

 

(4)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(5)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(6)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except (i) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 or (ii) any Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written notification or otherwise obtained actual knowledge.  In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no Default except as aforesaid.

 

(7)           The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture, and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any such rights or powers, unless it shall have been offered reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the cost, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it in connection with such exercise of its rights or powers.

 

(8)           The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any Officers’ Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any Opinion of Counsel), notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, upon reasonable notice to the Issuer, to examine the books, records, and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the investigation.  Except with respect to Sections 4.01, 4.02 (subject to paragraph 12 below) and 4.04, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ covenants set forth herein.

 

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

 

(10)         The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties hereunder.

 

(11)         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 to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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(12)         Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officers’ Certificate).

 

SECTION 7.03.              Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for or otherwise deal with the either of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any Affiliates thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04.              Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or any Guarantee, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s use of the proceeds from the sale of Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or any Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and it shall not be responsible for the use or application of money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for any statement in the Notes, Note Guarantee, this Indenture or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.              Notice of Defaults .

 

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided , however , that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is not opposed to the interest of the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.06.              Reports by Trustee to Holders .

 

If required by TIA § 313(a), within 60 days after May 15 of any year, commencing May 15, 2010, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a).  The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2).  The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c) and TIA § 313(d).

 

Reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be transmitted by mail:

 

(1)           to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Registrar’s books; and

 

(2)           to such Holders as have, within the two years preceding such transmission, filed their names and addresses with the Trustee for that purpose.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed.  The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee, and in

 

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any event within 10 Business Days, when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.07.              Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall pay to the Trustee and Agents from time to time reasonable compensation for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as agreed to from time to time by the Trustee and the Issuer.  The Issuer and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee and Agents upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including without limitation taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee or such Agent) and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by each of them in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (including, without limitation, settlement costs).  The Trustee or Agent shall notify the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee or Agent for which it may seek indemnity.  However, the failure by the Trustee or Agent to so notify the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Issuer and Guarantors of their obligations hereunder except to the extent the Issuer and the Guarantors are prejudiced thereby.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and the Guarantors need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.  To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.  The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, discharge or other termination of this Indenture, including any termination or rejection hereof under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

For purposes of this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall include any trustee appointed pursuant to this Article Seven.

 

SECTION 7.08.              Replacement of Trustee .

 

The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by notifying the Issuer and the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Issuer’s

 

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written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Issuer may remove the Trustee at its election if:

 

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

 

(2)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

 

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

 

(4)           the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  If a Trustee is removed with or without cause, all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Trustee incurred in the administration of the trust or in performing the duties hereunder shall be paid to the Trustee.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer.  Immediately following such delivery, the retiring Trustee shall, subject to its rights under Section 7.07, transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09.              Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc .

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another entity, subject to Section 7.10, the successor entity without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided such entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Seven.

 

SECTION 7.10.              Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1) and (2) in every respect.  The Trustee (together with its corporate parent) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in the most recent applicable published annual report of condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b), including the provision in § 310(b)(1).

 

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SECTION 7.11.              Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer .

 

The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311 (b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

SECTION 7.12.              Paying Agents .

 

The Issuer shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:

 

(A)          that it will hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee;

 

(B)           that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and

 

(C)           that it will give the Trustee written notice within three (3) Business Days of any failure of the Issuer (or by any obligor on the Notes) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 8.01.              Without Consent of Holders .

 

The Issuer and the Trustee may amend, waive or supplement this Indenture, the Security Agreement, the Note Guarantees or the Notes without prior notice to or consent of any Holder:

 

(1)           to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders pursuant to Section 5.01;

 

(2)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(3)           to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(4)           to add Note Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;

 

(5)           to release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture (to the extent permitted by this Indenture);

 

(6)           to qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

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(7)           to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the Notes;

 

(8)           to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

 

(9)           to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any other Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent or Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the obligations under the Notes and this Indenture in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise;

 

(10)         to add or remove holders of any Permitted Parity Indebtedness (or any agent acting on their behalf) to or from any Security Documents or to release Collateral from the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or this Indenture; or

 

(11)         to make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder.

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.  The consent of the Holders is not necessary under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment.  It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

 

SECTION 8.02.              With Consent of Holders .

 

(a)           Subject to clause (b) of this Section 8.02, this Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of, this Indenture may be waived (other than any continuing Default in the payment of the principal or interest on the Notes) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; provided that, without the consent of each Holder affected, no amendment or waiver may:

 

(1)           reduce, or change the maturity of, the principal of any Note;

 

(2)           reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(3)           reduce any premium payable upon redemption of the Notes or change the date on, or the circumstances under, which any Notes are subject to redemption (other than provisions relating to the purchase of Notes described in Sections 4.08 and 4.20, except that if a Change of Control has occurred, no amendment or other modification of the obligation of the Issuer to make

 

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a Change of Control Offer relating to such Change of Control shall be made without the consent of each Holder affected);

 

(4)           make any Note payable in money or currency other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(5)           modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the Holders;

 

(6)           reduce the percentage of Holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(7)           waive a default in the payment of principal of or premium or interest on any Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders thereof as provided in this Indenture and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(8)           impair the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes on or after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Notes;

 

(9)           release any Guarantor that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except as permitted by this Indenture or amend the definition of Material Domestic Subsidiary in a manner adverse to Holders; or

 

(10)         make any change in this Section 8.02.

 

(b)           In addition, without the consent of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver may modify any Security Document or the provisions of this Indenture dealing with the Security Documents or application of trust moneys, or otherwise release any Collateral, in each case in any manner that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Holders to equally and ratably share in the Liens provided for in the Security Documents in a manner that is materially disproportionate to the effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver on the holders of the other obligations secured by the Security Documents.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 8.06, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

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SECTION 8.03.               Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 8.04.               Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Note or portion thereof, and of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Note.  Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of a Note, if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective.

 

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver.  If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

 

After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (10) of Section 8.02.  In that case the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note.

 

SECTION 8.05.               Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) shall request the Holder (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) to deliver it to the Trustee.  In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue, the Guarantors shall endorse, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 8.06.               Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc .

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Eight if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it.  In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.01, shall be fully protected in relying conclusively upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to the matters required by Section 11.04, that such amendment, supplement or

 

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waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent required hereunder to such amendment, supplement or waiver have been satisfied.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 9.01.               Discharge of Indenture .

 

The Issuer may terminate its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.01, if

 

(1)            all the Notes that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from this trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

 

(2)            (a)  all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable, or may be called for redemption, within one year or (iii) have been called for redemption pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest) to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness (including all principal and accrued interest) on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

(b)            the Issuer has paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture, and

 

(c)            the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

 

After such delivery, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified below.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer in Sections 7.07, 9.05 and 9.06 shall survive.

 

SECTION 9.02.               Legal Defeasance .

 

The Issuer may at its option, by Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantors discharged from their

 

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obligations under the Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”).  For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall, subject to Section 9.06, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and Issuer acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.11 and 4.18, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07) and (d) this Article Nine.  Subject to compliance with this Article Nine, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 9.02 with respect to the Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.03 with respect to the Notes.

 

SECTION 9.03.               Covenant Defeasance .

 

At the option of the Issuer, pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, (x) the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Sections 4.02 (except for obligations mandated by the TIA), 4.05 through 4.16, inclusive, 4.20 and clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 and (y) clauses (4), (5), (6) and (9) of Section 6.01 shall no longer apply with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”).  For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

 

SECTION 9.04.               Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 to the outstanding Notes:

 

(1)            the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer, to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the stated date for payment or on the redemption date of the principal or installment of principal of or interest on the Notes,

 

(2)            in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States confirming that:

 

(a)            the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling, or

 

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(b)            since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(3)            in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(4)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

 

(5)            the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute (a) a Default under this Indenture or (b) a default under any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound (other than any such Default or default resulting solely from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

 

(6)            the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by it with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other of its creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other of its creditors or others, and

 

(7)            the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions provided for in, in the case of the Officers’ Certificate, clauses (1) through (6) and, in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, clauses (2) and/or (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied with.

 

If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, then the Issuer’s obligations and the obligations of Guarantors under this Indenture will be revived and no such defeasance will be deemed to have occurred.

 

SECTION 9.05.                                       Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent, to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Issuer and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis) pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.04 or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article Nine to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 9.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

SECTION 9.06.               Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01; provided that if the Issuer or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 9.07.               Moneys Held by Paying Agent .

 

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon written demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.04, to the Issuer (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

SECTION 9.08.               Moneys Held by Trustee .

 

Subject to applicable law, any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Issuer (or, if appropriate, the Guarantors), or if such moneys are then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, either mail to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.03, or cause to be published once a

 

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week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.  After payment to the Issuer or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the Issuer or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

SECTION 10.01.             Guarantee .

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees (each, a “ Note Guarantee ” and collectively, the “ Note Guarantees ”) to each Holder (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all other Obligations and due and punctual performance of all obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of such Note, this Indenture, and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note, this Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or such Guarantor.

 

Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon.  Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.

 

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SECTION 10.02.             Execution and Delivery of Guarantee .

 

To further evidence the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit C hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Note Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer or an Officer of a general partner, as the case may be, of each Guarantor.  The validity and enforceability of any Note Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.

 

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

 

If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

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

 

SECTION 10.03.             Limitation of Guarantee .

 

The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.  Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Guarantor.

 

SECTION 10.04.             Release of Guarantor .

 

A Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture and the Security Documents:

 

(1)            in the event of dissolution of such Guarantor;

 

(2)            if such Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or

 

(3)            upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Credit Agreements or such other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee,

 

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and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.

 

The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article Ten.

 

SECTION 10.05.             Waiver of Subrogation .

 

Until the Notes have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or Note on account of such claim or other rights.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.  Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 10.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01.             Trust Indenture Act Controls .

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.  If any provision of this Indenture modifies any TIA provision that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified.  If any provision of this Indenture excludes any TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision shall be excluded from this Indenture.

 

The provisions of TIA §§ 310 through 317 that impose duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.

 

SECTION 11.02.             Notices .

 

Except for notice or communications to Holders, any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in person, sent by facsimile, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

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If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

 

QVC, INC.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

Fax Number:  (484) 701-1380

 

with copies to:

 

QVC, Inc.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention:  General Counsel

Fax Number:  (484) 701-1021

 

and

 

Liberty Media Corporation

12300 Liberty Boulevard

Englewood, CO 80112

Attention:  Treasurer

Fax:  (220) 875-5915

 

with, in the case of any notice furnished pursuant to Article Six, a copy to:

 

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

633 17th Street, Suite 3000

Denver, Colorado 80202

Attention:  Steve Miller

Fax Number:  (303) 298-0940

 

If to the Trustee:

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Corporate Trust Service

Two Liberty Place

50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station:  EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attention:  George J. Rayzis

Fax Number:  (215) 761-9412

 

Such notices or communications shall be effective when received and shall be sufficiently given if so given within the time prescribed in this Indenture.

 

The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by written notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

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Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to him by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.  If a notice or communication to a Holder is mailed in the manner provided above, it shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

SECTION 11.03.             Communications by Holders with Other Holders .

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.  The Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04.             Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)            an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)            an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05.             Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion .

 

Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Guarantor with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the Officers’ Certificate required by Sections 3.01 or 4.04) shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture and shall include:

 

(1)            a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

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

 

(3)            a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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(4)                                   a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to such matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificate of public officials, and provided , further , that an Opinion of Counsel may have customary qualifications for opinions of the type required.

 

SECTION 11.06.                                    Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or meetings of Holders.  The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 11.07.                                    Business Days; Legal Holidays .

 

A “ Business Day ” is a day that is not a Legal Holiday.  A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which (i) commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to close or (ii) the New York Stock Exchange is not open for trading.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 11.08.                                    Governing Law .

 

This Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York.

 

SECTION 11.09.                                    Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

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

 

SECTION 11.10.                                    Force Majeure .

 

In no event shall the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

 

SECTION 11.11.                                    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Issuer or any Subsidiary.  No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 11.12.                                    No Recourse Against Others .

 

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or of any successor corporation or against the property or assets of any such stockholder, officer, employee or director, either directly or through the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the Notes are solely obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any stockholder, officer, employee or director of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes or implied there from, and that any and all such personal liability of, and any and all claims against every stockholder, officer, employee and director, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Notes.  It is understood that this limitation on recourse is made expressly for the benefit of any such shareholder, employee, officer or director and may be enforced by any of them.

 

SECTION 11.13.                                    Successors .

 

All agreements of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors.  All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

SECTION 11.14.                                    Multiple Counterparts .

 

The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture.  Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.

 

SECTION 11.15.                                    Table of Contents, Headings, etc .

 

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

 

SECTION 11.16.                                    Separability .

 

Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.17.                                    USA Patriot Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and Agents, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism

 

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and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account.  The parties to this agreement agree that they will provide the Trustee and the Agents with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

SECTION 12.01.                                    Security Documents; Additional Collateral .

 

(a)                                   The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when due, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise and whether by the Issuer pursuant to the Notes or by any Guarantor pursuant to its Note Guarantees, the payment of all secured obligations under the Security Documents, and the performance of all other obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents are secured by Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders prior to all other Liens except for Permitted Liens, as provided in the Security Documents, and will be secured as provided in the Security Documents hereafter delivered as required or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the ratable benefit of the Trustee and the Holders and the other secured parties under the Security Document as provided therein and enforcing their rights (in their capacity as such) with respect to the Collateral, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents.  Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the applicable Security Documents, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith.  The Issuer shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Security Documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 12.01(a), to assure and confirm to the Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured thereby, according to the intent and purposes therein expressed.  The Issuer shall, and shall cause each Guarantor to, and each Guarantor shall, make all filings (including filings of continuation statements and amendments to Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) and take all other actions as are required by the Security Documents to maintain (at the sole cost and expense of the Issuer and Guarantors) the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders as a valid and enforceable first priority perfected lien and security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens.

 

(b)                                  Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall take or omit to take any action that would materially adversely affect or impair the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Collateral.  Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall enter into any agreement that requires the proceeds received from any sale of Collateral to be applied to repay, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness of any Person, other than as permitted by this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents.

 

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(c)                                   Promptly upon the acquisition by the Issuer or any Guarantor of assets that constitute Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents (including any property acquired after the date of this Indenture that constitutes Collateral to which a perfected first priority Lien is not established upon the Issuer’s acquisition of such Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents) (“ After-Acquired Property ”), (i) the Issuer or such Guarantor and the Collateral Agent shall enter into such amendments or supplements to the Security Documents, or security agreements, pledge agreements or other documents, in each case as necessary to perfect the Lien with respect to such After-Acquired Property as required by the Security Documents (“ After-Acquired Collateral Documents ”); and (ii) the Issuer shall also deliver to the Collateral Agent the evidence of payment of all filing fees, recording and registration charges, transfer taxes and other costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent (and any local counsel), that may be incurred to validly and effectively subject the After-Acquired Property to the Lien of any applicable Security Document and perfect such Lien.

 

SECTION 12.02.                                    Collateral Agent .

 

(a)                                   The Collateral Agent shall determine the time and method by which the security interests in the Collateral shall be enforced and shall have the sole and exclusive right to manage, perform and enforce the terms of the Security Documents relating to the Collateral and to exercise and enforce all privileges, rights and remedies thereunder, including to take or retake control or possession of such Collateral and to hold, prepare for sale, marshal, process, sell, lease, dispose of or liquidate such Collateral, including, without limitation, following the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

(b)                                  Prior to the repayment in full in cash of all obligations under the Credit Agreements, neither the Trustee nor the Holders shall be entitled to exercise or be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent, including the right to enforce the actions pursuant to the Security Documents, request any action, institute proceedings, give any instructions or notices, make any election, make collections, sell or otherwise foreclose on any portion of the Collateral or receive any payment (except for the right to receive payments as expressly set forth under the Security Documents).

 

(c)                                   None of the Collateral Agent, any lender or agent of the secured obligations under the Security Documents shall be liable to the Trustee or the Holders for any actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of the security interests on the Collateral, actions with respect to the occurrence of a default or an event of default, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release, or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the obligations under the Notes from any debtor, guarantor or any other party or the valuation, use or protection of the Collateral.

 

SECTION 12.03.                                    Release of Collateral .

 

(a)                                   The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be entitled to the release of the following property and other assets constituting Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees under any one or more of the following circumstances:

 

(1)                                   in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms hereof, the property and assets of such Guarantor;

 

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(2)                                   concurrently with any release of such Collateral under both Credit Agreements and all other then outstanding Permitted Parity Indebtedness;

 

(3)                                   any Collateral that is sold (other than any such sale to another grantor of Collateral) in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreements;

 

(4)                                   as described under the second paragraph of Section 8.02; or

 

(5)                                   upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid or (ii) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance hereunder made in accordance with Section 9.04 or a discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01.

 

(b)                                  Upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent hereunder and under the Security Documents (and TIA Section 314(d)), if any, to such release have been met and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall, to the extent it may do so under the applicable Security Documents, or shall cause the Collateral Agent to, execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents.  Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in good faith in reliance upon any such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Security Document to the contrary, the Trustee and Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

SECTION 12.04.                                    Filing, Recording and Opinions .

 

(a)                                   The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314 to the extent applicable.  To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall cause TIA § 313(b), relating to reports, TIA § 314(b), relating to opinions, and TIA § 314(d), relating to the release of property or securities subject to the Lien of the Security Documents, to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) shall be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person will be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

(b)                                  Any release of Collateral permitted by Section 12.03 hereof shall be deemed not to impair the Liens under this Indenture and the Security Documents in contravention hereof and thereof. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) shall be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.04, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries will not be required to comply with all or any portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if they determine in good faith, based on the advice of counsel, that under the terms of that section and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or the relevant portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture

 

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Act is inapplicable to the released Collateral.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain no action letters issued by the SEC have permitted an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act to contain provisions permitting the release of collateral from Liens under such indenture in the ordinary course of the issuer’s business without requiring the issuer to provide certificates and other documents under Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Issuer and the Guarantors may, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, among other things, without any release or consent by the Collateral Agent, conduct ordinary course activities with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation, (i) selling or otherwise disposing of, in any transaction or series of related transactions, any property subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that has become worn out, defective, obsolete or not used or useful in the business; (ii) abandoning, terminating, canceling, releasing or making alterations in or substitutions of any leases or contracts subject to the Lien of this Indenture or any of the Security Documents; (iii) surrendering or modifying any franchise, license or permit subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that it may own or under which it may be operating; (iv) altering, repairing, replacing, changing the location or position of and adding to its structures, machinery, systems, equipment, fixtures and appurtenances; (v) granting a license of any intellectual property; (vi) selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (vii) collecting accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business as permitted by Section 4.08; (viii) making cash payments (including for the repayment of Indebtedness or interest) from cash that is at any time part of the Collateral in the ordinary course of business that are not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents; and (ix) abandoning any intellectual property that is no longer used or useful in the Issuer’s business.

 

SECTION 12.05.                                    Possession and Use of Collateral .

 

Subject to the provisions of the Security Documents, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of and to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to operate, manage, develop, lease, use, consume and enjoy the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to alter or repair any Collateral so long as such alterations and repairs do not impair the Lien of the Security Documents thereon, and to collect, receive, use, invest and dispose of the reversions, remainders, interest, rents, lease payments, issues, profits, revenues, proceeds and other income thereof.

 

SECTION 12.06.                                    Authorization of Actions To Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents

 

(a)                                   The Holders agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by the Security Documents.  Furthermore, each Holder, by accepting such Note and the Trustee hereby appoints JPMorgan (and any of its successors) as collateral agent under the Security Documents and consents to the terms of and authorizes and directs the Trustee (in each of its capacities) and the Collateral Agent to enter into and perform the Security Documents in each of its capacities thereunder.

 

(b)                                  The Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

(c)                                   The Issuer and the Holders each acknowledge that the Trustee may, but is not required to, act as collateral agent under any of the Security Documents.

 

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SECTION 12.07.                                    Purchase Protected .

 

In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Collateral Agent to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article Twelve to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

 

SECTION 12.08.                                    Reinstatement; Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee .

 

(a)                                   To the extent any Secured Party is required in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay any amount, including with respect to the Obligations or proceeds of any Collateral, to the estate of the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar person therefor) because the payment of such amount was subsequently invalidated, set aside, declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any such amount (a “ Recovery ”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise, then as among the parties hereto, the Obligations owing to such party shall be deemed to be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and to be outstanding as if such payment had not been received.  Such Secured Party and the Trustee shall be entitled to a reinstatement of the Obligations, the Liens and security interests with respect to all such recovered amounts and shall have all rights, powers and remedies as a Secured Party under this Indenture and the Security Documents which shall continue in full force and effect.  In such event, this Indenture shall be automatically reinstated and each of the Issuer and the Guarantors shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to effect such reinstatement.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Indenture

 



 

 

 

Guarantors:

 

 

 

 

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Title:

Sr. Vice President

 

 

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

Title:

Sr. Vice President

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

AMI 2, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

Title:

President

 

Signature Page to Indenture

 



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

George J. Rayzis

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to Indenture

 


 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

CUSIP

 

QVC, INC.

 

No.

 

$

 

7.50% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2019

 

QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of $            dollars on October 1, 2019.

 

Interest Payment Dates:  April 1 and October 1.

 

Record Dates:  March 15 and September 15.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Dated:

 

Certificate of Authentication

 

This is one of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

QVC, INC.

 

7.50% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE 2019

 

1.                                       Interest .  QVC, INC., a New York corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 7.50% per annum.  Interest hereon will accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including September 25, 2009 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid.  Interest shall be payable in arrears on each April 1 and October 1 commencing on April 1, 2010.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate of 9.50% per annum.

 

2.                                       Method of Payment .  The Company will pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on March 15 or September 15 next preceding the interest payment date (whether or not a Business Day).  Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments.  The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.  If the Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company at least ten Business Days prior to the payment date, the Company will make all payments on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions.  Otherwise, payments on this Note will be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent and Registrar unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

 

3.                                       Paying Agent and Registrar .  Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), will act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice.  The Company or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                       Indenture .  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of September 25, 2009 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee.  This is one of an issue of Notes of the Company issued, or to be issued, under the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended from time to time.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of them.  Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

5.                                       Mandatory Redemption .  Except as set forth in paragraph 8 below, the Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

6.                                       Optional Redemption .  (a) On and after October 1, 2014, the Issuer shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or, from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to the registered address of each Holder to be so redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on October 1 of the years indicated below:

 

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Year

 

Redemption Price

 

2014

 

103.750

%

2015

 

102.500

%

2016

 

101.250

%

2017 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(b)                                 On or before October 1, 2014, the Issuer may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to:

 

(i)                                      100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), plus

 

(ii)                                  the Make Whole Amount.

 

(c)                                  At any time or from time to time prior to October 1, 2012, the Issuer may, at its option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.50% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of redemption; provided that (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and (2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

 

(d)                                 In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, while such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem fair and equitable. The Notes will be redeemable in whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, mailed by first class mail to a Holder’s last address as it shall appear on the register maintained by the Registrar of the Notes.  On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company shall fail to redeem any such Note.

 

7.                                       Notice of Redemption .  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder to be redeemed at his registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture.  On and after the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

8.                                       Offers To Purchase .  The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

9.                                       Collateral .  These Notes and any Note Guarantee by a Guarantor are secured by a security interest in the Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents.  Reference is made to the Indenture for events causing release of the security interest in the Collateral.

 

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10.                                 Denominations, Transfer, Exchange .  The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay to it any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Notes or a portion of a Note selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before a mailing of notice of redemption.

 

11.                                 Persons Deemed Owners .  The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.

 

12.                                 Unclaimed Money .  If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee will pay the money back to the Company at its written request.  After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.

 

13.                                 Amendment, Supplement, Waiver, Etc .  The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (if a party thereto) may, without the consent of the Holders of any outstanding Notes, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture or the Notes for certain specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and making any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.  Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture or the Notes may be made by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, subject to certain exceptions requiring the consent of the Holders of the particular Notes to be affected.

 

14.                                 Successor Corporation .  When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Article Five of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will, except as provided in Article Five, be released from those obligations.

 

15.                                 Defaults and Remedies .  Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture.  Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company or any Guarantor) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Trustee and the Company, and the Trustee upon the request of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, declare all principal of and accrued interest on all Notes to be immediately due and payable and such amounts shall become immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, the principal amount of and interest on, all Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or a default in the observance or performance of any of the obligations of the Company under Article Five of the Indenture) if it determines that withholding notice is in their best interests.

 

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16.                                  Trustee Dealings with Company .  The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                 Discharge .  The Company’s obligations pursuant to the Indenture will be discharged, except for obligations pursuant to certain sections thereof, subject to the terms of the Indenture, upon the payment of all the Notes or upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay when due principal of and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be.

 

18.                                  Guarantees .  The Note will be entitled to the benefits of certain Note Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders.  Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders, and for events causing release of the Guarantors from the Note Guarantees.

 

19.                                 Authentication .  This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

20.                                 Governing Law .  This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York.  The Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Notes.

 

21.                                 Abbreviations .  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (=  tenants in common), TENANT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

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

 

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:

 

QVC, INC.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

Attention:  General Counsel

 

A-6



 

ASSIGNMENT

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

 

 

 

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint:

 

 

 

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

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-7



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.08 or Section 4.20 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:

 

o                                     Section 4.08

o                                     Section 4.20

 

If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.08 or Section 4.20 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000)

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-8


 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

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

 

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

 

[[FOR REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE ONLY] UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.]

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered

Otherwise than in Reliance on Regulation S]

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.  EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) WITHIN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1),(2),(3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR

 

B-1



 

FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

[Restricted Notes Legend for Notes Offered in Reliance on Regulation S.]

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

[Temporary Regulation S Global Note Legend]

 

EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE WILL NOT BE EXCHANGEABLE FOR INTERESTS IN THE PERMANENT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE REPRESENTING AN INTEREST IN THE NOTES REPRESENTED HEREBY WHICH DO NOT CONTAIN A LEGEND CONTAINING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903(b)(2) OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THEN ONLY UPON CERTIFICATION IN FORM REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE TRUSTEE THAT SUCH BENEFICIAL INTERESTS ARE OWNED EITHER BY NON-U.S. PERSONS OR U.S. PERSONS WHO PURCHASED SUCH INTERESTS IN A TRANSACTION THAT DID NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.  DURING SUCH 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY ONLY BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR TRANSFERRED (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN A TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES.  HOLDERS OF INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE WILL NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE, IF THEN APPLICABLE.

 

AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH

 

B-2



 

EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO A PERSON WHO THE TRANSFEROR REASONABLY BELIEVES TO BE A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, (B) TO A PERSON WHO IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, AND (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

 

AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN THIS TEMPORARY REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED FOR INTERESTS IN AN IAI GLOBAL NOTE ONLY IF (1) SUCH EXCHANGE OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH A TRANSFER OF THE NOTES IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (2) THE TRANSFEROR OF THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE IS BEING TRANSFERRED (A) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1),(2),(3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

 

BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR AN IAI GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A PERSON WHO TAKES DELIVERY IN THE FORM OF AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD, ONLY IF THE TRANSFEROR FIRST DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A WRITTEN CERTIFICATE (IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS CERTIFICATE) TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OR RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE).

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

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

 

B-3



 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

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

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint                         agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer.  The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)

o

to the Issuer; or

 

 

 

(2)

o

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

 

 

 

(3)

o

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

 

 

 

(4)

o

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

 

 

 

(5)

o

pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

B-4



 

(6)

o

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed

 

Signature

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

B-5



 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

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

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

Notice:

To be executed by an executive officer

 

B-6



 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal amount of this
Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal amount of this
Global Note

 

Principal amount of this
Global Note following such
decrease or increase

 

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or Notes
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-7



 

FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

 

QVC, Inc.

Studio Park

1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

U.S. Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Services

Two Liberty Place

50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station:  EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

 

Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration – Global Finance Unit

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of US$                       principal amount of the 7.50% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”) of QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), all as described in the confidential offering memorandum (the “ offering memorandum ”) relating to the offering.

 

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

 

Name:

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

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

 

2.                                       We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence.  We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we purchasing Notes, to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is two years after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “ Resale Restriction Termination Date ”) only (a) to the Company, (b) pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction

 

B-8



 

complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”) to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A (a “ QIB ”) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of US$250,000, or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirements of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws.  The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date.  If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in form of this letter to the Company and the trustee which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act and that the transferee is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act.

 

 

(Name of Transferee)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

Date:

 

B-9


 

EXHIBIT C

 

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

 

Each of the undersigned (the “Guarantors”) hereby jointly and severally unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the Indenture dated as of September 25, 2009 by and among QVC, Inc., as issuer, the Guarantors, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms and limitations of this Guarantee.  Each Holder of the Note to which this Guarantee is endorsed, by accepting such Note, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.

 

[Signatures on Following Pages]

 

C-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Guarantors has caused this Notation of Guarantee to be signed by a duly authorized officer.

 

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

AMI 2, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

C-2



 

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

C-3



 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 30, 2011 (the “Supplemental Indenture” ), is by and among QVC, Inc., a Delaware close corporation (the “ Issuer ”), QVC Rocky Mount, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “ Company ”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee have previously become parties to an Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2009 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 7.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has become a Material Domestic Subsidiary and, under Section 4.11 of the Indenture, is required to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to the Trustee;

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

1.1               Definitions.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

1.2               Effect of Headings.  The Article and Section headings in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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

 

1.4               Trust Indenture Act Controls.  If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture that is required to be included by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Act ”), as in force at the date this Supplemental Indenture is executed, the provision required by the Act shall control.

 

1.5              Benefits of Supplemental Indenture.   Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties to this Supplemental Indenture and their successors hereunder and the Holders of the Notes, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

 



 

1.6                Governing Law.   This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

1.7               Reference to and Effect on the Indenture.   On and after the date of this Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or “herein” shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

1.8               Counterparts.  This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all the parties have not signed the same counterpart.

 

ARTICLE II

NOTES GUARANTEE

 

2.1               Guarantee.  Subject to the provisions of this Article II, the Company, by execution of this Supplemental Indenture, unconditionally guarantees (which shall be deemed a “Note Guarantee” under the Indenture) to each Holder (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all other Obligations and due and punctual performance of all obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and (b) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  The Company, by execution of this Supplemental Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note or the Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note, the Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or the Company.   The Company hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. The Company hereby agrees that, as between the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six of the Indenture for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six of the Indenture, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Company for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.

 

2



 

2.2               Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.  To further evidence the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 2.1 above, the Company hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit C to the Indenture, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Note Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of the Company.  The validity and enforceability of such Note Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.  The Company agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 2.1 above shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.  If an officer of the Company whose signature is on this Supplemental Indenture or a Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, the Company’s Note Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.  The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof under the Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the Company’s Note Guarantee set forth in this Supplemental Indenture on behalf of the Company.

 

2.3               Limitation on Guarantee. The obligations of the Company are limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Company and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Notes Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under the Indenture, result in the obligations of the Company under its Notes Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.  Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Notes Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Guarantor.

 

2.4              Release of Guarantor.  The Company shall be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and the Security Documents:

 

(1)               in the event of dissolution of the Company;

 

(2)               if the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or

 

(3)               upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Company of the Credit Agreements or such other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee;

 

and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.  The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Company in order to evidence the release of the Company from its obligations under its Note Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article II.

 

3



 

2.5                Waiver of Subrogation. Until the Notes have been paid in full, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company’s obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Supplemental Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment on account of such claim or other rights.  If any amount shall be paid to the Company in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to the Company for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.  The Company acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 2.5 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

Signature page follows

 

4



 

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

 

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

as the Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel O’Connell

 

 

Title: Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.
as the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Lawrence Hayes

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as the Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

5




Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

QVC, INC.,

 

 

THE GUARANTORS
named herein

 

 

and

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of March 23, 2010

 


 

 

7.125% Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2017

 

7.375% Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2020

 

 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA
Section

 

Indenture
Section

 

 

 

310(a)(1)

 

7.10

(a)(2)

 

7.10

(a)(3)

 

N.A.

(a)(4)

 

N.A.

(a)(5)

 

7.10

(b)

 

7.08; 7.10; 11.02

(b)(1)

 

7.10

(c)

 

N.A.

311(a)

 

7.11

(b)

 

7.11

(c)

 

N.A.

312(a)

 

2.06

(b)

 

11.03

(c)

 

11.03

313(a)

 

7.06

(b)(1)

 

N.A.

(b)(2)

 

7.06; 7.07

(c)

 

7.06; 11.02

(d)

 

7.06

314(a)

 

4.02; 4.04; 11.02

(b)

 

N.A.

(c)(1)

 

11.04

(c)(2)

 

11.04

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

(d)

 

N.A.

(e)

 

11.05

(f)

 

N.A.

315(a)

 

7.01(b)

(b)

 

7.05; 11.02

(c)

 

7.01(a)

(d)

 

7.01(c)

(e)

 

6.12

316(a) (last sentence)

 

2.10

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

(b)

 

6.08

(c)

 

2.13; 8.04

317(a)(1)

 

6.09

(a)(2)

 

6.10

(b)

 

2.05; 7.12

318(a)

 

11.01

(b)

 

11.01

(c)

 

11.01

 


N.A. means Not Applicable

Note:      This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

DEFINITIONS

 

1

SECTION 1.02.

OTHER DEFINITIONS

 

26

SECTION 1.03.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 

27

SECTION 1.04.

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

AMOUNT OF NOTES

 

28

SECTION 2.02.

FORM AND DATING; BOOK ENTRY PROVISIONS

 

28

SECTION 2.03.

EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION

 

31

SECTION 2.04.

REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT

 

31

SECTION 2.05.

PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST

 

32

SECTION 2.06.

HOLDER LISTS

 

32

SECTION 2.07.

TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

 

32

SECTION 2.08.

REPLACEMENT NOTES

 

33

SECTION 2.09.

OUTSTANDING NOTES

 

33

SECTION 2.10.

TREASURY NOTES

 

34

SECTION 2.11.

TEMPORARY NOTES

 

34

SECTION 2.12.

CANCELLATION

 

34

SECTION 2.13.

DEFAULTED INTEREST

 

34

SECTION 2.14.

CUSIP NUMBER

 

35

SECTION 2.15.

DEPOSIT OF MONEYS

 

35

SECTION 2.16.

SPECIAL TRANSFER PROVISIONS

 

35

SECTION 2.17.

CERTIFICATED NOTES

 

40

SECTION 2.18.

COMPUTATION OF INTEREST

 

41

 

 

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICES TO TRUSTEE

 

41

SECTION 3.02.

SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED

 

41

SECTION 3.03.

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

 

41

SECTION 3.04.

EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

 

42

SECTION 3.05.

DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE

 

43

SECTION 3.06.

NOTES REDEEMED IN PART

 

43

SECTION 3.07.

MANDATORY REDEMPTION

 

43

 

i



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

PAYMENT OF NOTES

 

43

SECTION 4.02.

REPORTS TO HOLDERS

 

44

SECTION 4.03.

WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS

 

45

SECTION 4.04.

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE; NOTICE OF DEFAULT

 

45

SECTION 4.05.

PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS

 

46

SECTION 4.06.

LIMITATIONS ON INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS

 

46

SECTION 4.07.

LIMITATIONS ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS

 

48

SECTION 4.08.

LIMITATIONS ON ASSET SALES

 

49

SECTION 4.09.

LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

 

51

SECTION 4.10.

LIMITATIONS ON LIENS

 

52

SECTION 4.11.

ADDITIONAL NOTE GUARANTEES

 

53

SECTION 4.12.

LIMITATIONS ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES

 

53

SECTION 4.13.

LIMITATIONS ON DESIGNATION OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES

 

54

SECTION 4.14.

LIMITATIONS ON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS

 

56

SECTION 4.15.

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

56

SECTION 4.16.

MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE

 

56

SECTION 4.17.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

 

56

SECTION 4.18.

EXISTENCE

 

56

SECTION 4.19.

PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT

 

57

SECTION 4.20.

CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER

 

57

SECTION 4.21.

FALL-AWAY EVENT

 

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

LIMITATIONS ON MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, ETC.

 

58

SECTION 5.02.

SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED

 

59

 

 

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

60

SECTION 6.02.

ACCELERATION

 

62

SECTION 6.03.

OTHER REMEDIES

 

63

SECTION 6.04.

WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

63

SECTION 6.05.

CONTROL BY MAJORITY

 

63

SECTION 6.06.

LIMITATION ON SUITS

 

63

SECTION 6.07.

NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS

 

64

SECTION 6.08.

RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT

 

64

SECTION 6.09.

COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE

 

64

 

ii



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 6.10.

TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM

 

64

SECTION 6.11.

PRIORITIES

 

65

SECTION 6.12.

UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS

 

65

 

 

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

DUTIES OF TRUSTEE

 

65

SECTION 7.02.

RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

 

66

SECTION 7.03.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE

 

68

SECTION 7.04.

TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER

 

68

SECTION 7.05.

NOTICE OF DEFAULTS

 

68

SECTION 7.06.

REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS

 

68

SECTION 7.07.

COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY

 

69

SECTION 7.08.

REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE

 

69

SECTION 7.09.

SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC.

 

70

SECTION 7.10.

ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION

 

70

SECTION 7.11.

PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST ISSUER

 

71

SECTION 7.12.

PAYING AGENTS

 

71

 

 

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS

 

71

SECTION 8.02.

WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS

 

72

SECTION 8.03.

COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 

74

SECTION 8.04.

REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS

 

74

SECTION 8.05.

NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES

 

74

SECTION 8.06.

TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

 

74

 

 

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

75

SECTION 9.02.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE

 

76

SECTION 9.03.

COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

76

SECTION 9.04.

CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

76

SECTION 9.05.

DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

78

SECTION 9.06.

REINSTATEMENT

 

78

SECTION 9.07.

MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT

 

78

SECTION 9.08.

MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

79

 

iii



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

GUARANTEE

 

79

SECTION 10.02.

EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF GUARANTEE

 

80

SECTION 10.03.

LIMITATION OF GUARANTEE

 

80

SECTION 10.04.

RELEASE OF GUARANTOR

 

81

SECTION 10.05.

WAIVER OF SUBROGATION

 

81

 

 

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.

TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS

 

82

SECTION 11.02.

NOTICES

 

82

SECTION 11.03.

COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS

 

83

SECTION 11.04.

CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

83

SECTION 11.05.

STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE AND OPINION

 

84

SECTION 11.06.

RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS

 

84

SECTION 11.07.

BUSINESS DAYS; LEGAL HOLIDAYS

 

84

SECTION 11.08.

GOVERNING LAW

 

85

SECTION 11.09.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

85

SECTION 11.10.

FORCE MAJEURE

 

85

SECTION 11.11.

NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

85

SECTION 11.12.

NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

 

85

SECTION 11.13.

SUCCESSORS

 

86

SECTION 11.14.

MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS

 

86

SECTION 11.15.

TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

 

86

SECTION 11.16.

SEPARABILITY

 

86

SECTION 11.17.

USA PATRIOT ACT

 

86

 

 

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

 

 

SECTION 12.01.

SECURITY DOCUMENTS; ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL

 

86

SECTION 12.02.

COLLATERAL AGENT

 

87

SECTION 12.03.

RELEASE OF COLLATERAL

 

88

SECTION 12.04.

FILING, RECORDING AND OPINIONS

 

89

SECTION 12.05.

POSSESSION AND USE OF COLLATERAL

 

90

SECTION 12.06.

AUTHORIZATION OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT UNDER THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS

 

90

SECTION 12.07.

PURCHASE PROTECTED

 

90

SECTION 12.08.

REINSTATEMENT; POWERS EXERCISABLE BY RECEIVER OR TRUSTEE

 

90

 

iv



 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A-1.

Form of 2017 Note

 

A-1-1

Exhibit A-2.

Form of 2020 Note

 

A-2-1

Exhibit B.

Form of Legends

 

B-1

Exhibit C.

Form of Notation of Guarantee

 

C-1

 

v


 

INDENTURE, dated as of March 23, 2010, among QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “ Issuer ”), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) party hereto from time to time and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders.

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01.               Definitions .

 

2017 Notes ” means the 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2017 issued by the Issuer, treated as a single class of securities (except as to certain voting matters as expressly provided herein), as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, that are issued from time to time pursuant to this Indenture.

 

2020 Notes ” means the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2020 issued by the Issuer, treated as a single class of securities (except as to certain voting matters as expressly provided herein), as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, that are issued from time to time pursuant to this Indenture.

 

2017 Notes Make Whole Amount ” means, with respect to any 2017 Note at any Redemption Date, the greater of (A) 1.00% and (B) the excess, if any, of (1) an amount equal to the present value of (a) the redemption price of such 2017 Note at April 15, 2013 plus (b) the remaining scheduled interest payments on the 2017 Notes to be redeemed (subject to the right of Holders of 2017 Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) to April 15, 2013 (other than interest accrued to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the 2017 Notes Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (2) the aggregate principal amount of the 2017 Notes to be redeemed.

 

2020 Notes Make Whole Amount ” means, with respect to any 2020 Note at any Redemption Date, the greater of (A) 1.00% and (B) the excess, if any, of (1) an amount equal to the present value of (a) the redemption price of such 2020 Note at April 15, 2015 plus (b) the remaining scheduled interest payments on the 2020 Notes to be redeemed (subject to the right of Holders of 2020 Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) to April 15, 2015 (other than interest accrued to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the 2020 Notes Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (2) the aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes to be redeemed.

 

2017 Notes Treasury Rate ” means, at the time of computation, the yield to maturity of United States Treasury Securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to April 15, 2013; provided , however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury Security for which a weekly average yield is given the 2017 Notes Treasury Rate shall be

 



 

obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury Securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to April 15, 2013 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The 2017 Notes Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation shall be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward.

 

2020 Notes Treasury Rate ” means, at the time of computation, the yield to maturity of United States Treasury Securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to April 15, 2015; provided , however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury Security for which a weekly average yield is given the 2020 Notes Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury Securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to April 15, 2015 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The 2020 Notes Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation shall be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward.

 

Acquired Indebtedness ” means (1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Existing Notes Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (2) with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person is merged with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of an asset or assets from another Person, which Indebtedness was not, in any case, incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or acquisition.

 

Additional Notes ” shall mean an unlimited principal amount of Notes of either series having identical terms and conditions to the relevant series of the Notes issued pursuant to Article Two and in compliance with Section 4.06 and Section 4.10, except for issue date, issue price and first interest payment date.

 

Adjusted Net Assets ” of a Guarantor at any date shall mean the lesser of the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities), but excluding liabilities under the Guarantee, of such Guarantor at such date and (y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that shall be required to pay the probable liability of such Guarantor on its debts and all other fixed and contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Guarantee), excluding Indebtedness in respect of the Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

 

2



 

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person which directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common Control with, the referent Person. For purposes of the definition of “Qualified Equity Offering” only, “Affiliate” shall not include any Person who is an Affiliate of the Issuer solely because such Person is Controlled directly or indirectly by John C. Malone so long as such Affiliate does not purchase securities in any Qualified Equity Offering with the proceeds, directly or indirectly, of any Restricted Payment permitted under this Indenture.

 

Affiliated Persons ” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such Persons.

 

After-Acquired Collateral Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(c).

 

After-Acquired Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.01(c).

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

amend ” means to amend, supplement, restate, amend and restate or otherwise modify, including successively, and “ amendment ” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Temporary Regulation S Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such a Temporary Regulation S Global Note, to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

 

asset ” means any asset or property.

 

Asset Acquisition ” means

 

(1)            an Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or

 

(2)            the acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease, assignment or other disposition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including by means of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction or a merger or consolidation) (collectively, for purposes of this definition, a “ transfer ”), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of any assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of this definition, the term “Asset Sale” shall not include:

 

(1)            transfers of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

3



 

(2)            transfers of assets (including Equity Interests) that are governed by, and made in accordance with, Section 5.01;

 

(3)            Permitted Investments and Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07;

 

(4)            the creation of or realization on any Lien permitted under this Indenture;

 

(5)            transfers of inventory and damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment or assets that are no longer used or useful in the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(6)            sales or grants of licenses or sublicenses to use the patents, trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property, and licenses, leases or subleases of other assets, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not materially interfering with the business of Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(7)            any transfer or series of related transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales, if the aggregate Fair Market Value of the assets transferred in such transaction or any such series of related transactions does not exceed $50.0 million;

 

(8)            (x) Asset Sales by the Issuer or any Guarantor to any other Guarantor or the Issuer and (y) Asset Sales of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to any other Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; and

 

(9)            any transfer or series of transfers that, but for this clause, would be Asset Sales if consummated at a time when, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (x) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00, and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

 

Attributable Indebtedness , when used with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at a rate borne by the Existing Notes (or, after no Existing Notes are outstanding, the 2020 Notes), compounded on a semi-annual basis) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in any such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, or the functional equivalent of the foregoing, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of such Person and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing or, in each case, other than for purposes of the definition of “Change of Control,” any duly authorized committee of such body.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.07.

 

4



 

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

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)            marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(2)            certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;

 

(3)            commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition;

 

(4)            repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government;

 

(5)            securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor’s or A by Moody’s;

 

(6)            securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (2) of this definition;

 

(7)            money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (1) through (6) of this definition;

 

(8)            money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and

 

(9)            in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, investments substantially comparable to any of the foregoing investments with respect to the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

5



 

(1)            the acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Issuer’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, the Issuer is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating;

 

(2)            after the consummation of an initial public offering, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Issuer (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Issuer was approved by a vote of the majority of the directors of the Issuer then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Issuer’s Board of Directors then in office;

 

(3)            the Issuer shall adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution or any such plan shall be approved by the stockholders of the Issuer; or

 

(4)            a “Change of Control” shall have occurred under any Permitted Parity Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement

 

Collateral ” shall mean all “Collateral” as such term is defined in the Security Agreement and the Parent Pledge Agreement and all other assets pledged from time to time to secure the Obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and Security Documents.

 

Collateral Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Security Documents and any successors in such capacity.

 

Consolidated Amortization Expense ” for any period means the amortization expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow ” for any period means, without duplication, the sum of the amounts for such period of

 

(1)            Consolidated Net Income, plus

 

(2)            in each case only to the extent (and in the same proportion) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,

 

(a)            Consolidated Income Tax Expense,

 

6



 

(b)            Consolidated Amortization Expense (but only to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense),

 

(c)            Consolidated Depreciation Expense,

 

(d)            Consolidated Interest Expense net of consolidated interest income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and

 

(e)            stock compensation, as reported in the Issuer’s financial statements,

 

in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that

 

(i)             the aggregate amount of all other non-cash charges, expenses or losses reducing such Consolidated Net Income (excluding any non-cash charge, expense or loss that results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period and any non-cash charge, expense or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts or inventory) for such period, and

 

(ii)            the aggregate amount of all non-cash items, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent such items increased Consolidated Net Income for such period

 

shall, in each case, be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for purposes of this definition only.

 

Consolidated Depreciation Expense ” for any period means the depreciation expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Income Tax Expense ” for any period means the provision for taxes of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means the ratio of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available (the “ Four-Quarter Period ”) ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (the “ Transaction Date ”) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such Four-Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to:

 

(1)            the incurrence of any Indebtedness or the issuance of any Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds thereof) and any repayment of other Indebtedness or redemption of other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) (other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to any revolving credit arrangement) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such incurrence, repayment, issuance or redemption, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period; and

 

7



 

(2)            any Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition or as a result of a Redesignation) incurring Acquired Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated Cash Flow (including any pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) associated with any such Asset Acquisition) occurring during the Four-Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four-Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale, asset sale which is solely excluded from the definition of Asset Sale pursuant to clause (9) of such definition or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence of, or assumption or liability for, any such Indebtedness or Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Four-Quarter Period.

 

In calculating Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio:

 

(a)            interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which shall continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Transaction Date;

 

(b)            if interest on any Indebtedness actually incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date shall be deemed to have been in effect during the Four-Quarter Period; and

 

(c)            notwithstanding clause (a) or (b) above, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such agreements governing such Hedging Obligations.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” for any period means the sum, without duplication, of the total interest expense of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and including, without duplication,

 

(1)            imputed interest on Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable Indebtedness,

 

(2)            commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit securing financial obligations, bankers’ acceptance financing and receivables financings,

 

(3)            the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations related to interest rates,

 

(4)            amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium and other financing fees and expenses,

 

(5)            the interest portion of any deferred payment obligations,

 

(6)            all other non-cash interest expense,

 

8



 

(7)            capitalized interest,

 

(8)            the product of (a) all dividend payments on any series of Disqualified Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any such Disqualified Equity Interests or any Preferred Stock held by the Issuer or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent paid in Qualified Equity Interests), multiplied by (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal,

 

(9)            all interest payable with respect to discontinued operations, and

 

(10)          all interest on any Indebtedness described in clause (6) or (7) of the definition of Indebtedness.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, at any date, the ratio of (i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) to (ii) Consolidated Cash Flow during the most recent four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available ending on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is made, then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence at such subsequent time.

 

Consolidated Leverage Test ” means, at any date, that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is no greater than (i) prior to March 31, 2010, 3.90 to 1.00, (ii) on or after March 31, 2010 and prior to March 31, 2011, 3.75 to 1.00 and (iii) on or after March 31, 2011, 3.50 to 1.00.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” for any period means the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:

 

(1)            the net income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent that cash in an amount equal to any such income has actually been received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period;

 

(2)            except to the extent includible in the consolidated net income of the Issuer pursuant to the foregoing clause (1), the net income (or loss) of any Person that accrued prior to the date that (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the assets of such Person are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(3)            any gain (or loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain (or the tax effect of any such loss), realized during such period by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon (a) the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (b) the sale of any financial or equity investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)            gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects according to GAAP;

 

(5)            gains and losses with respect to Hedging Obligations;

 

(6)            the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles;

 

(7)            the net income (or loss) associated with minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(8)            any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (or the tax effect of any such extraordinary or nonrecurring loss), realized by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period.

 

For the purpose of this definition of “Consolidated Net Income,” “ nonrecurring ” means any gain or loss as of any date that is not reasonably likely to recur within the two years following such date; provided that if there was a gain or loss similar to such gain or loss within the two years preceding such date, such gain or loss shall not be deemed nonrecurring.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Coverage Ratio Exception ” has the meaning set forth in the proviso in the first paragraph of Section 4.06.

 

Credit Agreements ” means (a) the Credit Agreement dated March 3, 2006, and amended and restated as of June 16, 2009, by and among the Issuer, as Borrower, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC), as syndication agent, JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC), as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Calyon New York Branch and Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, as documentation agents, and (b) and the Credit Agreement dated October 4, 2006, and amended and restated as of June 16, 2009, by and among the Issuer, as Borrower, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Wachovia Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agents, JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC), as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Fortis Bank SA, NV, New York Branch and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., as documentation agents, and in each case, including any notes, guarantees, collateral and security documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended or refinanced from time to time (other than as refinanced by the Existing Notes and the Notes).

 

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Credit Facilities ” means one or more (A) debt facilities (which may be outstanding at the same time and including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements) or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities (including, without limitation, the Notes), indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder).

 

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Default ” means (1) any Event of Default or (2) any event, act or condition that, after notice or the passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note bearing, if required, the appropriate restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.16(e).

 

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such Person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes; provided , however , that any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, authorizes such Person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for Disqualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness, shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests so long as such Person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests; provided , further , however , that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Equity Interests are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Issuer to redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change in control or an asset sale occurring prior to the 91st day after the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if (1) the change of control or asset sale provisions applicable to such Equity Interests are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions of Sections 4.20 and 4.08, respectively, and (2) such Equity Interests specifically provide that the Issuer shall not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the Issuer’s purchase of the Notes as required pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.20 and 4.08, respectively.

 

Disqualified Person ” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a

 

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beneficial owner of the Issuer or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner of the Issuer.

 

Distribution Compliance Period ,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

 

Equity Interests ” of any Person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such Person.

 

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

 

Existing Notes ” means the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued by the Issuer on September 25, 2009.

 

Existing Note Guarantees ” means the guarantees of the Existing Notes by the Guarantors.

 

Existing Notes Indenture ” means the indenture dated as of September 25, 2009 among the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and the trustee named therein from time to time, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the requirements thereof.

 

Existing Notes Issue Date ” means September 25, 2009.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction, as such price is determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or a duly authorized committee thereof, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board or committee.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority,

 

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instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

guarantee ” means a direct or indirect guarantee by any Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person and includes any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); “ guarantee ,” when used as a verb, and “ guaranteed ” have correlative meanings.

 

Guarantors ” means each Material Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer on the Issue Date, and each other Person that is required to, or at the election of the Issuer does, become a Guarantor by the terms of this Indenture after the Issue Date, in each case, until such Person is released from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person under swap, cap, collar, forward purchase or similar agreements or arrangements dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

 

Holder ” means any registered holder, from time to time, of the Notes.

 

incur ” means, with respect to any Indebtedness or Obligation, incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to such Indebtedness or Obligation; provided that (1) the Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount or the accretion or accumulation of dividends on any Equity Interests shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person at any date means, without duplication:

 

(1)           all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof) or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind;

 

(2)           all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

(3)           all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers’ acceptances and similar credit transactions;

 

(4)           all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining goods, materials or services;

 

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(5)           all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;

 

(6)           all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;

 

(7)           all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee; provided that Indebtedness of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Issuer or the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall only be counted once in the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and

 

(8)           all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased by such Person (excluding obligations arising from inventory transactions in the ordinary course of business).

 

The amount of any Indebtedness which is incurred at a discount to the principal amount at maturity thereof as of any date shall be deemed to have been incurred at the accreted value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above, the maximum liability of such Person for any such contingent obligations at such date and, in the case of clause (6), the lesser of (a) the Fair Market Value of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness secured.

 

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

 

Initial Purchasers ” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Daiwa Securities America Inc., Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, RBS Securities Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor ” or “ IAI ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

interest ” means, with respect to the Notes, interest on the Notes.

 

Interest Payment Dates ” means each April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2010.

 

Investments ” of any Person means:

 

(1)           all direct or indirect investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions or other credit extensions constituting Indebtedness of such other Person, and any guarantee of Indebtedness of any other Person;

 

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(2)           all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities of any other Person (other than any such purchase that constitutes a Restricted Payment of the type described in clause (2) of the definition thereof);

 

(3)           all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP (including, if required by GAAP, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business); and

 

(4)           the Designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Except as otherwise expressly specified in this definition, the amount of any Investment (other than an Investment made in cash) shall be the Fair Market Value thereof on the date such Investment is made. The amount of Investment pursuant to clause (4) shall be the Fair Market Value of the Issuer’s proportionate interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of and all other Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary retained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, purchases or redemptions of Equity Interests of the Issuer or Parent shall be deemed not to be Investments.

 

Issue Date ” means March 23, 2010, the date on which the Notes are originally issued.

 

Issuer ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article Five and thereafter means the successor.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or other), pledge, easement, charge, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind or nature in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

 

LMC ” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of the Issuer then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “ Transferee Parent ” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “ Transferred Person ”) that hold equity securities of the Issuer beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction

 

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were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “ Control Person ” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer most recently ended, that has assets (including Equity Interests in Subsidiaries) or revenues (including both third party and intercompany revenues) with a value in excess of 2.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 2.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries; provided, that in the event Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Issuer and its Domestic Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries designated by the Issuer (or, if the Issuer shall make no designation, one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the Issuer), shall be included as Material Domestic Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. For the purposes of this definition only, Commerce Technologies, Inc. shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary of the Issuer so long as (a) it is not a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuer and (b) its operations are substantially of the type and scope existing as of the Existing Notes Issue Date.

 

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

 

Net Available Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents, net of

 

(1)           brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees, discounts and expenses of legal counsel, accountants and investment banks, consultants and placement agents) of such Asset Sale;

 

(2)           provisions for taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements);

 

(3)           amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and other than under a Credit Facility) owning a beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset Sale or having a Lien thereon;

 

(4)           payments of unassumed liabilities (not constituting Indebtedness) relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after the date of, such Asset Sale; and

 

(5)           appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP against any adjustment in the sale price of such asset or assets or liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including pensions and other postemployment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as reflected in

 

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an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee; provided , however , that any amounts remaining after adjustments, revaluations or liquidations of such reserves shall constitute Net Available Proceeds.

 

Non-Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer other than a Material Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary:

 

(1)           as to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, and

 

(2)           no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Credit Agreement, Existing Notes or Notes) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on the other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

Non-U.S. Person ” means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in Regulation S.

 

Notes ” means the 2017 Notes and the 2020 Notes, collectively, or the 2017 Notes or the 2020 Notes, as applicable.

 

Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Obligation ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum, dated as of March 17, 2010, relating to the offering of the Notes.

 

Officer ” means any of the following of the Issuer: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Officer.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee from legal counsel, which counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, opining on the matters required by Section 11.05 and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Parent ” means LMC.

 

Parent Loan Purchases ” means purchases and the retirement of term loans under the Credit Agreements at par by Parent or its Subsidiary (other than the Issuer and its Subsidiaries) as

 

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specified in the definition of “Specified Loan Purchases” under and as defined under each of the Credit Agreements.

 

Parent Pledge Agreement ” means the pledge agreement by and among the Parent Pledgor and the Collateral Agent dated as of June 16, 2009 as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, as further amended and restated as of March 23, 2010, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Parent Pledgor ” means the pledgor party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

Permitted Business ” means the businesses engaged in by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date as described in the Offering Memorandum and businesses that are reasonably related thereto or reasonable extensions thereof.

 

Permitted Holders ” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

Permitted Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.06.

 

Permitted Investment ” means:

 

(1)           Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)           Investments in the Issuer by any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)           loans and advances to directors, employees and officers of Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries for bona fide business purposes and to purchase Equity Interests of the Parent (prior to the consummation of an initial public offering) or the Issuer (after the consummation of an initial public offering) not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(4)           cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(5)           receivables owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(6)           Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

 

(7)           Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of consideration received in connection with a sale of assets made in compliance with Section 4.08;

 

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(8)           lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)           stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

 

(10)         any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Existing Notes Issue Date; and

 

(11)         Investments, including in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

Permitted Liens ” means the following types of Liens:

 

(1)           Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP;

 

(2)           statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen and other Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

 

(3)           pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation (or pursuant to letters of credit issued in connection with such workers’ compensation compliance), unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

(4)           Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

 

(5)           Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(6)           judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

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

 

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(8)           Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed or the purchase of which is supported by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof;

 

(9)           Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including rights of offset and setoff;

 

(10)         bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements, including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

 

(11)         leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(12)         Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;

 

(13)         Liens securing all of the Existing Notes and Liens securing any Existing Note Guarantee;

 

(14)         Liens under the Security Documents securing Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business not for the purpose of speculation;

 

(15)         Liens existing on the Existing Notes Issue Date securing obligations outstanding on the Existing Notes Issue Date (other than pursuant to clauses (13) and (14) of this definition and other than Liens securing Permitted Parity Indebtedness);

 

(16)         Liens in favor of the Issuer or a Guarantor;

 

(17)         Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness that do not in the aggregate exceed $100.0 million at any one time outstanding; provided that such Liens shall be created within 90 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets and shall not extend to any asset other than the specified asset being financed and additions and improvements thereon;

 

(18)         Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that the Liens do not extend to assets not subject to such Lien at the time of acquisition (other than improvements thereon) and are no more favorable to the lienholders than those securing such Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(19)         deposits and other Liens securing credit card operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, provided the amount secured does not exceed amounts owed by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in connection with such credit card operations;

 

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(20)          Liens to secure Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (13), (15), (17) and (18); provided that in the case of Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (15), (17) and (18) such Liens do not extend to any additional assets (other than improvements thereon and replacements thereof);

 

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

 

(22)          Interests of vendors in inventory arising out of such inventory being subject to a “sale or return” arrangement with such vendor or any consignment by any third party of any inventory; and

 

(23)          Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed $100.0 million at any one time outstanding; so long as such Liens do not encumber Collateral.

 

Permitted Parity Indebtedness ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10.

 

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

 

Physical Notes ” means certificated Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A.

 

Plan of Liquidation ” with respect to any Person, means a plan that provides for, contemplates or the effectuation of which is preceded or accompanied by (whether or not substantially contemporaneously, in phases or otherwise): (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Person other than as an entirety or substantially as an entirety; and (2) the distribution of all or substantially all of the proceeds of such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the remaining assets of such Person to holders of Equity Interests of such Person.

 

Preferred Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other equity interests (however designated) of such Person whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date.

 

principal ” means, with respect to the Notes, the principal of, and premium, if any, on the Notes.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated March 17, 2010 among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes.

 

Purchase Money Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness, including Capitalized Lease Obligations, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or any Restricted

 

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Subsidiary or the cost of installation, construction or improvement thereof; provided, however , that (1) the amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed such purchase price or cost and (2) such Indebtedness shall be incurred within 90 days after such acquisition of such asset by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or such installation, construction or improvement.

 

Qualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means Equity Interests of such Person other than Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that such Equity Interests shall not be deemed Qualified Equity Interests to the extent sold or owed to a Subsidiary of such Person or financed, directly or indirectly, using funds (1) borrowed from such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or (2) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including, without limitation, in respect of any employee stock ownership or benefit plan). Unless otherwise specified, Qualified Equity Interests refer to Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer.

 

Qualified Equity Offering ” means the issuance and sale of Qualified Equity Interests of the Issuer to Persons other than (x) Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) any other Person who is, prior to such issuance and sale, an Affiliate of the Issuer; provided, however , that cash proceeds therefrom equal to not less than the redemption price of the Notes to be redeemed are received by the Issuer as a capital contribution immediately prior to such redemption.

 

Qualified Institutional Buyer ” or “ QIB ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

redeem ” means to redeem, repurchase, purchase, defease, retire, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value; and “ redemption ” shall have a correlative meaning; provided that this definition shall not apply for purposes of Section 3.01.

 

Redemption Date ” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the terms of the Notes.

 

refinance ” means to refinance, repay, prepay, replace, renew or refund.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or refinance in whole or in part, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (the “ Refinanced Indebtedness ”); provided that:

 

(1)            the principal amount (and accreted value, in the case of Indebtedness issued at a discount) of the Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (and accreted value, as the case may be) of the Refinanced Indebtedness plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Indebtedness, any reasonable premium paid to the holders of the Refinanced Indebtedness and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the incurrence of the Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(2)            the obligor of Refinancing Indebtedness does not include any Person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is not an obligor of the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(3)            if the Refinanced Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is

 

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subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(4)            the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final stated maturity either (a) no earlier than the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid or amended or (b) after the final maturity date of the Notes; and

 

(5)            the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes.

 

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

 

Responsible Officer ” when used with respect to the Trustee, means an officer or assistant officer assigned to the corporate trust department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Note ” has the same meaning as “Restricted Security” set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any of the following:

 

(1)            the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as such) of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding (a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests or through accretion or accumulation of such dividends on such Equity Interests and (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries, dividends or distributions payable to the Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary and pro rata dividends or distributions payable to minority stockholders of any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)            the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any equity holder of the Issuer, including, without limitation, any payment in exchange for such Equity Interests in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Issuer but excluding any such Equity Interests held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)            any Investment other than a Permitted Investment; or

 

(4)            any payment or redemption prior to the scheduled maturity or prior to any scheduled repayment of principal or sinking fund payment, as the case may be, in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness owed to and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary).

 

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Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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

 

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

 

Rule 144A Notes ” means all Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transactions ” means with respect to any Person an arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by such Person of any asset of such Person which has been or is being sold or transferred by such Person to such lender or investor or to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such asset.

 

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Secretary’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Issuer.

 

Secured Party ” shall mean the lenders and the agents under the Credit Agreements, holders of Existing Notes, the trustee under the Existing Notes and providers of the Specified Swap Agreements, the Trustee, the Note Holders, the Collateral Agent and any other party designated as an additional secured party under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents, Indenture or the Credit Agreements.

 

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

 

Security Agreement ” means the Security Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009 as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, as further amended and restated as of March 23, 2010 by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Security Documents ” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Parent Pledge Agreement and other security documents relating to the Collateral and instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code of the relevant states) applicable to the Collateral, each as in effect on the Issue Date and as amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

 

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

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means (1) any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act as such Regulation is in effect on the Issue Date and (2) any Restricted Subsidiary that, when aggregated with all other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries and as to which any event described in clause (7) or (8) under Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (1) of this definition.

 

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Specified Swap Agreement ” means any Swap Agreement in respect of interest rate or currency exchange rates entered into by the Issuer or any Guarantor and any Person that is a lender or an affiliate of a lender under the Credit Agreements at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into and is secured equally and ratably with such Credit Agreement(s) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreements and the Security Documents or any such agreement secured equally and ratably with any Credit Facility pursuant to the terms of such Credit Facility and the Security Documents.

 

Standard & Poor’s ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

 

Stock Compensation Plans ” means compensation plans in connection with which the Issuer and its Subsidiaries make payments to Parent and its Affiliates in consideration for securities of Parent issued to employees of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes of each series or the Note Guarantees.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)            any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2)            any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

 

Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

 

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Issuer or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement ” means that certain Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement entered into as of April 26, 2004 by and between Liberty Media LLC, as successor to Liberty Media Corporation and the Issuer, as in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date.

 

Total Assets ” means, as of any date, the total amount of assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such date of determination computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes ” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e) hereto.

 

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

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (1) QVC Italia S.r.l., (2) any Subsidiary that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.13 and (3) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means direct non-callable obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, means the number of years obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary ” means a Restricted Subsidiary of which 100% of the Equity Interests (except for directors’ qualifying shares or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is not in excess of what is required for such purpose) are owned directly by the Issuer or through one or more Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 1.02.               Other Definitions .

 

The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections indicated as follows:

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

 

“Affiliate Transaction”

 

4.09

 

 

“Agent Members”

 

2.02

(c)

 

“Change of Control Offer”

 

4.20

 

 

“Change of Control Purchase Price”

 

4.20

 

 

“Covenant Defeasance”

 

9.03

 

 

“Designation”

 

4.13

 

 

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

 

 

“Excess Proceeds”

 

4.08

 

 

“Global Notes”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“IAI Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Legal Defeasance”

 

9.02

 

 

“Legal Holiday”

 

11.07

 

 

“Net Proceeds Offer”

 

4.08

 

 

“Net Proceeds Deficiency”

 

4.08

 

 

“Note Guarantee”

 

10.01

 

 

“Offered Price”

 

4.08

 

 

“Parity Indebtedness Price”

 

4.08

 

 

 

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Term

 

Defined in Section

 

“Paying Agent”

 

2.04

 

 

“Payment Amount”

 

4.08

 

 

“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Permitted Indebtedness”

 

4.06

 

 

“Permitted Parity Indebtedness”

 

4.10

(b)

 

“Recovery”

 

12.08

 

 

“Redesignation”

 

4.13

 

 

“Registrar”

 

2.04

 

 

“Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Regulation S Notes”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Restricted Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Rule 144A Global Note”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Rule 144A Notes”

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Successor”

 

5.01

 

 

“Temporary Regulation S Global Note

 

2.02

(b)

 

“Terminated Covenants”

 

4.21

 

 

 

SECTION 1.03.               Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes.

 

indenture securityholder ” means a Holder.

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee.

 

obligor on the indenture securities ” means the Issuer, the Guarantors or any other obligor on the Notes.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.04.               Rules of Construction .

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)            a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined expressly or by reference;

 

(2)            “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

(4)            words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

 

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

 

(6)            unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer;

 

(7)            “$,” “U.S. Dollars” and “United States Dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; and

 

(8)            references to a series of Notes mean the 2017 Notes or the 2020 Notes, as applicable.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01.               Amount of Notes .

 

Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) (a) 2017 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000 and (b) 2020 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000 and (ii) subject to Section 4.06 and Section 4.10, Additional Notes in an unlimited principal amount, upon a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer. The Officers’ Certificate shall specify the amount of the applicable series of Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, and the names and delivery instructions for each Holder.

 

Upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate Notes of the same series in substitution for Notes originally issued to reflect any name change of the Issuer. Any Additional Notes of either series shall be part of the same issue as the Notes of such series being issued on the date hereof and shall vote on all matters as one class with the Notes of such series being issued on the date hereof, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and Offers to Purchase. For the purposes of this Indenture, except for Section 4.06, references to the Notes include Additional Notes, if any.

 

SECTION 2.02.               Form and Dating; Book Entry Provisions .

 

(a)            The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 hereto, in the case of 2017 Notes and Exhibit A-2 hereto, in the case of 2020 Notes, which are incorporated in and forms a part of this Indenture. The

 

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Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rule or usage to which the Issuer is subject. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

(b)            (i) The Notes shall be offered and sold by the Issuer pursuant to a Purchase Agreement. The Notes shall be resold initially only to (i) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, IAIs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Rule 144A Global Note ”); and Notes initially resold to IAIs shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ IAI Global Note ”); and Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global securities in fully registered form (collectively, the “ Temporary Regulation S Global Note ”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Notes Custodian and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.02(b), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, a permanent global security (the “ Permanent Regulation S Global Note ” and together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the “ Regulation S Global Note ”) or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then, after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note of the same series only upon certification in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee that (i) beneficial ownership interests in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note are owned either by non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act and (ii) in the case of an exchange for an IAI Global Note, certification that the interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” under the Securities Act that is an institutional accredited investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investor.

 

(ii)            Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes or IAI Global Notes may be exchanged for interests in Rule 144A Global Notes of the same series if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes of such series in compliance with Rule 144A and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that the beneficial interest in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note or the IAI Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred to a Person (A) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (B) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and (C) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

(iii)           Beneficial interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes and Rule 144A Global Notes may be exchanged for an interest in IAI Global Notes of the same series if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the securities in compliance with an exemption under the Securities Act and (2) the transferor of the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) to the effect that (A) the Regulation S Global Note or Rule 144A Global Note, as applicable, is being transferred

 

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to an “accredited investor” within the meaning of 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is an institutional investor acquiring the securities for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of US$250,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act and (B) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the States of the United States and other jurisdictions.

 

(iv)           Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note of the same series, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in this Indenture) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).

 

(v)            The Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note and the Permanent Regulation S Global Note are collectively referred to herein as “ Global Notes ”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

 

(c)            Book-Entry Provisions . This Section 2.02(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

 

(i)             The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.02(c), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes of each series that (A) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depository and (B) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository.

 

(ii)            Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)            Definitive Notes . Except as provided in this Section 2.02 or Section 2.16 or 2.17, owners of beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

 

(e)            The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and agree to be bound thereby.

 

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(f)            The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.03.               Execution and Authentication .

 

Two Officers shall sign, or one Officer shall sign and one Officer (each of whom shall, in each case, have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate actions) shall attest to, the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Note shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Note to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12, for all purposes of this Indenture such Note shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate the Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer and Affiliates of the Issuer. Each Paying Agent is designated as an authenticating agent for purposes of this Indenture.

 

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

SECTION 2.04.               Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which shall be located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, State of New York) where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer, if any, in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. If and for so long as the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the register of the Notes during regular business hours. The Issuer may have one or more additional Paying Agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Issuer or any Affiliate thereof may act as Paying Agent.

 

The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement, which shall incorporate the provisions of the TIA, with any Agent that is not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails

 

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to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.07. The Issuer or any wholly owned Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.05.               Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust .

 

On or prior to each due date of the principal or interest on any Notes, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes or the Guarantors), and the Issuer and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer serves as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. Money held in trust by the Paying Agent need not be segregated except as required by law and in no event shall the Paying Agent be liable for any interest on any money received by it hereunder. The Issuer at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2), upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith all money so held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon making such payment, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.06.               Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

 

SECTION 2.07.               Transfer and Exchange .

 

Subject to Sections 2.02(b), 2.16 and 2.17, when Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request from such Holder to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of the same series of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture are met. Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorneys duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall issue and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) evidencing such transfer or exchange at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange. The Issuer may require from the Holder payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer taxes or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.06, 4.08, 4.20 or 8.05 (in which events the Issuer shall be responsible for the payment of such

 

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taxes). The Registrar shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or of any Note selected, called or being called for redemption except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

Any Holder of any Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

 

Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuer and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. Federal or state securities law.

 

Except as expressly provided herein, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the Issuer’s compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the Issuer’s compliance with any Federal or state securities laws.

 

SECTION 2.08.               Replacement Notes .

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Trustee, or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of the same series (and the Guarantors shall execute the guarantee thereon) if such Holder furnishes to the Issuer and the Trustee evidence reasonably acceptable to them of the ownership and the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date of this Indenture are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond shall be posted by such Holder, sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any Paying Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if such Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge such Holder for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing such Note (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in replacing such Note. Every replacement Note shall constitute a contractual obligation of the Issuer.

 

SECTION 2.09.               Outstanding Notes .

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for (a) those cancelled by it, (b) those delivered to it for cancellation, (c) to the extent set forth in Sections 9.01 and 9.02, on or after the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 9.01 or 9.02 have been satisfied, those Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and (d) those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. Subject to Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or one of its Affiliates holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer.

 

If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in its capacity as such, on any Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all accrued interest and principal with respect to the Notes payable on that date and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of

 

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this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.10.               Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, Notes owned by the Issuer or any other Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, only Notes as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee established to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, a Guarantor, any other obligor on the Notes or any of their respective Affiliates.

 

SECTION 2.11.               Temporary Notes .

 

Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes of the same series. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Notes.

 

SECTION 2.12.               Cancellation .

 

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall (subject to the record-retention requirements of the Exchange Act) destroy cancelled Notes. The Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Issuer. The Issuer may not reissue or resell, or issue new Notes to replace, Notes that the Issuer has redeemed or paid, or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, other than in accordance with the express provisions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.13.               Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Issuer defaults on a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent permitted by law) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, in accordance with the terms hereof, to the Persons who are Holders of such Notes on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date. The Issuer shall fix such special record date and payment date in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. The Issuer shall promptly mail to each Holder of such Notes a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on defaulted interest, if any, to be paid. The Issuer may make payment of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements (if applicable) of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and, upon such notice as may be

 

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required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this sentence, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.14.               CUSIP Number .

 

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, ISIN and “Common Code” number (in each case if then generally in use), and if so, such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number shall be included in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such number either as printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Issuer shall promptly notify, and in any event within 10 Business Days, the Trustee of any such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number used by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Notes and of any change in the CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number.

 

SECTION 2.15.               Deposit of Moneys .

 

Prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Interest Payment Date and maturity date, the Issuer shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date or maturity date, as the case may be. The principal and interest on Global Notes shall be payable to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the Global Notes represented thereby. The principal and interest on Physical Notes shall be payable, either in person or by mail, at the office of the Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.16.               Special Transfer Provisions .

 

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

 

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

 

(y)            to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations of the same series,

 

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

 

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

 

(ii)            if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.16(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

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

 

(B)            if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Issuer, a certification to that effect; or

 

(C)            if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Issuer so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.16(e)(i).

 

(b)            Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note . A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, an IAI Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note in the same series except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:

 

(i)             certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (B) being transferred to an IAI or (C) being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note; and

 

(ii)            written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Notes Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)), IAI Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(C)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,

 

then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Notes Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Notes Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, of the same series to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, of the same series, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Notes, IAI Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, of the applicable series are then outstanding, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Issuer in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer, a new Rule 144A Global Note, IAI Global Note or Permanent

 

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Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, of the applicable series in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(c)            Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .

 

(i)             The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions, instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

 

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

 

(iii)           Notwithstanding any other provisions of Article Two (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.17), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

 

(iv)           In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes of the same series pursuant to Section 2.17, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.16 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuer.

 

(d)            Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes . During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (i) to Issuer, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States.

 

(e)            Legend .

 

(i)             Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof), in the case of Notes offered otherwise than in reliance on Regulation S, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

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THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) TO THE ISSUER, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) TO AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (V) PURSUANT TO EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (VI) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (VI), IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER SHALL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

Each certificate evidencing a Note offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

Each Definitive Note shall also bear the following additional legend:

 

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

 

(ii)            Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note of the same series that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note).

 

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

 

(g)            No Obligation of the Trustee .

 

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

 

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

 

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SECTION 2.17.               Certificated Notes .

 

(a)            A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Notes Custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.02 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes of the same series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.16 hereof and (i) the Depository notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note and the Depository fails to appoint a successor depository or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notice, (ii) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Notes of either series in definitive form, then, upon surrender by the relevant Global Note Holder of its Global Note, Notes in such form will be issued to each Person that such Global Note Holder and the Depository identifies as being the beneficial owner of the related Notes, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes of the relevant series.

 

(b)            Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of the same series of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of US$2,000 principal amount or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.16(e) hereof, bear the applicable restricted securities legend and definitive note legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

(c)            Subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(b) hereof, the registered Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(d)            In the event of the occurrence of one of the events specified in Section 2.17(a) hereof, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. In the event that the Definitive Notes are not issued to each such beneficial owner promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Note to issue such Certificated Note, the Issuer expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Article 6 of this Indenture, the right of any beneficial holder of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Note that represents such beneficial holder’s Notes as if such Certificated Notes had been issued.

 

(e)            By its acceptance of any Note bearing any Legend in Section 2.16(e), each Holder of such Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in such Legend in Section 2.16(e) and agrees that it shall transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.

 

The Registrar shall retain for a period of two years copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.02 or this Section 2.17. The Issuer shall have the

 

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right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable notice to the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.18.               Computation of Interest .

 

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.               Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes of either series pursuant to paragraph 6 of such Notes, at least 40 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee), the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the conditions contained in paragraph 6 of the Notes. Notice given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.01 may not be revoked after the time that notice is given to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03.

 

SECTION 3.02.               Selection by Trustee of Notes To Be Redeemed .

 

In the event that less than all of the 2017 Notes or 2020 Notes, as the case may be, are to be redeemed pursuant to a redemption made pursuant to paragraph 6 of such Notes, selection of the Notes for redemption shall be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed or, if such Notes are not then listed on a national security exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot; provided, however, that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. If a partial redemption is made pursuant clause (c) of paragraph 6 of the Notes, selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of the Depository), unless that method is otherwise prohibited. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. For all purposes of this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Issuer may acquire Notes of either series by means other than redemption, whether pursuant to an Issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise, provided such acquisition does not otherwise violate the other terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 3.03.               Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption

 

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Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. If the Issuer mails such notice to Holders, it shall mail a copy of such notice to the Trustee at the same time.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP numbers, ISIN and Common Code numbers, if any thereof) and shall state:

 

(1)            the Redemption Date;

 

(2)            the redemption price and the amount of premium (or the manner of calculation the redemption price and/or premium) and accrued interest to be paid;

 

(3)            if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes of the same series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued;

 

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

 

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

 

(6)            that unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

(7)            the provision of paragraph 6 of the Notes, pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(8)            the aggregate principal amount of Notes that are being redeemed.

 

At the Issuer’s written request made at least five Business Days prior to the date on which notice is to be given, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption prepared by the Issuer, in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s sole expense. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03.

 

SECTION 3.04.               Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date, provided that if the Redemption Date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date, and provided, further, that if a Redemption Date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the period from such Redemption Date to such succeeding Business Day. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

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SECTION 3.05.               Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or prior to 12:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. Promptly after the calculation of the Redemption Price, the Issuer shall give the Trustee and any Paying Agent written notice thereof.

 

On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on Notes called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Notes called for redemption shall cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes shall be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the first proviso in Section 3.04, accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to the Redemption Date. If any Note surrendered for redemption shall not be so paid, interest shall be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Note and any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.

 

SECTION 3.06.               Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder thereof a new Note of the same series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

SECTION 3.07.               Mandatory Redemption .

 

The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes of either Series.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.               Payment of Notes .

 

The Issuer shall pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment.

 

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal (including post-petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.

 

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SECTION 4.02.               Reports to Holders .

 

(a)            Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders, or file electronically with the SEC through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system):

 

(1)            within 60 days of the end of any fiscal quarter (other than any fiscal quarter end that coincides with the end of a fiscal year), all quarterly and, within 120 days of the end of any fiscal year, annual financial statements (including footnote disclosure) that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K, as applicable, if the Issuer were required to file these Forms (other than separate financial statements of any subsidiary of the Issuer that would be due solely to the fact that such Subsidiary’s securities secure the Notes as required by Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (or any successor regulation)), and a “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Issuer’s certified independent accountants; and

 

(2)            all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file these reports to the extent such reports relate to the occurrence of any event which would require an 8-K to be filed pursuant to the following Items set forth in the instruction to Form 8-K: (i) Item 1.03 Bankruptcy or Receivership, (ii) Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition (in excess of $20.0 million), (iii) Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement (other than with respect to lease obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in excess of $25.0 million), (iv) Item 2.04 Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement, (v) Item 2.06 Material Impairment, (vi) Item 4.01 Change in Certifying Accountant, (vii) Item 4.02 Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review, (viii) Item 5.01 Change in Control and (ix) Item 5.02 Departure of Director or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;

 

provided, however, that (A) reports provided pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) shall not be required to comply with (i) Sections 302 (Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports), 906 (Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports) and 404 (Management Assessment of Internal Controls) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Items 307 (Disclosure Controls and Procedures), 308 (Internal Control Over Financial Reporting) and 402 (Executive Compensation) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) Regulation G under the Exchange Act or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K with respect to any non-U.S. GAAP financial measures contained therein and (B) reports and information provided pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) shall not be required to be accompanied by any exhibits consisting of commercial agreements (not including notes or other debt instruments) with customers and suppliers.

 

The Issuer shall deliver with each report referred to in clause (1) above, a schedule eliminating Unrestricted Subsidiaries and reconciling the same to the financial statements in such report.

 

(b)            The Issuer and the Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders and upon their request, to prospective investors and securities analysts, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

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(c)            In the event that a direct or indirect parent becomes a Guarantor, if such parent has complied with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, and has furnished the Holders, or filed electronically with the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system), the reports described herein with respect to such parent (including any consolidating financial information required by Regulation S-X relating to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent on the one hand, and the information relating to Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis on the other hand), the Issuer shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this covenant.

 

SECTION 4.03.               Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

 

Each of the Issuer and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive any of the Issuer and the Guarantors from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) each of the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.04.               Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default .

 

(a)            The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuer and the Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Issuer and the Guarantors have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and no Default occurred during such period (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action they are taking or propose to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuer and the Guarantors is taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)            The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default and what action the Issuer and the Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

(c)            The Issuer’s fiscal year currently ends on December 31. The Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee of any change in its fiscal year.

 

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SECTION 4.05.               Payment of Obligations .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay its material obligations, including material tax liabilities before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.06.               Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur additional Indebtedness, in each case, if, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00 (the “ Coverage Ratio Exception ”).

 

Notwithstanding the above, each of the following shall be permitted (the “ Permitted Indebtedness ”):

 

(1)            Indebtedness of the Issuer and any Guarantor under the Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $3,500,000,000, less, to the extent a permanent repayment and/or commitment reduction is required thereunder as a result of such application, the aggregate amount of Net Available Proceeds applied to repayments under the Credit Facilities in accordance with Section 4.08;

 

(2)            the Existing Notes issued on the Existing Notes Issue Date and the Existing Note Guarantees;

 

(3)            Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent outstanding on the Existing Notes Issue Date after giving effect to the use of proceeds of the Existing Notes (other than Indebtedness referred to in clause (1), (2) or (4));

 

(4)            (x) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer and (y) guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary or the Issuer of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such Indebtedness being owed to any Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (4);

 

(5)            Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds issued for the account of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

 

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(6)            Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Refinancing Indebtedness thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding $100.0 million;

 

(7)            Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of incurrence;

 

(8)            Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)            Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or clause (2) or (3) above or this clause (9);

 

(10)          indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Equity Interests for the purpose of financing or in contemplation of any such acquisition; provided that (a) any amount of such obligations included on the face of the balance sheet of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be permitted under this clause (10) and (b) in the case of a disposition, the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such obligations outstanding under this clause (10) shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

 

(11)          Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors in an aggregate amount not to exceed $425.0 million at any time outstanding (less the amount of any Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under clause (23) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” which Indebtedness is not incurred pursuant to this clause (11)); and

 

(12)          Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.06, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described and may later reclassify any item of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (12) above ( provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories), except that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreements and the Notes of each series issued on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred under clause (1) above. In addition, for purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this Section 4.06, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included so long as incurred by a Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated

 

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in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.

 

SECTION 4.07.               Limitations on Restricted Payments .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

(1)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence thereof; and

 

(2)            after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

The foregoing provisions shall not prohibit:

 

(1)            the payment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if on the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)            the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer shall be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement);

 

(3)            the redemption of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of, Qualified Equity Interests ( provided that any transfers of the Equity Interests of the Issuer shall be subject to the provisions of the Parent Pledge Agreement), (b) in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent incurrence of, Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 and the other terms of this Indenture or (c) upon a Change of Control or in connection with a sale of assets to the extent required by the agreement governing such Subordinated Indebtedness but only if the Issuer shall have complied with Section 4.08 and Section 4.20 and purchased all Notes validly tendered pursuant to the relevant offer prior to redeeming such Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(4)            (x) prior to the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to Parent to permit Parent, and which are used by Parent or (y) after the consummation of an initial public offering, payments to the Issuer to permit the Issuer, and which are used by the Issuer, to redeem Equity Interests of Parent or the Issuer, as the case may be, held by officers, directors or employees or former officers, directors or employees (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates), upon their death, disability, retirement, severance or termination of employment or

 

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service; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such redemptions shall not exceed $25.0 million during any twelve consecutive months;

 

(5)            payments permitted pursuant to clause (3) of Section 4.09;

 

(6)            repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if the Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof;

 

(7)            payments used solely to fund Parent Loan Purchases;

 

(8)            payments by the Issuer to Parent or its subsidiaries to the extent necessary to pay principal and interest when due in respect of Indebtedness of Parent and its subsidiaries allocated to the Liberty Media Interactive tracking stock or any comparable successor thereto;

 

(9)            Restricted Payments by the Issuer pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for directors, management, employees or consultants of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; or

 

(10)          other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount from and after the Existing Notes Issue Date not to exceed $50.0 million;

 

provided that in the case of any Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (3), (7), (8) or (10) above, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a consequence thereof.

 

For purposes of this covenant, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.

 

SECTION 4.08.               Limitations on Asset Sales .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

 

(1)            at the time of such transaction (or, if earlier, the date of the commitment to enter into such transaction) and after giving effect thereto and to the use of proceeds thereof, (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (b) the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied; and

 

(2)            if such Asset Sale involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents.

 

The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the conditions described in clause (1) above have been satisfied.

 

If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall, no later than 365 days following the consummation thereof, apply all or any of the Net Available Proceeds therefrom to:

 

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(1)            satisfy all mandatory repayment obligations under the Credit Agreements arising by reason of such Asset Sale and, in the case of any such repayment under any revolving credit facility, effect a permanent reduction in the availability under such revolving credit facility;

 

(2)            with respect to Asset Sales of Collateral, repay other Permitted Parity Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Guarantors that ranks pari passu with the Notes;

 

(3)            repay any Indebtedness which was secured by the assets sold in such Asset Sale or any Indebtedness to which the Notes and the Note Guarantees are structurally subordinated; or

 

(4)            (A) invest all or any part of the Net Available Proceeds thereof in the purchase of assets (other than securities) to be used by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Permitted Business, (B) acquire Qualified Equity Interests in a Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary or in a Person engaged in a Permitted Business that shall become a Restricted Subsidiary immediately upon the consummation of such acquisition or (C) a combination of (A) and (B).

 

The amount of Net Available Proceeds not applied or invested as provided in this paragraph shall constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” To the extent Net Available Proceeds are received by a Foreign Subsidiary and the Issuer determines that the application of such Net Available Proceeds in compliance with this paragraph would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, such Net Available Proceeds shall not be subject to the requirements of this paragraph and shall not be included in Excess Proceeds.

 

When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds $50.0 million, the Issuer shall be required to make an offer to purchase from all Holders and, if applicable, redeem (or make an offer to do so) any other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes of the Issuer and the Guarantors the provisions of which require the Issuer to redeem such Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Sales (or offer to do so), in an aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes equal to the amount of such Excess Proceeds as follows:

 

(1)            the Issuer shall (a) make an offer to purchase (a “ Net Proceeds Offer ”) to all Holders in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture, and (b) redeem (or make an offer to do so) any such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes, pro rata in proportion to the respective principal amounts of the Notes and such other Indebtedness required to be redeemed, the maximum principal amount of Notes and other Indebtedness that may be redeemed out of the amount (the “ Payment Amount ”) of such Excess Proceeds;

 

(2)            the offer price for the Notes shall be payable in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date such Net Proceeds Offer is consummated (the “ Offered Price ”), in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture, and the redemption price for such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes (the “ Parity Indebtedness Price ”) shall be as set forth in the related documentation governing such Indebtedness;

 

(3)            if the aggregate Offered Price of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by Holders thereof exceeds the pro rata portion of the Payment Amount allocable to the Notes, Notes to be purchased shall be selected on a pro rata basis; and

 

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(4)            upon completion of such Net Proceeds Offer in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the amount of Excess Proceeds with respect to which such Net Proceeds Offer was made shall be deemed to be zero.

 

To the extent that the sum of the aggregate Offered Price of Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer and the aggregate Parity Indebtedness Price paid to the holders of such other Permitted Parity Indebtedness is less than the Payment Amount relating thereto (such shortfall constituting a “ Net Proceeds Deficiency ”), the Issuer may use the Net Proceeds Deficiency, or a portion thereof, for general corporate purposes, subject to the provisions of this Indenture.

 

In the event of the transfer of substantially all (but not all) of the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a Person in a transaction covered by and effected in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor shall be deemed to have sold for cash at Fair Market Value the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries not so transferred for purposes of this covenant, and the successor shall comply with the provisions of this covenant with respect to such deemed sale as if it were an Asset Sale (with such Fair Market Value being deemed to be Net Available Proceeds for such purpose).

 

The Issuer shall comply with applicable tender offer rules, including the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.08, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.08 by virtue of this compliance.

 

SECTION 4.09.               Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis by the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or that Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

 

(1)            transactions between or among the Issuer and its Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate;

 

(2)            reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, and Stock Compensation Plans) and indemnification arrangements;

 

(3)            transactions pursuant to the Tax Liability Allocation and Indemnification Agreement as in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date;

 

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(4)            loans and advances permitted by clause (3) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

 

(5)            Restricted Payments of the type described in clause (1), (2) or (4) of the definition of “Restricted Payment” and which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;

 

(6)            (x) any agreement in effect on the Issue Date and disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, as in effect on the Issue Date or as thereafter amended or replaced in any manner, that, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the Holders or the Issuer in any material respect than such agreement as it was in effect on the Issue Date or (y) any transaction pursuant to any agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clause (x);

 

(7)            any transaction with a joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such joint venture or similar entity; provided that no Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have a beneficial interest in such joint venture or similar entity;

 

(8)            ordinary overhead arrangements in which any Subsidiary participates; and

 

(9)            (a) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary is Qualified Equity Interests or (b) the issuance or sale of any Qualified Equity Interests.

 

SECTION 4.10.               Limitations on Liens .

 

(a)            The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) of any nature whatsoever against any assets (including Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, which Lien secures Indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or trade payables.

 

(b)            The provisions in the preceding clause (a) shall not apply to Liens on Collateral to secure Indebtedness (“ Permitted Parity Indebtedness ”) in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the sum of (x) the amount of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (1) of Section 4.06 and (y) the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes issued under the Existing Notes Indenture on the Existing Notes Issue Date; provided that (i) such Permitted Parity Indebtedness, shall be secured by a Lien that is equal and ratable or junior to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees, (ii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is not incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees and (iii) any Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Indebtedness that is incurred under a Credit Facility shall be subject to terms no more favorable to such holders than the Liens in favor of the secured parties under the Credit Agreements as in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date unless such Liens equally and ratably secure the Notes and Note Guarantees; provided that, at a time when there are no Credit Agreements outstanding, Liens incurred pursuant to this paragraph in favor of holders of Permitted Parity Indebtedness that ranks pari passu with the Notes may be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies

 

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and enforcement to the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral ratably with the holders of any other such Indebtedness and the Holders of the Notes in proportion to the amount of obligations under such Indebtedness.

 

Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreements and the Notes of each series on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to this Section 4.10(b).

 

SECTION 4.11.             Additional Note Guarantees .

 

If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) becomes a Material Domestic Subsidiary, (b) any Restricted Subsidiary (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly Redesignated Restricted Subsidiary) guarantees any Indebtedness under any Permitted Parity Indebtedness or (c) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(1)            execute and deliver to the Trustee (a) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, (b) a notation of guarantee in respect of its Note Guarantee and (c) execute joinders in respect of the applicable Security Documents and take the actions required thereby to perfect the security interests created thereby; and

 

(2)            deliver to the Trustee one or more opinions of counsel that such supplemental indenture (a) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary qualifications).

 

SECTION 4.12.             Limitations on Dividend and Other Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)            pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Equity Interests;

 

(b)            make loans or advances or pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(c)            transfer any of its assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

 

except for:

 

(1)            encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of applicable law, regulation or order;

 

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(2)            encumbrances or restrictions existing under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents;

 

(3)            non-assignment provisions of any contract or any lease entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(4)            encumbrances or restrictions existing under agreements existing on the Existing Notes Issue Date (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements, the Existing Notes Indenture, the Existing Notes and the Existing Note Guarantees) as in effect on that date;

 

(5)            restrictions relating to any Lien permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien that limit the right of the relevant obligor to transfer assets that are subject to such Lien;

 

(6)            restrictions imposed under any agreement to sell assets permitted under this Indenture to any Person pending the closing of such sale;

 

(7)            any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person or the properties or assets of the Person so acquired;

 

(8)            any other agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Existing Notes Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are not materially more restrictive with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Existing Notes Issue Date;

 

(9)            customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, joint venture agreements, shareholder agreements and other similar agreements that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation or similar Person;

 

(10)          Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred in compliance with Section 4.06 that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the assets acquired;

 

(11)          restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(12)          any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

 

SECTION 4.13.               Limitations on Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary) of the Issuer as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” under this Indenture (a “ Designation ”) only if:

 

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(1)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Designation; and

 

(2)            at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Designation, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

No Subsidiary shall be Designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” unless such Subsidiary:

 

(1)            has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt (it being understood that a Subsidiary may have provided a Note Guarantee prior to the time it was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) and other obligations arising by operation of law, including joint and several liability for taxes, ERISA obligations and similar items, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07;

 

(2)            is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of the agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding comply with Section 4.09;

 

(3)            is a Person with respect to which neither the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve the Person’s financial condition or to cause the Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, except, in each case, pursuant to Investments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07; and

 

(4)            shall not become a Subsidiary of the Issuer or its other Subsidiaries (other than another Unrestricted Subsidiary) where the Issuer or such other Subsidiary shall become a general partner of any such Subsidiary.

 

If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary fails to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture on the date that is 30 days after the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has obtained knowledge of such failure (unless such failure has been cured by such date), and any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary and any Liens on assets of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary at such time and, if the Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred under Section 4.06 or the Lien is not permitted under Section 4.10, the Issuer shall be in default of the applicable covenant.

 

The Issuer may redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (a “ Redesignation ”) only if:

 

(1)            no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of and after giving effect to such Redesignation; and

 

(2)            all Liens, Indebtedness and Investments of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Redesignation would, if incurred or made at such time, have been permitted to be incurred or made for all purposes of this Indenture.

 

All Designations and Redesignations must be evidenced by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions.

 

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SECTION 4.14.               Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

 

(1)            the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have (a) incurred the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.06 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.10 or the lease in the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is not a capital lease and the aggregate proceeds from such arrangements since the Existing Notes Issue Date do not exceed $100.0 million; and

 

(2)            the transfer of assets in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction in accordance with Section 4.08.

 

SECTION 4.15.               Conduct of Business .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its line of business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Existing Notes Issue Date (other than businesses incidental or related thereto).

 

SECTION 4.16.               Maintenance of Properties; Insurance .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies or in accordance with self insurance practices, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of similar size engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

SECTION 4.17.               Compliance with Laws .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so would not be adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.18.               Existence .

 

The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 5.01, and the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, franchise, permit, license or legal existence with respect to itself or any Restricted Subsidiary if the Issuer shall determine in good faith the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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SECTION 4.19.               Payments for Consent .

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders (or, in the case of any consent, waiver or amendment that is applicable to only one series of the Notes, to all Holders of the Notes of such series) that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

SECTION 4.20.               Change of Control Offer .

 

Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder of the Notes of each series shall have the right to require that the Issuer purchase that Holder’s Notes for a cash price (the “ Change of Control Purchase Price ”) equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to the date of purchase.

 

Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall mail, or caused to be mailed, to the Holders a notice:

 

(1)            describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control;

 

(2)            offering to purchase, pursuant to the procedures required by this Indenture and described in the notice (a “ Change of Control Offer ”), on a date specified in the notice (which shall be a Business Day not earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date the notice is mailed) and for the Change of Control Purchase Price, all Notes properly tendered by such Holder pursuant to such Change of Control Offer; and

 

(3)            describing the procedures that Holders must follow to accept the Change of Control Offer. The Change of Control Offer is required to remain open for at least 20 Business Days or for such longer period as is required by law.

 

The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the date of purchase.

 

The Issuer’s obligation to make a Change of Control Offer shall be satisfied if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner and at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

 

The Issuer shall comply with applicable tender offer rules, including the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions under this Section 4.20, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.20 by virtue of this compliance.

 

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SECTION 4.21.              Fall-Away Event .

 

If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes of either series have investment grade ratings from both Moody’s and Standard  & Poor’s, and the Issuer has delivered written notice of such investment grade ratings to the Trustee, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day and continuing at all times thereafter regardless of any subsequent changes in the ratings of such series of the Notes or the occurrence of any Default, the provisions in the following sections shall no longer be applicable to the Notes of such series (collectively, the “ Terminated Covenants ”): Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.12 and clause (3) of Section 5.01.

 

No Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture or the Notes of such series with respect to the Terminated Covenants based on, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring after the Notes of such series attain an investment grade rating, regardless of whether such actions or event would have been permitted if the applicable Terminated Covenants remained in effect.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 5.01.              Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations, etc .

 

The Issuer shall not, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (a) consolidate or merge with or into another Person, or sell, lease, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of or assign all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) or (b) adopt a Plan of Liquidation unless, in either case:

 

(1)           either:

 

(a)          the Issuer shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

(b)         the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall be made (or, in the case of a Plan of Liquidation, any Person to which assets are transferred) (collectively, the “ Successor ”) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of any State of the United States of America or the District of Columbia, and the Successor expressly assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture;

 

(2)           immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations as set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(3)           immediately after and giving effect to such transaction and the assumption of the obligations set forth in clause (1)(b) above and the incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred

 

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in connection therewith, and the use of any net proceeds therefrom on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Test would be satisfied.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.01, any Indebtedness of the Successor which was not Indebtedness of the Issuer immediately prior to the transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred in connection with such transaction.

 

Except as provided in Section 10.04, no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, unless:

 

(1)           either:

 

(a)          such Guarantor shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

(b)         the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger is another Guarantor or assumes, by agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of such Guarantor under the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, this Indenture and the Security Documents; and

 

(2)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, the Equity Interests of which constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

 

Upon any consolidation, combination or merger of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or Guarantor in accordance with the foregoing, in which the Issuer or such Guarantor is not the continuing obligor under the Notes or its Note Guarantee, the surviving entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or the Person to which the conveyance, lease or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the same effect as if such surviving entity had been named therein as the Issuer or such Guarantor and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes or in respect of its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and all of the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s other obligations and covenants under the Notes, this Indenture and its Note Guarantee, if applicable.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, that the surviving entity remains or becomes a Guarantor.

 

SECTION 5.02.              Successor Person Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor entity formed by

 

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such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary herein, and thereafter the predecessor entity shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01.              Events of Default .

 

Each of the following shall be an “ Event of Default ” with respect to a series of Notes:

 

(1)           failure by the Issuer to pay interest on any of the Notes of such series when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for 30 days;

 

(2)           failure by the Issuer to pay the principal on any of the Notes of such series when it becomes due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption, upon purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;

 

(3)           failure by the Issuer to comply with Section 5.01 or in respect of its obligations to make a Change of Control Offer;

 

(4)           failure by the Issuer to comply with any other agreement or covenant in this Indenture and continuance of this failure for 30 days after written notice of the failure has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

 

(5)           default under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument or agreement under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is incurred after the Issue Date, which default:

 

(a)          is caused by a failure to pay at final maturity principal on such Indebtedness within the applicable express grace period and any extensions thereof,

 

(b)         results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express final maturity, or

 

(c)          results in the commencement of judicial proceedings to foreclose upon, or to exercise remedies under applicable law or applicable security documents to take ownership of, the assets securing such Indebtedness, and

 

in each case, the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with any other Indebtedness with respect to which an event described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and is continuing, aggregates $50.0 million or more (and provided that, for purposes of this clause (5) only, “Indebtedness”

 

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shall include any Hedging Obligations with the “principal amount” of any Hedging Obligations at any time being the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if the agreement with respect to such Hedging Obligations terminated at such time);

 

(6)           one or more judgments or orders that exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) for the payment of money have been entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and such judgment or judgments have not been satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;

 

(7)           the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(a)           commences a voluntary case,

 

(b)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(c)           consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its assets, or

 

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

 

(8)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(a)           is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

(b)           appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary, or

 

(c)           orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary,

 

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

 

(9)           any Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Note Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Note Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Note Guarantee);

 

(10)         (a) the security interest under the Security Documents, at any time, ceases to be in full force and effect for any reason other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Security Documents, (b) any security interest created thereunder or under this Indenture is declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or (c) the Issuer, any Guarantor,

 

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the Parent Pledgor or any of their respective Affiliates asserts, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any such security interest is invalid or unenforceable; or

 

(11)         (i) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Parent Pledgor in the Parent Pledge Agreement or any amendment, modification or waiver in respect thereof shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made, (ii) the Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 4.3 or 4.5 of the Parent Pledge Agreement, (iii) the Parent Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in the Parent Pledge Agreement (other than those specified in clause (i) or (ii) above, and, in the case of this clause (iii), such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement) to the Parent Pledgor, (iv) there shall exist any Lien on the Equity Interests of the Issuer other than Liens created by the Parent Pledge Agreement and Liens securing the Notes and Permitted Parity Indebtedness, (v) the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Parent Pledge Agreement) shall cease, for any reason, to have a perfected first priority Lien on all issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Issuer, or (vi) the Issuer shall issue any Equity Interests to any Person other than a Person that is or concurrently becomes a party to the Parent Pledge Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.02.      Acceleration .

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 as to a particular series of Notes occurs, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding of such series of Notes, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under such series of Notes to be due and payable. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor and other than an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01), shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, the Trustee, by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration of acceleration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding Notes (or the outstanding Notes of the relevant series) shall immediately become due and payable; provided , however , that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (or the outstanding Notes of the relevant series) may, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.

 

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes of any series, give the Holders of such Notes written notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided , however , that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes of such series or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders.

 

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SECTION 6.03.              Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, this Indenture and, subject to the terms thereof, the Security Documents and may take any necessary action requested of it as Trustee to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which it is a party.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative. Any costs associated with actions taken by the Trustee under this Section 6.03 shall be reimbursed to the Trustee by the Issuer.

 

SECTION 6.04.              Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default .

 

Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.08 and 8.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or the Notes of the relevant series) then outstanding have the right to waive any existing Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.05.              Control by Majority .

 

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (or the Notes of the then outstanding relevant series, if applicable) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder not taking part in such direction, and the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed may result in costs and expenses of the Trustee for which it has no source of payment or recovery or involve it in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 6.06.              Limitation on Suits .

 

No Holder shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless the Trustee:

 

(1)           has failed to act for a period of 60 days after receiving written notice of a continuing Event of Default by such Holder and a request to act by Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes (or Notes of the relevant series) outstanding;

 

(2)           has been offered indemnity satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment; and

 

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(3)           has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or Notes of the relevant series) outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request.

 

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of any Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such Note on or after the due date therefor (after giving effect to the grace period specified in clause (1) of Section 6.01).

 

SECTION 6.07.              No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes of either series or this Indenture or of any Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

SECTION 6.08.              Rights of Holders To Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest of the Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.09.              Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor on the Notes) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate set forth in the applicable series of Notes.

 

SECTION 6.10.              Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceedings.

 

SECTION 6.11.              Priorities .

 

Subject to the terms of the Security Documents and any intercreditor agreement with the holders of Permitted Party Indebtedness, if the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest as to each, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes; and

 

THIRD: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount from any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.11. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder and the Issuer a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

 

SECTION 6.12.              Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy hereunder or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.08 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes (or Notes of the relevant series) then outstanding.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01.              Duties of Trustee .

 

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

 

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

 

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(1)           the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(2)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

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

 

(4)           no provision hereof shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its rights, powers or duties if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(d)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section 7.01 shall govern every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.

 

(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss, liability, expense or fee.

 

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

 

(g)           Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01 and to the provision of the TIA.

 

SECTION 7.02.              Rights of Trustee .

 

Subject to Section 7.01:

 

(1)           The Trustee may rely on any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

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(2)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 11.05. The Trustee shall be protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

 

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

 

(4)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(5)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(6)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except (i) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 or (ii) any Event of Default of which the Trustee shall have received written notification or otherwise obtained actual knowledge. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no Default except as aforesaid.

 

(7)           The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture, and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any such rights or powers, unless it shall have been offered reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the cost, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it in connection with such exercise of its rights or powers.

 

(8)           The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate (including any Officers’ Certificate), statement, instrument, opinion (including any Opinion of Counsel), notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of Indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, upon reasonable notice to the Issuer, to examine the books, records, and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the investigation. Except with respect to Sections 4.01, 4.02 (subject to paragraph 12 below) and 4.04, the Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ covenants set forth herein.

 

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

 

(10)         The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties hereunder.

 

(11)         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

 

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by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(12)         Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officers’ Certificate).

 

SECTION 7.03.              Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for or otherwise deal with the either of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any Affiliates thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04.              Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes or any Guarantee, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s use of the proceeds from the sale of Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or any Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and it shall not be responsible for the use or application of money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any statement in the Notes, Note Guarantee, this Indenture or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.              Notice of Defaults .

 

The Trustee shall, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default with respect to the Notes, give the Holders notice of all uncured Defaults thereunder known to it; provided , however , that, except in the case of an Event of Default in payment with respect to the Notes or a Default in complying with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is not opposed to the interest of the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.06.              Reports by Trustee to Holders .

 

If required by TIA § 313(a), within 60 days after May 15 of any year, commencing May 15, 2010, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c) and TIA § 313(d).

 

Reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be transmitted by mail:

 

(1)           to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Registrar’s books; and

 

(2)           to such Holders as have, within the two years preceding such tranmission, filed their names and addresses with the Trustee for that purpose.

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee, and in any event within 10 Business Days, when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.07.              Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall pay to the Trustee and Agents from time to time reasonable compensation for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as agreed to from time to time by the Trustee and the Issuer. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall reimburse the Trustee and Agents upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including without limitation taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee or such Agent) and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by each of them in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder (including, without limitation, settlement costs). The Trustee or Agent shall notify the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee or Agent for which it may seek indemnity. However, the failure by the Trustee or Agent to so notify the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Issuer and Guarantors of their obligations hereunder except to the extent the Issuer and the Guarantors are prejudiced thereby.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and the Guarantors need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee, Agents and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, discharge or other termination of this Indenture, including any termination or rejection hereof under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

For purposes of this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall include any trustee appointed pursuant to this Article Seven.

 

SECTION 7.08.              Replacement of Trustee .

 

The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Issuer and the Gurantors in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by notifying

 

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the Issuer and the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Issuer’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Issuer may remove the Trustee at its election if:

 

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

 

(2)          the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

 

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

 

(4)          the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If a Trustee is removed with or without cause, all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Trustee incurred in the administration of the trust or in performing the duties hereunder shall be paid to the Trustee.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Immediately following such delivery, the retiring Trustee shall, subject to its rights under Section 7.07, transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09.              Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger, etc .

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another entity, subject to Section 7.10, the successor entity without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided such entity shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Seven.

 

SECTION 7.10.              Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1) and (2) in every respect. The Trustee (together with its corporate parent) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in the most recent applicable published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b), including the provision in § 310(b)(1).

 

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SECTION 7.11.              Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer .

 

The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311 (b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

SECTION 7.12.              Paying Agents .

 

The Issuer shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:

 

(A)          that it shall hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee;

 

(B)           that it shall at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and

 

(C)           that it shall give the Trustee written notice within three (3) Business Days of any failure of the Issuer (or by any obligor on the Notes) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 8.01.              Without Consent of Holders .

 

The Issuer and the Trustee may amend, waive or supplement this Indenture, the Security Agreement, the Note Guarantees or the Notes of either series without prior notice to or consent of any Holder:

 

(1)           to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders pursuant to Section 5.01;

 

(2)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(3)           to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(4)           to add Note Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes;

 

(5)           to release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture (to the extent permitted by this Indenture);

 

(6)           to qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

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(7)           to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the Notes;

 

(8)           to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture;

 

(9)           to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any other Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent or Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the obligations under the Notes and this Indenture in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise;

 

(10)         to add or remove holders of any Permitted Parity Indebtedness (or any agent acting on their behalf) to or from any Security Documents or to release Collateral from the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or this Indenture; or

 

(11)         to make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder.

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.02.              With Consent of Holders .

 

(a)           Subject to clause (b) of this Section 8.02, this Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of, this Indenture may be waived (other than any continuing Default in the payment of the principal or interest on the Notes) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; provided , however , that if any such amendment or waiver, by its terms, directly and disproportionately affects one series of Notes then outstanding, such amendment or waiver shall require the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of such series of Notes then outstanding, and if any such amendment or waiver only affects one series of Notes, the Holders of the other series of Notes shall not be required to consent thereto.

 

Furthermore, without the consent of each Holder affected, no amendment or waiver may:

 

(1)          reduce, or change the maturity of, the principal of any Note;

 

(2)          reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

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(3)           reduce any premium payable upon redemption of the Notes or change the date on, or the circumstances under, which any Notes are subject to redemption (other than provisions relating to the purchase of Notes described in Sections 4.08 and 4.20, except that if a Change of Control has occurred, no amendment or other modification of the obligation of the Issuer to make a Change of Control Offer relating to such Change of Control shall be made without the consent of each Holder affected);

 

(4)           make any Note payable in money or currency other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(5)           modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the Holders;

 

(6)           reduce the percentage of Holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(7)           waive a default in the payment of principal of or premium or interest on any Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders thereof as provided in this Indenture and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(8)           impair the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes on or after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Notes;

 

(9)           release any Guarantor that is a Material Domestic Subsidiary from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except as permitted by this Indenture, or amend the definition of Material Domestic Subsidiary in a manner adverse to Holders; or

 

(10)         make any change in this Section 8.02.

 

(b)           In addition, without the consent of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver may modify any Security Document or the provisions of this Indenture dealing with the Security Documents or application of trust moneys, or otherwise release any Collateral, in each case in any manner that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Holders to equally and ratably share in the Liens provided for in the Security Documents in a manner that is materially disproportionate to the effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver on the holders of the other obligations secured by the Security Documents.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 8.06, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

SECTION 8.03.              Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 8.04.              Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Note or portion thereof, and of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Note. Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of a Note, if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective.

 

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

 

After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (10) of Section 8.02(a). In that case the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note.

 

SECTION 8.05.              Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) shall request the Holder (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue, the Guarantors shall endorse, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 8.06.              Trustee To Sign Amendments, etc .

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Eight if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing

 

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to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.01, shall be fully protected in relying conclusively upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to the matters required by Section 11.04, that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent required hereunder to such amendment, supplement or waiver have been satisfied.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 9.01.              Discharge of Indenture .

 

The Issuer may terminate its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under the Notes of either series, the Note Guarantees with respect to such series and this Indenture with respect to such series, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.01, if

 

(1)           all the Notes of such series that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes of such series for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from this trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

 

(2)           (a) all Notes of such series not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (i) have become due and payable, (ii) shall become due and payable, or may be called for redemption, within one year or (iii) have been called for redemption pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest) to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness (including all principal and accrued interest) on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

 

(b)         the Issuer has paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to the relevant series of Notes, and

 

(c)          the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes of such series at maturity or on the date of redemption, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

 

After such delivery, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Notes of the relevant series, the Note Guarantees with respect to such series and this Indenture with respect to such series, except for those surviving obligations specified below.

 

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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer in Sections 7.07, 9.05 and 9.06 shall survive.

 

SECTION 9.02.                                          Legal Defeasance .

 

The Issuer may at its option, by Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes of either series and the Guarantors discharged from their obligations under the Note Guarantees with respect to such series of Notes on the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes of the relevant series and the Note Guarantees with respect thereto and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such series of Notes, such Note Guarantees and this Indenture insofar as the Notes of such series are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall, subject to Section 9.06, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and Issuer acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a) the rights of Holders of such series of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series when such payments are due solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes of such series under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.11 and 4.18, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07) and (d) this Article Nine. Subject to compliance with this Article Nine, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 9.02 with respect to Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.03 with respect to such Notes.

 

SECTION 9.03.                                          Covenant Defeasance .

 

At the option of the Issuer, pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, (x) the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Sections 4.02 (except for obligations mandated by the TIA), 4.05 through 4.16, inclusive, 4.20 and clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 and (y) clauses (4), (5), (6) and (9) of Section 6.01 shall no longer apply with respect to either series of Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

 

SECTION 9.04.                                          Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.02 or Section 9.03 to the outstanding Notes:

 

(1)           the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the relevant series of Notes, U.S. legal tender, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient (without consideration

 

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of any reinvestment of interest) in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuer, to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes of such series on the stated date for payment or on the Redemption Date of the principal or installment of principal of or interest on the Notes of such series,

 

(2)           in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States confirming that:

 

(a)           the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling, or

 

(b)           since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of such series of outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(3)           in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of such series of outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Covenant Defeasance had not occurred,

 

(4)           no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

 

(5)           the Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute (a) a Default under this Indenture or (b) a default under any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound (other than any such Default or default resulting solely from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit),

 

(6)           the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by it with the intent of preferring the Holders of such series of Notes over any other of its creditors or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other of its creditors or others, and

 

(7)           the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions provided for in, in the case of the Officers’ Certificate, clauses (1) through (6) and, in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, clauses (2) and/or (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied with.

 

If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes of the relevant series when due, then the obligations of the

 

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Issuer and the obligations of Guarantors under this Indenture shall be revived and no such defeasance shall be deemed to have occurred.

 

SECTION 9.05.                                     Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes of a particular series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent, to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis) pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.04 or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article Nine to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 9.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

SECTION 9.06.                                          Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01; provided that if the Issuer or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 9.07.                                          Moneys Held by Paying Agent .

 

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon written demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.04, to the Issuer (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

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SECTION 9.08.                                          Moneys Held by Trustee .

 

Subject to applicable law, any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Issuer (or, if appropriate, the Guarantors), or if such moneys are then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, either mail to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.03, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining shall be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the Issuer or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

SECTION 10.01.                                    Guarantee .

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees (each, a “ Note Guarantee ” and collectively, the “ Note Guarantees ”) to each Holder (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all other Obligations and due and punctual performance of all obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of such Note, this Indenture, and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note, this Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or such Guarantor.

 

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Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.

 

SECTION 10.02.                                    Execution and Delivery of Guarantee .

 

To further evidence the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit C hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Note Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer or an Officer of a general partner, as the case may be, of each Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Note Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.

 

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

 

If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

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

 

SECTION 10.03.                                    Limitation of Guarantee .

 

The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor (including, without limitation, any Guarantees under the Credit Agreements and the Existing Note Guarantees) and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 10.04.                                    Release of Guarantor .

 

A Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture and the Security Documents:

 

(1)           in the event of dissolution of such Guarantor;

 

(2)           if such Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or

 

(3)           upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Credit Agreements or such other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee,

 

and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.

 

The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article Ten.

 

SECTION 10.05.                                    Waiver of Subrogation .

 

Until the Notes have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or Note on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 10.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01.                                    Trust Indenture Act Controls .

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies any TIA provision that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified. If any provision of this Indenture excludes any TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision shall be excluded from this Indenture.

 

The provisions of TIA §§ 310 through 317 that impose duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.

 

SECTION 11.02.                                    Notices .

 

Except for notice or communications to Holders, any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in person, sent by facsimile, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

 

QVC, INC.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Fax Number: (484) 701-1380

 

with copies to:

 

QVC, Inc.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

Attention: General Counsel

Fax Number: (484) 701-1021

 

and

 

Liberty Media Corporation

12300 Liberty Boulevard

Englewood, CO 80112

Attention: Treasurer

Fax: (220) 875-5915

 

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with, in the case of any notice furnished pursuant to Article Six, a copy to:

 

Sherman & Howard L.L.C.

633 17th Street, Suite 3000

Denver, Colorado 80202

Attention: Steve Miller

Fax Number: (303) 298-0940

 

If to the Trustee:

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Corporate Trust Service

Two Liberty Place

50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station: EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attention: George J. Rayzis

Fax Number: (215) 761-9412

 

Such notices or communications shall be effective when received and shall be sufficiently given if so given within the time prescribed in this Indenture.

 

The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by written notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to him by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication to a Holder is mailed in the manner provided above, it shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

SECTION 11.03.                                    Communications by Holders with Other Holders .

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04.                                    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

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(1)           an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)           an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05.                                    Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion .

 

Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Guarantor with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the Officers’ Certificate required by Sections 3.01 or 4.04) shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture and shall include:

 

(1)           a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

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

 

(3)           a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(4)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to such matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificate of public officials, and pro vided , further , that an Opinion of Counsel may have customary qualifications for opinions of the type required.

 

SECTION 11.06.                                    Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or meetings of Holders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 11.07.                                    Business Days; Legal Holidays .

 

A “ Business Day ” is a day that is not a Legal Holiday. A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which (i) commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to close or (ii) the New York Stock Exchange is not open for trading. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

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SECTION 11.08.                                    Governing Law .

 

This Indenture, the Notes of each series and the Note Guarantees shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York.

 

SECTION 11.09.                                    Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

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

 

SECTION 11.10.                                    Force Majeure .

 

In no event shall the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

 

SECTION 11.11.                                    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Issuer or any Subsidiary. No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.12.                                    No Recourse Against Others .

 

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future, of the Issuer or of any successor corporation or against the property or assets of any such stockholder, officer, employee or director, either directly or through the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the Notes are solely obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any stockholder, officer, employee or director of the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any successor corporation thereof, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes or implied there from, and that any and all such personal liability of, and any and all claims against every stockholder, officer, employee and director, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of the Notes. It is understood that this limitation on recourse is made expressly for the benefit of any such shareholder, employee, officer or director and may be enforced by any of them.

 

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SECTION 11.13.                                    Successors .

 

All agreements of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

SECTION 11.14.                                    Multiple Counterparts .

 

The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.

 

SECTION 11.15.                                    Table of Contents, Headings, etc .

 

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

 

SECTION 11.16.                                    Separability .

 

Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.17.            USA Patriot Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and Agents, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they shall provide the Trustee and the Agents with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

 

ARTICLE TWELVE

 

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

SECTION 12.01.                                    Security Documents; Additional Collateral .

 

(a)           The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when due, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise and whether by the Issuer pursuant to the Notes or by any Guarantor pursuant to its Note Guarantees, the payment of all secured obligations under the Security Documents, and the performance of all other obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents are secured by Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders prior to all other Liens except for Permitted Liens, as provided in the Security Documents, and shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents hereafter delivered

 

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as required or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the ratable benefit of the Trustee and the Holders and the other secured parties under the Security Document as provided therein and enforcing their rights (in their capacity as such) with respect to the Collateral, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the applicable Security Documents, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith. The Issuer shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Security Documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 12.01(a), to assure and confirm to the Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured thereby, according to the intent and purposes therein expressed. The Issuer shall, and shall cause each Guarantor to, and each Guarantor shall, make all filings (including filings of continuation statements and amendments to Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) and take all other actions as are required by the Security Documents to maintain (at the sole cost and expense of the Issuer and Guarantors) the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders as a valid and enforceable first priority perfected lien and security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens.

 

(b)           Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall take or omit to take any action that would materially adversely affect or impair the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders with respect to the Collateral. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall enter into any agreement that requires the proceeds received from any sale of Collateral to be applied to repay, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire any Indebtedness of any Person, other than as permitted by this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents.

 

(c)           Promptly upon the acquisition by the Issuer or any Guarantor of assets that constitute Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents (including any property acquired after the date of this Indenture that constitutes Collateral to which a perfected first priority Lien is not established upon the Issuer’s acquisition of such Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents) (“ After-Acquired Property ”), (i) the Issuer or such Guarantor and the Collateral Agent shall enter into such amendments or supplements to the Security Documents, or security agreements, pledge agreements or other documents, in each case as necessary to perfect the Lien with respect to such After-Acquired Property as required by the Security Documents (“ After-Acquired Collateral Documents ”); and (ii) the Issuer shall also deliver to the Collateral Agent the evidence of payment of all filing fees, recording and registration charges, transfer taxes and other costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and disbursements of counsel for the Collateral Agent (and any local counsel), that may be incurred to validly and effectively subject the After-Acquired Property to the Lien of any applicable Security Document and perfect such Lien.

 

SECTION 12.02.                                    Collateral Agent .

 

(a)           The Collateral Agent shall determine the time and method by which the security interests in the Collateral shall be enforced and shall have the sole and exclusive right to manage, perform and enforce the terms of the Security Documents relating to the Collateral and to exercise and enforce all privileges, rights and remedies thereunder, including to take or retake control or possession of such Collateral

 

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and to hold, prepare for sale, marshal, process, sell, lease, dispose of or liquidate such Collateral, including, without limitation, following the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

(b)           Prior to the repayment in full in cash of all obligations under the Credit Agreements, neither the Trustee nor the Holders shall be entitled to exercise or be entitled to participate in providing instructions in respect of remedies and enforcement to the Collateral Agent, including the right to enforce the actions pursuant to the Security Documents, request any action, institute proceedings, give any instructions or notices, make any election, make collections, sell or otherwise foreclose on any portion of the Collateral or receive any payment (except for the right to receive payments as expressly set forth under the Security Documents).

 

(c)           None of the Collateral Agent, any lender or agent of the secured obligations under the Security Documents shall be liable to the Trustee or the Holders for any actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of the security interests on the Collateral, actions with respect to the occurrence of a default or an event of default, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release, or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral, actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the obligations under the Notes from any debtor, guarantor or any other party or the valuation, use or protection of the Collateral.

 

SECTION 12.03.                                    Release of Collateral .

 

(a)           The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be entitled to the release of the following property and other assets constituting Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees under any one or more of the following circumstances:

 

(1)             in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Note Guarantee pursuant to the terms hereof, the property and assets of such Guarantor;

 

(2)             concurrently with any release of such Collateral under both Credit Agreements and all other then outstanding Permitted Parity Indebtedness;

 

(3)             any Collateral that is sold (other than any such sale to another grantor of Collateral) in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreements;

 

(4)             as described under the second paragraph of Section 8.02; or

 

(5)             upon (i) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, are paid or (ii) a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance hereunder made in accordance with Section 9.04 or a discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01.

 

(b)           Upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent hereunder and under the Security Documents (and TIA Section 314(d)), if any, to such release have been met and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall, to the extent it may do so under the applicable Security Documents, or shall cause the Collateral Agent to, execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to

 

88



 

this Indenture or the Security Documents. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in good faith in reliance upon any such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Security Document to the contrary, the Trustee and Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

SECTION 12.04.                                    Filing, Recording and Opinions .

 

(a)           The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314 to the extent applicable. To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall cause TIA § 313(b), relating to reports, TIA § 314(b), relating to opinions, and TIA § 314(d), relating to the release of property or securities subject to the Lien of the Security Documents, to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) shall be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

(b)           Any release of Collateral permitted by Section 12.03 hereof shall be deemed not to impair the Liens under this Indenture and the Security Documents in contravention hereof and thereof. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) shall be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected by or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.04, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to comply with all or any portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if they determine in good faith, based on the advice of counsel, that under the terms of that section and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or the relevant portion of Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is inapplicable to the released Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain no action letters issued by the SEC have permitted an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act to contain provisions permitting the release of collateral from Liens under such indenture in the ordinary course of the issuer’s business without requiring the issuer to provide certificates and other documents under Section 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Issuer and the Guarantors may, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, among other things, without any release or consent by the Collateral Agent, conduct ordinary course activities with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation, (i) selling or otherwise disposing of, in any transaction or series of related transactions, any property subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that has become worn out, defective, obsolete or not used or useful in the business; (ii) abandoning, terminating, canceling, releasing or making alterations in or substitutions of any leases or contracts subject to the Lien of this Indenture or any of the Security Documents; (iii) surrendering or modifying any franchise, license or permit subject to the Lien of the Security Documents that it may own or under which it may be operating; (iv) altering, repairing, replacing, changing the location or position of and adding to its structures, machinery, systems, equipment, fixtures and appurtenances; (v) granting a license of any intellectual property; (vi) selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (vii) collecting accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business as permitted by Section 4.08; (viii) making cash payments (including for the repayment of Indebtedness or interest) from cash that is at any time part of the Collateral in the ordinary course of business that are not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents; and (ix) abandoning any intellectual property that is no longer used or useful in the Issuer’s business.

 

89



 

SECTION 12.05.                                    Possession and Use of Collateral .

 

Subject to the provisions of the Security Documents, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of and to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to operate, manage, develop, lease, use, consume and enjoy the Collateral (other than as set forth in the Security Documents and herein), to alter or repair any Collateral so long as such alterations and repairs do not impair the Lien of the Security Documents thereon, and to collect, receive, use, invest and dispose of the reversions, remainders, interest, rents, lease payments, issues, profits, revenues, proceeds and other income thereof.

 

SECTION 12.06.                                    Authorization of Actions To Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents .

 

(a)           The Holders agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by the Security Documents. Furthermore, each Holder, by accepting such Note and the Trustee hereby appoints JPMorgan (and any of its successors) as collateral agent under the Security Documents and consents to the terms of and authorizes and directs the Trustee (in each of its capacities) and the Collateral Agent to enter into and perform the Security Documents in each of its capacities thereunder.

 

(b)           The Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

(c)           The Issuer and the Holders each acknowledge that the Trustee may, but is not required to, act as collateral agent under any of the Security Documents.

 

SECTION 12.07.                                    Purchase Protected .

 

In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Collateral Agent to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article Twelve to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

 

SECTION 12.08.                                    Reinstatement; Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee .

 

(a)           To the extent the Trustee or any Holder is required in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay any amount, including with respect to the Obligations or proceeds of any Collateral, to the estate of the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar person therefor) because the payment of such amount was subsequently invalidated, set aside, declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason, any such amount (a “ Recovery ”), whether received as proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise, then as among the parties hereto, the Obligations owing to such party shall be deemed to be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and to be outstanding as if such payment had not been received. Such Secured Party and the Trustee shall be entitled to a reinstatement of the Obligations, the Liens and security interests with respect to all such recovered amounts and shall have all rights, powers and remedies as a

 

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Secured Party under this Indenture and the Security Documents which shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, this Indenture shall be automatically reinstated and each of the Issuer and the Guarantors shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to effect such reinstatement.

 

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

 

91



 

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

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

[Indenture]

 



 

 

 

Guarantors:

 

 

 

 

 

QVC SAN ANTONIO, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

John F. Misko

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Lawrence R. Hayes

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE RELATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFFILIATE INVESTMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMI 2, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ER MARKS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Daniel Feiner

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

[Indenture]

 



 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

George J. Rayzis

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

S-4


 

 

 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

 

 

 

 

CUSIP

 

QVC, INC.

 

No.

 

$

 

 

 

7.125% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE APRIL 15, 2017

 

QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE  & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of $               dollars on April 15, 2017.

 

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15.

 

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-1-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

Certificate of Authentication

 

This is one of the 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2017 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

A-1-2



 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

QVC, INC.

 

7.125% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE April 15, 2017

 

1.                                        Interest . QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 7.125% per annum. Interest hereon shall accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including March 23, 2010 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be payable in arrears on each April 15 and October 15 commencing on October 15, 2010. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate of 9.125% per annum.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. If the Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company at least ten Business Days prior to the payment date, the Company shall make all payments on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on this Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent and Registrar unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), shall act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 23, 2010 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee. This is one of an issue of 2017 Notes of the Company issued, or to be issued, under the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended from time to time. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of them. Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

5.                                        Mandatory Redemption . Except as set forth in paragraph 8 below, the Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

6.                                        Optional Redemption . (a) On and after April 15, 2013, the Issuer shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or, from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to the registered address of each Holder to be so redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest

 

A-1-3



 

due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on the dates indicated below:

 

Year

 

Redemption Price

 

 

 

 

 

April 15, 2013

 

103.563

%

April 15, 2014

 

103.563

%

April 15, 2015

 

101.781

%

April 15, 2016 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(b)                                  Before April 15, 2013, the Issuer may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the 2017 Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at a redemption price equal to:

 

(i)                                      100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2017 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), plus

 

(ii)                                   the 2017 Make Whole Amount.

 

(c)                                   At any time or from time to time prior to April 15, 2013, the Issuer may, at its option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2017 Notes issued under the Indenture with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.125% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of redemption; provided that (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of 2017 Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and (2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

 

(d)                                  In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the 2017 Notes, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed, or if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem fair and equitable. The Notes shall be redeemable in whole or in part upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, mailed by first class mail to a Holder’s last address as it shall appear on the register maintained by the Registrar of the Notes. On and after any Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption unless the Company shall fail to redeem any such Note.

 

7.                                        Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder to be redeemed at his registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. On and after the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

8.                                        Offers To Purchase . The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Company shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.

 

A-1-4



 

9.                                        Collateral . These Notes and any Note Guarantee by a Guarantor are secured by a security interest in the Collateral pursuant to certain Security Documents. Reference is made to the Indenture for events causing release of the security interest in the Collateral.

 

10.                                  Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay to it any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Notes or a portion of a Note selected for redemption for a period of 15 days before a mailing of notice of redemption.

 

11.                                  Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.

 

12.                                  Unclaimed Money . If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee shall pay the money back to the Company at its written request. After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.

 

13.                                  Amendment, Supplement, Waiver, Etc . The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (if a party thereto) may, without the consent of the Holders of any outstanding Notes, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture or the Notes for certain specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, maintaining the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and making any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture or the Notes may be made by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (or a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of one series), subject to certain exceptions requiring the consent of the Holders of the particular Notes to be affected.

 

14.                                  Successor Corporation . When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Article Five of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation shall, except as provided in Article Five, be released from those obligations.

 

15.                                  Defaults and Remedies . Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Company or any Guarantor occurs, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without any further action or notice. If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all amounts owing under the Notes to be due and payable. If any other Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor and other than an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Trustee and the Company, and the Trustee upon the request of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, declare all principal of and accrued interest on all Notes to be immediately due and payable and such amounts shall become immediately due and payable.

 

A-1-5



 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, the principal amount of and interest on, all Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or a default in the observance or performance of any of the obligations of the Company under Article Five of the Indenture) if it determines that withholding notice is in their best interests.

 

16.                                  Trustee Dealings with Company . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

 

17.                                  Discharge . The Company’s obligations pursuant to the Indenture shall be discharged, except for obligations pursuant to certain sections thereof, subject to the terms of the Indenture, upon the payment of all the Notes or upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of United States dollars or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay when due principal of and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be.

 

18.                             Guarantees . The Note shall be entitled to the benefits of certain Note Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders, and for events causing release of the Guarantors from the Note Guarantees.

 

19.                             Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

20.                             Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, as applied to contracts made and performed within the State of New York. The Trustee, the Company, the Guarantor and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Notes.

 

21.                             Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TENANT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

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

 

A-1-6



 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

 

QVC, INC.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

A-1-7



 

ASSIGNMENT

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

 

 

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint:

 

 

 

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

 

 

Date:

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name

 

 

appears on the other side of

 

 

this Note)

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-1-8



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.08 or Section 4.20 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:

 

o                                          Section 4.08                                                                                                                                 o                                              Section 4.20

 

If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.08 or Section 4.20 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$

 

 

 

($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000)

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Signature Guaranteed

 

 

 

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-1-9


 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

CUSIP             

 

QVC, INC.

 

No.

 

$

 

7.375% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE OCTOBER 15, 2020

 

QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns the principal sum of $            dollars on October 15, 2020.

 

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15.

 

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

 

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

A-2-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Dated:

 

Certificate of Authentication

 

This is one of the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2020 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Dated:

 

A-2-2



 

[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

 

QVC, INC.

 

7.375% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE OCTOBER 15, 2020

 

1.                                             Interest . QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 7.125% per annum. Interest hereon shall accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including March 23, 2010 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be payable in arrears on each April 15 and October 15 commencing on October 15, 2010. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate of 9.375% per annum.

 

2.                                        Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date (whether or not a Business Day). Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. If the Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company at least ten Business Days prior to the payment date, the Company shall make all payments on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified in those instructions. Otherwise, payments on this Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Payment Agent and Registrar unless the Company elects to make interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders.

 

3.                                        Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), shall act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4.                                        Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 23, 2010 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee. This is one of an issue of 2020 Notes of the Company issued, or to be issued, under the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended from time to time. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of them. Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

5.                                        Mandatory Redemption . Except as set forth in paragraph 8 below, the Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.

 

6.                                        Optional Redemption . (a) On and after April 15, 2015, the Issuer shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or, from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to the registered address of each Holder to be so redeemed, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on the dates indicated below:

 

A-2-3



 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 30, 2011 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ”) , is by and among QVC, Inc., a Delaware close corporation (the “ Issuer ”) , QVC Rocky Mount, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “ Company ”) , and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”) .

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee have previously become parties to an Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) , providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2017 and 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due October 15, 2020 (collectively, the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has become a Material Domestic Subsidiary and, under Section 4.11 of the Indenture, is required to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to the Trustee;

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

1.1                                  Definitions. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

1.2                                  Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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

 

1.4                                  Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture that is required to be included by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Act ”) , as in force at the date this Supplemental Indenture is executed, the provision required by the Act shall control.

 

1.5                                  Benefits of Supplemental Indenture. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties to this Supplemental Indenture and their successors hereunder and the Holders of the Notes, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Indenture.

 



 

1.6                                  Governing Law. This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

1.7                                  Reference to and Effect on the Indenture. On and after the date of this Supplemental Indenture, each reference in the Indenture to “this Indenture,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” or “herein” shall mean and be a reference to the Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

1.8                                  Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all parties hereto, notwithstanding that all the parties have not signed the same counterpart.

 

ARTICLE II

NOTES GUARANTEE

 

2.1                                  Guarantee. Subject to the provisions of this Article II, the Company, by execution of this Supplemental Indenture, unconditionally guarantees (which shall be deemed a “Note Guarantee” under the Indenture) to each Holder (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all other Obligations and due and punctual performance of all obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and (b) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The Company, by execution of this Supplemental Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note or the Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note, the Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or the Company. The Company hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. The Company hereby agrees that, as between the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six of the Indenture for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six of the Indenture, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Company for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.

 

2



 

2.2                                  Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Note Guarantee set forth in Section 2.1 above, the Company hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit C to the Indenture, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Note Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of the Company. The validity and enforceability of such Note Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note. The Company agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 2.1 above shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee. If an officer of the Company whose signature is on this Supplemental Indenture or a Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, the Company’s Note Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof under the Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the Company’s Note Guarantee set forth in this Supplemental Indenture on behalf of the Company.

 

2.3                                  Limitation on Guarantee. The obligations of the Company are limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Company and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Notes Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under the Indenture, result in the obligations of the Company under its Notes Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Notes Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Guarantor.

 

2.4                                  Release of Guarantor. The Company shall be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and its obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and the Security Documents:

 

(1)                                             in the event of dissolution of the Company;

 

(2)                                             if the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, upon effectiveness of such designation or when it first ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary, respectively; or

 

(3)                                             upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Company of the Credit Agreements or such other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such other guarantee;

 

and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder. The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or the Company in order to evidence the release of the Company from its obligations under its Note Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article II.

 

3



 

2.5                                  Waiver of Subrogation. Until the Notes have been paid in full, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company’s obligations under its Note Guarantee and this Supplemental Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to the Company in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to the Company for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. The Company acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 2.5 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

Signature page follows

 

4



 

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

 

 

 

QVC ROCKY MOUNT, INC.

 

as the Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Daniel O’Connell

 

 

Title: Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

as the Issuer

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: Lawrence Hayes

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as the Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name: George J. Rayzis

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

5




Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

$2,000,000,000

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of September 2, 2010,

 

among

 

QVC, INC.,
as Borrower,

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

as Lead Arranger and Lead Bookrunner, and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

 


 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., and BNP PARIBAS,

as Syndication Agents

 


 

CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., BARCLAYS CAPITAL, MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., MORGAN STANLEY MUFG LOAN PARTNERS, LLC and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

as Documentation Agents

 


 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC, BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP., CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, RBS SECURITIES INC., BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC, BARCLAYS CAPITAL, MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., MORGAN STANLEY MUFG LOAN PARTNERS, LLC, THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD. and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

as Co-Lead Arrangers and Co-Bookrunners

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Defined Terms

1

SECTION 1.02.

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

22

SECTION 1.03.

Pro Forma Determinations

22

SECTION 1.04.

Terms Generally

22

SECTION 1.05.

Accounting Terms; GAAP

22

SECTION 1.06.

Change of Currency

22

SECTION 1.07.

Currency Equivalents Generally

23

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Revolving Commitments

23

SECTION 2.02.

Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Term Loans

23

SECTION 2.03.

Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing

25

SECTION 2.04.

Funding of Borrowings

25

SECTION 2.05.

Interest Elections

26

SECTION 2.06.

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

27

SECTION 2.07.

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

27

SECTION 2.08.

Prepayments

27

SECTION 2.09.

Fees

28

SECTION 2.10.

Interest

29

SECTION 2.11.

Alternate Rate of Interest

29

SECTION 2.12.

Increased Costs

30

SECTION 2.13.

Break Funding Payments

31

SECTION 2.14.

Taxes

31

SECTION 2.15.

Pro Rata Treatment and Payments

33

SECTION 2.16.

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

34

SECTION 2.17.

Letters of Credit

35

SECTION 2.18.

Defaulting Lenders

39

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Organization; Powers

40

SECTION 3.02.

Authorization; Enforceability

40

SECTION 3.03.

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

41

SECTION 3.04.

Financial Position

41

SECTION 3.05.

Properties

41

SECTION 3.06.

Litigation and Environmental Matters

41

SECTION 3.07.

Compliance with Laws and Agreements

42

SECTION 3.08.

Investment Company Status

42

 



 

SECTION 3.09.

Taxes

42

SECTION 3.10.

ERISA

42

SECTION 3.11.

Disclosure

42

SECTION 3.12.

Pledge Agreement

42

SECTION 3.13.

Material Domestic Subsidiaries

43

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Closing Date

43

SECTION 4.02.

Each Credit Event

44

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Financial Statements; Other Information

45

SECTION 5.02.

Notices of Material Events

46

SECTION 5.03.

Existence; Conduct of Business

47

SECTION 5.04.

Payment of Obligations

47

SECTION 5.05.

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

47

SECTION 5.06.

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

47

SECTION 5.07.

Compliance with Laws

47

SECTION 5.08.

Use of Proceeds

47

SECTION 5.09.

Additional Guarantors and Collateral

47

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Indebtedness

48

SECTION 6.02.

Liens

49

SECTION 6.03.

Fundamental Changes

50

SECTION 6.04.

Disposition of Property

50

SECTION 6.05.

Restricted Payments

50

SECTION 6.06.

Transactions with Affiliates

51

SECTION 6.07.

Changes in Fiscal Periods

51

SECTION 6.08.

Sales and Leasebacks

51

SECTION 6.09.

Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions

51

SECTION 6.10.

Consolidated Leverage Ratio

51

SECTION 6.11.

Investments

52

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent

 

ii



 

SECTION 8.01.

Appointment and Authorization

55

SECTION 8.02.

Administrative Agent and Affiliates

55

SECTION 8.03.

Action by Administrative Agent

56

SECTION 8.04.

Consultation with Experts

56

SECTION 8.05.

Delegation of Duties

56

SECTION 8.06.

Successor Administrative Agent

57

SECTION 8.07.

Credit Decision

57

SECTION 8.08.

Lead Arrangers; Bookrunners; Syndication Agents; Documentation Agents

57

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Notices

57

SECTION 9.02.

Waivers; Amendments

59

SECTION 9.03.

Waivers; Amendments to Other Credit Documents

60

SECTION 9.04.

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

60

SECTION 9.05.

Successors and Assigns

61

SECTION 9.06.

Survival

64

SECTION 9.07.

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

64

SECTION 9.08.

Severability

65

SECTION 9.09.

Right of Setoff

65

SECTION 9.10.

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

65

SECTION 9.11.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

66

SECTION 9.12.

Headings

66

SECTION 9.13.

Confidentiality

66

SECTION 9.14.

Judgment Currency

67

SECTION 9.15.

USA PATRIOT Act

67

SECTION 9.16.

Releases of Guarantees and Liens

67

 

SCHEDULES:

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1.01A

— Commitments

 

Schedule 1.01B

— Unrestricted Subsidiaries on Closing Date

 

Schedule 1.01C

— Existing Specified Swap Agreements

 

Schedule 3.06

— Disclosed Matters

 

Schedule 3.12

— Filings

 

Schedule 6.02

— Existing Liens

 

Schedule 6.09

— Existing Restrictions

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS:

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

— Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

Exhibit B

— Form of Opinion of Credit Parties’ Counsel

 

Exhibit C

— Form of Subsidiary Guarantee

 

Exhibit D

— Form of Pledge Agreement

 

Exhibit E

— Form of LMC Pledge Agreement

 

Exhibit F

— Form of Certificate

 

Exhibit G-1

— Form of New Lender Supplement

 

Exhibit G-2

— Form of Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice

 

Exhibit G-3

— Form of Incremental Revolving Commitment Activation Notice

 

 

iii



 

CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 2, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), among QVC, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the Lenders and as an Issuing Bank, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as lead syndication agent (in such capacity, the “ Lead Syndication Agent ”) and as an Issuing Bank, and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner (in such capacity, the “ Lead Arranger ”).

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

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

 

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

 

Act ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.15.

 

Adjustment Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Pricing Grid.”

 

Administrative Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and, as applicable, as Collateral Agent.

 

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

 

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

 

Affiliated Lenders ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(c).

 

Affiliated Persons ” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any of such Persons.

 

Agent Party ” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any other Lender.

 

Aggregate Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Incremental Term Loans,

 



 

and (b) the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect or, if such Revolving Commitment has been terminated, such Lender’s Outstanding Revolving Credit.

 

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.14.

 

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the LIBO Rate that would be calculated as of such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, as of the next preceding Business Day) in respect of a proposed Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars with a one-month Interest Period plus 1.00%.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such LIBO Rate, respectively.

 

Alternative Currency ” means Sterling, Yen, Euro, Swiss Franc or Canadian Dollar.

 

Alternative Currency Loan ” means a Loan that is a Eurocurrency Loan and that is made in an Alternative Currency pursuant to the applicable borrowing request.

 

Alternative Currency Revolving Sublimit ” means, with respect to all Alternative Currencies, the Dollar Amount of $1,000,000,000.

 

Applicable Rate ” means (a) for each Type of Loan other than Incremental Term Loans, (i) prior to the first Adjustment Date occurring after the Closing Date, 2.50% for Eurocurrency Loans and 1.50% for ABR Loans and (ii) on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the Closing Date, a percentage determined in accordance with the Pricing Grid, and (b) for each Type of Incremental Term Loan, such per annum rates as shall be agreed to by the Borrower and the applicable Incremental Term Lenders as shown in the applicable Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice.

 

Applicable Time ” means, with respect to any Borrowings and payments in any Alternative Currency the local time in the place of settlement for such Alternative Currency, as may be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment and notified to the relevant parties hereto.

 

Approved Fund ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05.

 

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.05), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Available Revolving Commitment ” means, as to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect at such time over (b) such Lender’s Outstanding Revolving Credit.

 

Bankruptcy Event ” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender or any other Person as to which such Lender is a subsidiary (a “ Parent Company ”) (i) is adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over it or its assets to be, insolvent, (ii) becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or the Administrative Agent has given written notice to such Lender and the Borrower of its good faith determination that such Lender or its Parent Company has

 

2



 

taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or (iii) has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or the Administrative Agent has given written notice to such Lender and the Borrower of its good faith determination that such Lender or its Parent Company has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such appointment; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any control of or ownership interest in, or the acquisition of any control of or ownership interest in, such Lender or its Parent Company by a Governmental Authority as long as such control or ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender or its Parent Company with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender or its Parent Company (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

beneficial owner ” shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the Closing Date.  “Beneficially own,” “beneficially owned” and “beneficial ownership” have meanings correlative to that of beneficial owner.

 

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

 

Borrower ” means QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

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

 

Borrowing Date ” means any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder.

 

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that when used in connection with (a) a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Dollars, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market, (b) a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Euros, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which the Trans-European Real-time Gross Settlement Operating System (or any successor operating system) is not operating (as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent) and (c) a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency other than Euros, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in such Alternative Currency deposits in the interbank market in the capital city of the country whose lawful currency is such Alternative Currency.

 

Canadian Dollar ” means the lawful currency of Canada.

 

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

 

3



 

Cash Equivalents ” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government; (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by Standard & Poor’s or A by Moody’s; (f) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition; (g) money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition; (h) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; and (i) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, investments substantially comparable to any of the foregoing investments with respect to the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized.

 

Change in Control ” means the acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Borrower’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Borrower’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, the Borrower is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

Change in Law ” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.12(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date.

 

CIM ” means the Confidential Information Memorandum made available to the Lenders in connection with the Lender meeting held on August 4, 2010 with respect to the Revolving Facility and this Agreement.

 

Class ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Incremental Term Loans.

 

Closing Date ” means the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.01 shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

 

4



 

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

 

Collateral ” means all property of the Loan Parties party to the Pledge Agreement, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is granted under the Pledge Agreement.

 

Collateral Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as collateral agent under the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement and the LMC Pledge Agreement for the Lenders and certain other holders of obligations of the Loan Parties.

 

Collateral Release ” means a release of all Collateral from the Liens created by the Pledge Agreement pursuant to Section 9.16(b) unless such Liens are required to be re-granted pursuant to Section 9.16(c).

 

Commitment Fee Rate ” means (a) prior to the first Adjustment Date occurring after the Closing Date, 0.375% and (b) on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the Closing Date, a rate determined in accordance with the Pricing Grid.

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, operating income as reported in the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements and determined in a manner substantially consistent with the Borrower’s historical practices as of the Closing Date plus , to the extent deducted in calculating such operating income, (a) depreciation, (b) amortization and (c) stock compensation, as reported in the Borrower’s consolidated financial statements, and adjusted to give pro forma effect in accordance with Regulation S-X to each acquisition, disposition (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) and merger that occurred during such period as if each had occurred on the first day of such period; provided that Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, as at any day, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four fiscal quarter period.

 

Consolidated Total Debt ” means, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Credit Documents ” means the collective reference to the Loan Documents and the LMC Pledge Agreement.

 

Credit Parties ” means the collective reference to the Loan Parties and the “Pledgors” party to the LMC Pledge Agreement.

 

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

 

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to any Agent Party any amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the

 

5



 

Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to such funding or payment has not been satisfied, or, in the case of clause (ii) or clause (iii) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of a good faith dispute regarding its obligation to make such funding or payment; (b) has notified the Borrower or any Agent Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding or payment obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to such funding or payment under this Agreement cannot be satisfied); (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Agent Party’s receipt of such certification; or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event.

 

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

 

Disposition ” means, with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof.  The terms “ Dispose ” and “ Disposed of ” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Disqualified Person ” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Borrower or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner of the Borrower.

 

Dollar Amount ” means, at any date, (a) with respect to any Loan or Revolving Commitment denominated in Dollars, the principal amount thereof then outstanding and (b) with respect to any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, the principal amount thereof then outstanding in the relevant Alternative Currency, converted to Dollars at the Exchange Rate on such date.

 

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

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

 

EMU ” means the economic and monetary union in accordance with the Treaty of Rome 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986, the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 and the Amsterdam Treaty of 1998.

 

EMU Legislation ” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

 

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

 

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of

 

6


 

 

any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

 

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

 

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

 

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan) other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived; (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (e) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan, including but not limited to the imposition of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or any Plan; (f) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA); (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (h) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (i) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, Insolvent, in Reorganization or in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA.

 

Euro ” and “ EUR ” mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with EMU Legislation.

 

Eurocurrency ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBO Rate.

 

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

 

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

 

7



 

Exchange Rate ” means, on any day with respect to any two currencies, the rate at which the first such currency may be exchanged into the other such currency, as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day on the applicable Reuters World Spot Page.  In the event that any such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Spot Page, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent or, at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the spot rate of the Administrative Agent in a market reasonably selected by it where it customarily conducts foreign currency exchange operations at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, on such day for exchange of such first currency for such other currency.

 

Excluded Taxes ” means (a) in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income taxes, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is organized or any political subdivision thereof; (b) in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income taxes, by the jurisdiction of such Lender’s applicable lending office or any political subdivision thereof; (c) in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes that would not be imposed but for a present or former connection between the Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, and the taxing jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof (other than any such connection arising solely from the execution, delivery, performance or receipt of payment under this Agreement); (d) in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed by the United States by means of withholding if and to the extent that such taxes shall be in effect and shall be applicable on the Closing Date to payments to be made to such Lender’s applicable lending office; (e) in the case of an assignment by a Lender, any taxes that exceed the amount of taxes that are imposed prior to such assignment, unless such assignment and acceptance resulted from the request of the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16(b); (f) in the case of each Lender, any tax that is attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.14(e); and (g) in the case of each Lender any Taxes imposed by the United States by means of withholding as a result of the failure of such Lender to comply with its obligations under Section 1471 of the Code, other than obligations that are added to Section 1471 of the Code after the Closing Date to the extent compliance with such new obligations would violate any law applicable to such Lender.

 

Existing Credit Agreements ” means the credit agreement, dated as of March 3, 2006, among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the credit agreement, dated as of October 4, 2006, among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, and Wachovia Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, in each case, as amended and restated as of June 16, 2009.

 

Existing Notes ” means the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 issued by the Borrower on September 25, 2009, the 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 issued by the Borrower on March 23, 2010, the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 issued by the Borrower on March 23, 2010 and, in each case, any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof.

 

Facility ” means any of (a) the credit facility constituted by the Revolving Commitments and the extensions of credit thereunder (the “ Revolving Facility ”) and (b) each incurrence of Incremental Term Loans pursuant to an Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice (each, an “ Incremental Term Facility ”).

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%)

 

8



 

charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.

 

Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located.  For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

 

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

 

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other similar obligation of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other similar obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other similar obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other similar obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or similar obligation; provided , that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

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

 

Incremental Revolving Commitment ” means an increased or new Revolving Commitment incurred in connection with an Incremental Revolving Commitment Activation Notice.

 

Incremental Revolving Commitment Activation Notice ” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit G-3.

 

Incremental Revolving Commitment Closing Date ” means any Business Day designated as such in an Incremental Revolving Facility Activation Notice.

 

9



 

Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice ” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2.

 

Incremental Term Facility Closing Date ” means any Business Day designated as such in an Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice.

 

Incremental Term Lenders ” means (a) on any Incremental Term Facility Activation Date relating to Incremental Term Loans, the Lenders signatory to the relevant Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice and (b) thereafter, each Lender that is a holder of an Incremental Term Loan.

 

Incremental Term Loans ” means any term loans borrowed in connection with an Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice.

 

Incremental Term Maturity Date ” means, with respect to the Incremental Term Loans to be made pursuant to any Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice, the final maturity date specified in such Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice, which date shall not be prior to the Revolving Termination Date.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements constituting liens hereunder relating to property acquired by such Person (excluding obligations arising from inventory transactions in the ordinary course of business), (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.  “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) any amounts payable under any deferred compensation plans of any Person relating to its or its subsidiaries’ directors, management, employees or consultants or (ii) for the purposes of Section 6.01 and the term “Material Indebtedness” only, any amounts owed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.13.

 

Insolvent ” with respect to any Multiemployer Plan means the condition that such Multiemployer Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

 

Intellectual Property ” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any

 

10



 

infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.05.

 

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

 

Interest Period ” means, as to any Eurocurrency Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurocurrency Loan and ending one week, one month, two months, three months or six months (or, if available to all Lenders under the relevant Facility, nine or twelve months) thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto, and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurocurrency Loan and ending one week, one month, two months, three months or six months (or, if available to all Lenders under the relevant Facility, nine or twelve months or such other, shorter period) thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time (or in the case of an Alternative Currency, 11:00 a.m., London time), on the date that is three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

 

(i)   if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)   the Borrower may not select an Interest Period for a Revolving Loan that would extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date or an Interest Period for an Incremental Term Loan that would extend beyond the date the final payment is due on such Incremental Term Loan; and

 

(iii)   any Interest Period of at least one month’s duration that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month.

 

Investments ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.11.

 

Issuing Bank ” means each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.17(i).  The Borrower may, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by other Lenders, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include such Lender with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by such Lender; provided that no such Lender shall have any obligation to be an Issuing Bank unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion.

 

11



 

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.14.

 

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a demand for payment or drawing under a Letter of Credit.

 

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.  The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

 

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on Schedule 1.01A and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

 

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.17.

 

LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars or an Alternative Currency for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the rate appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or on any successor or substitute page of such Screen, or any successor to or substitute for such Screen, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Screen, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to deposits in such currency in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on (in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings in Sterling), or two Business Days prior to (in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings in Dollars or another Alternative Currency) the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for deposits in such currency with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, provided that in the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “ LIBO Rate ” with respect to such Eurocurrency Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which deposits in such currency and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on (in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings in Sterling), or two Business Days prior to (in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings in Dollars or another Alternative Currency) the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.  “Lien” shall not, however, include any interest of a vendor in any inventory of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising out of such inventory being subject to a “sale or return” arrangement with such vendor or any consignment by any third party of any inventory to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

LMC ” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of the Borrower then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets.  “ Transferee Parent ” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or

 

12



 

indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “ Transferred Person ”) that hold equity securities of the Borrower beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series.  “ Control Person ” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

LMC Collateral ” means any “Collateral” under and as defined in the LMC Pledge Agreement.

 

LMC Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009, as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, March 23, 2010 and the Closing Date, by the holders of the Equity Interests in the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

Loan Documents ” means the collective reference to this Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantee and the Pledge Agreement.

 

Loan Parties ” means the collective reference to the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, property or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that results in a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower to perform any payment obligations hereunder or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent (including in its capacity as Collateral Agent) or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended, that has assets (including Equity Interests in Restricted Subsidiaries) or revenues (including both third party and intercompany revenues) with a value in excess of 2.50% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 2.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries; provided , that in the event Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 7.50% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries or 7.50% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries as of the end of and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries designated by the Borrower (or, if the Borrower shall make no designation, one or more of such Domestic Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the Borrower), shall be included as Material Domestic Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.

 

13



 

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

 

Material Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended, that has assets or revenues (on a consolidated basis including its Restricted Subsidiaries) with a value in excess of 1.0% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower or 1.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower; provided , that in the event Restricted Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 5.0% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower or 5.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower as of the end of and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, then one or more of such Restricted Subsidiaries designated by the Borrower (or, if the Borrower shall make no designation, one or more of such Restricted Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the consolidated assets of the Borrower), shall be included as Material Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.

 

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

 

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

 

New Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(c).

 

New Lender Supplement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02(c).

 

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(c).

 

Obligations ” means the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans, the obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for demands for payment or drawings under a Letter of Credit, and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender (or, in the case of Specified Swap Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Credit Document, any Specified Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto).

 

OFAC ” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.

 

14



 

Outstanding Revolving Credit ” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loans, and (b) such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means Secured Indebtedness of the Borrower (other than the Obligations) so long as (a) the Obligations are secured equally and ratably with (or better than) such Indebtedness and the Obligations are guaranteed to at least the same extent by any Restricted Subsidiary that has guaranteed such Indebtedness, (b) such Secured Indebtedness has a final maturity date occurring after the date that is six months after the latest final maturity date applicable to the Loans at the time such Secured Indebtedness is incurred, (c) such Secured Indebtedness does not have scheduled amortization payments (excluding the final installment thereof) in excess of 1% per annum of the original aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Secured Indebtedness, (d) such Secured Indebtedness has no financial maintenance covenants of a different type than those in this Agreement, and no financial maintenance covenants that are more restrictive than those in this Agreement, and (e) such Secured Indebtedness does not have negative covenants and/or default provisions that are materially more restrictive than those contained in this Agreement (as certified, in the case of this clause (e), by a Financial Officer pursuant to a certificate reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which certificate, upon acceptance by the Administrative Agent, shall be conclusive as to compliance with this clause (e)).

 

Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05.

 

Participating Member State ” means any member state of the EMU which has the Euro as its lawful currency.

 

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

 

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

 

(a)           Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

(b)          carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(f)             easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary

 

15



 

obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(g)          Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed or the purchase of which is supported by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof.

 

Permitted Holders ” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

person ” and “ group ” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions, and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

Plan ” means an employee pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), subject to the provisions of Section 302 and Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4062 or 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Pledge Agreement ” means the Security Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009, as amended and restated as of September 25, 2009, March 23, 2010 and the Closing Date, by the Borrower and each other holder of any Equity Interest in a Material Domestic Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

 

Pricing Grid ” means, initially the first table below.  If, at any time when the “Pricing Grid” is the first table below, the Borrower meets the conditions under Section 9.16(b) for a release of the Collateral and the LMC Collateral, the Borrower may notify the Administrative Agent in writing that (i) such conditions have been met, (ii) either the Collateral or the LMC Collateral (or both) continues to secure the Obligations and (iii) the Borrower elects to use the second table below as the Pricing Grid, and upon such notification “Pricing Grid” means the second table below.  If, at any time when the “Pricing Grid” is the second table below, either (a) Section 9.16(c) requires new pledges of any released Collateral and LMC Collateral (regardless of whether any such release occurred) or (b) neither the Collateral nor the LMC Collateral secure the “Obligations,” then “Pricing Grid” means the first table below, and the Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing of the change in Pricing Grid.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio

 

Commitment Fee Rate

 

Applicable Rate for
Eurocurrency Loans

 

Applicable Rate for
ABR Loans

 

> 3.00:1.00

 

0.625

%

3.00

%

2.00

%

> 2.50:1.00 and <3.00:1.00

 

0.500

%

2.75

%

1.75

%

> 2.00:1.00 and <2.50:1.00

 

0.375

%

2.50

%

1.50

%

> 1.50:1.00 and <2.00:1.00

 

0.250

%

2.25

%

1.25

%

<1.50:1.00

 

0.250

%

2.00

%

1.00

%

 

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Consolidated Leverage Ratio

 

Commitment Fee Rate

 

Applicable Rate for
Eurocurrency Loans

 

Applicable Rate for
ABR Loans

 

> 3.00:1.00

 

0.625

%

2.75

%

1.75

%

> 2.50:1.00 and <3.00:1.00

 

0.500

%

2.50

%

1.50

%

> 2.00:1.00 and <2.50:1.00

 

0.375

%

2.25

%

1.25

%

> 1.50:1.00 and <2.00:1.00

 

0.250

%

2.00

%

1.00

%

<1.50:1.00

 

0.250

%

1.75

%

0.75

%

 

For the purposes of the Pricing Grid, changes in the Applicable Rate and Commitment Fee Rate resulting from changes in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the “ Adjustment Date ”) on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01 and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph.  If at any time the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that both (i) the Loans or any outstanding notes of the Borrower that are not secured by collateral not also securing the Loans are rated either BBB- or better by Standard & Poor’s or Baa3 or better by Moody’s (an “ Investment Grade Rating ”), and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then each of the Applicable Rates in the Pricing Grid will be adjusted downward by 0.25% at each level and for each type of loan until such time as the Investment Grade Rating is no longer applicable (an “ Investment Grade Rating Decrease ”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 5.01, then, until the date on which such financial statements are delivered, the highest rate set forth in each column of the Pricing Grid (as adjusted by any Investment Grade Rating Decrease) shall apply.  In addition, at all times while an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the highest rate set forth in each column of the Pricing Grid (as adjusted by any Investment Grade Rating Decrease) shall apply.  Each determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to the Pricing Grid shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 6.10.

 

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

 

Priority Indebtedness ” means (i) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether secured or unsecured) and (ii) any Secured Indebtedness of the Borrower, but excluding in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Section 6.01.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to redeem or refinance in whole or in part, any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (the “ Refinanced Indebtedness ”); provided that:

 

(a)                                   the principal amount of the Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Refinanced Indebtedness (or, if less, the portion of the principal amount required to be paid in connection with the refinancing) plus the amount of accrued and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Indebtedness, any reasonable premium paid to the holders of the Refinanced Indebtedness and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the incurrence of the Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(b)                                  the obligor of Refinancing Indebtedness does not include any Person (other than the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is not an obligor of the Loans;

 

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(c)                                   if the Refinanced Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Loans or the Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness;

 

(d)                                  the Refinancing Indebtedness has a final stated maturity either (a) no earlier than the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid or amended or (b) after the date that is six months after the last maturity date applicable to the Loans at the time the Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred; and

 

(e)                                   the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the last maturity date applicable to the Loans at the time the Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the portion of the Refinanced Indebtedness being repaid that is scheduled to mature on or prior to the last maturity date applicable to the Loans at the time the Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred (provided that Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Refinanced Indebtedness that has no amortization may provide for amortization installments, sinking fund payments, serial maturity dates or other required payments of principal of up to 1% of the aggregate principal amount per annum).

 

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(b)(iv).

 

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

 

Reorganization ” means, with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA.

 

Required Lenders ” means, subject to Section 2.18(b), at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans then outstanding, if any, and (ii) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Loans then outstanding.

 

Requirement of Law ” means, as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Borrower other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

Revolving Commitment ” means, as to any Revolving Lender, the obligation of such Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and purchase participation interests in Letters of Credit in an

 

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aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Revolving Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.01A or in the Assignment and Assumption or New Lender Supplement pursuant to which such Revolving Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  The original aggregate Dollar Amount of all Revolving Commitments is $2,000,000,000.

 

Revolving Commitment Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time to the Total Revolving Commitments at such time.

 

Revolving Commitment Period ” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date.

 

Revolving Facility ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Facility”.

 

Revolving Fee Payment Date ” means (a) the third Business Day following the last day of each March, June, September and December during the Revolving Commitment Period and (b) the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period.

 

Revolving Lender ” means each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or that holds Revolving Loans.

 

Revolving Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

 

Revolving Termination Date ” means the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Secured Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Borrower secured by any Lien on the assets of the Borrower.

 

Specified Swap Agreement ” means any Swap Agreement listed on Schedule 1.01C and any other Swap Agreement in respect of interest rates or currency exchange rates entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and any Person that is a Lender or an affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.

 

Standard & Poor’s ” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.

 

Sterling ” and “ £ ” mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

Stock Compensation Plans ” means compensation plans in connection with which the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries make payments to LMC and its Affiliates in consideration for securities of LMC issued to employees of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, Controlled or held by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantee ” means the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement to be executed and delivered by each Material Domestic Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Domestic Subsidiary that is a party to the Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Swiss Franc ” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

 

Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

Total Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

 

Total Revolving Commitments ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

 

Total Revolving Loans ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Loans of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.

 

Transactions ” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of the other Credit Documents, the borrowing of Loans and the use of proceeds thereof.

 

Type ” means, as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurocurrency Loan.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (a) any subsidiary of the Borrower listed on Schedule 1.01B, (b) any subsidiary of the Borrower that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Borrower after the Closing Date in a written notice to the Administrative Agent and (c) any subsidiary of any subsidiary described in clause (a) or (b) above, provided , that, in each case, (i) at no time shall any creditor of any such subsidiary have any claim (whether pursuant to a Guarantee or otherwise) against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Indebtedness or other obligation (except for obligations arising by operation of law, including joint and several liability for taxes, ERISA and similar items) of any such subsidiary (collectively, “ Unrestricted Subsidiary Support Obligations ”), except pursuant to Investments permitted by Section 6.11; (ii) neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall become a general partner of any such subsidiary; (iii) no default with respect to any Indebtedness of any such subsidiary (including any right which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against any such subsidiary), shall permit solely as a result of such Indebtedness being in default or accelerated (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity; (iv) no such subsidiary shall own any Equity Interests of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any

 

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Restricted Subsidiary; (v) no Investments may be made in any such subsidiary by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary except to the extent permitted under Section 6.11(f) or (h) (it being understood that, if a subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of such designation and shall be subject to the limits set forth in Section 6.11(f) or (h), as applicable); (vi) the Borrower shall not directly own any Equity Interests in such subsidiary; (vii) at the time of such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and (viii) at the time of such designation, after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio then required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.10.  It is understood that Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be disregarded for the purposes of any calculation pursuant to this Agreement relating to financial matters with respect to the Borrower.

 

The Borrower may revoke the designation of a subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a written notice to the Administrative Agent so long as, after giving pro forma effect to such revocation, (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio then required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.10 and (ii) no Default shall be in existence.  In addition, if any of the requirements specified in the first sentence of this definition ceases at any time to be complied with as to any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the designation thereof shall automatically be deemed to be revoked without requirement of any action by any Person on the date that is 30 days after the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has obtained knowledge of such noncompliance, unless such noncompliance has been cured prior to such date.  Any revocation described in the preceding two sentences is referred to herein as a “ Revocation ”.  Upon any Revocation, such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute a Restricted Subsidiary for all purposes of this Agreement and the Borrower shall comply with Section 5.09 if such Subsidiary is a Material Domestic Subsidiary.  In the case of any Revocation, if the designation of such subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary caused the available basket amount referred to in Section 6.11(f) or (h), as applicable, to be utilized by an amount equal to the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the subsidiary so designated (the amount so utilized, the “ Designation Amount ”), then, effective upon such Revocation, the relevant available basket amount shall be increased by the lesser of (i) the Designation Amount and (ii) the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such subsidiary at the time of such Revocation.  Any subsidiary as to which any Revocation has been made may not subsequently be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary Support Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, means the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that shall elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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

 

Yen ” and “ ¥ ” mean the lawful currency of Japan.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.03.    Pro Forma Determinations .  Whether or not specified elsewhere herein, in order to determine that no Default shall have occurred and be continuing after giving effect to a particular transaction or event, such determination shall require, without limitation, a determination that the Borrower would be in compliance with Section 6.10 after giving effect thereto.

 

SECTION 1.04.    Terms Generally .  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.  The foregoing standards shall also apply to the other Credit Documents.

 

SECTION 1.05.    Accounting Terms; GAAP .  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that for purposes of any determinations associated with leases, including, without limitation, determinations of whether such leases are capital leases, whether obligations under such leases are Capital Lease Obligations, the amount of any Capital Lease Obligations associated with such leases, and the amount of operating expenses associated with such leases, Consolidated EBITDA, Indebtedness and the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be determined based on generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect on the Closing Date; provided further that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

 

SECTION 1.06.    Change of Currency .  Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify after consultation with the Borrower to be appropriate to the extent necessary to reflect a change in currency of any country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to such change in currency.

 

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SECTION 1.07.    Currency Equivalents Generally Unless the context otherwise requires, any amount specified in this Agreement to be in Dollars shall also include the Dollar Amount of any Alternative Currency.  The maximum amount of Indebtedness and other threshold amounts that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur under Article VI shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness and other threshold amounts solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.  When calculating capacity for the incurrence of additional Indebtedness and other threshold amounts by the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary, the exchange rate of currencies shall be measured as of the date of such calculation.

 

ARTICLE II

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.    Revolving Commitments .

 

(a)                                         Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower revolving credit loans denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency (“Revolving Loans”) in an aggregate principal amount that will not result at the time of such Borrowing in (A) the Dollar Amount of such Lender’s Outstanding Revolving Credit under the Revolving Commitments exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (B) the Dollar Amount of Revolving Loans in Alternative Currencies exceeding the Alternative Currency Revolving Sublimit.  During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Revolving Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.  The Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurocurrency Loans or, in the case of Revolving Loans in Dollars, ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.03 and 2.05.

 

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

 

(c)                                         At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 (or comparable amounts determined by the Administrative Agent in the case of Alternative Currency).  At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Total Revolving Commitments.  Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 15 Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowings outstanding.

 

SECTION 2.02.    Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Term Loans .

 

(a)                                         The Borrower and one or more Lenders (including New Lenders reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) may from time to time agree that such Lenders shall incur Incremental Revolving Commitments by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an

 

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Incremental Revolving Commitment Activation Notice specifying (i) the amount of the Incremental Revolving Commitments and (ii) the applicable Incremental Revolving Commitment Closing Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) (A) the aggregate amount of Incremental Revolving Commitments plus the aggregate amount of Incremental Term Loans shall not exceed $1,000,000,000 minus the outstanding principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness (other than the Existing Notes) incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(b), (B) no Incremental Revolving Commitments may be incurred if a Default would be in existence immediately before or after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any concurrent transactions and any substantially concurrent use of the proceeds thereof, and (C) after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any concurrent transactions, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio then required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.10, and (2) unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) each increase effected pursuant to this paragraph shall be in a minimum amount of at least $100,000,000 and (B) no more than four Incremental Revolving Commitment Activation Notices may be delivered by the Borrower after the Closing Date.  No existing Lender shall have any obligation to incur any Incremental Revolving Commitments unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion.

 

(b)                                        The Borrower and any one or more Lenders (including New Lenders) may from time to time agree that such Lenders shall make Incremental Term Loans by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice specifying (i) the amount of such Incremental Term Loans, (ii) the applicable Incremental Term Facility Closing Date, (iii) the applicable Incremental Term Maturity Date, (iv) the amortization schedule for such Incremental Term Loans, which shall comply with Section 2.07(a), (v) the Applicable Rate for such Incremental Term Loans, (vi) the proposed original issue discount applicable to such Incremental Term Loans, if any, (vii) if applicable, the manner in which prepayments of such Incremental Term Loans shall be applied to the installments thereof, and (viii) any other terms (including mandatory prepayment provisions, if any) applicable to such Incremental Term Loans acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that are consistent with the terms of this Section 2.02(b) and Section 2.07(a).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) (A) the aggregate amount of Incremental Revolving Commitments plus the aggregate amount of Incremental Term Loans shall not exceed $1,000,000,000 minus the outstanding principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness (other than the Existing Notes) incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(b), (B) no Incremental Term Loans may be incurred if a Default would be in existence immediately before or after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any concurrent transactions and any substantially concurrent use of the proceeds thereof, (C) after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any concurrent transactions, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio then required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.10, and (D) the covenants and events of default applicable to any Incremental Term Loan shall be no more favorable to the Incremental Term Lenders (or more restrictive on the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) than those applicable to the Revolving Loans; and (2) unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) each increase effected pursuant to this paragraph shall be in a minimum amount of at least $100,000,000 and (B) no more than four Incremental Term Facility Activation Notices may be delivered by the Borrower after the Closing Date.  No existing Lender shall have any obligation to make any Incremental Term Loans unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion.

 

(c)                                         Any additional bank, financial institution or other entity which, with the consent of the Borrower, elects to become a “Lender” under this Agreement in connection with any transaction described in Section 2.02(a) or 2.02(b) shall execute a New Lender Supplement (each, a “ New Lender Supplement ”), substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1, whereupon such bank, financial institution or other entity (a “ New Lender ”) shall become a Lender for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally a party hereto and shall be bound by and entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

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(d)                                        With respect to Incremental Revolving Commitments, each Lender that is acquiring an Incremental Revolving Commitment on an Incremental Revolving Commitment Closing Date shall make a Revolving Loan, the proceeds of which will be used to prepay the Revolving Loans of the Revolving Lenders (other than such Lender and the other Lenders acquiring an Incremental Revolving Commitment) outstanding immediately prior to such Incremental Revolving Commitment Closing Date, so that, after giving effect thereto, each Revolving Lender (including each Lender that is acquiring an Incremental Revolving Commitment) holds its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Loans outstanding after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Commitment on such Incremental Revolving Commitment Closing Date.  If there is a new Revolving Borrowing on such Incremental Revolving Commitment Closing Date, the Revolving Lenders after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Commitments shall make such Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 2.03.    Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing .

 

(a)                                         To request a Revolving Borrowing on any Business Day, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time (or in the case of an Alternative Currency, 11:00 a.m., London time) (x) not less than three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, or (y) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans).  Each such telephonic borrowing request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly in writing.  Each such telephonic and written borrowing request shall specify the amount, Facility, currency and Type of Borrowing to be borrowed and the requested Borrowing Date.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Revolving Lender thereof.  For the avoidance of doubt, all Revolving Loans made in Alternative Currencies shall be Eurocurrency Loans.

 

(b)                                        If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified for a Revolving Borrowing in Dollars, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  If no currency is specified, the requested Borrowing shall be in Dollars.  In making any determination of the Dollar Amount for purposes of calculating the amount of Revolving Loans to be borrowed from the respective Lenders on any date, the Administrative Agent shall use the relevant Exchange Rate in effect on the date on which the Borrower delivers a borrowing request for such Revolving Loans pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.03(a).

 

SECTION 2.04.    Funding of Borrowings .

 

(a)                                         Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, in the case of any Loan denominated in Dollars, and by the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent, in the case of any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City.

 

(b)                                        Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if

 

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a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation in the relevant currency or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Loans in the case of a Loan in Dollars or the applicable LIBO Rate in the case of a Loan in an Alternative Currency.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.05.    Interest Elections .

 

(a)                                         Each Borrowing denominated in Dollars initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable borrowing request, and each Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars or an Alternative Currency shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such borrowing request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert any Borrowing denominated in Dollars of any Class to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing as the same Type and may elect successive Interest Periods for any Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars or an Alternative Currency, all as provided in this Section.  The Borrower may elect different Types or Interest Periods, as applicable, with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the relevant Lenders holding the Loans comprising the relevant portion of such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

(b)                                        To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a request for a Revolving Borrowing would be required under Section 2.03, if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly in writing.

 

(c)                                         Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify (i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing), (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing, and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.  If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

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

 

(e)                                         If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be continued as such for an Interest Period of one month.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the

 

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Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing in Dollars may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iii) each Eurocurrency Borrowing in an Alternative Currency shall be continued as such for an Interest Period of not more than one month.

 

SECTION 2.06.    Termination and Reduction of Commitments .   The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Outstanding Revolving Credits would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments.  Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

 

SECTION 2.07.    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)                                         The Incremental Term Loans of each Incremental Term Lender shall mature in one or more installments as specified in the Incremental Term Facility Activation Notice pursuant to which such Incremental Term Loans were made, provided that except in the case of the final installment, (i) such installments shall be no more frequent than quarterly and (ii) the aggregate amount of such installments for any four consecutive fiscal quarters shall not exceed $100,000,000 in the aggregate for all outstanding Incremental Term Loans and any Pari Passu Indebtedness (other than the Existing Notes) issued pursuant to Section 6.01(b).

 

(b)                                        The Borrower shall repay the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Revolving Termination Date.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

SECTION 2.08.    Prepayments .

 

(a)                                         The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time (or in the case of an Alternative Currency, 11:00 a.m., London

 

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time), not less than three Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, and no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such notice, in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and the Loans to be prepaid; provided that, if a Eurocurrency Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.13.  Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.  If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid.  Partial prepayments of Loans shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 (or comparable amounts determined by the Administrative Agent in the case of Alternative Currency).

 

(b)                                        If at any time for any reason the sum of the Dollar Amount of Outstanding Revolving Credit exceeds the Total Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall upon learning thereof, or upon the request of the Administrative Agent, immediately prepay the Revolving Loans in an aggregate principal amount at least equal to the amount of such excess; provided that solely with respect to any excess resulting from currency exchange rate fluctuations, this Section 2.08(b) shall not apply unless, on the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the Dollar Amount of Outstanding Revolving Credit exceeds the Total Revolving Commitments by more than 2.5% as a result of such fluctuations.

 

SECTION 2.09.    Fees .

 

(a)                                               The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee in Dollars for the period from and including the Closing Date to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily Dollar Amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Revolving Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date.

 

(b)                                        The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Revolving Loans on the average daily Dollar Amount of such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Revolving Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure of the Letters of Credit issued by it (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any such LC Exposure, as well as the fees agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.  Participation fees and fronting fees will be payable quarterly in arrears on each Revolving Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date; provided that any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365/366 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

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(c)                                               The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in any fee agreements with the Administrative Agent and to perform any other obligations contained therein.

 

(d)                                              All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, in the case of commitment fees, to the Revolving Lenders.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.  All per annum fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365/366 days for actual days elapsed; provided that commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days.

 

SECTION 2.10.    Interest .

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

SECTION 2.11.    Alternate Rate of Interest .  If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

 

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

 

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

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing in Dollars as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective and the Loans shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) if any borrowing request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing, if denominated in Dollars, shall be made as an ABR Borrowing, and if such borrowing request requests a Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency or if any Interest Election Request requests the continuation of a Eurocurrency Borrowing in an Alternate Currency, such Borrowing or continuation shall be made or continued as a Borrowing bearing interest at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, after consultation with the Borrower and the applicable Lenders, to compensate the applicable Lenders for such Borrowing in such currency for the applicable period plus the Applicable Rate; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only Borrowings in one currency, then Borrowings in other currencies will not be affected by the provisions of this Section.

 

SECTION 2.12.    Increased Costs .

 

(a)                                         If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)   impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (including any reserve for eurocurrency funding that may be established or reestablished under Regulation D of the Board); or

 

(ii)   impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender;

 

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

 

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

 

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(c)                                               A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                                              Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

SECTION 2.13.    Break Funding Payments .  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.  In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the relevant currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market (but not less than the available LIBO rate quoted for the LIBO interest period equal to the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period, or if there is no such LIBO interest period, the lower of the LIBO rates quoted for the closest LIBO interest periods that are longer and shorter than such period).  A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

SECTION 2.14.    Taxes .

 

(a)                                         Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

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(b)                                        In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)                                         The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto (excluding penalties and interest attributable to actions or omissions of the Administrative Agent or such Lender), whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall be entitled to contest with the relevant Governmental Authority, pursuant to applicable law and at its own expense, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes that it is ultimately obligated to pay, and the Administrative Agent or Lender shall reasonably cooperate with any such contest.  This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall give prompt notice of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on it, provided however that the Administrative Agent or such Lender’s failure to give such prompt notice to the Borrower shall not constitute a defense to any claim for indemnification by the Administrative Agent’s or such Lender unless, and only to the extent that, such failure materially prejudices the Borrower.

 

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

 

(e)                                         Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to any payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation (including without limitation, Internal Revenue Service documentation such as a W8BEN or a W8ECI tax form) reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether such Lender is subject to withholding or information reporting requirements.

 

(f)                                           If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of or credit against any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.14, it shall pay over such refund or credit to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 2.14 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund or credit, and, with respect to a credit, only to the extent that such credit actually reduces the Taxes otherwise payable by such Lender or Administrative Agent for any completed year, with the determination of the extent to which such credit actually reduces the Taxes

 

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otherwise payable by such Lender or Administrative Agent to be made in the reasonable determination of such Administrative Agent or Lender), net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund or credit); provided , that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority (but excluding any penalties, interest or other charges attributable to actions or omissions of the Administrative Agent or such Lender)) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund or credit to such Governmental Authority.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender will pursue any such refund or credit against Taxes or Other Taxes if the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably determines that it is likely to receive such refund or credit.  This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

SECTION 2.15.    Pro Rata Treatment and Payments .

 

(a)                                         Each borrowing of Revolving Loans by the Borrower from the Revolving Lenders and any reduction of the Revolving Commitments of the Revolving Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Revolving Commitments then held by the Revolving Lenders.  Each payment by the Borrower on account of any commitment fee or any letter of credit fee shall be paid ratably to the Revolving Lenders entitled thereto.

 

(b)                                        Each prepayment by the Borrower on account of principal of the Revolving Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving Loans then held by the Revolving Lenders.  All repayments of principal of the Revolving Loans at stated maturity or upon acceleration shall be allocated pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the matured or accelerated Revolving Loans then held by the relevant Revolving Lenders.  All payments of interest in respect of the Revolving loans shall be allocated pro rata according to the outstanding interest payable then owed to the relevant Revolving Lenders.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) any amount payable to a Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise but excluding any amount that would otherwise be payable to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 and Section 9.05) shall, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender, be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated interest-bearing account and, subject to any applicable requirements of law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent: (1) first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank hereunder (including amounts owed under Section 2.09(b) or 9.04(c)), (2) second, to the funding of any Revolving Loan or LC Disbursement required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (3) third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and Borrower, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, (4) fourth, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower or the Lenders as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (5) fifth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction, and (B) if such payment is a prepayment of the principal amount of Revolving Loans, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Revolving Loans of all non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata (based on the amounts owing to each) prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Revolving Loan of any Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                                         All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time (or as specified in the next sentence in the case

 

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of Loans in an Alternative Currency), on the date when due.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans in an Alternative Currency shall be made on the dates specified herein for the pro rata account of the relevant Lenders to which such payment is owed, in such Alternative Currency and in immediately available funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower by the same time at least one Business Day prior to the date when due.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent (i) after 2:00 p.m., New York City time, in the case of payments in Dollars, or (ii) after the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent in the case of payments in an Alternative Currency, may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 1111 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.04 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the relevant Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received.  If any payment hereunder becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.  In the case of any extension of any payment of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

 

(d)                                        If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (subject to the rights of the Administrative Agent to hold and apply amounts to be paid to a Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.15(b)) (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.  To the extent necessary, the Administrative Agent shall enter into foreign currency exchange transactions on customary terms to effect any such ratable payment and the payments made by the Administrative Agent following such transactions shall be deemed to be payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder.

 

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

 

SECTION 2.16.    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

 

(a)                                         If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or

 

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assignment (i) would eliminate o r reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.14, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)                                        If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.05), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in unreimbursed LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.14, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

(c)                                         If any Lender (such Lender, a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.02 requires the consent of all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to assign its Loans, and its Revolving Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, provided that: (a) all amounts owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced (other than principal and interest) shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, and (b) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.05.

 

SECTION 2.17.    Letters of Credit .

 

(a)                                         General .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request that standby letters of credit be issued under this Agreement for its own account or the account of any Restricted Subsidiary, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(b)                                        Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions .  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding

 

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Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount and currency of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  If requested by the Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if, after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $250,000,000, (ii) the Dollar Amount of the total Outstanding Revolving Credits shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments, (iii) the LC Exposure of the Letters of Credit issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. shall not exceed $100,000,000 and (iv) the LC Exposure of the Letters of Credit issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. shall not exceed $100,000,000.

 

(c)                                         Expiration Date .  Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date.

 

(d)                                        Participations .  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

(e)                                         Reimbursement .  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing.  If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable

 

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LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.04 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Lender (and Section 2.04 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to such payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

(f)                                           Obligations Absolute .  The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; provided that reimbursement obligations of the Borrower with respect to a Letter of Credit may be subject to avoidance by the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders nor the Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make

 

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payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

(g)                                        Disbursement Procedures .  The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit.  The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

 

(h)                                        Interim Interest .  If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.17, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is required to be reimbursed to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum set forth in Section 2.10(c)(ii).  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i)                                            Replacement of the Issuing Bank .  The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.09(b).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to include such successor and any previous Issuing Bank, or such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

(j)                                            Cash Collateralization .  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII.  Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect to the Revolving Facility.  The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account.  Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been

 

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reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect to the Revolving Facility.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

SECTION 2.18.    Defaulting Lenders .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)                                         Fees shall cease to accrue on the Available Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.09(a).

 

(b)                                        The Revolving Commitment and Outstanding Revolving Credit of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02 or Section 9.03); provided that this Section 2.18(b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification effecting (i) an increase or extension of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (ii) the reduction or excuse of principal amount of, or interest or fees payable on, such Defaulting Lender’s Loans or the postponement of the scheduled date of payment of such principal amount, interest or fees to such Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                                         If any Letters of Credit exist at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)   Such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages (but excluding the Revolving Commitments of all the Defaulting Lenders from both the numerator and the denominator) but only to the extent (x) the sum of all the Outstanding Revolving Credits owed to all non-Defaulting Lenders does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Available Revolving Commitments, (y) the representations and warranties of each Credit Party set forth in the Credit Documents to which it is a party are true and correct at such time, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty relates to an earlier date (in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), and (z) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at such time;

 

(ii)   If the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent, cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Bank such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) for so long as any Letters of Credit are outstanding;

 

(iii)   If the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.09(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized by the Borrower;

 

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(iv)   If LC Exposures of the non-Defaulting Lenders are reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Revolving Lenders pursuant to Section 2.09(a) and Section 2.09(b) shall be adjusted to reflect such non-Defaulting Lenders’ LC Exposure as reallocated; and

 

(v)   If any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Revolving Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.09(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated.

 

(d)                                        So long as such Defaulting Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Available Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.18(c)(ii), and the LC Exposure in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.18(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Agreement are in addition to other rights and remedies that Borrower may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any funding default and that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any funding default.  In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Total Revolving Loans shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Available Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Revolving Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Revolving Loans in accordance with its Revolving Commitment Percentage.  Except as set forth in this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be excused from its obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party as a result of any Lender becoming a Defaulting Lender.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01.    Organization; Powers .  Each of the Borrower, its Material Subsidiaries and the Loan Parties is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

 

SECTION 3.02.    Authorization; Enforceability .  The Transactions (excluding use of proceeds) are within the corporate or other organizational powers of the Loan Parties and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational and, if required, stockholder action.  Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting

 

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creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

SECTION 3.03.    Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts .  The Transactions (excluding use of proceeds) (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except (i) such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) the filings referred to in Section 3.12, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries (other than Liens created by the Pledge Agreement).

 

SECTION 3.04.    Financial Position .  The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of and for (a) the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 reported on by KPMG, independent public accountants and (b) the two fiscal quarter period ended June 30, 2010.  Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP (except in connection with changes in accounting related to customer deliveries), subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (b) above.

 

SECTION 3.05.    Properties .

 

(a)                                         Each of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes or as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                        Each of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property used by such entities, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such Intellectual Property or infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.06.    Litigation and Environmental Matters .

 

(a)                                         There are no actions, suits or proceedings (including labor matters) by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions (excluding use of proceeds).

 

(b)                                        Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any

 

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Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

(c)                                         Since the Closing Date, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.07.    Compliance with Laws and Agreements .  Each of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders (including labor laws, regulations and orders) of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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

 

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

 

SECTION 3.10.    ERISA .  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan by an amount which, if it were to become due, would cause a Material Adverse Effect, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans by an amount which, if it were to become due, would cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.11.    Disclosure .  To the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, as of the Closing Date, neither the CIM nor any of the other reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

 

SECTION 3.12.    Pledge Agreement .  The Pledge Agreement is effective (except upon the occurrence and continuation of a Collateral Release) to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the

 

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benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein.  In the case of the certificated pledged stock constituting securities described in the Pledge Agreement, when stock certificates representing such pledged stock are delivered to the Collateral Agent (together with a properly completed and signed stock power or endorsement), and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Pledge Agreement, when financing statements specified on Schedule 3.12 in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.12, the Pledge Agreement shall constitute (as of the Closing Date) a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties party thereto in such Collateral to the extent perfection of such security interest can be perfected by control of securities or the filing of financing statement, as security for the Obligations, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02).

 

SECTION 3.13.    Material Domestic Subsidiaries .  All Material Domestic Subsidiaries are party to the Subsidiary Guarantee, and, except upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Collateral Release, the Borrower and all Restricted Subsidiaries holding Equity Interests in the Material Domestic Subsidiaries are party to the Pledge Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions

 

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

 

(a)                                         The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (including by telecopy or email transmission) (i) from each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document, a counterpart of such Loan Document signed on behalf of such Loan Party, (ii) from each Credit Party party thereto, a counterpart of the LMC Pledge Agreement signed on behalf of such Credit Party and (iii) an Acknowledgement and Consent in the form attached to the LMC Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower, and each such document shall be in full force and effect.

 

(b)                                        The Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Closing Date) of Sherman & Howard L.L.C., special counsel for the Credit Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.  The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

 

(c)                                         The Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Credit Parties, the authorization of the Transactions (excluding use of proceeds) and any other legal matters relating to the Credit Parties, this Agreement or the Transactions (excluding use of proceeds), including a certificate of each Credit Party substantially in the form of Exhibit F , all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

(d)                                        The Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, confirming that (a) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents are true and correct as of the Closing Date and (b) as of the Closing Date, no Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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(e)                                         The loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreements, and accrued interest thereon and accrued commitment fees under the Existing Credit Agreements and all related amounts, shall have been paid in full (or instructions shall have been given to the Administrative Agent to make payment thereof in full with the proceeds of the initial Loans hereunder) and the commitments under and the Liens existing in connection with the Existing Credit Agreements shall have been terminated (or arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall have been made for the termination on the Closing Date), and the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence thereof.

 

(f)                                           The Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence that the Liens securing the Existing Notes no longer secure assets of the Loan Parties other than Equity Interests in Material Domestic Subsidiaries (or arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for the release of such Liens shall have been made on the Closing Date).

 

(g)                                        The Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.

 

(h)                                        Since December 31, 2009, there shall have been no event that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(i)                                            The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent Lien search with respect to each Loan Party, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(j)                                            The Collateral Agent shall have received the certificates representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to each of the Pledge Agreement and the LMC Pledge Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof.

 

(k)                                         Each Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or other filing required by the Pledge Agreement shall be in proper form for filing.

 

(l)                                            All governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the financing contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.  Each Credit Party shall have provided the documentation and other information requested by the Lenders that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Act.

 

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

 

SECTION 4.02.    Each Credit Event .  The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing  (other than a continuation or conversion of an existing Borrowing) and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                   The representations and warranties of any Credit Party set forth in the Credit Documents to which it is a party shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing, except

 

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to the extent that any such representation and warranty relates to an earlier date (in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date).

 

(b)                                  At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall have received a borrowing notice in accordance with Section 2.03 or a Letter of Credit request in accordance with Section 2.17(b), as applicable.

 

Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower or other applicable Credit Party on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

 

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

 

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

 

(a)                                         within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if earlier, no later than five Business Days after the latest date on which applicable Requirements of Law require the relevant financial statements to be made publicly available), its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and a schedule eliminating Unrestricted Subsidiaries and reconciling to the financial statements;

 

(b)                                        within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower  (or, if earlier, no later than five Business Days after the latest date on which applicable Requirements of Law require the relevant financial statements to be made publicly available), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and a schedule eliminating Unrestricted Subsidiaries and reconciling to the financial statements;

 

(c)                                         concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has

 

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occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.01(e) and 6.10, (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof that materially affects such financial statements has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate, (iv) setting forth a description of any change in the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower or any Material Domestic Subsidiary since the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this paragraph (c) (or, in the case of the first such certificate so delivered, since the Closing Date) and (v) setting forth a calculation in reasonable detail indicating which Domestic Subsidiaries are Material Domestic Subsidiaries;

 

(d)                                        concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

 

(e)                                         promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be;

 

(f)                                           promptly following receipt thereof, copies of any documents described in Section 101(k) or 101(l) of ERISA that the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan then, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and/or its ERISA Affiliates shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and the Borrower shall provide copies of such documents and notices to the Administrative Agent (on behalf of each requesting Lender) promptly after receipt thereof; and

 

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

 

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

 

(a)                                   the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b)                                  the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination, that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                                   the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an amount which would constitute a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)                                  any other development that results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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

 

SECTION 5.03.    Existence; Conduct of Business .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

 

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

 

SECTION 5.05.    Maintenance of Properties; Insurance .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies or in accordance with acceptable self insurance practices, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of similar size engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

SECTION 5.06.    Books and Records; Inspection Rights .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, provided that such visits, inspections, examinations and discussions shall, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, take place no more often than one time per fiscal quarter on a date to be determined by, and shall be coordinated by, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 5.07.    Compliance with Laws .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.08.    Use of Proceeds .  The proceeds of the Loans will be used only to (a) make Restricted Payments and loans to LMC and its subsidiaries, (b) repay all Indebtedness and pay all other obligations under the Existing Credit Agreements, (c) pay fees and expenses associated with the Facilities and the refinancing described in clause (b), and (d) finance the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.

 

SECTION 5.09.    Additional Guarantors and Collateral .  With respect to any Person that becomes a Material Domestic Subsidiary after the Closing Date, the Borrower will promptly (i) (A) cause

 

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such Material Domestic Subsidiary to become a party to the Subsidiary Guarantee, (B) except upon the occurrence and continuation of a Collateral Release, cause each Restricted Subsidiary holding Equity Interests in such Material Domestic Subsidiary that is not a party to the Pledge Agreement to become a party to the Pledge Agreement and file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or other filings in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Pledge Agreement, and (C) cause such Material Domestic Subsidiary to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of such Material Domestic Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit F, with appropriate insertions and attachments, and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

 

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

 

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

 

(a)                                   Indebtedness incurred under the Loan Documents;

 

(b)                                  the Existing Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness, so long as after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Existing Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness and, in either case, any substantially concurrent use of the proceeds thereof, (i) the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding does not exceed $3,000,000,000 minus (x) the principal amount of outstanding Incremental Term Loans and (y) the amount by which the Total Revolving Commitments exceed $2,000,000,000, (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 6.10;

 

(c)                                   Capital Lease Obligations so long as after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Capital Lease Obligations and any substantially concurrent use of the proceeds thereof, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 6.10;

 

(d)                                  Indebtedness of the Borrower that is not secured by any Lien on the assets of the Borrower or of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and any substantially concurrent use of the proceeds thereof, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 6.10;

 

(e)                                   Priority Indebtedness so long as after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Priority Indebtedness and any substantially concurrent use of the proceeds thereof, (i) the aggregate principal amount of Priority Indebtedness (without duplication) does not exceed 50% of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four fiscal quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 6.10; and

 

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(f)                                     Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (e) above, in each case so long as in the case of clauses (b) and (d) above the Loans are guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary to at least the same extent.

 

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 6.01.

 

SECTION 6.02.    Liens .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a)                                   Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(b)                                  any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the Closing Date and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(c)                                   any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date prior to the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(d)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Capital Lease Obligations) incurred to finance the acquisition of fixed or capital assets, provided that (i) such Liens shall be created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets, and (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any of its existing property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness;

 

(e)                                   deposits, reserves and other Liens securing credit card operations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(f)                                     Liens created by the Pledge Agreement or otherwise securing the Obligations;

 

(g)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(b), so long as, in each case, the Obligations are secured equally and ratably with (or better than) such Liens;

 

(h)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(e); and

 

(i)                                      Liens securing Guarantees permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(f) other than Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(d), provided that, with respect to any such Liens securing Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(b), the Obligations are secured equally and ratably with (or better than) such Liens.

 

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SECTION 6.03.    Fundamental Changes .  (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or Dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Person may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (ii) any Person (other than the Borrower) may merge or consolidate with or into any Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Restricted Subsidiary or which is permitted as a Disposition under Section 6.04, (iii) any Restricted Subsidiary may Dispose of its assets and the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may Dispose of any stock of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Borrower or to another Restricted Subsidiary or in a transaction which is permitted as a Disposition under Section 6.04 and (iv) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such merger which is in the nature of a sale of a Person that is not a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.

 

(b)                                        The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, change its line of business from the lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement (other than businesses incidental or related thereto).

 

SECTION 6.04.    Disposition of Property .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Dispose of any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired other than inventory and obsolete or worn out property in the ordinary course of business and accounts receivable in connection with the collection thereof, or, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Restricted Subsidiary’s capital stock to any Person, unless at the time of such transaction (or, if earlier, the date of the commitment to enter into such transaction) and after giving effect thereto and to the use of the proceeds thereof, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on a pro forma basis reflecting such transaction.

 

SECTION 6.05.    Restricted Payments .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (a) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (c) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may declare, make, agree to pay and agree to make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for directors, management, employees or consultants of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (d) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to LMC or its subsidiaries to the extent necessary to pay principal and interest when due in respect of the Indebtedness of LMC and its subsidiaries allocated to the Liberty Media Interactive tracking stock or any comparable successor thereto, provided that after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (e) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to LMC or its subsidiaries to pay any taxes that are due and payable by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to LMC or its subsidiaries in accordance with the tax liability allocation and indemnification agreement between the Borrower and LMC.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to declare and make and agree to pay and pay a Restricted Payment, provided that after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00.

 

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SECTION 6.06.    Transactions with Affiliates .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions (including amendments or modifications to prior or existing transactions) with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) for transactions at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrower and its wholly owned Restricted Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) pursuant to Stock Compensation Plans, (d) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.05 and (e) ordinary course overhead arrangements in which any Restricted Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary participates.

 

SECTION 6.07.    Changes in Fiscal Periods .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year to end on a day other than December 31 or change its method of determining fiscal quarters.

 

SECTION 6.08.    Sales and Leasebacks .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary unless (i) the lease in such arrangement is a capital lease and such capital lease may be entered into at such time pursuant to Section 6.01 and 6.02 or (ii) the lease in such arrangement is not a capital lease and the aggregate proceeds from such arrangement and other such arrangements since the Closing Date do not exceed $100,000,000.

 

SECTION 6.09.    Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) make Restricted Payments in respect of any capital stock of such Restricted Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (b) make loans or advances to, or other investments in, the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the capital stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) restrictions under any agreement governing Capital Lease Obligations or Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section 6.02, so long as such restrictions apply only to the assets subject to such Liens or relating to such Capital Lease Obligations, as the case may be, (iv) restrictions under any agreement listed on Schedule 6.09 and any replacement or refinancing of such agreement, in each case so long as the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness incurred under the relevant agreement or any replacement or refinancing thereof is not increased above the amount outstanding on the Closing Date and the relevant restrictions are not made more restrictive after the Closing Date and (v) restrictions under any agreement of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date that existed prior to the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such restrictions are not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, and any replacement or refinancing thereof so long as the restrictions are not made more restrictive.

 

SECTION 6.10.    Consolidated Leverage Ratio .  The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at any day during any period set forth below to be more than the ratio set forth below opposite such period:

 

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Period

 

Consolidated
Leverage Ratio

 

 

 

Closing Date through September 29, 2012

 

3.50 to 1.00

 

 

 

thereafter

 

3.25 to 1.00

 

SECTION 6.11.    Investments .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of Guarantee or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase any Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting a business unit of, or incur any Unrestricted Subsidiary Support Obligations with respect to, any Person (all of the foregoing, “ Investments ”), except:

 

(a)                                   extensions of trade credit and credit to customers in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                  Investments in Cash Equivalents;

 

(c)                                   loans and advances to employees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business (including for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses) in an aggregate amount for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries not to exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

 

(d)                                  Investments made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(e)                                   Investments (other than Investments directly or indirectly in Unrestricted Subsidiaries) made at any time if, after giving pro forma effect thereto, (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00 and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(f)                                     Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed (i) $375,000,000 in any fiscal year and (ii) $750,000,000 during the term of this Agreement (starting on the Closing Date), in each case determined net of any cash recoveries actually received in respect of such Investments (it being understood that, if an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, there will be deemed to have occurred a cash recovery of all Investments made in such subsidiary on or after the Closing Date); provided that after giving pro forma effect to each such Investment, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(g)                                  Investments resulting in the acquisition of Equity Interests or assets constituting a business unit of another Person (including by way of merger), in each case using consideration consisting of Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that other forms of consideration may also be used in connection with such Investment to the extent of availability under clause (h) below), so long as (i) in the case of an acquisition of Equity Interests of a Person, such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) in the case of an acquisition of assets other than Equity Interests, such assets are acquired by a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that after giving pro forma effect to each such Investment, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(h)                                  in addition to Investments otherwise expressly permitted by Section 6.11(a) through (g), Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000,000 during the term of this

 

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Agreement (starting on this Closing Date), determined net of any cash recoveries actually received in respect of such Investments, provided that after giving pro forma effect to each such Investment, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(c)                                   any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Credit Party in this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any amendment, modification or waiver in respect thereof, or in any certificate or in or as to any financial statements furnished pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any amendment, modification or waiver in respect thereof, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

 

(d)                                  any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or 5.08, in Article VI or in Section 4.5 of the Pledge Agreement, or any Pledgor (as defined in the LMC Pledge Agreement) shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 4.5 of the LMC Pledge Agreement;

 

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

 

(f)                                     the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable after any applicable grace period therefor;

 

(g)                                  any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

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

 

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

 

(j)                                      one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

 

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

 

(l)                                      (i) any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall fail to satisfy customary formalities with respect to organizational separateness, including, without limitation, (A) the maintenance of separate books and records and (B) the maintenance of separate bank accounts in its own name, or (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (x) commingle any money or other assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary with any money or other assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (y) take any action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, which could reasonably be expected to result in the separate organizational existence of each Unrestricted Subsidiary from the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries being ignored under any circumstance;

 

(m)                                the Pledge Agreement shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by the Pledge Agreement shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby (except, in each case, in accordance with Section 9.16 or the Pledge Agreement);

 

(n)                                  the Subsidiary Guarantee shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert;

 

(o)                                  the LMC Pledge Agreement shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by the LMC Pledge Agreement shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby (except, in each case, in accordance with Section 9.16 or the LMC Pledge Agreement);

 

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(p)                                  any Lien is created, incurred, assumed or permitted to exist on any Equity Interests of the Borrower other than (i) Permitted Encumbrances described in clauses (a), (b) and (e) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances,” (ii) Liens securing the Obligations and (iii) Liens securing other Indebtedness of any Loan Party so long as the Obligations are secured equally and ratably with (or better than) such Liens;

 

(q)                                  any Lien is created, incurred, assumed or permitted to exist on any Equity Interests of any Material Domestic Subsidiary other than (i) Permitted Encumbrances described in clauses (a), (b) and (e) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances,” (ii) Liens securing the Obligations and (iii) Liens securing the Existing Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness (and Liens securing Guarantees thereof permitted by Section 6.01);

 

(r)                                     (i) the Collateral Agent shall cease, for any reason, to have a perfected first priority Lien on all issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower, or (ii) the Borrower shall issue any of its Equity Interests to any Person other than a Person that is or concurrently becomes a party to the LMC Pledge Agreement, but, in each case, only if such event is an Event of Default under and as defined in the indentures for the then outstanding Existing Notes or the documentation for any then outstanding Pari Passu Indebtedness; or

 

(s)                                   a Change in Control shall occur;

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Revolving Commitments, and thereupon the Revolving Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable during the continuation of such event) by the Borrower, and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind (other than notice from the Administrative Agent), all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and (iii) require all outstanding Letters of Credit to be cash collateralized in accordance with Section 2.17(j); and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Revolving Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent

 

SECTION 8.01.    Appointment and Authorization .  Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and the other Credit Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

SECTION 8.02.    Administrative Agent and Affiliates .  The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any

 

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other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

SECTION 8.03.    Action by Administrative Agent .  The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and the other Credit Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02 or 9.03), and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02 or 9.03) or otherwise, in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Credit Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein or in any other Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 8.04.    Consultation with Experts .  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

SECTION 8.05.    Delegation of Duties .  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 8.06.    Successor Administrative Agent .  Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 8.07.    Credit Decision .  Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Credit Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

SECTION 8.08.    Lead Arrangers; Bookrunners; Syndication Agents; Documentation Agents .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of the Lead Arrangers, Bookrunners, Syndication Agents or Documentation Agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, except in its capacity, if applicable, as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.    Notices .  (a)  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy) (unless otherwise specifically permitted in this Agreement), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy or telephone notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower (with a copy to LMC) and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:

 

Borrower:

QVC, Inc.

 

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

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Telecopy: (484) 701-1380

 

Telephone: (484) 701-1000

 

 

With a copy to:

QVC, Inc.

 

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

Telecopy: (484) 701-1021

 

Telephone: (484) 701-1000

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation

 

12300 Liberty Boulevard

 

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

Attention: Senior Vice President, Treasurer

 

Telecopy: (720) 875-5915

 

Telephone: (720) 875-5411

 

 

Administrative Agent:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

1111 Fannin Street

 

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Attention: Evelyn Dixon

 

Telecopy: (713) 427-6408

 

Telephone: (713) 750-2309

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan Europe Ltd.

 

Loans Agency Department

 

125 London Wall

 

London

 

EC2Y 5 AJ

 

Attention: Claire Johnson

 

Telecopy: 44 207 7777 2360

 

Telephone: 44 207 777 5532

 

 

With a copy to:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

383 Madison Avenue

 

New York, New York 10179

 

Attention: Peter Thauer

 

Telecopy: (212) 270-5127

 

Telephone: (212) 270-6289

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

Private Portfolio Management

 

301 South College St.

 

Charlotte, NC 28288-0760

 

Attention: Joe Mynatt

 

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Telecopy: (704) 715-1438

 

Telephone: (704) 383-9270

 

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

 

SECTION 9.02.    Waivers; Amendments .

 

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

 

(b)                                  Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Revolving Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Revolving Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.15 in a manner that would alter the pro rata distribution or sharing of payments required thereby or any provision requiring the pro rata funding of Loans, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) increase the Consolidated Leverage Ratio set forth in Section 9.16(b) or Section 9.16(c), or (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank.

 

(c)                                   The Revolving Commitments and any Loans held by LMC and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Affiliated Lenders ”) shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to this Section 9.02 or Section 9.03); provided that the provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any action requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender.  Affiliated

 

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Lenders may not receive information provided solely to Lenders by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and may not attend or participate in Lender meetings not attended by the Borrower.

 

SECTION 9.03.    Waivers; Amendments to Other Credit Documents .  (a)  No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power under the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement or the LMC Pledge Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement and the LMC Pledge Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement or the LMC Pledge Agreement or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.

 

(b)                                  Neither the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement, the LMC Pledge Agreement nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each affected Credit Party and, except in the case of amendments to the Pledge Agreement described in Section 7.1(b) thereof or amendments to the LMC Pledge Agreement described in Section 7.1(b) thereof, the Required Lenders or by the affected Credit Party and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders (except in the case of amendments to the Pledge Agreement described in Section 7.1(b) thereof or amendments to the LMC Pledge Agreement described in Section 7.1(b) thereof); provided that no such agreement shall release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the LMC Collateral (in each case except as provided in Section 9.16), release all or substantially all of the Material Domestic Subsidiaries as Subsidiary Guarantors or change any of the provisions of this Section, in each case without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Collateral Agent under the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Pledge Agreement or the LMC Pledge Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 9.04.    Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

 

(a)                                         The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the administration of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

 

(b)                                        The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties to this

 

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Agreement or any other Credit Document of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (iv) any civil penalty or fine assessed by OFAC against, and all reasonable costs and expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with defense thereof, by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of conduct of the Borrower that violates a sanction enforced by OFAC or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (i) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (ii) arise from a breach of this Agreement by such Indemnitee.  Each Indemnitee shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of any claim that may give rise to a claim against the Borrower hereunder and shall consult with the Borrower in the conduct of such Indemnitee’s legal defense of such claim; provided , however , than an Indemnitee’s failure to give such prompt notice to the Borrower or to seek such consultation with the Borrower shall not constitute a defense to any claim for indemnification by such Indemnitee unless, and only to the extent that, such failure materially prejudices the Borrower.

 

(c)                                         To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Total Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.

 

(d)                                        To the extent permitted by applicable law, the parties shall not assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any other party, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

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

 

SECTION 9.05.    Successors and Assigns .

 

(a)                                   The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b)                                  (i)  Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

 

(A) the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, except for certain institutions (and affiliates of such institutions) identified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date (the “ Restricted List ”), the identities of which are available to the Lenders upon request to the Administrative Agent), provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default under clause (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee (except for institutions (and affiliates of such institutions) on the Restricted List), and provided further , that if the Borrower consents to an assignment to any institution (or affiliate of such institution) on the Restricted List, such institution shall be permanently removed from the Restricted List; and

 

(B) the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of any Revolving Commitment or Loan to an assignee that is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.

 

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

 

(A)  except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Revolving Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 or, in the case of any Incremental Term Loan, $1,000,000 (or, in the case of a Loan in an Alternative Currency, an appropriate corresponding amount as shall be consented to by the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld)), unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under clause (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing;

 

(B)  each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Revolving Commitments or Loans;

 

(C)  the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee is hereby waived for any assignment to which Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. or any of its Affiliates is a party);

 

(D)  the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and

 

(E)   on the date of such assignment, the assignee of a Revolving Commitment must be able to fund Revolving Loans in all Alternative Currencies.

 

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For the purposes of this Section 9.05(b), the term “ Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

(iii)                                Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.04).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.05 shall be null and void.

 

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

 

(v)                                  Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption with respect to a permitted assignment executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section (unless waived), and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)                                   (i)  Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks, institutions or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) or the first proviso to Section 9.03(b) that affects such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12,

 

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2.13 and 2.14 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(ii)                                   A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.12 or 2.14 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.14(e) as though it were a Lender.

 

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

 

(e)                                   Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans and Incremental Term Loans may only be assigned to LMC or any of its subsidiaries as long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have then occurred and be continuing, (ii) no proceeds from any Revolving Loans are used, directly or indirectly, to fund such assignment, (iii) each of the Lenders that hold Loans in the same Facility as the Loans being assigned has been offered the chance to participate in such assignment pro rata (in proportion to the Loans in such Facility) pursuant to procedures reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent at the same price (based on a percentage of par), (iv) all assignments made pursuant to such offer shall be made at the same price (based on a percentage of par), (v) in the case of any assignment of Revolving Commitments and/or Revolving Loans, such Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans shall be contributed to the Borrower and permanently extinguished within one Business Day of such assignment, and (vi) no assignment may result in the Affiliated Lenders holding a principal amount of Incremental Term Loans under any Incremental Term Facility exceeding 15% of the principal amount of Incremental Term Loans outstanding under such Incremental Term Facility, unless such excess is contributed to the Borrower and permanently extinguished within one Business Day of such assignment.

 

SECTION 9.06.    Survival .  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any Loan Parties herein, in the other Credit Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Revolving Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.04 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Revolving Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

SECTION 9.07.    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This

 

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Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the Lead Arranger constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement shall become effective as provided in Section 4.01, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by email or telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.08.    Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 9.09.    Right of Setoff .  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured.  The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 9.10.    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .  (a)  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

65



 

SECTION 9.11.    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED TO IT, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 9.12.    Headings .  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.13.    Confidentiality .  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory or self-regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any other Credit Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or an agreement described in clause (f) hereof or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.  For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrower or its Affiliates relating to the Borrower, its subsidiaries or their businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or its Affiliates.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would reasonably accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each Lender (other than any “public only” Lender) acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or

 

66


 

 

the other Credit Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities.  Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

 

SECTION 9.14.    Judgment Currency .  If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment or filing a claim in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or claim in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.  The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or the Person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent in such currency, the Administrative Agent agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

SECTION 9.15.    USA PATRIOT Act .  Each Lender subject to the Act hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Act ”), it is hereby required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

 

SECTION 9.16.    Releases of Guarantees and Liens .  (a)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 9.02 or 9.03) to take any action requested by the Borrower having the effect of releasing any Collateral under the Pledge Agreement or the LMC Pledge Agreement or obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantee (i) to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Credit Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 9.02 or 9.03 or (ii) under the circumstances described in paragraph (b) below.

 

(b)  At any time (and from time to time) on or after the Closing Date during which (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for each of the four fiscal quarter periods of the Borrower ending as of the dates of the two most recently completed fiscal quarters of the Borrower is less than 2.00 to 1.00, the Borrower, by written notice to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall attach a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations necessary to demonstrate the Borrower’s satisfaction of the condition set forth above), may request that all of the Collateral be released from the Liens created by the Pledge Agreement and may request that all of the LMC Collateral be released from the Liens created by the LMC Pledge Agreement, and upon the

 

67



 

Administrative Agent’s acceptance of such written request, all such Collateral and/or LMC Collateral, as the case may be, shall be released from the Liens created by the Pledge Agreement and/or the LMC Pledge Agreement, as the case may be, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

 

(c)  If any Collateral has been released from the Liens created by the Pledge Agreement or any LMC Collateral has been released from the Liens created by the LMC Pledge Agreement pursuant to Section 9.16(b), then on the date on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01 showing that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for each of the four fiscal quarter periods of the Borrower ending as of the dates of the two most recently completed fiscal quarters of the Borrower is greater than 3.00 to 1.00, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries holding Equity Interests in the Material Domestic Subsidiaries shall promptly enter into a new Pledge Agreement and the subsidiaries of LMC holding interests in the Borrower shall promptly enter into a new LMC Pledge Agreement, as the case may be, to replace the terminated Pledge Agreement and terminated LMC Pledge Agreement, as the case may be, and each shall deliver to the Collateral Agent the certificates representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to such agreements, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank.

 

(d)  At such time as the Loans and the other Obligations (other than Obligations under or in respect of Specified Swap Agreements and Letters of Credit) shall have been paid in full, the Revolving Commitments have been terminated and all Letters of Credit have expired or been cash collateralized (i) the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created by the Pledge Agreement, and the Pledge Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party under the Pledge Agreement shall terminate and (ii) the LMC Collateral shall be released from the Liens created by the LMC Pledge Agreement, and the LMC Pledge Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Credit Party under the LMC Pledge Agreement shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

 

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

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent (including as Collateral Agent), Issuing Bank and a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Peter B. Thauer

 

 

Name:

Peter B. Thauer

 

 

Title:

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

 

as an Issuing Bank and Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Jeffrey R. Gignac

 

 

Name:

Jeffrey R. Gignac

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BNP PARIBAS, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Nuala Marley

 

 

Name:

Nuala Marley

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Maria Mulic

 

 

Name:

Maria Mulic

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Tanya Crossley

 

 

Name:

Tanya Crossley

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ David Christiansen

 

 

Name:

David Christiansen

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

QVC, INC. CREDIT AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE

 



 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Alex Daw

 

 

Name:

Alex Daw

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Michael Makaitis

 

 

Name:

Michael Makaitis

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Ritam Bhalla

 

 

Name:

Ritam Bhalla

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Bertram H. Tang

 

 

Name:

Bertram H. Tang

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Brenda S. Insull

 

 

Name:

Brenda S. Insull

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.,

 

New York Branch, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Lillian Kim

 

 

Name:

Lillian Kim

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Gail F. Scannell

 

 

Name:

Gail F. Scannell

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

2



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Laura Neenan

 

 

Name:

Laura Neenan

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNTRUST BANK, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Michael Vegh

 

 

Name:

Michael Vegh

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH [formerly CREDIT SUISSE, Cayman Islands Branch], as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Mikhail Faybusovich

 

 

Name:

Mikhail Faybusovich

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Rahul Parmar

 

 

Name:

Rahul Parmar

 

 

Title:

Associate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEUTSCH BANK AG NEW YOR BRANCH, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Yvonne Tilden

 

 

Name:

Yvonne Tilden

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Stefan Freckmann

 

 

Name:

Stefan Freckmann

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Rebecca Kratz

 

 

Name:

Rebecca Kratz

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

3



 

 

USB LOAN FINANCE LLC, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Irja R. Otsa

 

 

Name:

Irja R. Otsa

 

 

Title:

Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Mary E. Evans

 

 

Name:

Mary E. Evans

 

 

Title:

Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY BANK N.A., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Sherrese Clarke

 

 

Name:

Sherrese Clarke

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCOTIABANC INC., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ J. F. Todd

 

 

Name:

J.F. Todd

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Denise D. Killen

 

 

Name:

Denise D. Killen

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN BANK, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Francis D. Phillips

 

 

Name:

Francis D. Phillips

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ William M. Ginn

 

 

Name:

William M. Ginn

 

 

Title:

Executive Officer

 

4



 

 

TD BANK, N.A., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Ted Hopkinson

 

 

Name:

Ted Hopkinson

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Sherrese Clarke

 

 

Name:

Sherrese Clarke

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

5


 

 

 



Exhibit 10.4

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

ISDA ®

 

International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of August 28, 2006

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

and

QVC INC.

(“Party A”)

 

(“Party B”)

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:—

 

1.                                  Interpretation

 

(a)                             Definitions . The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)                             Inconsistency . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)                              Single Agreement . All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.                                  Obligations

 

(a)                             General Conditions .

 

(i)                   Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)                Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)             Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 



 

(b)                             Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)                              Netting. I f on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i)                   in the same currency; and

 

(ii)                in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)                             Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)                   Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1)               promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)               pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)               promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)               if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However. X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A)                 the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)                 the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority ;  or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

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(ii)                Liability. If:—

 

(1)               X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)               X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)               a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)                              Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.                                  Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)                             Basic Representations.

 

(i)                   Status It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)                Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)             No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)            Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)               Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

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(b)                             Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)                              Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)                             Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)                              Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)                               Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.                                  Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)                             Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)                      any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)                   any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)                upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)                             Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)                              Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)                             Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)                              Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

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organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.                                  Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)                             Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)                   Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)                Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)             Credit Support Default.

 

(1)          Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)          the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)          the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)            Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)               Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)            Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

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described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)         Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:—

 

(1)          is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)      Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:—

 

(1)          the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)          the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)                             Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:—

 

(i)                   Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):—

 

(1)               to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)               to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)                Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)             Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)            Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)               Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)                              Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.                                  Early Termination

 

(a)                             Right to Terminate Following Event of Default . If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1),(3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)                             Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)                   Notice If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)                Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)             Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)            Right to Terminate . If:—

 

(1)               a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)               an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)                              Effect of Designation.

 

(i)                   If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)                Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)                             Calculations.

 

(i)                   Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)                Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e)will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)                              Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set -off.

 

(i)                   Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:—

 

(1)          First Method and Market Quotation . If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) inrespect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)          First Method and Loss . If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non -defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)          Second Method and Market Quotation . If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)          Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)                Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:—

 

(1)          One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, of Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that , in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)          Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties:—

 

(A)                                if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)                                if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)             Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)            Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

10


 

7.                             Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a)                        a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)                        a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                             Contractual Currency

 

(a)                        Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                        Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                         Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                        Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

11



 

9.                             Miscellaneous

 

(a)                        Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties withrespect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                        Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                         Survival of Obligations . Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                        Remedies Cumulative . Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                         Counterparts and Confirmations

 

(i)                        This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)                     The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                          No Waiver of Rights A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                         Headings . The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                      Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                        If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                        Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                         If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.                      Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

12



 

to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                      Notices

 

(a)                        Effectiveness . Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)                        if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)                     if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)                  if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)                 if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)                    if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                        Change of Addresses . Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                      Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                        Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                        Jurisdiction . With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)                        submits to he jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)                     waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect tosuch Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or reenactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                         Service of Process . Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

13



 

reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12.Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                        Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                      Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)                        in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)                        in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)                         in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)                        in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b)

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

14



 

Defaulting Party has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

Early Termination Date means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

Illegality has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

Indemnifiable Tax ” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

law includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

Local Business Day means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

Loss means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(I) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

Market Quotation means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market -makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off’ means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:—

 

(a)                        the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)                        such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

16



 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a) (iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law)interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

P.G. Turner

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

Title:

9/29/6

Title:

SVP Finance & Treasurer

 

 

 

By:

  GRAPHIC

 

Name:

  Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

  EVP General Counsel & Secretary

 

18



 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE

to the

Master Agreement (1992 Version)

dated as of
August 28, 2006
between
BARCLAYS BANK PLC (“Party A”)

and

QVC INC. (“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a) “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i) In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)                                                                      None;

Section 5(a)(vi)                                                                   None;

Section 5(a)(vii)                                                                None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)                                                                   None

 

(b) “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c) The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i)         “Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)      “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 100,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency

 

(d) The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e) The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f) For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii) : The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)4(A) or (B);”

 

(g) Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

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(i)         Market Quotation will apply.

(ii)      The Second Method will apply.

 

(h) “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i) Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)         Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s”) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor f immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial

 

20


 

owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)           Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital markets, LLC, as Syndication Agent, J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)  Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)  Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes he following representation(s):

 

(i)                                   It is a foreign person within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation section 1.6041-4(a)(4), it is a resident of the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Specified Treaty, and it is fully eligible for the benefits of the “Business Profits” or “Industrial and Commercial Profits” provision, as the case may be, the “Interest” provision or the “Other Income” provision (if any) of the Specified Treaty with respect to any payment described in such provisions;

 

(ii)                                Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement prior to the date (if any) on which it provides Party B with a properly executed United States Internal Revenue

 

21



 

Service Form W-8BEN will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment in the United States of America; and

 

(iii)                             On and after the date (if any) on which it provides Party B with a properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, no payment received by it in connection with this Agreement will be attributable to a trade or business carried on by it through a permanent establishment in the United States of America, and no such payment will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States of America. “Specified Treaty” means the income tax convention between the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

 

(c)  Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents,

as applicable:

 

(a)   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. Party A shall deliver to Party B an IRS form W8-BEN and W8-ECI, as upon the execution of this Agreement and any Confirmation hereunder.

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

(b)   Other documents to be delivered are:

 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes

 

22



 

Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by Party A.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)    Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

Notices should be sent to the address of the relevant branch set out in the relevant Confirmation (as may be amended from time to time), provided that in the case of notices or communications relating to Section 5, 6, 7, 11 or 13 to, such notices should be sent to:

 

Barclays Capital
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile No.: (212) 412-7519
Telephone No.: (212) 412-4000

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.
1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Telephone No: (484) 701-8974
Facsimile No: (484) 701-1380

 

(b)    Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.
Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)    Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)    Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i) Party A is a Multibranch Party and may act through its London, Hong Kong, New York, Mumbai, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Taipei, and Singapore offices.

 

(ii) Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

23



 

(e)  Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)  Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable

 

(g)  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None

 

(h)  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i)  Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall apply.

 

(j)  “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)  Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”

 

(b)  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)  Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1) it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2) it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3) it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its

 

24



 

underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6) the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h) It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)  ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

(e)  Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)  Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)  Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)    Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)    Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(3)    Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)    Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

25



 

(5)    Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)    Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)    Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)    Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)    Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)  Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)  Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)  Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)  ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “1SDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

26



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

P.G. Turner

 

Title:

Director

 

Date:

9/29/6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

Title:

SVP Finance & Treasurer

 

Date:

9-18-06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel & Secretary

 

Date:

 

 

 

27


 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of August 12, 2009 (the “First Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 28, 2006 (the “Agreement”) between BARCLAYS BANK PLC (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.  Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(c)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii) “Threshold Amount” means, with respect to Party A, three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; and, with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.”

 

(b) Part 1(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii) Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“WCM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“JPM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.”

 

(c) Part 1(i) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (iii):

 

“(iii) Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 



 

(A)                           cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in each of the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit Agreement (together, the “Credit Agreements”), except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                           cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under any of the Credit Agreements, or fail to be equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B; or

 

(C)                           cease to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that has guaranteed Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under any of the Credit Agreements, or fail to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that guarantees Party B’s obligations under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

(d) Part 5(d) of the Schedule is hereby amended, with respect to Party B only, by adding with respect to Party B only the following sub-section (j):

 

“(j) Specified Swap Agreement. The Agreement, including the Schedule as amended by the First Amendment, is a “Specified Swap Agreement” under and as defined in the Credit Agreements.”

 

(e) Part 5(h)(13) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(13)   ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions (“2006 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”)) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2006 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2006 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.”

 

2.  Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                             it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this First Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)                             its execution and delivery of this First Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                              this First Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this First Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                             as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3.  Miscellaneous

 

(a)                             Entire Agreement. This First Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 



 

(b)                             Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts, together, shall constitute a single agreement.

 

(c)                              Governing Law. This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(d)                             Trial by Jury. Each party hereto irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any proceedings relating to this First Amendment.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this First Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this First Amendment.

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Ana M. Soriano

 

Title:

Director

 

 

Aug 12, 2009

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 

 



 

SECOND AMENDMENT

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 28, 2006 between BARCLAYS BANK PLC (“Party A”) and QVC, INC . (“Party B”), as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 12, 2009 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows,:

 

1.   Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii) Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(i)(iii) of the Schedule is hereby a mended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii) Additional Termination Event : With respect to Party B. the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                      cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms unless such security is reinstated pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement in which case and from the point in time of reinstatement it shall be an Additional Termination Event if Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement fail to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                      cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any reinstatement of security pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement or future institution loan offerings or bend issuances by Party B (and for the avoidance of doubt, if there are multiple tranches of loans or debt, the most senior tranche): or



 

(C)                      cease to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that has guaranteed Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement.”

 

2.   Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                                  it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement:

 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally): and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3.   Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                  Entire Agreement . This Amendment  constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

 


 

 



Exhibit 10.5

 

(Multicurrency-Cross Border)

 

ISDA ®

 

International Swap Dealer Association Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of April 18, 2006

 

CALYON

 

and

 

QVC, INC.

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the ‘Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:-

 

1.                                       Interpretation

 

(a)                                   Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)                                   Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.                                       Obligations

 

(a)                                   General Conditions .

 

(i)                                      Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)                                   Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap Dealer Association, Inc.

 



 

(iii)                                Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)                                   Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:-

 

(i)                                      in the same currency; and

 

(ii)                                   in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)                                  Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)              Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:-

 

(1)                                   promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)                                   pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)                                   promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)                                   if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:-

 

ISDA® 1992

 

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(A)                               the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)                                 the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

(ii)       Liability. If:-

 

(1)           X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)           X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)           a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)                                   Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:-

 

(a)                                   Basic Representations.

 

(i)                                      Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)                                   Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)                                No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other

 

3



 

agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)                               Consents . All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)                                  Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

(b)                                  Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)                                   Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)                                  Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)                                   Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)                                     Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.                                       Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:-

 

(a)                                   Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:-

 

(i)                                      any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)                                   any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)                                upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

4



 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)                                  Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)                                   Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)                                  Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)                                   Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.                                       Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)                                   Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:-

 

(i)                                      Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)                                   Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)                                Credit Support Default.

 

(1)                                   Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)                                   the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)                                   the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

5



 

(iv)                               Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)                                  Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)                               Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)                            Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:-

 

(1)                                   is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar of official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)                         Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:-

 

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(1)                                   the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)                                   the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:-

 

(i)                                      Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):-

 

(1)                                   to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)                                   to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)                                   Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)                                Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)                               Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit

 

7



 

Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)                                  Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)                                   Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

6.                                       Early Termination

 

(a)                                   Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)                                  Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)                                      Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)                                   Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)                                Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

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(iv)                               Right to Terminate. if: -

 

(1)                                   a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)                                   an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)                                   Effect of Designation.

 

(i)                                      If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)                                   Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)                                  Calculations.

 

(i)                                      Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)                                   Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)                                   Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that ‘Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

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(i)                                      Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:-

 

(1)                                   First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)                                   First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)                                   Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)                                   Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)                                   Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:-

 

(1)                                   One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)                                   Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties:-

 

(A)                               if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)                                 if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)                                Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries

 

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made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)                               Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

7.                                       Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:-

 

(a)                                   a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)                                  a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                       Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                   Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. if for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                  Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

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(c)                                   Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

9.                                       Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                   Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)                                      This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)                                   The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                             Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                           Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                              If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

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(b)                                  Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                   If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.                                Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                                Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:-

 

(i)                                      if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)                                   if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)                                if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)                               if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)                                  if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                             Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                           Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                              Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                             Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:-

 

(i)                                 submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

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(ii)                                   waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                                Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:-

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:-

 

(a)                                   in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)                                  in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)                                   in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

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(d)                                  in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated

 

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Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non- defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting

 

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for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off’ means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:-

 

(a)                                   the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)                                  such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant

 

17



 

determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

CALYON

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

Simon Eedle

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

Title:

Managing Director

 

Title:

SVP Finance & Treasurer

Date:

Treasurer

 

Date:

10-16-06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Ian Cheung

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

18


 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE

to the

Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of April 18, 2006

 

between

 

CALYON (“Party B”)
a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of France

 

and

 

QVC, INC. (“Party A”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)                                             “Specified Entity” means in relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

 

None;

 

Section 5(a)(vi)

 

None;

 

Section 5(a)(vii)

 

None; and

 

Section 5(b)(iv)

 

None.

 

(b)                                            “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                             The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within three Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i)   “Specified Indebtedness”: with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)   “Threshold Amount” means, with respect to Party A and Party B, USD 100,000,000, or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)                                            The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party B and Party A.

 

1



 

(e)                                             The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)                                               Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)   Market Quotation will apply.

(ii)  The Second Method will apply.

 

(g)                                            “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(h)                                            Additional Termination Event will not apply to Party B.

 

With respect to Party A: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party A as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)              Change in Control The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party A’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party A’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party A is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s”) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party A or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party A.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or

 

2



 

substantially all of the equity securities of Party A then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party A beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)                                   Specific Event of Default. Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among QVC, Inc., as Borrower ; the Lenders including Party B named therein, as Lenders ;, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

3



 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)                                        Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)                                       Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of France, is a “foreign person” within the meaning of section 1.6041-1(a)(4) of the United States federal income tax regulations and has a U.S. Federal Taxpayer ID number of 36-2813095.

 

(1)           The following representation will apply to Party B with respect to each Transaction for which its office is its New York office:

 

Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business, and attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of America.

 

(2)           The following representation will apply to Party B with respect to each Transaction for which its office is its London office:

 

It is entering into the Transaction in the ordinary course of its trade as, and is, a recognized U.K. bank as defined in Section 840A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act of 1988, and it is a non-U.S. branch of a foreign person with respect to such Transaction.

 

(3)           The following representations will apply to Party B with respect to each Transaction for which its office is its Paris office:

 

It is fully eligible for the benefits of the “Business Profits” or “Industrial and Commercial Profits” provision (as the case may be), the “Interest” provision, or the “Other Income” (or similar) provision of the Specified Treaty with respect to any payment described in such provisions and received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement and no such payment is attributable to a trade or business carried on by it through a permanent establishment in the Specified Jurisdiction.

 

4



 

“Specified Treaty” means:                     The income tax convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic.

 

“Specified Jurisdiction” for Party B means: United States

 

(c)                                   Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party A is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is not a foreign corporation for United States tax purposes with Tax ID Number 23-2414041.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a) Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document 
Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Form W-8BEN, Form W-9, as applicable).

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

(b) Other documents to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver
document 
Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section 3(d)
Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such Party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

Party A: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party A’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party A to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes

 

5



 

each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Promptly upon request.

 

Yes

Party A: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party A prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Promptly upon request.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)  Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

(1)    For Transactions for which its Office is its New York office:

 

 

 

 

Calyon

 

Address:

 

1301 Avenue of the Americas

 

 

 

New York, New York 10019

 

 

 

United States of America

 

Telex No.:

 

62410

 

Answerback:

 

CREDW

 

Facsimile No:

 

+1 (212) 459-3167

 

Attention:

 

Manager, Capital Markets

 

(2)   For Transactions for which its Office is its London office:

 

 

Address:

 

Broadwalk House

 

 

 

5 Appold Street

 

 

 

London EC2A 2DA

 

 

 

England

 

 

 

 

 

For the purposes of Confirmations in respect of commodity Transactions:

 

 

 

Attention:

 

Swaps Back Office

 

Telex no:

 

8950831 CLR G

 

Facsimile no:

 

+44 20 7214 6557

 

Telephone no:

 

+44 20 7214 6938

 

SWIFT:

 

CRLRGB2L

 

6



 

 

For the purposes of Confirmations in respect of other Transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

 

Head of Derivatives, Back Office

 

Facsimile no:

 

+44 20 7214 6825

 

Telephone no:

 

+44 20 7214 5192

 

SWIFT:

 

CRLYGB2L

 

 

 

 

 

For all other notices or communications:

 

 

 

 

 

Attention:

 

Legal Department

 

Facsimile no:

 

+44 20 7214 6670

 

Telephone no:

 

+44 20 7214 6433

 

(3)   For notices or communications for which its Office is its Paris office shall be addressed to:

 

 

Address:

 

9, Quai du President Paul Doumer

 

 

 

92920 Paris La Defense Cedex France

 

Telex:

 

669600F

 

Answerback:

 

INSU X

 

Telephone no:

 

+33 1 4189 4993

 

Facsimile no:

 

+33 1 4189 3946

 

Attention:

 

Manager, Derivative Products Group

 

 

 

 

 

In relation to confirming the terms and conditions of a Transaction, unless otherwise specified in the relevant confirmation:

 

 

 

Attention:

Vanilla Derivatives

 

Facsimile no:

+33 1 41 89 39 16

 

Telephone no:

+33 1 41 89 45 80

 

 

 

 

Attention:

Manager, Exotic Derivatives

 

Facsimile no:

+33 1 42 95 01 81

 

Telephone no:

+33 1 42 95 71 31

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

 

QVC Inc.

 

1200 Wilson Drive

 

West Chester, PA 19380

 

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

 

Telephone No: (484) 701-8974 Facsimile No: (484) 701-1380

 

(b)                                  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement: Not Applicable.

 

(c)                                   Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

7



 

(i)   Party A is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(ii)  Party B is a Multibranch Party and may act through the following offices: New York, New York; London, United Kingdom; and Paris, France.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party B, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document:

 

(i)   With respect to Party B: None.

 

(ii)  With respect to Party A: None.

 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means:

 

(i)   In relation to Party B: None

(ii)  In relation to Party A: None

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. This Agreement, as well as any matter arising out of , relating to or incidental to this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i)                                      Netting of Payments.

 

Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall not apply to any Transactions if such Transactions are booked at the New York or London Office of Party B.

 

Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) will apply to any Transactions if such Transactions are booked at the Paris Office of Party B.

 

(j)                                      “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party B, and with respect to Party A will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

8



 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)                                   Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”

 

(b)                                  Consent to Recording. Each party consents to (i) the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of any and all communications between officers or employees of the parties, (ii) waives any further notice of such monitoring or recording, (iii) agrees to notify its officers and employees of such monitoring and recording, and (iv) agrees that any such recordings may be submitted in evidence to any court or in any proceeding relating to this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)                                  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1) it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2) it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3) it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

9



 

(6) the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h) It is (i)  an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended by the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000; and (ii) an “Eligible Commercial Entity” as such term is defined by Section 1a(11) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)   ERISA . It is not (1) an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “ERISA Plan”), as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (2) a person acting on behalf of an ERISA Plan or (3) a person the assets of whom constitute assets of an ERISA Plan.”

 

(e)                                   Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)                                     Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

(g)                                  Scope of Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Agreement to the contrary, upon the effectiveness of the Agreement (unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties) (i) any Specified Transaction then outstanding and (ii) any Specified Transaction subsequently entered into by the parties shall be “Transactions” for purposes of and be subject to, governed by and construed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and each related confirmation shall be a “Confirmation” for purposes of, and be read and construed as one with, this Agreement.

 

(h)                                  Procedures for Entering into Transactions. With respect to each Transaction entered into pursuant to this Agreement, Party B will, on or promptly after the Trade Date thereof (by mail, telex, telecopier or other electronic means), send Party A a Confirmation of each Transaction between them on the standard form used by Party B or in such other form as is mutually agreed upon by the parties. Party A will promptly thereafter accept the terms thereof by executing and returning to Party B an executed copy or request the correction of such Confirmation. If Party A fails to accept or dispute the Confirmation in the manner set forth above within three Local Business Days after receipt from Party B, such failure shall constitute its agreement to the terms of the Transaction set out in such Confirmation, absent manifest error, and the requirement of this Agreement that the parties exchange Confirmations shall for all purposes be deemed satisfied by a Confirmation sent and an agreement deemed given as provided herein.

 

(i)                                      Definitions. Unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation, this Agreement and each Transaction between the parties shall be subject to the 2000 ISDA Definitions (the “2000 Definitions”), the

 

10


 

1998 FX and Currency Options Definitions (the “FX Definitions”) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Derivatives Definitions”), each as published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) without reference to any amendment subsequent to the date hereof. For these purposes, (i) all references in the 2000 Definitions and Equity Derivatives Definitions to a “Swap Transaction” and all references in the FX Definitions to an FX Transaction or Currency Option shall be deemed to apply to each Transaction under this Agreement and (ii) all references in the 2000 Definitions to a Business Day shall be deemed references to a Local Business Day under this Agreement. The provisions of the 2000 Definitions and Equity Derivatives Definitions relating to Market Disruption Events and Adjustments to Indices and Extraordinary Events Affecting Shares (and their effects as well) will apply to a Transaction under this Agreement only to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the 2000 Definitions and the FX Definitions, the FX Definitions will prevail with respect to a FX Transaction or a Currency Option. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement, the 2000 Definitions, the FX Definitions and the Equity Derivatives Definitions, the provisions of this Agreement will prevail. Any definition incorporated into a Confirmation shall prevail over the provisions of this Agreement, the 2000 Definitions, the FX Definitions and the Equity Derivatives Definitions.

 

(j)                                     Confidential Information. The terms of this Agreement and any Transaction under this Agreement are confidential, and neither Party shall disclose them to any third party (other than the Party’s directors, officers, employees, counsel, accountants, consultants, independent contractors, subcontractors, agents, auditors or lenders, its own subsidiary Affiliates or its parent company, (collectively, “Representatives”) who have a need to know such information), except for such information (i) as may become generally available to the public, other than a result of a violation of this Agreement, (ii) as may be requested or required in connection with any litigation or any court or regulatory proceeding, or to comply with any applicable law, order, regulation, ruling, or accounting disclosure rule or standard, (iii) as may be obtained from a non-confidential source that disclosed that disclosed such information in a manner that did not violate its obligations to the disclosing party or its Credit Support Provider in making such disclosure, or (iv) as may be furnished to the non-disclosing party’s Affiliates, and to their Representatives who have a need to know such information.

 

(k)                                  Other Amendments. Party A and Party B agree that:

 

(1)                                  Change of Account. Section 2(b) of this Agreement is hereby amended by the addition of the following after the word “delivery” in the first line thereof:

 

“to another account in the same legal and tax jurisdiction as the original account”.

 

(2)                                  Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties”

 

(3)                                  Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

11



 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart or electronic message will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(4)                                  Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” in the second line and before the period the following “,which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld”

 

(5)                                  Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(6)                                  Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate” is hereby replaced in its entirety by the following:

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the overnight Federal Funds (Effective) Rate as published on Telerate page 118, plus 1% per annum (provided that if, for any reason, Telerate page 118 shall be unavailable, then as reported in the Federal Reserve Publication H.15(519) or any successor publication as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, plus 1% per annum.)”

 

(7)                                  Section 14, the definition of “Non-default Rate” is hereby replaced in its entirety by the following:

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the overnight Federal Funds (Effective) Rate as published on Telerate page 118, (provided that if, for any reason, Telerate page 118 shall be unavailable, then as reported in the Federal Reserve Publication H.15(519) or any successor publication as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.)”

 

Signature Page to Follow

 

12



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Schedule by their duly authorized officers as of the date hereof.

 

 

CALYON

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Simon Eedle

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Date:

Treasurer

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Ian Cheung

 

Title:

Director

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel & Secretary

 

Date:

10-16-06

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

Title:

SVP Finance & Treasurer

 

Date:

10-16-06

 

 

13


 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as July 31, 2009 (the “First Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 18, 2006 (the “Agreement”) between CALYON (“Party B”) and QVC, INC. (“Party A”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(h)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)   Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“WCM Credit Agreement” means, the Credit Agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party A as Borrower, Party B and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“JPM Credit Agreement” means, the Credit Agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party A as Borrower, Party B and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.”

 

(b) Part 1(h) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (iii):

 

“(iii) Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party A, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party A as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party A’s obligations to Party B under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in each of the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit

 



 

Agreement (together, the “Credit Agreements”), except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party A’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under the Credit Agreements or equally or ratably secured with Party A’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party A.”

 

(c) Part 5(d) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (j):

 

“(j) Specified Swap Agreement. The Agreement, including the Schedule as amended by this First Amendment, is a “Specified Swap Agreement” under and as defined in the Credit Agreements”.

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                                   it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this First Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this First Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this First Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this First Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This First Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts, together, shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this First Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this First Amendment.

 

CALYON

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Bruno MOUSSET

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

CALYON

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

SEBASTIEN PIEDNOIR

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

3



 

SECOND AMENDMENT

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 18, 2006 between CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK (formerly, Calyon) (“Party B”) and QVC, INC. (“Party A”), as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 31, 2009 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(h)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)   Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(h)(iii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii) Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                          cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                            cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                                   it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 



 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specific on the first page of this Amendment.

 

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE

AND INVESTMENT BANK

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Bruno MOUSSET

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

SEBASTIEN PIEDNOIR

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

Date:

 

 

 




Exhibit 10.6

 

ISDA ®

 

International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of April 12, 2006

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
(“Party A”)

 

and

 

QVC INC.
(“Party B”)

 

Party A and Party B have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:—

 

1.              Interpretation

 

(a)            Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)            Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)            Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.              Obligations

 

(a)            General Conditions.

 

(i)             Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)            Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)           Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc

 



 

(b)          Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)           Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i)             in the same currency; and

 

(ii)            in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)            Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)             Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1)            promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)            pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)            promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)            if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A)           the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)            the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

ISDA ® 1992

 

2



 

(ii)            Liability. If:—

 

(1)            X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)            X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)            a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)            Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(e), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.              Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)            Basic Representations.

 

(i)             Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)            Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)           No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)           Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)            Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

3



 

(b)            Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)            Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)            Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)            Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)             Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.              Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)            Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)             any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)            any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)           upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)            Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)            Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)            Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(t) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)            Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

4



 

organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.              Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)            Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)             Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)            Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)           Credit Support Default.

 

(1)            Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)            the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)            the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)           Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)            Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)           Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

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described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)          Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:—

 

(1)            is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)         Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:—

 

(1)            the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)            the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)            Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:—

 

(i)             Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):—

 

(1)            to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)            to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)            Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)           Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of’ interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(c)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)           Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)            Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)            Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.              Early Termination

 

(a)            Right to Terminate Following Event of Default If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)          Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)             Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)            Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)           Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)( 1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)           Right to Terminate, If:

 

(1)            a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)            an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)            Effect of Designation.

 

(i)             If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)            Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)            Calculations.

 

(i)             Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)            Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)            Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)             Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:—

 

(1)            First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)            First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)            Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)            Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement, If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)            Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:—

 

(1)            One Affected Party . If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)            Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties:—

 

(A)           if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)            if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)           Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)           Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.                                       Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a)                                   a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)                                  a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                       Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                   Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                  Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                                   Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                             Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

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9.                                       Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                   Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)                                      This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)                                   The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                  Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                                Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                                   If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                                  Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                   If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.                                Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

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to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                                Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)                                      if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)                                   if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)                                if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)                               if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)                                  if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                                  Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                                Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                                   Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                                  Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)                                      submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)                                   waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or reenactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

13



 

reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                                Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means ( a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)                                   in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)                                  in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)                                   in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)                                  in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

14



 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemniflable Tax means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

law includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:—

 

(a)                         the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)                        such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

16



 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a) (iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

18



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

By: Its Agent, RBS Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

James V. Mather

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Date:

4.18.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title

EVP, General Counsel & Secretary

 

Date

4/18/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name

Glenn M. Thor

 

Title

SVP Finance & Treasurer

 

Date

4-18-06

 

 

19


 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE

 

to the

 

Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of

 

April 12, 2006

 

Between

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, PLC (“Party A”)

 

And

 

QVC INC. (“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)     Specified Entity means:

 

(i) In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)                   None;

Section 5(a)(vi)                  None;

Section 5(a)(vii)                 None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)                  None

 

(b)  “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c) The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i) Specified Indebtedness : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business (unless a party is not permitting the withdrawal of such deposits in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business).

 

(ii)  Threshold Amount means with respect to Party A three percent of the shareholders’ equity of Party A as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 100,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency

 

(d) The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e) The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f) For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii) : The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)4(A) or (B).”

 

(g)  Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

20



 

(i)   Market Quotation will apply.

(ii)  The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)   “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)   Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: N/A

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)      Change in Control:

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliated Persons mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s”) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

LMC means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic

 

21



 

performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

Permitted Holders ” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

person and group have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or other entity.

 

(ii)                                   Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement ” means, the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and JPMorganSecurities Inc., and WCM as joint lead arrangers.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)  Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)  Party A Payee Tax Representations. The following representation(s) will apply to Party A:

 

(i) It is a foreign person within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation section 1.6041-4(a)(4), it is a resident of the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Specified Treaty, and it is fully eligible for the benefits of the “Business Profits” or “Industrial and Commercial Profits” provision, as the case may be, the “Interest” provision or the “Other Income” provision (if any) of the Specified Treaty with respect to any payment described in such provisions;

 

(ii) Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement prior to the date (if any) on which it provides Party B with a properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment in the United States of America; and

 

22



 

(iii) On and after the date (if any) on which it provides Party B with a properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, no payment received by it in connection with this Agreement will be attributable to a trade or business carried on by it through a permanent establishment in the United States of America, and no such payment will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States of America. “Specified Treaty” means the income tax convention between the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

 

(c)  Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party B makes the following representation: Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a) Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which  to  be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. Upon execution of this Agreement and any Confirmation hereunder: Party A shall deliver to Party B, as applicable, IRS form W8-BEN and W8-ECI; and Party B shall deliver to Party A, IRS Form W9.

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

 

 

(b) Other documents to be delivered are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covered by Section

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting

 

Promptly upon request.

 

Yes

 

23



 

principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

 

 

 

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)  Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

Address:

RBS Financial Markets, Level 4, 135 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3UR

Attention:

Swaps Administration

Telephone:

011-44-20-7375-5000

Fax:

011-44-20-7375-5050

 

Notices provided pursuant to Section 5 and 6 of this Agreement shall be provided to:

 

Address:

RBS Greenwich Capital Markets Inc.

 

600 Steamboat Road

 

Greenwich, CT 06830

Attention:

Legal Department — Derivatives Documentation

Telephone.

203-618-2531/32

Fax.:

203-618-2533/34

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone:

(484) 701-8974

Fax:

(484) 701-1380

 

(b)  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.

Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)  Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i) Party A is a Multibranch Party and may act through any of its offices, including, but not limited to, its London and New York offices;

 

(ii) Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)  Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)  Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable

 

(g)  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None

 

(h)  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i)  Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall apply.

 

24



 

(j)  “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)  Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”

 

(b)  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)  Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1) it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2) it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3) it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6) the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

25



 

(h) It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)  ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

(e)  Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)  Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “ Severability ” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)  Agency Role of Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. In connection with this Agreement, Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. has acted as agent on behalf of Party A. Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. has not guaranteed and is not otherwise responsible for the obligations of Party A under this Agreement.

 

(h)  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(i)  Other Amendments. Party A and Party B agree that:

 

(1)                                   Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)                                   Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(3)                                   Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)                                   Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(5)                                   Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)                                   Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)                Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

26



 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)                                   Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)                                   Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)                             Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)                             Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)                             Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)                             ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

27



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 

By its Agent, RBS Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

James V. Mather

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

Date:

4.18.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC,  INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

 

Title:

EVP, General Counsel & Secretary

 

 

Date:

4/18/06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

 

Title:

SVP Finance & Treasurer

 

 

Date:

4-18-06

 

 

 

28


 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of July 21, 2009 (the “First Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 12, 2006 (the “Agreement”) between THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.               Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Party 1(c)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  “Threshold Amount” means, with respect to Party A, three percent of the shareholders’ equity of Party A as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; and, with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.”

 

(b) Part 1(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

WCM Credit Agreement means, the credit agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

JPM Credit Agreement means, the credit agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.”

 

(c) Part 1(i) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (iii):

 

“(iii)  Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in each of the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit Agreement (together, the

 



 

“Credit Agreements”), except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under any of the Credit Agreements, or fail to be equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B; or

 

(C)                                 cease to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that has guaranteed Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under any of the Credit Agreements, or fail to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that guarantees Party B’s obligations under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

(d)          Part 5(d) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (j):

 

“(j) Specified Swap Agreement. The Agreement, including the Schedule as amended by this First Amendment, is a “Specified Swap Agreement” under and as defined in the Credit Agreements.”

 

(e)   Part 5(j)(13) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(13)         ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions (“2006 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”)) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2006 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2006 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)           it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this First Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)           its execution and delivery of this First Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)           this First Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this First Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)           as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)           Entire Agreement. This First Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)           Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts, together, shall constitute a single agreement.

 



 

(c)           Governing Law. This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(d)           Trial by Jury. Each party hereto irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any proceedings relating to this First Amendment.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this First Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this First Amendment.

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

By: RBS Securities Inc., its agent

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Scott R. Satriano

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 

 



 

SECOND AMENDMENT

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of April 12, 2006 between THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”), as amended by the First Amendment dated as of July 21, 2009 (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)   Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and BNP Paribas, as syndication agents, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.”

 

(b) Part 1(i)(iii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii)  Additional Termination Event : With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B; or

 

(C)                                 cease to be guaranteed by any Material Domestic Subsidiary of Party B, if any, that has guaranteed Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement.”

 



 

(c) Part 4(a) of the Schedule is amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(a) Notices or communications shall, with respect to a particular Transaction, be sent to the address, telex number or facsimile number reflected in the Confirmation of that Transaction. In addition (or in the event the Confirmation for a Transaction does not provide relevant Addresses/information for notice), with respect to notices provided pursuant to Section 5 and 6 of this Agreement, notice shall be provided to:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Global Banking & Markets

Attention: Swaps Administration

280 Bishopsgate

London EC2M 3UR

Telephone: 020 7085 5000

Facsimile: 020 7085 5050

 

With a copy to:

 

600 Washington Boulevard

Stamford, CT 06901

Attention:

Legal Department—Derivatives Documentation

Telephone:

203-897-2531/6467

Facsimile:

203-873-4606

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, PA 19382

Attention:

Chief Financial officer

Telephone:

(484) 701-1000

Fax:

(484) 701-1380

 

With copies to:

 

QVC Inc.

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

West Chester, PA 19382

Attention:

General Counsel

Telephone:

(484) 701-1000

Fax:

(484) 701-1021

 

Liberty Media Corporation

12300 Liberty Boulevard

Englewood, CO 80112

Attention:

Treasurer

Telephone:

(720) 875-5411

Fax:

(720) 875-5915”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 



 

(a)           it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)           its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)           this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)           as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)           Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)           Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

James V. Mather

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

 




Exhibit 10.7

 

(Multicurrency — Cross Border)

 

ISDA ®

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of October 3, 2006

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

QVC INC.

a Canadian chartered bank

and

a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows: —

 

1.              Interpretation

 

(a)            Definitions . The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)            Inconsistency . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)            Single Agreement . All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.              Obligations

 

(a)            General Conditions.

 

(i)             Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)            Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)           Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 



 

(b)            Change of Account . Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)            Netting . If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i)            in the same currency; and

 

(ii)           in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)            Deduction or Withholding for Tax .

 

(i)             Gross-Up . All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1)            promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)            pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)            promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)            if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A)           the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)            the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

ISDA ® 1992

 

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(ii)            Liability . If: —

 

(1)            X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)            X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)            a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)            Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.              Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)            Basic Representations.

 

(i)             Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)            Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)           No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)           Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)            Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

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(b)            Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)            Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)            Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)            Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)             Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.             Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)            Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)             any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)            any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)           upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)            Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)            Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)            Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)            Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

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organised. managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.              Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)            Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)             Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)            Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)           Credit Support Default.

 

(1)            Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)            the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)            the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)           Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)            Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)           Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

5



 

described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)          Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party: —

 

(1)            is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)         Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer: —

 

(1)            the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)            the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)            Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below :—

 

(i)             Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party): —

 

(1)            to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)            to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)            Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)           Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indenmifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)           Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)            Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)            Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.              Early Termination

 

(a)            Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)            Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)             Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)            Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)           Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)           Right to Terminate. If: —

 

(1)            a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)            an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)            Effect of Designation.

 

(i)             If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)            Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)            Calculations.

 

(i)             Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)            Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)            Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)             Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default: —

 

(1)            First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)            First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)            Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)            Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)            Termination Events . If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event: —

 

(1)            One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)            Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties: —

 

(A)           if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)            if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)           Adjustment for Bankruptcy . In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)           Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.                                       Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a)                                   a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)                                  a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                       Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                   Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                  Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                                   Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

11



 

9.                                       Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                   Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)              This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)           The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                  Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                                Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                                   If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                                  Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                   If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.                                Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

12



 

to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                                Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)              if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)           if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)        if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)       if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)          if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                                  Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                                Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                                   Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                                  Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)              submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)           waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

13



 

reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                                Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)                                   in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)                                  in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)                                   in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)                                  in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

14



 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of: —

 

(a)           the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)          such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meanings specified in the Schedule.

 

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“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means , subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

QVC INC.

(Name of Party)

 

(Name of Party)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name: Bradley Tate

 

 

Name: Glenn M. Thor

 

Title: Associate Director

 

 

Title: SVP Finance and Treasurer

 

Date:

 

 

Date: 4/19/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auth No. T130

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name: Neal S. Grabell

 

 

 

Title: EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

Date: 4-19-07

 

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(Multicurrency-Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE

to the

Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of

 

October 3, 2006

 

between

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

(Party “A”)

 

and

 

QVC INC.

(“Party B”)

 

Part  I. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

(a)           “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i) In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)

None

 

(b)          “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)           The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i) Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii) “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency

 

(d)          The Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)           The Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)             Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

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(i)   Market Quotation will apply.

(ii)  The Second Method will apply.

 

“Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(h)          Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)  Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard  & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s”) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board

 

20



 

of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)   Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA., as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital markets, LLC, as Syndication Agent, J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)           Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations . For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)          Party A Payee Tax Representations . For the purpose of Section 3(f) Party A makes he following representation(s):

 

(i)                                      It is a foreign person within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation section 1.6041-4(a)(4), it is a resident of Canada within the meaning of the Specified Treaty, and it is fully eligible for the benefits of the “Business Profits” or “Industrial and Commercial Profits” provision, as the case may be, the “Interest” provision or the “Other Income” provision (if any) of the Specified Treaty with respect to any payment described in such provisions;

 

(ii)                                   Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement prior to the date (if any) on which it provides Party B with a properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business through a permanent establishment in the United States of America; and

 

(iii)                                On and after the date (if any) on which it provides Party B with a properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, no payment received by it in connection with this Agreement will be attributable to a trade or business carried on by it through a permanent establishment in the United States of America, and no such payment will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States of America. “Specified Treaty” means the income tax convention between the United States of America and Canada.

 

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Party B Payee Tax Representations . For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonable requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. Party A shall deliver to Party B an IRS form W8-BEN, as upon the execution of this Agreement. Party B shall deliver to Party A an IRS form W-9 upon the execution of this Agreement.

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form had been superseded.

 

(b)   Other documents to be delivered are:

 

Form/ Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section 3(d)
Representation

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, verifying the authority, names and due signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement, and, if requested in respect of a Transaction, upon the execution and delivery of any applicable Confirmation.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR”, www.sedar.com, or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

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Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)  Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

Notices or communications to Party A in respect of a particular Transaction shall be directed to the address, facsimile or contact reflected in the Confirmation for that Transaction, and any notices in respect of Sections 5, 6, 9(b) or 13(c) of this Agreement to Party A’s Toronto Office as follows:-

 

Address:

40 King Street West, Scotia Plaza, 8 th  Floor

 

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1H1

Attention:

Global Markets Documentation

Facsimile No.:

(416) 866-7767

Telephone No.:

(416) 866-6613

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone No: (484) 701-8974

Facsimile No: (484) 701-1380

 

(b)  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.

Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)  Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement

 

(d)  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                   Party A is a Multibranch Party and may act through its Toronto Office, or any other Office as specified in a relevant Confirmation as agreed to between the parties.

 

(ii)                Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)  Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)  Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable

 

(g)  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None

 

(h)  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i)  Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall apply.

 

(j)  “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

23



 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)           Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”

 

(b)          Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)           Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)          Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1)           it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)           it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)           it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4)           it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)           it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)           the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions,

 

(h)          It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)              ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the

 

24



 

meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

(e)   Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)    Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)   Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)   Pari Passu Ranking. Party B agrees that in the event it shall grant security to secure any obligation of Party B pursuant to either (i) Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement, as amended, or (ii) Section 6.01(b) of the Loan Agreement (as hereinafter defined) or (iii) should it grant security to the lenders pursuant to a loan agreement replacing the Credit Agreement or the Loan Agreement, it shall secure Party B’s obligations to Party A pursuant to this Agreement, whether now existing or incurred hereafter, on an equal and ratable basis. If any such requirement shall subsequently no longer apply under each of the Credit Agreement, the Loan Agreement and to any replacement loan agreement, the obligations hereunder no longer need be so secured.

 

“Loan Agreement” means, the agreement dated as of October 4, 2006 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as Syndication Agents, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Bank of America Securities LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Joint Book Runners, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(i)    Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that

 

(1)                Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)                Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(3)                Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(4)                Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(5)                Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)                Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a

 

25



 

binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)                Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)                Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)   Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” “ is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following; “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)   Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)   Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)   ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. - “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Schedule by their duly authorized representative(s) as of the date hereof.

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name: Bradley Tate

 

Name: Glenn M. Thor

Title: Associate Director

 

Title: SVP Finance and Treasurer

Date:

 

Date: 4/19/07

 

 

 

 

 

Auth No. T130

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name: Neal S. Grabell

 

 

 

Title: EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

Date: 4-19-07

 

26


 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of July 30, 2009 (the “First Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 (the “Agreement”) between THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.   Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a)            Part 1(h)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)          Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

WCM Credit Agreement means, the credit agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

JPM Credit Agreement means, the credit agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.”

 

(b)            Part 1(h) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (iii):

 

“(iii)         Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)           cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined herein, except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

(B)            cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined herein, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

(C)            cease to be guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, as such term is defined herein, except upon termination of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

1



 

(D)           cease to be at least equally and ratably secured with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) and at least equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B; or

 

(E)            cease to be at least equally guaranteed with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) and at least equally guaranteed with Party B’s guaranteed obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.

 

Security Agreement shall mean the Security Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified or replaced by a successor agreement from time to time), made by the Grantors (as defined therein) in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent in connection with the Credit Agreements.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement shall mean the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified or replaced by a successor agreement from time to time), made by the Guarantors (as defined therein) in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent in connection with the Credit Agreements.

 

Pledge Agreement shall mean the Pledge Agreement dated as of June 16, 2009 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified or replaced by a successor agreement from time to time), made by the Pledgors (as defined therein) in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent in connection with the Credit Agreements.

 

Credit Agreements means the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit Agreement.”

 

(c)            Part 5 of the Schedule is hereby amended to include new subsection (j) as follows:

 

“(j)           Illegality. For the purpose of Section 5(b)(i), the obligation of a party to comply with any directive issued or given by any government agency or authority with competent jurisdiction which has the result referred to in Section 5(b)(i) will be deemed to be an ‘Illegality’.”

 

(d)            Part 5 of the Schedule is hereby amended to delete clause (h) in its entirety and replace it with the following:

 

“(h)          [DELETED]”

 

2.   Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)            it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this First Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)            its execution and delivery of this First Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

2



 

(c)            this First Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this First Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)            as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3.  Miscellaneous

 

(a)            Entire Agreement. This First Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)            Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts, together, shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this First Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this First Amendment.

 

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Elizabeth Burton

 

Title:

Associate Director

 

 

 

 

 

Auth No. B2830

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

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SECOND AMENDMENT

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”)(as amended from time to time) (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment

 

(a) Part 1(h)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  Specific Even of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence of existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement ” means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(h)(iii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii)  Additional Termination Event : with respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will supply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)           cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

(B)            cease to be secured pursuant to the LMC Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the LMC Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

(C)            cease to be guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Subsidiary Guarantee it accordance with its terms; or

 

(D)           cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement [ILLEGIBLE] equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if

 



 

any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

(E)            cease to be it least equally guaranteed with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or at least equally guaranteed with Party B’s guaranteed obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)            it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement:

 

(b)            its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)            this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; and

 

(d)            as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)            Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)            Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties, has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specific on the first page of this Amendment.

 

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name: J.A. Strain

 

Title: Associate Director

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name: David T. O’Connell

 

Title: EVP & CFO

 

 




Exhibit 10.8

 

(Multicurrency — Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of October 3, 2006

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., and QVC, Inc.

New York Branch

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transaction (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.              Interpretation

 

(a)            Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)            Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)            Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.              Obligations

 

(a)            General Conditions.

 

(i)       Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)      Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)     Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright© 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 



 

(b)            Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)            Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:

 

(i)             in the same currency; and

 

(ii)            in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)            Deduction or Withholding for Tax

 

(i)            Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:-

 

(1)      promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)      pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)      promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)      if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:-

 

(A)             the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)             the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

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(ii)        Liability. If: —

 

(1)      X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)      X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)      a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)            Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.              Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)            Basic Representations.

 

(i)          Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)         Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)        No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)        Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)         Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

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(b)            Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)            Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)            Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)            Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)             Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.              Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)            Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)       any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)      any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)     upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)            Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)            Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)            Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)            Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

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organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.              Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)            Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)       Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)      Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)     Credit Support Default.

 

(1)      Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)      the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)      the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)     Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)      Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)     Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

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described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)     Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party: —

 

(1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)    Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer: —

 

(1)         the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)         the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)            Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:—

 

(i)         Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party): —

 

(1)         to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)         to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)        Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)       Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)      Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)       Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)            Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.              Early Termination

 

(a)            Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)            Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)         Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)        Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)       Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)      Right to Terminate. If:

 

(1)         a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)         an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)            Effect of Designation.

 

(i)         If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)        Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)            Calculations.

 

(i)         Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)        Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)            Payments on Early Termination. if an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)         Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default: —

 

(1)         First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)         First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)         Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)         Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)        Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event: —

 

(1)         One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)         Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties: —

 

(A)   if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)    if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)       Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)      Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.               Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a)            a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)            a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.              Contractual Currency

 

(a)            Payment in the Contractual Currency . Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)            Judgments . To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)            Separate Indemnities . To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)            Evidence of Loss . For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

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9.              Miscellaneous

 

(a)            Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)            Amendments . No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)            Survival of Obligations . Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)            Remedies Cumulative . Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)            Counterparts and Confirmations .

 

(i)         This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)        The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)             No Waiver of Rights . A failure or delay in exercising any fight, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)            Headings . The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.           Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)            If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)            Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)            If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.           Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

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to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.            Notices

 

(a)            Effectiveness . Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)         if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)        if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)       if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)      if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)       if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)            Change of Addresses . Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.           Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)            Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)            Jurisdiction . With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)         submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)        waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)            Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

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reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)            Waiver of Immunities . Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.           Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)            in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)            in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)            in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)            in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

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“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party.and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of: —

 

(a)         the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)         such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meanings specified in the Schedule.

 

16



 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, import, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic means of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to any Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.,

QVC, Inc.

New York Branch

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

Hiroshi Kasugai

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

Title:

SVP Finance and Treasurer

Date:

 

 

Date:

12-11-06

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

Date:

12/8/06

 

18



 

Execution Version

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE
to the
Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of

October 3, 2006

 

Between

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD., New York Branch

 

(“Party A”)

and

 

QVC INC. (“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)            “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i)             In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)

None

 

(b)            “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)            The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 



 

(i)             “Specified Indebtedness”: with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)            “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)            The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)            The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)             For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii): The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)4(A) or (B);”

 

(g)            Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)             Market Quotation will apply.

 

(ii)            The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)            “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)             Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)             Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

2


 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s’) or Standard  & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor f immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified

 

3



 

group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)                                   Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, (i) the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Syndication Agent, J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners and (ii) the agreement dated as of October 4, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., as Syndication Agents, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, and J.P.Morgan Securities Inc., as Joint Bookrunners.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)                                   Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for

 

4



 

or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 30) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)                                  Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes tie following representation(s):

 

(i)                                      It is a New York Branch of a banking organization organized under the laws of Japan and is classified as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes;

 

(c)                                   Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)                                   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. Party A shall deliver to Party B an IRS form W8-BEN and W8-ECI, as upon the execution of this Agreement and any Confirmation hereunder:

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

(b)                                 Other documents to be delivered are:

 

5



 

 

 

 

 

Covered by Section

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by Party A.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

6



 

Notices should be sent to the address of the relevant branch set out in the relevant Confirmation (as may be amended from time to time), provided that in the case of notices or communications relating to Section 5, 6, 7, 11 or 13 to, such notices should be sent to:

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch

Attn:                     Senior Vice President and Group Head

Derivatives and Structured Products Group

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020-1104

Facsimile No: (212) 782-6429

Telephone No: (212) 782-6900

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone No:                  (484) 701-8974
Facsimile No:
        (484) 701-1380

 

(b)                                  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.
Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)                                   Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Party A is not a Multibranch Party and for the purposes of this Agreement may only act through its New York office.

 

(ii)                                   Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable.

 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

7



 

(i)                                      Netting of Payments. All amounts payable on the same date, in the same currency and in respect of the same Transaction shall be netted in accordance with Section 2(c) of this Agreement. The election contained in the last paragraph of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall not apply for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

(j)                                      “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)                                   Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b)                                  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)                                  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)                            Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1)                                   it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)                                   it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed

 

8



 

necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)                                   it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)                                   the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h)                                  It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)                                      ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

9



 

(e)                                   Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)                                     Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)                                  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)                                  Change of Account . The following proviso is inserted at the end of Section 2(b) after “change”:

 

“; provided that if such new account shall not be in the same jurisdiction having the power to tax as the original account, the party not changing its account shall not be obliged to pay any greater amounts and shall not receive less as a result of such change than would have been the case if such change had not taken place.”

 

(i)                                      Technical Errors . The following proviso is inserted at the end of Section 5(a)(vi) after “period”:

 

“; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, a Cross Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above if (aa) the default, event of default or condition referred to in (1) or the default referred to in (2) arises out of a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (bb) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (cc) such relevant payment is made within three Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”

 

(h)                                  Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)                                   Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(2)                                   Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

10



 

(3)                                   Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(4)                                   Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(5)                                   Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(6)                                   Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(7)                                   Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(8)                                   Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(9)                                   Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(10)                             Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(11)                             Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(12)                             ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the

 

11



 

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA -published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

12



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.,

New York Branch

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Hiroshi Kasugai

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

Title:

SVP Finance and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

13




Exhibit 10.9

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of August 8, 2006

 

among

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK

QVC INC.

BRANCH (“PARTY A”)

(“Party B”)

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows: —

 

1.                                       Interpretation

 

(a)                                   Definitions . The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Inconsistency . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)                                   Single Agreement . All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.                                       Obligations

 

(a)                                  General Conditions.

 

(i)                   Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)                Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)                  Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 



 

(b)                                  Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)                                   Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i)                   in the same currency; and

 

(ii)                in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)                                  Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)              Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1)                     promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)                     pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)                     promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)                     if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of lndemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A)     the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)     the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

ISDA® 1992

 

2



 

(ii)                     Liability. If: —

 

(1)           X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)               X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)               a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)                                   Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)                                   Basic Representations.

 

(i)                        Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)                     Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)                  No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)                 Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)                    Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

3



 

(b)                                  Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)                                   Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)                                  Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)                                   Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)                                     Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.                                       Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)                                   Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)                        any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)                     any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)                  upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)                                  Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)                                   Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)                                  Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)                                   Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

4



 

organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.                                       Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)                                   Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)                        Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)                     Breach of Agreement . Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)                  Credit Support Default.

 

(1)           Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)           the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)           the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)                 Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)                    Default under Specified Transaction . The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)                 Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

5



 

described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)              Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:—

 

(1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)           Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer: —

 

(1)      the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)      the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

6



 

Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:—

 

(i)                        Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party): —

 

(1)           to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)           to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)                     Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)                  Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)                 Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)                    Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)                              Event of Default and Illegality . If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.                                       Early Termination

 

(a)                                   Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)                                  Right to Terminate Following Termination Event .

 

(i)                        Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)                     Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(l) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)                  Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)                 Right to Terminate . If: —

 

(1)    a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)    an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

8



 

continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)                                   Effect of Designation.

 

(i)                        If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)                     Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)                                  Calculations.

 

(i)                        Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (l) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)                     Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)                                   Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)              Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default: —

 

(1)           First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)                First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)                Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)      Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will he payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)           Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event: —

 

(1)      One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)      Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties: —

 

(A)   if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)   if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)        Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)       Pre-Estimate . The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.              Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a)              a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)              a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.              Contractual Currency

 

(a)             Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)             Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)             Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)             Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

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9.             Miscellaneous

 

(a)            Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)            Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)            Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)            Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)            Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)     This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)    The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall he entered into as soon as practicable and may he executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)             No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)            Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to. affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.           Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)            If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)            Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)            If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.           Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

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to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.           Notices

 

(a)            Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)             if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)            if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)           if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)           if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)            if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)            Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.           Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)            Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)            Jurisdiction . With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)         submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)        waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)            Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

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reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)            Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.           Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)            in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)            in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)            in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)            in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

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“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(l) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

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been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of: —

 

(a)            the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)            such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meanings specified in the Schedule.

 

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“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

Kathleen Yohe

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

Title:

Vice President

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

Steven Kessler

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

Title:

Director

 

Title:

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

 

18


 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE
to the
Master Agreement (1992 Version)
dated as of

 

August 28, 2006

Between

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH
(“Party A”)
and

 

QVC INC.
(“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)                                   “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i)                                      In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)                                           None;

Section 5(a)(vi)                                        None;

Section5(a)(vii)                                        None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)                                       None

 

(b)                                  “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1)   or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

19



 

For this purpose:

 

(i)                                      Specified Indebtedness ”: with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)                                        “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)                                  The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)                                   The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)                                     For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii): The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B);”

 

(g)                                  Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Market Quotation will apply.

 

(ii)                                   The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)                                  “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)                                      Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)                                      Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is

 

20



 

rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s’) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor f immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC

 

21



 

(or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)                                   Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital markets, LLC, as Syndication Agent, J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

22



 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)                                   Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)                                  Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes tie following representation(s):

 

(i)             It is a “foreign person” within the meaning of the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations concerning information reporting and backup withholding tax (as in effect on January 1, 2001), unless Party A provides written notice to Party B that it is no longer a foreign person. In respect of each Transaction it enters into through an office or discretionary agent in the United States or which otherwise is allocated for United States federal income tax purposes to such United States trade or business, each payment received or to be received by it under such Transaction will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States;

 

(ii)            In respect of all Transactions (other than those described in (1) above), no payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement is attributable to a trade or business carried on by it through a permanent establishment in the United States.

 

(c)                                   Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes and its taxpayer identification number is 232414041.

 

23



 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents.

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)                                   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document
Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be
delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. Party A shall deliver to Party B an IRS form W8-BEN and W8-ECI, as upon the execution of this Agreement and any Confirmation hereunder:

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

(b)                                  Other documents to be delivered are:

 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by
Section 3(d)
Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

24



 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by
Section 3(d)
Representation

 

 

 

 

 

evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other Party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by Party A.

 

Yes

 

25



 

Part 4. Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                   Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

Deutsche Bank AG, Head Office

Taunusanlage 12

60262 Frankfurt

GERMANY

Attention: Legal Department

Telex No: 411836 or 416731 or 41233

Answerback: DBF-D

 

Notices should be sent to the address of the relevant branch set out in the relevant Confirmation (as may be amended from time to time), provided that in the case of notices or communications relating to Section 5, 6, 7, 11 or 13 to, such notices should be sent to:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone No:(484) 701-8974

Facsimile No: (484) 701-1380

 

(b)                                  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.

Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)                                   Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                                Party A is a not a Multibranch Party.

 

(ii)                                             Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: None.

 

26



 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i)                                      Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall not apply.

 

(j)                                      “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

27



 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)                                   Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b)                                  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)                                  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1)                                   it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)                                             it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)                                             it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

28


 

(4)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)                                   the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h)                                  It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)                                      ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

(e)                                   Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)                                     Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

29



 

(g)                                  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)                                  Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)                                   Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)                                   Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(3)                                   Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)                                   Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(5)                                   Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)                                   Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)                                   Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)                                   Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)                                   Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

30



 

(10)                             Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H. 15).”

 

(11)                             Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)                             Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)                             ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

(i)                                     Tax Provisions.

 

(i)                                      The definition of Tax Event, Section 5 (b)(ii), is hereby modified by adding the following provision at the end thereof:

 

“provided, however, that for purposes of clarification, the parties acknowledge that the introduction or proposal of legislation shall not, in and of itself, give rise to a presumption that a Tax Event has occurred.”

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

31



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Kathleen Yohe

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Steven Kessler

 

Title:

Director

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

Date:

5/13/08

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:

5/14/08

 

 

32



 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 28, 2006 between DEUTSCHE BANK AG (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”) (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.   Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part l(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) The following is hereby added to the Schedule as Part 1(i)(iii):

 

“(iii)  Additional Termination Event : With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2.   Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                                   it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 



 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

(d)                                  Certificate of Incumbency . Each of the parties to this Amendment will deliver to the other party, upon execution of this Amendment, evidence of the authority and true signatures of each official or representative signing this Amendment on its behalf, if the same has not already been provided to the other party.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Kathleen Yohe

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Steven Kessler

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

 




Exhibit 10.10

 

 

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.

 

NOVATION AGREEMENT

 

dated as of July 20, 2010 among:

 

QVC INC. (the “Remaining Party” ), FORTIS BANK SA/NV (the “Transferor” )

 

AND

 

BNP PARIBAS (the “Transferee” ).

 

The Transferor and the Remaining Party have entered into one or more Transactions as identified in the attached Annex A (each an “Old Transaction” ), each evidenced by a Confirmation (each an “Old Confirmation” ) subject to the Old Agreement (as defined below).

 

With effect from and including July 20, 2010 (the “Novation Date” ), the Transferor wishes to transfer by novation to the Transferee, and the Transferee wishes to accept the transfer by novation of, all the rights, liabilities, duties and obligations of the Transferor under and in respect of each Old Transaction, with the effect that (i) the Remaining Party and the Transferee enter into a new transaction (each a “New Transaction” ) between them having terms identical to those of each Old Transaction, and (ii) the Remaining Party and the Transferee enter into the New Agreement (as defined below), as more particularly described below.

 

The Remaining Party wishes to accept the Transferee as its sole counterparty with respect to the New Transactions.

 

The Transferor and the Remaining Party wish to have, as a result and to the extent of the transfer described above, (i) released and discharged their respective obligations under and in respect of the Old Transactions and (ii) the Old Agreement irrevocably cancelled such that the Old Agreement shall no longer be of any force or effect, each except as expressly provided herein.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows: —

 

1.                                       Definitions.

 

Capitalized terms that are used, but not otherwise defined, in this Novation Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the New Agreement. The following terms that are used in this Novation Agreement are defined as follows:

 

“New Agreement” means an ISDA Master Agreement having identical terms to the Old Agreement relating to the corresponding Old Transaction, except for the changes agreed between the Remaining Party and the Transferee as set forth in Annex B hereto.

 

“Old Agreement” means the ISDA Master Agreement entered into between the Remaining Party and the Transferor relating to the Old Transaction(s) and attached as Annex C hereto.

 



 

2.                                       Transfer, Release, Discharge and Undertakings.

 

With effect from and including the Novation Date and in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Novation Agreement and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each of the parties):

 

(a)                                   from and after the execution of this Novation Agreement, the Old Agreement shall be deemed to be irrevocably cancelled and the Remaining Party and the Transferor are each released and discharged from further obligations to each other with respect to each Old Transaction and their respective rights against each other thereunder are cancelled, provided that such cancellation of the Old Agreement, release and discharge shall not affect any rights, liabilities or obligations of the Remaining Party or the Transferor with respect to payments or other obligations due and payable or due to be performed on or prior to the Novation Date, and all such payments and obligations shall be paid or performed by the Remaining Party or the Transferor in accordance with the terms of the Old Transaction;

 

(b)                                  in respect of each New Transaction, the Remaining Party and the Transferee each undertake liabilities and obligations towards the other and acquire rights against each other identical in their terms to each corresponding Old Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, as if the Transferee were the Transferor and with the Remaining Party remaining the Remaining Party, save for any rights, liabilities or obligations of the Remaining Party or the Transferor with respect to payments or other obligations due and payable or due to be performed on or prior to the Novation Date);

 

(c)                                   the Remaining Party and the Transferee shall be deemed to have entered into the New Agreement on the Novation Date, and each New Transaction shall constitute a Transaction governed by and form part of the New Agreement and the relevant Old Confirmation (which, in conjunction and as deemed modified to be consistent with this Novation Agreement, shall be deemed to be a Confirmation between the Remaining Party and the Transferee; provided that (i) in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of such Confirmation and the New Agreement, the New Agreement will prevail and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, any reference therein to the Old Agreement shall be deemed to be referring to the New Agreement). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Novation Agreement, Sections 10(b) and 10(c) of the New Agreement or any Confirmation under the New Agreement, Transferee may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any of its London, New York and Paris Offices.

 

3.                                       Representations and Warranties.

 

(a)                                   On the date of this Novation Agreement and on the Novation Date:

 

(i)                                      Each of the parties makes to each of the other parties those representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(a) of the standard form of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement with references in such Section to “this Agreement” or “any Credit Support Document” being deemed references to this Novation Agreement alone.

 

(ii)                                   The Remaining Party and the Transferor each makes to the other, and the Remaining Party and the Transferee each makes to the other, the representation set forth in Section 3(b) of the standard form of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement, in each case with respect to the Old Agreement or the New Agreement, as the case may be, and taking into account the parties entering into and performing their obligations under this Novation Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Transferor makes no representation or warranty and does not assume any responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any New Transaction or the New Agreement or any documents relating thereto and assumes no responsibility for the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Remaining Party, the Transferee or any other person or for the performance and observance by the Remaining Party, the Transferee or any other person of

 

2



 

any of its obligations under any New Transaction or the New Agreement or any document relating thereto and any and all such conditions and warranties, whether express or implied by law or otherwise, are hereby excluded.

 

4.                                       WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO HAVE A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS NOVATION AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS NOVATION AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

5.                                       Counterparts.

 

This Novation Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

6.                                       Costs and Expenses.

 

The parties will each pay their own costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Novation Agreement and as a result of the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Novation Agreement.

 

7.                                       Amendments.

 

No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Novation Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

8.                                       (a)  Governing Law.

 

This Novation Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

 

(b)  Jurisdiction.

 

The terms of Section 13(b) of the standard form of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement shall apply to this Novation Agreement with references in such Section to “this Agreement” being deemed references to this Novation Agreement alone.

 

3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Novation Agreement on the respective dates specified below with effect from and including the Novation Date.

 

REMAINING PARTY:

TRANSFEROR:

 

 

 

 

QVC INC.

FORTIS BANK SA/NV

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Name:

Alfred M. Torres

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

Title:

MD

 

Date:

6/21/10

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

John W. Benton

 

Title:

Senior Managing Director

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSFEREE:

 

 

 

BNP PARIBAS

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Heather Smith

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Jorge Varela

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

Date:

 

 

 


 

Annex A

 

Product  Type

 

Contract Reference

 

Counterparty

 

Notional

 

Currency1

 

Currency2

 

Exotic

 

XRate

 

Term

 

Trade Date

 

Effective

 

Maturity

IRS

 

BAJ71296

 

QVC INC

 

250,000,000.00

 

USD

 

USD

 

VANILLA

 

0

 

3M

 

16-Jul-09

 

15-Mar-11

 

15-Mar-13

IRS

 

BAA33820

 

QVC INC

 

300,000,000.00

 

USD

 

USD

 

VANILLA

 

0

 

3M

 

3-Oct-06

 

18-Dec-06

 

3-Mar-11

 

As of 26 April 2010

 


 

ANNEX B

 

MODIFICATIONS TO THE OLD AGREEMENT

 

The following modifications are made to the Old Agreement:

 

(i)  Parties . All references in the Old Agreement to “Fortis Bank NV/SA” shall be replaced with references to “BNP Paribas.”

 

(ii)     Credit Agreement Definition . The definitions of “WMC Credit Agreement” and “JPM Credit Agreement” in Part 1(h)(ii) of the Old Agreement are hereby amended by replacing all references to “Party A” with references to “Party A or its Affiliates.”

 

(iii)    Payee Tax Representations . Part 2(b) and 2(c) of the Old Agreement shall be deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“(b)  Payee Representations . (i) For the purposes of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party A and Party B will make the following representations:

 

The following representation will apply to Party A and will not apply to Party B:

 

(A) It is a banking societe anonyms organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of France.

 

(B) It is classified as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

(C) It will identify by prior written notice or in the relevant Confirmation each Transaction as to which it is acting through an Office located in the United States (including only the States thereof and the District of Columbia) and, with respect to such Transactions, each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States; and

 

(D) With respect to Transactions that Party A has not identified pursuant to clause (b)(i)(C) above:

 

(1) Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement will not be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States;

 

(2) It is (x) a “non-U.S. branch of a foreign person” as such term is used in Section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations and (y) a “foreign person” as such term is used in Section 1.6041-4(a)(4) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations.

 

(3) It is fully eligible for the benefits of the “Business Profits” or “Industrial and Commercial Profits” provision, as the case may be, the “Interest” provision or the “Other Income” provision (if any) of the Specified Treaty with respect to any payment described in such provisions and received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement and no such payment is attributable to a trade or business carried on by it through a permanent establishment in the Specified Jurisdiction.

 

Specified Treaty means the Tax Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of France.

 

Specified Jurisdiction means the United States of America.

 

The following representation will not apply to Party A and will apply to Party B:

 



 

(A) it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States.

 

(B) It is a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in Section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

(iv)  Tax Forms . Part 3(a) of the Old Agreement shall be deleted shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

(a) Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Any form, document or certificate as may be reasonable requested pursuant to Section 4(a) of this Agreement including:

 

Party required to
deliver document

 

Form / Document /
Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party A

 

With respect to payments described in Part 2(b)(i)(C) of this Schedule, a correct, complete and executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, or any successor thereto, and appropriate attachments.

 

(i) Upon execution of this Agreement, (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by the other party and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such form previously provided by the party is incorrect.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party A

 

With respect to payments described in Part 2(b)(i)(D) of this Schedule, a correct, complete and executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or any successor thereto, and appropriate attachments.

 

(i) Upon execution of this Agreement, (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by the other party and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such form previously provided by the party is incorrect.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party B

 

A correct, complete and executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any applicable successor form) including a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number

 

(i) Upon execution of this Agreement, (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by the other party and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such form previously provided by the party is incorrect.

 

Yes

 

(v)  Financial Statements . Notwithstanding the provisions set out in Part 3(b) of the Old Agreement with respect to financial statements to be delivered by Party A, for the purposes of Section 4(a)(ii) of the New Agreement, the language shall read as follows:

 



 

“Party A

 

Annual report of the party containing audited consolidated financial statements in respect of each of its fiscal years certificated by independent public accountants prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the country of incorporation of the party

 

Upon request, after publicly available; provided that this requirement will be satisfied if such information is on a publicly available regulatory site (such as “EDGAR”) or Party A’s home page at www.bnpparibas.com.

 

Yes”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Party A

 

Quarterly unaudited financial statements of party prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the country of incorporation of the party

 

Upon request, after publicly available; provided that this requirement will be satisfied if such information is on a publicly available regulatory site (such as “EDGAR”) or Party A’ home page at www.bnpparibas.com.

 

Yes”

 

(vi)  Address for Notices . Part 4(a) of the Old Agreement with respect to Party A is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

For purposes of Section 12 of the Master Agreement, notices to any Office in respect of a particular Transaction shall be as specified in the relevant Confirmation to that Transaction and any other notice for purposes of Sections 5 or 6 of the Agreement shall be sent to each of the addresses or facsimile numbers specified below:

 

 

Address:

BNP Paribas, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York New York 10019 USA

 

Attention:

Legal and Transaction Management Group - ISDA

 

Telephone No:

+(212) 841-3000

 

Facsimile No:

+(212) 841-3561

 

 

 

 

Address:

BNP Paribas, 3 rue Taitbout, ACI : CLA03A1, 75009 Paris, France

 

Attention;

Legal and Transaction Management Group - ISDA

 

Telephone No:

+(33) (0) 1 4014 0199

 

Facsimile No:

+(33) (0) 1 5577 7511”

 

(vii)  Process Agent . Part 4(b) of the Old Agreement with respect to Party A is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 



 

“Party A appoints as its Process Agent: its New York Branch at 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019.”

 

(viii)  Multibranch Party . Part 4(d) of the Old Agreement is hereby deleted with respect to Party A and replaced with the following:

 

“(d)             Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10 of this Agreement:

 

Party A is a Multibranch Party and may act through the following Offices: Party A’s Head Office, London and New York and any other Office specified in a Confirmation.”

 



 

ANNEX C

 

[OLD AGREEMENT]

 

 



 

Execution Copy

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO ISDA MASTER AGREEMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of July 20, 2010 (the “Agreement”) between BNP Paribas (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”), as entered into pursuant to the Novation Agreement dated as of July 20, 2010 among Party B, as Remaining Party, Fortis Bank SA/NV, as Transferor, and Party A, as Transferee (the “Novation Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule thereto and all Confirmations (as defined in the Novation Agreement) confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(h)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement, with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

Credit Agreement means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(h)(iii)] of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii)  Additional Termination Event : With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                          cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                            cease to be equally and ratably secured or guaranteed with Party B’s secured or guaranteed obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

QVC Amend Execution

 



 

(a)           it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment
and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)           its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it,
any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)           this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the
terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)           as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)           Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its
subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)           Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile
transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

(d)                                                                        Waiver of Jury Trial . WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO HAVE A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT. EACH PARTY (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (II)   ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AMENDMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

BNP PARIBAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

Name:

Mindy Sperling

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

Name:

Jorge Varela

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP and CFO

 

 


 



Exhibit 10.11

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of October 3, 2006

 

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD .

 

and

 

QVC INC.

(“Party A”)

 

 

 

(“Party B”)

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.              Interpretation

 

(a)            Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)            Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Conformation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)            Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement’), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.              Obligations

 

(a)           General Conditions.

 

(i)               Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)              Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)             Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing,

 

ISDA® 1992

 

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(2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

(b)            Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)            Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:

 

(i)               in the same currency; and

 

(ii)              in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)            Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)             Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:

 

(1) promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2) pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3) promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4) if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:

 

(A)             the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

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(B)            the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

(ii)            Liability. If:

 

(1) X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2) X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3) a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)            Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.              Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:

 

(a)            Basic Representations.

 

(i)               Status. It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)              Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)             No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

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(iv)             Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)              Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

(b)            Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)            Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)            Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)            Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)             Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.             Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:

 

(a)            Furnish Specified Information . It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:

 

(i)               any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)              any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)             upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification, in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

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(b)            Maintain Authorizations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain, any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)            Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)            Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)            Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, organized, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.              Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)            Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:

 

(i)             Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(d) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)            Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a) (i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)          Credit Support Default.

 

(1) Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2) the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3) the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)           Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

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(v)            Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)           Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)          Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:

 

(1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency Iaw or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)         Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:

 

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its

 

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predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2) the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)            Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:

 

(i)             Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):

 

(1)            to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2              to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)            Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)           Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)           Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

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(v)            Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)            Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance that would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

6.               Early Termination

 

(a)            Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)            Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)             Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)            Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)           Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)           Right to Terminate. If:

 

(1) a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2) an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

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either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(b)            Effect of Designation.

 

(i)               If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)              Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)            Calculations.

 

(i)             Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)            Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)            Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)             Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:-

 

(1) First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

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(2) First Method and Loss . If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3) Second Method and Market Quotation . If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4) Second Method and Loss . If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)            Termination Events . If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:-

 

(1) One Affected Party . If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2) Two Affected Parties . If there are two Affected Parties:-

 

(A) if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B) if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)           Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)           Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

10


 

7.              Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under-this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:—

 

(a)                                   a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)                                  a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                       Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                   Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                  Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                                   Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

11



 

(d)                                  Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

9.                                       Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                 Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes of by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that tight, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                  Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                                Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                                   If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking, office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                                  Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                   If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified iii the relevant Confirmation.

 

12



 

11.                                Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                                Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)               if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)              if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)             if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)             if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)              if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received, unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                                  Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                                Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                                   Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                                  Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:

 

(i)               submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)              waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3)

 

13



 

of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.           Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:

 

(a)                                   in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)                                  in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)                                   in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)                                  in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

14



 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorization, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement. “Credit

 

“Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus I % per annum.

 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organized, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful, will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial center, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may

 

15



 

(but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organized, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

16



 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:-

 

(a)                                   the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)                                  such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

17



 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax event or a Tax event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

 

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

Title:

 

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel & Secretary

Date:

 

 

Date:

4/19/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

 

Title:

SVP Finance and Treasurer

 

 

Date:

4/19/07

 

18


 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE

to the

Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of October 3, 2006

 

 

Between

 

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.

 

(“Party A”)

 

and

 

QVC INC.

 

(“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)            “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i)                                      In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)

None

 

(b)            “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)            The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within three Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 



 

(i)             “Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)            “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 100,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)            The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)            The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B “; provided, however, if a party is governed by a system of law which does not permit termination to take place after the occurrence of the Event of Default specified in Section 5(a) (vii) (1), (3), (4), (5), (6) or to the extent analogous thereto, (8), then the Automatic Early Termination provisions of Section 6(a) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(f)             For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii): The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)4(A) or (B);”

 

(g)            Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)             Market Quotation will apply.

(ii)            The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)            “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)             Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)             Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such

 

2



 

beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s’) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor f immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of

 

3



 

assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (e) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)            Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital markets, LLC, as Syndication Agent, J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)            Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 30) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d)

 

4



 

of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)            Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes tie following representation(s):

 

With respect to all Transactions as to which Party A is acting through a branch, office or agency located in the United States of America (including only the States and the District of Columbia), Party A will make the following representation:

 

(i)             Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States of America.

 

(ii)            Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement relates to the regular business operations of the party (and not to an investment of the party).

 

(c)            Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

(i)             Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

(ii)            Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with this Agreement relates to the regular business operations of the party (and not to an investment of the party).

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)            Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document

 

Date by which to be

Form/Document/Certificate

 

delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. Party A shall deliver to Party B an IRS form W8-BEN and W8-ECI and Party B shall deliver to Party A an IRS form W-9, as upon

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such

 

5



 

Party required to deliver document

 

Date by which to be

Form/Document/Certificate

 

delivered

 

 

 

the execution of this Agreement and any Confirmation hereunder:

 

form has been superseded.

 

(b)            Other documents to be delivered are:

 

 

 

Date by which to be

 

Covered by Section

Form/Document/Certificate

 

delivered

 

3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon

 

Yes

 

6



 

 

 

Date by which to be

 

Covered by Section

Form/Document/Certificate

 

delivered

 

3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

organized.

 

request by Party A.

 

 

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)            Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications (other than with respect to payments) to Party A:

 

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

New York Branch

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attention: General Manager, ALM Division, Americas Treasury Department

Facsimile No:         (212) 354-7384

with a copy to the General Manager of the Americas Business Operations Division

Facsimile No:         (201) 626-9949 or (201) 626-9946

SWIFT:                    MHCBUS33

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone No:       (484) 701-8974

Facsimile No:         (484) 701-1380

 

(b)            Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.

Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)            Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)            Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)             Party A is not a Multibranch Party and may act only through its New York Office.

(ii)            Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable.

 

7


 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine) (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

 

(i)                                      Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall apply.

 

(j)             “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)            Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b)            Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; aid the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)            Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION.

 

(d)            Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following than be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)          Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1)            it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)            it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions

 

8



 

regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)            it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4)            it is entering into this Agreement, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)            it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)            the other party to this Agreement, such each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h)            It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in Section 1a(12) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)             ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

9



 

(j)             Line of Business. It has entered into this Agreement (including each Transaction evidenced hereby) in conjunction with its line of business (including financial intermediation services) or the financing of its business.

 

(e)            Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)             Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)            Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)            Exchange of Confirmations. For each Transaction entered into hereunder, Party A shall promptly send to Party B a Confirmation, via mail, facsimile, email, or other agreed method. Party B agrees to respond to such Confirmation within ten (10) Business Days, either confirming agreement thereto or requesting a correction of any error(s) contained therein. Failure by Party B to respond within such period shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such Transaction and shall be deemed to be an affirmation of the terms contained in such Confirmation, absent manifest error.

 

(i)             Electronic Confirmations. Where a Transaction is confirmed by means of an electronic messaging system, including emails, that the parties have elected to use to confirm such Transaction (i) such confirmation will constitute a “Confirmation” as referred to in this Agreement even where not so specified in the confirmation, (ii) such Confirmation will supplement, form part of, and be subject to this Agreement and all provisions in this Agreement will govern the Confirmation except as modified therein. In the event of any inconsistency between this subsection and the Agreement, the Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(1)            Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)            Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)            Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

10



 

(3)            Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)            Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(5)            Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)            Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)            Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i)           This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)            The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)            Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)            Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)          Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)          Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)          Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such

 

11



 

interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)          ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA -published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel & Secretary

 

 

Date:

4/19/07

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

 

Title:

SVP Finance and Treasurer

 

 

Date:

4/19/07

 

 

 

12




Exhibit 10.12

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of October 3, 2006

SUNTRUST BANK and QVC INC.

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:—

 

1.                                       Interpretation

 

(a)                                   Definitions.   The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Inconsistency .   In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)                                   Single Agreement.   All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.                                       Obligations

 

(a)                                   General Conditions.

 

(i)              Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)           Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)        Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

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(b)                                  Change of Account.   Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)                                    Netting.   If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i)              in the same currency; and

 

(ii)           in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)                                  Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)                                      Gross-Up.   All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1)           promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)           pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)           promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)           if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A)            the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)              the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

(ii) Liability.   If:—

 

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(1)           X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)           X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)           a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)                                   Default Interest; Other Amounts.   Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.                                          Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)                                   Basic Representations.

 

(i)              Status.   It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)                Powers.   It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)             No Violation or Conflict.   Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)            Consents.   All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)               Obligations Binding.   Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

(b)                                  Absence of Certain Events.   No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur

 

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as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)                                   Absence of Litigation.  There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)                                  Accuracy of Specified Information.  All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)                                   Payer Tax Representation.  Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)                                     Payee Tax Representations.  Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.                                       Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)                                   Furnish Specified Information.   It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)              any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)           any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)        upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)                                  Maintain Authorisations.   It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)                                   Comply with Laws.   It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)                                  Tax Agreement.   It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

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(e)                                   Payment of Stamp Tax.   Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, organized, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.                                       Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)                                   Events of Default.   The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)              Failure to Pay or Deliver.   Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)           Breach of Agreement.   Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)        Credit Support Default.

 

(1)           Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)           the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)           the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)       Misrepresentation.   A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)          Default under Specified Transaction.   The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)       Cross Default.   If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

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described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)         Bankruptcy.   The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:—

 

(1)           is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter: (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)      Merger Without Assumption.   The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:—

 

(1)           the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)           the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Termination Events.   The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger

 

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if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:—

 

(i)              Illegality.   Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):—

 

(1)           to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)           to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)           Tax Event.   Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)        Tax Event Upon Merger.   The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)       Credit Event Upon Merger.   If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)          Additional Termination Event.   If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)                                   Event of Default and Illegality.   If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.                                       Early Termination

 

(a)                                   Right to Terminate Following Event of Default.   If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(l), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)                                  Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)              Notice.   If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)           Transfer to Avoid Termination Event.   If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into Transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)        Two Affected Parties.   If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)       Right to Terminate. If:—

 

(1)           a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)           an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or

 

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an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)                                   Effect of Designation.

 

(i)              If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)           Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)                                  Calculations.

 

(i)              Statement.   On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)           Payment Date.   An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)  Payments on Early Termination.   If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)              Events of Default.   If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:—

 

(1)           First Method and Market Quotation.   If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)           First Method and Loss.   If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

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(3)           Second Method and Market Quotation.   If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)           Second Method and Loss.   If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)           Termination Events.   If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:—

 

(1)           One Affected Party.   If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)           Two Affected Parties.   If there are two Affected Parties:—

 

(A)       if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)         if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)        Adjustment for Bankruptcy.   In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)       Pre-Estimate.   The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.                                       Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:—

 

(a)           a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)          a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                       Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                   Payment in the Contractual Currency.   Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                  Judgments.   To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                                   Separate Indemnities.   To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Evidence of Loss.   For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

11



 

9.                                       Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement.   This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments.   No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(e)                                   Survival of Obligations.   Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative.   Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                   Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)              This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)           The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver of Rights.   A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                  Headings.   The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                                Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                                   If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                                  Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                   If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

12



 

11.                                Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                                Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness.   Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)              if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)           if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)        if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)       if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)          if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                                  Change of Addresses.   Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                                Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                                   Governing Law.   This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                                  Jurisdiction.   With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)              submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)           waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

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Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process.   Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities.   Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                                Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)           in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)          in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)           in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)          in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

14



 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organized, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

15



 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organized, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:—

 

(a)           the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

16



 

(b)          such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

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“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

SUNTRUST BANK

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Fred D. Woolf

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Director

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

Date:

April 29, 2008

 

Date:

5/13/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

Title:

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Date:

5/14/08

 

18


 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE
to the
Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of

 

October 3, 2006

 

Between

 

SUNTRUST BANK (“Party A”)

 

and

 

QVC INC. (“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)                                   “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i)                                      In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

 

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

 

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

 

None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)

 

None

 

(b)                                  “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1)   or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i)                                      “Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not

 



 

include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)                                   “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 100,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)                                  The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)                                   The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)                                     For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii): The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)4(A) or (B);”

 

(g)                                  Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Market Quotation will apply.

 

(ii)                                   The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)                                  “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)                                      Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)                                      Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by any Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the provision above shall have the following meanings:

 

2



 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s’) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior

 

3



 

Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)                                   Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, the agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B, as Borrower, Party A and others named therein, as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital markets, LLC, as Syndication Agent, J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)                                   Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 30) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this

 

4



 

Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)                                  Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes tie following representation(s):

 

Party A is duly organized under the laws of the State of Georgia in the United States and is a U.S. person (as that term is used in § 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal tax purposes.

 

(c)                                   Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

(d)                                  The following paragraph is added as Section 3(a)(vi) of this Agreement:

 

Party A is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in § 101(12) of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. § 1a(12)), and Party B is an Eligible Contract Participant or is an “Accredited Investor” as defined in 17 C.F.R. § 230.215.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)                                   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate.

 

Party B shall deliver to Party A an Internal Revenue Service form W-9, upon the execution of this Agreement and any Confirmation hereunder.

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

(b)                                  Other documents to be delivered are:

 

5


 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by Party A.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Addresses for Notices. For the purposes of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

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Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

SunTrust Bank

Financial Risk Management, Operations

3333 Peachtree Rd., N.E

11 th  Floor, Center Code 3913

Atlanta, GA 30326

404-926-5821 (phone)

404-926-5826 (fax)

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone No:                  (484) 701-8974

Facsimile No:         (484) 701-1380

 

(b)                                  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.

Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)                                   Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                 Party A is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(ii)                              Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable.

 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. Section 13(a) of this Agreement is hereby restated as follows:

 

“(a) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to choice of law doctrine, but giving effect to Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of New York’s General Obligation Law.”

 

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(j)                                      Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement will not apply.

 

(k)                                   “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)                                   Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b)                                  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties, waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)                                  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1)                              it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)                              it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any

 

8



 

view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)                              it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4)                              it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)                              it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)                              the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(e)                                   ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

(f)                                     Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(g)                                  Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or

 

9



 

impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(h)                                  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(i)                                      Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)                                   Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)                                   Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(3)                                   Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)                                   Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(5)                                   Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)                                   Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)                                   Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

10



 

(8)                                   Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)                                   Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)                             Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)                             Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)                             Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)                             ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA -published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

11



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

 

SUNTRUST BANK

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Fred D. Woolf

 

Title:

Director

 

Date

4/29/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General counsel and Secretary

 

Date:

5/13/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date:

5/14/08

 

 

12




Exhibit 10.13

 

(Multicurrency — Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of October 3, 2006

 

TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC and QVC INC.

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows: —

 

1.              Interpretation

 

(a)            Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)            Inconsistency . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)            Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.             Obligations

 

(a)            General Conditions.

 

(i) Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii) Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii) Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 



 

(b)            Change of Account.   Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)            Netting.   If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i) in the same currency; and

 

(ii) in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)            Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)   Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1) promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2) pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3) promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4) if such Tax is an lndemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A) the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i),4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B) the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

 

ISDA® 1992

 

2



 

(ii)  Liability. If: —

 

(1) X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2) X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3) a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)           Default Interest; Other Amounts.   Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of an payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(e), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.              Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)           Basic Representations.

 

(i)    Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)    Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)     No Violation or Conflict.   Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)     Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)      Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)). proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

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(b)            Absence of Certain Events.   No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)            Absence of Litigation.   There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)            Accuracy of Specified Information.   All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)            Payer Tax Representation.   Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)             Payee Tax Representations.   Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4 .             Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)           Furnish Specified Information.   It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i) any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii) any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii) upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)           Maintain Authorisations.   It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)           Comply with Laws.   It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)           Tax Agreement.   It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)           Payment of Stamp Tax.   Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

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organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.             Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)           Events of Default.   The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i) Failure to Pay or Deliver.   Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii) Breach of Agreement.   Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii) Credit Support Default.

 

(1) Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)   the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)   the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)  Misrepresentation.   A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)  Default under Specified Transaction.   The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi) Cross Default.   If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

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described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)  Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party: —

 

(1)   is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)  Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer: —

 

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or (2) the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)            Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:-

 

(i)  Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party): —

 

(1) to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2) to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)  Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)  Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any IndemnifiabIe Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)   Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)   Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)           Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.             Early Termination

 

(a)            Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(l), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)            Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)  Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)   Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)   Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)   Right to Terminate. If: —

 

(1) a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2) an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)           Effect of Designation.

 

(i) If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)          Calculations.

 

(i)  Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)  Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)           Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)    Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default: —

 

(1)  First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)  First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)  Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)  Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)   Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event: —

 

(1) One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Part will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2) Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties: —

 

(A) if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I)   the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B) if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)        Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)       Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.                                       Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a) a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b) a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                       Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                   Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                  Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                                   Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

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9.                                       Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                   Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall he entered into as soon as practicable and may he executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                  Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                                Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                                   If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                                  Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                   If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.                                Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

12



 

to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12                                   Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i) if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii) if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv) if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v) if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                                  Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                                Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                                   Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                                  Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i) submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in a inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act l982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

13



 

reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                                Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a) in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b) in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c) in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d) in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

14



 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(l) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of: —

 

(a)                                   the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)                                  such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meanings specified in the Schedule.

 

16



 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC

 

QVC INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Name of Party)

 

(Name of Party)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Deborah Gravinese

 

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Title:

SVP Finance and Treasurer

 

Date:

12-5-06

 

 

Date:

11/27/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

 

 

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

 

 

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

18


 

(Multicurreney—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE
to the
Master Agreement
(1992 Version)

 

dated as of

 

October 3, 2006

 

Between

 

TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC (“Party A”)

and

 

QVC INC. (“Party B”)

 

Part   1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)                                   “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i)                                      In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)

None

 

(b)                                  “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i)                                      “Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not

 



 

include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)                                   “Threshold Amount” means: with respect to Party A: three percent (3%) of the shareholders’ equity of Party A’s Credit Support Provider (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in such party’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)                                  The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)                                   The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)                                     Reserved.

 

(g)                                  Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Market Quotation will apply.

 

(ii)                                   The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)                                  “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)                                      Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)                                      Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of the Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

2



 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s’) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Party B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor f immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior

 

3



 

Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)                                   Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of this Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in a default under the Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, and as may be replaced, amended or supplemented from time to time, shall constitute a Termination Event under this Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means, the $3,500,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as Syndication Agents.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)                                   Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 30) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is

 

4



 

placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)                                  Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes tie following representation(s):

 

It is a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware. Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC conducts business as a legal entity. However, for United States federal income tax purposes, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, a single-member limited liability company, is a disregarded entity. Its sole owner and managing member, TD Holdings II Inc., will include Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC in its income tax filings for all purposes of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Therefore, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC qualifies as a U.S. person, as defined under Code Sec. 7701(a)(30)(C), since TD Holdings II Inc. is a U.S. domestic corporation as defined in Code Sec. 7701(a)(3). Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC’s disregarded entity status requires it to use the FEIN of its immediate parent TD Holdings II Inc., which is 20-1177269.

 

(c)                                   Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)                                   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate. The parties shall each provide an IRS form W-9, as upon the execution of this Agreement.

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

5



 

(b)                                  Other documents to be delivered are:

 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A

 

Guarantee of its Credit Support Provider

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A’s Credit Support Provider and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon

 

Yes

 

6



 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

request by Party A.

 

 

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

Notices should be sent to the address of the relevant branch set out in the relevant Confirmation (as may be amended from time to time), provided that in the case of notices or communications relating to Section 5, 6, 7, 11 or 13 to, such notices should be sent to:

 

Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC

c/o The Toronto-Dominion Bank

66 Wellington Street West

6th Floor, TD Tower

Toronto, Ontario M5K 1A2

 

Attention:

Managing Director , Treasury Credit

Facsimile:

(416) 307-1222

Telephone:

(416) 983-4732

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC I nc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Neal S. Grabell, Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone No:

(484) 701-8974

Facsimile No:

(484) 701-1380

 

(b)                                  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.
Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)                                   Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Party A is not a Multibranch Party.

 

7



 

(ii)                                   Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: In relation to Party A, the guarantee of its Credit Support Provider.

 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A, The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i)                                      Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall apply.

 

(j)                                      “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)                                   Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b)                                  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; and the parties waive any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agree to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)                                  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)  Non-Reliance.                    In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

8



 

(1)                                   it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)                                   it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)                                   it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)                                   the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h)                                  It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)                                      ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to

 

9



 

Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.”

 

(e)                                   Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)                                     Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “Severability” shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)                                  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)                                  Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)                                   Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)                                   Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(3)                                   Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)                                   Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and (7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(5)                                   Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)                                   Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

10


 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

(7)                                   Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)                                   Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)                                   Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)                             Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)                             Section 14, the definition of “Non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)                             Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)                             ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions and provisions contained in the 2000 ISDA Definitions (“2000 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. — “ISDA”) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2000 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2000 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA -published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

11



 

(14)                             Pari Passu Ranking. Party B agrees that in the event it shall grant security to secure any obligation of Party B pursuant to Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement, as amended, it shall secure Party B’s obligations to Party A pursuant to this Agreement, whether now existing or incurred hereafter, on an equal and ratable basis. If any such requirement shall subsequently no longer apply under the Credit Agreement, the obligations hereunder no longer need be so secured.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS

 

12



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Deborah Gravinese

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Date:

12/5/06

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Glenn M. Thor

 

Title:

SVP Finance and Treasurer

 

Date:

11/27/2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Neal S. Grabell

 

Title:

EVP General Counsel and Secretary

 

Date:

11/27/2006

 

 

13



 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of August 10, 2009 (the “First Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 (the “Agreement”) between TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this First Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part l(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“WCM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“JPM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.”

 

(b) Part 1(i) of the Schedule is hereby amended by adding the following sub-section (iii):

 

“(iii)  Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in each of the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit Agreement (together, the “Credit Agreements”), except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under the Credit Agreements or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 



 

(c) Part 5(h)(13) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(13)                       ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions (“2006 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”)) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2006 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2006 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.”

 

(d) Part 5(h)(14) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety.

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                                   it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this First Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this First Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this First Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this First Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This First Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts, together, shall constitute a single agreement.

 

(c)                                   Governing Law. This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this First Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this First Amendment.

 

TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Robyn Zeller

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 



 

SECOND AMENDMENT

 

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of October 3, 2006 between TORONTO-DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”), as amended by the First Amendment dated as of August 10, 2009, and as may be further amended from time to time (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend tie Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii)  Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(i)(iii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii)   Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations; to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Pledge Agreement in accordance with its terms, or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows :

 

(a)                                   it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement.

 



 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.—

 

(b)                                  Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

(c)                                   Governing Law . This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doetrine).

 

(d)                                  Headings . The headings used in this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Amendment.

 

(e)                                   The parties represent and warrant to the other that all the Representations made in Section 3 of the Agreement continue to be true and shall apply to this Amendment.

 

(f)                                     The execution of this Amendment effectively amends the Agreement and the terms and conditions contained therein. Except as amended herein, Party A and Party B hereby confirm that in all other respects the terms, covenants and conditions of the Agreement remain unchanged, unmodified, and in full force and effect

 

(g)                                  Any capitalized terms used herein unless specifically defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings given them in the Agreement.

 

Signature page follows.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

TORONTO-DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Robyn Zeller

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

 




Exhibit 10.14

 

Execution Copy

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of August 11, 2009

 

COMMERZBANK Aktiengesellschaft,       and

QVC, INC.,

(“COMMERZBANK AG”)

a Delaware corporation

a credit institution established as a stock corporation with company number HRB 32000 (Frankfurt/ Main) under the laws of Germany

(“Party B”)

(“Party A”)

 

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Interpretation

 

(a)                                   Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Inconsistency.  In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)                                   Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.                                       Obligations

 

(a)                                   General Conditions.

 

(i)    Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)   Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)  Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 



 

(b)                                  Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)                                   Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:-

 

(i)              in the same currency; and

 

(ii)           in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)                                  Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)              Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will: —

 

(1)           promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)           pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)           promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)           if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for: —

 

(A)   the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)   the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

ISDA 1992

 

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(ii) Liability. If :-

 

(1)           X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)           X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)           a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)                                   Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that: —

 

(a)                                   Basic Representations.

 

(i)      Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)     Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)    No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)    Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)    Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

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(b)                                  Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)                                   Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)                                  Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)                                   Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)                                     Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.                                       Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:-

 

(a)                                   Furnish Specified Information.  It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:-

 

(i)      any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)     any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)    upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)                                  Maintain Authorisations.  It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)                                   Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)                                  Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)                                   Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

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organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.                                       Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)                                   Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:-

 

(i)      Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)    Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)   Credit Support Default.

 

(1)       Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)       the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)       the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)   Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)   Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)   Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

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described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)   Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:-

 

(1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)  Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer:-

 

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2) the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:-

 

(i)     Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party):-

 

(1)          to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)          to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)    Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)   Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)   Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)   Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)                                   Event of Default and Illegality.   If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.                                       Early Termination

 

(a)                                Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)                                  Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)              Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)           Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)        Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)       Right to Terminate. If:-

 

(1)           a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)           an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)                                   Effect of Designation.

 

(i)                                      If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)                                   Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)                                  Calculations.

 

(i)                                      Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)                               Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)                                   Payments on Early Termination.   If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)              Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default:-

 

(1) First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)        First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)           Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

9



 

Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4) Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)                     Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:-

 

(1)        One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)           Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties:-

 

(A)    if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)    if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)                  Adjustment for Bankruptcy.  In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)                 Pre-Estimate.  The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.             Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:-

 

(a)           a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)           a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.             Contractual Currency

 

(a)            Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)            Judgments.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)            Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)            Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

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9.             Miscellaneous

 

(a)           Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)           Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)           Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)           Remedies Cumulative.  Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)           Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)            This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)           The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)            No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)           Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.          Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)           If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)           Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)           If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.          Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

12



 

to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.          Notices

 

(a)           Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated: —

 

(i)            if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)           if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)          if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)          if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)           if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)           Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.          Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)           Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)           Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably: —

 

(i)            submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)           waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)           Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

13



 

reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)           Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.          Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:-

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:-

 

(a)           in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)           in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)           in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)           in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

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“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of:-

 

(a)           the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)           such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

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“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

Party A

COMMERZBANK AG

Party B
QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

By:

Name:

Jane Fuller

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

Title:

Attorney

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date:

 

Date:

8-14-09

 

 

 

By:

 

By:

 

Name:

Paul J. Koury

Name:

Title:

Authorized Signatory

Title:

Date:

 

Date:

 

18


 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE

to the

Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of August 11, 2009

 

between

 

Commerzbank AG,

a credit institution established as a stock corporation with company number HRB 32000 (Frankfurt/Main) under the laws of Germany (“Party A”)

 

and

 

QVC, Inc ., a Delaware corporation

(“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)    “Specified Entity” means in relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

None;

Section 5(b)(iv)

None.

 

(b)    “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of the Agreement.

 

(c)    The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i) “Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business (unless a party is not permitting the withdrawal of such deposits in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business).

 

(ii) “Threshold Amount” means, with respect to Party A and Party B, USD 100,000,000, or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

19



 

(d) The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party B and Party A.

 

(e) The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B; provided, however, that where there is an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and the Defaulting Party is governed by a system of law that does not permit termination to take place after the occurrence of such Event of Default, then the Automatic Early Termination provisions of Section 6(a) will apply.

 

(f) Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i) Market Quotation will apply.

(ii) The Second Method will apply.

 

(g) “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(h) Additional Termination Event will apply . The following event(s) shall constitute Additional Termination Event(s) pursuant to Section 5(b)(v) (for the purposes of which, Party B shall be the sole Affected Party and, except as otherwise noted, all Transactions shall be Affected Transactions):

 

(i) Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“JPM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“WCM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

(ii) if Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)           cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in each of the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit Agreement (together, the “Credit Agreements”), except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)            cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under the Credit Agreements or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.

 

20



 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a) Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b) Party A Payee Tax Representations. For purposes of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party A makes the following representations: It is a “foreign person” within the meaning of the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations concerning information reporting and backup withholding tax, unless Party A provides written notice to Party B that it is no longer a foreign person. Each payment received or to be received by it in connection with the Agreement will be effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

 

(c) Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of this Agreement, Party B makes the following representation: Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is not a foreign corporation for United States tax purposes.

 

Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

a) Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document
Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A: An executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor thereto) and an executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor thereto).

 

(i) Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Party B and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such form previously provided by Party A has become obsolete or incorrect.

 

 

 

Party B: Executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor form thereto), as applicable.

 

(i) Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement, (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Party A and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such form previously provided by Party B has become obsolete or incorrect.

 

(b) Other documents to be delivered are:

 

21



 

Party required to deliver

 

 

 

 

document

 

 

 

Covered by Section 3(d)

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such Party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of its Board of Directors or shareholders taken to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by such Party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party B and Party A prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Promptly upon request.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Promptly upon request.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a) Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

 

 

 

 

Commerzbank AG

 

 

Kaiserstrasse 16

 

 

D-60261 Frankfurt am Main

 

 

Germany

 

 

Attention:

ZRM Financial institutions

 

 

Telex No:

4152530

 

Answerback:

CBD

Facsimile No.:

+49 69 1 36-2 98 60

 

 

 

22



 

Telephone No.:

+49 69 1 36-4 58 44

 

 

 

SWIFT-Code:

COBADEFFXXX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a copy of any notice sent pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 to:

 

 

 

 

 

Commerzbank AG

 

 

 

ZRA — Central Legal Department

 

 

 

Head of Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Kaiserstrasse 16

 

 

 

60311 Frankfurt am Main

 

 

 

Germany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facsimile No.:

+49 69 1 36-2 70 74

 

 

 

Telephone No.:

+49 69 1 36-2 58 32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(for all purposes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

 

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

 

 

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

 

 

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Telecopy:

(484) 701-1380

 

 

 

Telephone:

(484) 701-1000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With copies to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

 

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

 

 

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

 

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

 

 

Telecopy:

(484) 701-1021

 

 

 

Telephone:

(484) 701-1000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation

 

 

 

12300 Liberty Boulevard

 

 

 

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

 

 

Attention: Senior Vice President, Treasurer

 

 

 

Telecopy:

(720) 875-5915

 

 

 

Telephone:

(720) 875-5411

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(for all purposes)

 

 

 

 

(b) Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement,

 

Party A appoints as its Process Agent:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commerzbank AG, New York Branch,

 

 

 

 

23



 

Two World Financial Center,

 

 

Attn.: Legal Department,

 

 

New York, NY 10281-1050, USA

 

 

 

 

 

Party B appoints as its Process Agent:

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

 

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

 

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Telecopy:

(484) 701-1380

 

 

Telephone:

(484) 701-1000

 

 

 

 

 

With copies to:

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Drive, MC 203

 

 

West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382

 

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

 

Telecopy:

(484) 701-1021

 

 

Telephone:

(484) 701-1000

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation

 

 

12300 Liberty Boulevard

 

 

Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

 

Attention: Senior Vice President, Treasurer

 

 

Telecopy:

(720) 875-5915

 

 

Telephone:

(720) 875-5411

 

 

 

(c) Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d) Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i) Party A is a Multibranch Party and will act through its Frankfurt, London and New York offices.

 

(ii) Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e) Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f) Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document:

 

(i) With respect to Party A: None.

 

(ii) With respect to Party B: None.

 

(g) Credit Support Provider means:

 

(i) In relation to Party A: None.

 

24


 

(ii) In relation to Party B: None.

 

(h) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to choice of law doctrine).

 

(i) Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section  2(c) of this Agreement will apply unless the parties’ respective Operations departments have agreed in writing to net payments in respect of one or more Transactions or one or more types of Transactions.

 

(j) “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of Liberty Media Corporation.

 

Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a) Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b) Consent to Recording. Each party (i) consents to the recording of telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties in connection with this Agreement or any potential or actual Transaction hereunder; (ii) agrees to obtain any necessary consent of and give notice of such recording to such personnel of it; and (iii) agrees that such recordings may be submitted in evidence in any legal, regulatory, self-regulatory and/or arbitration proceeding relating to this Agreement.

 

(c) Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d) Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g) Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1) it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2) it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

25



 

(3) it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

(4) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5) it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6) the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h) It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i) It is not (1) an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “ERISA Plan”), as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (2) a person acting on behalf of an ERISA Plan or (3) a person the assets of whom constitute assets of an ERISA Plan.

 

(e)       Transfer. Section 7 of the Agreement is hereby modified by inserting the following after the word “party” but before the comma in the third line thereof: “provided, however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(f)        Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

(g)       Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)         Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall not allow a party to change accounts outside the country originally specified by the party without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(2)         Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law.”

 

(3)         Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simply interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

26



 

(4)         Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and Section 5(a)(vii)(7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(5)         Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(6)         Section 9(e)(ii) is hereby amended to read: “The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(7)         Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(8)         Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(9)         In Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(10)       In Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(11)       In Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simply interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(12)       The definitions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions (“2006 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”)) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2006 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2006 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

27



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Schedule by their duly authorized officers as of the date hereof.

 

 

COMMERZBANK AG

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

Jane Fuller

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

Title:

Attorney

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

 

Name:

Paul J. Koury

 

Name:

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

28



 

FIRST AMENDMENT

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of August 11, 2009 between COMMERZBANK AG (“Party A”) and QVC, INC. (“Party B”), (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(h)(i) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(i) Specific Event of Default: Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(h)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii) Additional Termination Event: With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)           cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)            cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)            it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 



 

(b)            its execution and delivery of his Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)            this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)            as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)            Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)            Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

COMMERZBANK AG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

By:

GRAPHIC

Name:

Jane Fuller

 

Name:

Paul J. Koury

Title:

Attorney

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

 

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Exhibit 10.15

 

(Multicurrency — Cross Border)

 

 

International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 

MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of July 21, 2009

 

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and QVC, INC.

 

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows: —

 

1.                                       Interpretation

 

(a)            Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b)            Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement (including the Schedule), such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c)            Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2.                                       Obligations

 

(a)                                   General Conditions.

 

(i)         Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii)        Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

(iii)       Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing, (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other applicable condition precedent specified in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 1992 by International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.

 



 

(b)                                  Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the scheduled date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c)                                   Netting. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i)      in the same currency; and

 

(ii)     in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by whom the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of such Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or a Confirmation by specifying that subparagraph (ii) above will not apply to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election, together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not, or will cease to, apply to such Transactions from such date). This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d)                                  Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i)          Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1)           promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2)           pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3)           promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

(4)           if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A)          the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B)           the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

ISDA® 1992

 

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(ii)           Liability. If: —

 

(1)           X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2)           X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3)           a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

(e)           Default Interest; Other Amounts. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party that defaults in the performance of any payment obligation will, to the extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as such overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment, at the Default Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. If, prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction, a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will compensate the other party on demand if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Representations

 

Each party represents to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement) that:—

 

(a)                                   Basic Representations.

 

(i)          Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii)         Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

(iii)       No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv)        Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v)         Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

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(b)            Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c)            Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d)            Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e)            Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f)             Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

4.                                       Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a)           Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under subparagraph (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i)         any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii)        any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

(iii)       upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b)           Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c)           Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d)           Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e)           Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,

 

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organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or in which a branch or office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”) and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5.                                       Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a)           Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i)         Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the third Local Business Day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii)        Breach of Agreement. Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied on or before the thirtieth day after notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(iii)       Credit Support Default.

 

(1)        Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2)        the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3)        the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

 

(iv)       Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v)        Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (1) defaults under a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, there occurs a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction, (2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment or delivery due on the last payment, delivery or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or such default continues for at least three Local Business Days if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period) or (3) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, a Specified Transaction (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(vi)       Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of (1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however

 

5



 

described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have been due and payable or (2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount under such agreements or instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period);

 

(vii)       Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party: —

 

(1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

(viii)      Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer: —

 

(1)     the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other party to this Agreement; or

 

(2)     the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)           Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes an Illegality if the event is specified in (i) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii) below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event

 

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Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to (v) below:—

 

(i)             Illegality. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the promulgation of, or any change in, the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law after such date, it becomes unlawful (other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)) for such party (which will be the Affected Party): —

 

(1)     to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2)     to perform, or for any Credit Support Provider of such party to perform, any contingent or other obligation which the party (or such Credit Support Provider) has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction;

 

(ii)           Tax Event. Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, on or after the date on which a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (y) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date (1) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iii)          Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Payment Date will either (1)   be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Indemnifiable Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

 

(iv)          Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, such party (“X”), any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, another entity and such action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is materially weaker than that of X, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity, as the case may be, immediately prior to such action (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party); or

 

(v)           Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties shall be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c)           Event of Default and Illegality. If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Event of Default also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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6.                                       Early Termination

 

(a)            Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b)            Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i)          Notice. If a Termination Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction and will also give such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii)         Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If either an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party, or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, excluding immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii)        Two Affected Parties. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(l) or a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice thereof is given under Section 6(b)(i) on action to avoid that Termination Event.

 

(iv)        Right to Terminate. If: —

 

(1)     a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(2)     an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2), a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

either party in the case of an Illegality, the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there is more than one Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then

 

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continuing, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(c)            Effect of Designation.

 

(i)         If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii)        Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(e) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

 

(d)            Calculations.

 

(i)             Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including all relevant quotations and specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation obtained in determining a Market Quotation, the records of the party obtaining such quotation will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation.

 

(ii)           Payment Date. An amount calculated as being due in respect of any Early Termination Date under Section 6(e) will be payable on the day that notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default) and on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event). Such amount will be paid together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

(e)            Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the following provisions shall apply based on the parties’ election in the Schedule of a payment measure, either “Market Quotation” or “Loss”, and a payment method, either the “First Method” or the “Second Method”. If the parties fail to designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed that “Market Quotation” or the “Second Method”, as the case may be, shall apply. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date and determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

 

(i)            Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default: —

 

(1)      First Method and Market Quotation. If the First Method and Market Quotation apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party over (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

 

(2)      First Method and Loss. If the First Method and Loss apply, the Defaulting Party will pay to the Non-defaulting Party, if a positive number, the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement.

 

(3)      Second Method and Market Quotation. If the Second Method and Market Quotation apply, an amount will be payable equal to (A) the sum of the Settlement Amount (determined by the

 

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Non-defaulting Party) in respect of the Terminated Transactions and the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(4)     Second Method and Loss. If the Second Method and Loss apply, an amount will be payable equal to the Non-defaulting Party’s Loss in respect of this Agreement. If that amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii)           Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event: —

 

(1)      One Affected Party. If there is one Affected Party, the amount payable will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i)(3), if Market Quotation applies, or Section 6(e)(i)(4), if Loss applies, except that, in either case, references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not the Affected Party, respectively, and, if Loss applies and fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, Loss shall be calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

 

(2)      Two Affected Parties. If there are two Affected Parties: —

 

(A)  if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine a Settlement Amount in respect of the Terminated Transactions, and an amount will be payable equal to (I) the sum of (a) one-half of the difference between the Settlement Amount of the party with the higher Settlement Amount (“X”) and the Settlement Amount of the party with the lower Settlement Amount (“Y”) and (b) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y; and

 

(B)  if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in respect of this Agreement (or, if fewer than all the Transactions are being terminated, in respect of all Terminated Transactions) and an amount will be payable equal to one-half of the difference between the Loss of the party with the higher Loss (“X”) and the Loss of the party with the lower Loss (“Y”).

 

If the amount payable is a positive number, Y will pay it to X; if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that amount to Y.

 

(iii)          Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the amount determined under this Section 6(e) will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv)          Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

 

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7.                                               Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that: —

 

(a)                                             a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b)                                            a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

 

8.                                                   Contractual Currency

 

(a)                                        Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b)                                       Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purposes of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in a reasonable manner and in good faith in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party. The term “rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

(c)                                        Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, these indemnities constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                       Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

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9.                                           Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c)                                   Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d)                                  Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e)                                      Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i)              This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii)           The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall he entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f)                                     No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                  Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

10.                                       Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a)                                        If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation of such party, the obligations of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office. This representation will be deemed to be repeated by such party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

 

(b)                                       Neither party may change the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries for the purpose of a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

(c)                                        If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such Multibranch Party may make and receive payments or deliveries under any Transaction through any Office listed in the Schedule, and the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

 

11.                                  Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document

 

12



 

to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12.                                     Notices

 

(a)                                   Effectiveness . Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i)              if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii)           if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii)        if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv)       if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

 

(v)          if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b)                                  Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13.                                Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a)                                   Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b)                                  Jurisdiction . With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i)              submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, or to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York; and

 

(ii)           waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

 

Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (outside, if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, the Contracting States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 or any modification, extension or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force) nor will the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Service of Process . Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any

 

13



 

reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

(d)                                  Waiver of Immunities . Each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or for recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

14.                                Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:—

 

(a)                              in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(b)                             in respect of an obligation to pay an amount under Section 6(e) of either party from and after the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

 

(c)                              in respect of all other obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(d)                             in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs on or after the date on which the relevant Transaction is entered into.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

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“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “lawful” and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, subject to the Schedule, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), in the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) in relation to any other payment, in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), in the city specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Loss” means, with respect to this Agreement or one or more Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and a party, the Termination Currency Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its total losses and costs (or gain, in which case expressed as a negative number) in connection with this Agreement or that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost of funding or, at the election of such party but without duplication, loss or cost incurred as a result of its terminating, liquidating, obtaining or reestablishing any hedge or related trading position (or any gain resulting from any of them). Loss includes losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or delivery required to have been made (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) on or before the relevant Early Termination Date and not made, except, so as to avoid duplication, if Section 6(e)(i)(1) or (3) or 6(e)(ii)(2)(A) applies. Loss does not include a party’s legal fees and out-of-pocket expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its Loss as of the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A party may (but need not) determine its Loss by reference to quotations of relevant rates or prices from one or more leading dealers in the relevant markets.

 

“Market Quotation” means, with respect to one or more Terminated Transactions and a party making the determination, an amount determined on the basis of quotations from Reference Market-makers. Each quotation will be for an amount, if any, that would be paid to such party (expressed as a negative number) or by such party (expressed as a positive number) in consideration of an agreement between such party (taking into account any existing Credit Support Document with respect to the obligations of such party) and the quoting Reference Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the “Replacement Transaction”) that would have the effect of preserving for such party the economic equivalent of any payment or delivery (whether the underlying obligation was absolute or contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have

 

15



 

been required after that date. For this purpose, Unpaid Amounts in respect of the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation, any payment or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required (assuming satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent) after that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would be subject to such documentation as such party and the Reference Market-maker may, in good faith, agree. The party making the determination (or its agent) will request each Reference Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent reasonably practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different time zones) on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant Early Termination Date. The day and time as of which those quotations are to be obtained will be selected in good faith by the party obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), and, if each party is so obliged, after consultation with the other. If more than three quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, without regard to the quotations having the highest and lowest values. If exactly three such quotations are provided, the Market Quotation will be the quotation remaining after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations. For this purpose, if more than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value, then one of such quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it will be deemed that the Market Quotation in respect of such Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

 

“Non-default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if it were to fund the relevant amount.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Reference Market-makers” means four leading dealers in the relevant market selected by the party determining a Market Quotation in good faith (a) from among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit and (b) to the extent practicable, from among such dealers having an office in the same city.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Scheduled Payment Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Set-off” means set-off, offset, combination of accounts, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which the payer of an amount under Section 6 is entitled or subject (whether arising under this Agreement, another contract, applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed on, such payer.

 

“Settlement Amount” means, with respect to a party and any Early Termination Date, the sum of: —

 

(a)                         the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Market Quotations (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

 

(b)                        such party’s Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any Unpaid Amounts) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in the reasonable belief of the party making the determination) produce a commercially reasonable result.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meanings specified in the Schedule.

 

16



 

“Specified indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions), (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from a Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (b) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions (in either case) in effect immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date (or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Market Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market

 

17



 

value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in each case together with (to the extent permitted under applicable law) interest, in the currency of such amounts, from (and including) the date such amounts or obligations were or would have been required to have been paid or performed to (but excluding) such Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Rate. Such amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above shall be reasonably determined by the party obliged to make the determination under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it shall be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values reasonably determined by both parties.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

 

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

QVC, INC.

(Name of Party)

(Name of Party)

 

 

 

 

By:

 

By:

 

Name: John Miechkowski

 

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title: Director

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

Date: 9/11/09

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date:

8-12-09

 

18


 

 

(Multicurrency—Cross Border)

 

SCHEDULE
to the
Master Agreement (1992 Version)

 

dated as of

 

July 21, 2009

 

Between

 

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Party A”)
and

QVC INC. (“Party B”)

 

Part 1. Termination Provisions.

 

In the Agreement:

 

(a)                                   “Specified Entity” means:

 

(i)                                      In relation to Party A and Party B for the purpose of:

 

Section 5(a)(v)

None;

Section 5(a)(vi)

None;

Section 5(a)(vii)

None; and

Section 5(b)(iv)

None

 

(b)                                  “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B, subject to the following provision being inserted at the end thereof:

 

“; provided that an Event of Default shall not occur under either (1) or (2) above, if (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay referred to in (2) is a failure to pay caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature, (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due, and (c) such relevant payment is made within two Local Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay”.

 

For this purpose:

 

(i)                                      “Specified Indebtedness” : with respect to any person, means all obligations of that person identified as Specified Indebtedness in Section 14, except that such term shall not

 

1



 

include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a party’s banking business.

 

(ii)                                   “Threshold Amount” means, with respect to Party A, three percent of the shareholders’ equity of Party A as shown on its most recent annual audited financial statements; and, with respect to Party B, USD 50,000,000 (calculated in the aggregate), or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

 

(d)                                  The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply to Party A and Party B.

 

(e)                                   The “Automatic Early Termination” provisions of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or Party B.

 

(f)                                     For the purpose of Section 5(b)(ii): The parenthetical in the last line thereof shall be deleted and replaced with “other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)4(A) or (B);”

 

(g)                                  Payments on Early Termination. For the purpose of Section 6(e) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Market Quotation will apply.

 

(ii)                                   The Second Method will apply.

 

(h)                                  “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(i)                                      Additional Termination Event.

 

With respect to Party A: will not apply.

 

With respect to Party B: The following Additional Termination Events will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party.

 

(i)                                      Change in Control

 

The acquisition of beneficial ownership by any person or group (excluding any Permitted Holder or group Controlled by an Permitted Holder) of more than 30% of the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock and such aggregate voting power exceeds the aggregate voting power of all outstanding classes or series of Party B’s voting stock beneficially owned by the Permitted Holders collectively, and either (a) such person or group is a Disqualified Person or (b) on any day until the date that is six months after the date on which such person or group becomes such beneficial owner, Party B is rated by one of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s and the rating assigned by either of them is not an investment grade rating.

 

The terms used in the definition above shall have the following meanings:

 

2



 

“Affiliated Persons” mean, with respect to any specified Person, (a) such specified Person’s parents, spouse, siblings, descendants, step children, step grandchildren, nieces and nephews and their respective spouses, (b) the estate, legatees and devisees of such specified Person and each of the Persons referred to in clause (a), and (c) any company, partnership, trust or other entity or investment vehicle Controlled by any of the Persons referred to in clause (a) or (b) or the holdings of which are for the primary benefit of any such Persons.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have the meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Disqualified Person” means a Person whose senior debt does not have an investment grade rating with either Moody’s Investors Services (“Moody’s’) or Standard & Poor’s Rating services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard and Poor’s”) on (a) the date on which such Person becomes a beneficial owner of the Party B or (b) any day until the date that is 45 days after the date on which such Person becomes such beneficial owner the Party B.

 

“LMC” means Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets; and any subsequent successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of a successor’s assets, provided, that if a Transferee Parent becomes the beneficial owner of all or substantially all of the equity securities of Party B then beneficially owned by LMC as to which LMC has dispositive power, the term “LMC” shall also mean such Transferee Parent and any successor (by merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise) to all or substantially all of its assets. “Transferee Parent” for this purpose means, in the event of any transaction or series of related transactions involving the direct or indirect transfer (or relinquishment of control) by LMC of a Person or Persons (a “Transferred Person”) that hold equity securities of Parry B beneficially owned by LMC, such Transferred Person or its successor in such transaction or any ultimate parent entity (within the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended) of such Transferred Person or its successor if immediately after giving effect to such transaction or the last transaction in such series, voting securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of such Transferred Person, successor or ultimate parent entity are beneficially owned by any combination of LMC, Persons who prior to such transaction were beneficial owners of a majority of, or a majority of the voting power of, the outstanding voting securities of LMC (or of any publicly traded class or series of voting securities of LMC designed to track the economic performance of a specified group of assets or businesses) or Persons who are Control Persons as of the date of such transaction or the last transaction in such series. “Control Person” for this purpose means each of (a) the Chairman of the Board of LMC, (b) the President of LMC, (c) any Senior

 

3



 

Vice President of LMC, (d) each of the directors of LMC and (e) the respective Affiliated Persons of the Persons referred to in clauses (a) through (d).

 

“Permitted Holders” means any one or more of (a) LMC, (b) John C. Malone, (c) each of the respective Affiliated Persons of the Person referred to in clause (b) and (d) any Person a majority of the aggregate voting power of all the outstanding classes or series of the equity securities of which are beneficially owned by any one or more of the Persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c).

 

“Person” and “group” have the meanings given to them for purposes of Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any successor provisions and the term “group” includes any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision.

 

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

 

(ii)                               Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the WCM Credit Agreement or the JPM Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

“JPM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of March 3, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16; 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (“WCM”) as syndication agent, and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. and WCM as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“WCM Credit Agreement” means, the credit agreement dated as of October 4, 2006, as Amended and Restated as of June 16, 2009, among Party B as Borrower, Party A and others named therein as Lenders, Wachovia Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as syndication agent, and WCM and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

(iii)                                Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in each of the WCM Credit Agreement and the JPM Credit Agreement (together, the “Credit Agreements”),

 

4



 

except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under any of the Credit Agreements, or fail to be equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B; or

 

(C)                                 cease to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that has guaranteed Party B’s obligations to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreements) under any of the Credit Agreements, or fail to be guaranteed by any subsidiary of Party B that guarantees Party B’s obligations under any future institutional loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.

 

Part 2. Tax Representations.

 

(a)                                   Party A and Party B Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of this Agreement, each of Party A and Party B makes the following representations: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 2(e), 6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 30 of this Agreement, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement, provided that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (ii) and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(b)                                  Party A Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party A makes the following representation(s):

 

Party A is a national banking association organized or formed under the laws of the United States and is a United States resident for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

(c)                                   Party B Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f), Party B makes the following representation:

 

Party B is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware for federal income tax purposes.

 

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Part 3. Agreement to Deliver Documents

 

For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

(a)                                   Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

 

Party required to deliver document Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

 

 

Party A and B: Subject to Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement, any document required or reasonably requested to allow the other party to make payments under this Agreement without any deductions or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate.

 

On the date of execution of this Agreement and after such date to the extent the form previously furnished has ceased to be effective, the information therein has become inaccurate or such form has been superseded.

 

 

 

(b)                                  Other documents to be delivered are:

 

 

 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and B: A certificate of an authorized officer of the party, certifying the authority, names and true signatures of the officers of the party signing this Agreement, each Confirmation and any Credit Support Document to be delivered by such party.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Constitutional Documents including Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Certified copy of the resolutions of Party B’s Board of Directors evidencing each action taken by Party B to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each Confirmation and any applicable Credit Support Document to be delivered by Party B.

 

Upon execution of this Agreement

 

Yes

 

6



 

Form/Document/Certificate

 

Date by which to be delivered

 

Covered by Section
3(d) Representation

 

 

 

 

 

Party A and Party B: Annual audited financial statements of Party A and Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by other party.

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

Party B: Quarterly unaudited financial statements of Party B prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which the entity to which they relate is organized.

 

Where such financial statement is not reasonably publicly available on “EDGAR” or Party B’s internet home page, then promptly upon request by Party A.

 

Yes

 

Part 4. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

Address for notices or communications to Party A:

 

Notices should be sent to the address of the relevant branch set out in the relevant Confirmation (as may be amended from time to time), provided that in the case of notices or communications relating to Section 5, 6, 7, 11 or 13 of this Agreement, such notices should be sent to:

 

WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.

301 South College Street, NC0600

Charlotte, NC 28202-0600

Attention: Derivatives Documentation Group

Fax: (704) 715-0087

Phone: (704) 383-8778

 

Address for notices or communications to Party B:

 

QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone No:                  (484) 701-1000

Facsimile No:                          (484) 701-1380

 

With copies to:

 

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QVC Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attention: General Counsel

Telephone No:                  (484) 701-1000

Facsimile No:                          (484) 701-1021

 

Liberty Media Corporation

12300 Liberty Boulevard

Englewood, CO 80112

Attention: Treasurer

Telephone No:                  (720) 875-5411

Facsimile No:                          (720) 875-5915

 

(b)                                  Process Agent. For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement:

 

Party A - Not applicable.
Party B - Not applicable.

 

(c)                                   Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement:

 

(i)                                      Party A is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(ii)                                   Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(e)                                   Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A, unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation in relation to a relevant Transaction.

 

(f)                                     Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document: Not applicable.

 

(g)                                  Credit Support Provider means: With respect to Party A and Party B: None.

 

(h)                                  Governing Law. To the extent not otherwise preempted by U.S. Federal law, this Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without giving effect to any provision of New York law that would cause another jurisdiction’s laws to be applied).

 

(i)                                      Netting of Payments. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement shall apply.

 

(j)                                      “Affiliate” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement with respect to Party A, and with respect to Party B will consist only of majority owned subsidiaries of LMC (as defined in Part 1(i)(i) of this Schedule).

 

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Part 5. Other Provisions.

 

(a)                                   Accuracy of Specified Information. Section 3(d) is hereby amended by adding in the third line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period: “or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, a fair presentation of the financial condition of the relevant party”.

 

(b)                                  Consent to Recording. Each party hereto (1) consents to the monitoring or recording, at any time and from time to time, by the other party of the telephone conversations of trading and marketing personnel of the parties and their authorized representatives in connection with this Agreement or any Transaction or potential Transaction; (2) waives any further notice of such monitoring or recording and agrees to give proper notice and obtain any necessary consent of such personnel for any such monitoring or recording; and (3) agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that such recordings may be submitted in evidence in any Proceedings.

 

(c)                                   Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.

 

(d)                                  Additional Representations. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement, the following shall be added, immediately following paragraph (f) thereof:

 

“(g)   Non-Reliance. In connection with the negotiation of, the entering into, and the confirming of the execution of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document to which it is a party, each Transaction, and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party or that it is required by this Agreement to deliver:

 

(1)                                   it is not relying (for purposes of making any investment decision or otherwise) upon any advice, counsel, or representations (whether written or oral) of the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation other than the representations expressly set forth therein;

 

(2)                                   it has consulted with its own legal, regulatory, tax, business, investment, financial and accounting advisors to the extent it has deemed necessary, and it has made its own investment, hedging and trading decisions (including decisions regarding the suitability of any Transaction pursuant to this Agreement) based upon any advice from such advisors as it has deemed necessary and not upon any view expressed by the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction or such other documentation;

 

(3)                                   it has a full understanding of all the terms, conditions, and risks (economic and otherwise) of the Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation and is capable of assuming and willing to assume (financially and otherwise) those risks;

 

9



 

(4)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation for the purposes of managing its borrowings or investments, hedging its underlying assets or liabilities or in connection with a line of business and not for purposes of speculation;

 

(5)                                   it is entering into this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation as principal, and not as agent or in any other capacity, fiduciary or otherwise; and

 

(6)                                   the other party to this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation (a) is not acting as a fiduciary or financial, investment or commodity trading advisor for it; (b) has not given to it (directly or indirectly through any other person) any assurance, guaranty or representation whatsoever as to the merits (either legal, regulatory, tax, financial, accounting or otherwise) of this Agreement, such Credit Support Document, each Transaction, and such other documentation; and (c) has not committed to unwind the Transactions.

 

(h)                                  Eligible Contract Participant. It is an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.

 

(i)                                      ERISA. (A) it is not (and no portion of its assets are deemed to be assets of) (1) an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) that is subject to ERISA, (2) a plan defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (3) a governmental plan within the meaning of Section 818(a)(6) of the Code, or (4) any other employee benefit plan which is subject to law substantially similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (B) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no portion of its assets are “plan assets” of any such employee benefit plan, plan, governmental plan or other plan for purposes of Section 2510.3-101 of the Regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor; it being expressly understood and agreed that the assurances contained in this clause shall be deemed given (x) upon the entering into of each Transaction and (y) continuously throughout each period during which each Transaction is continuing.

 

(j)                                      Specified Swap Agreement. The Agreement, including this Schedule, is a “Specified Swap Agreement” under and as defined in the Credit Agreements.”

 

(e)                                   Transfer. If a party is requested to give its prior written consent to a transfer referred to in Section 7, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and among the reasons it shall be considered reasonable for a party to withhold its consent are the following: (i) its credit department is unwilling to credit approve the transfer to the transferee; (ii) when fewer than all Transactions are transferred, its credit exposure to the transferring party would increase as a result of the transfer; (iii) it would be exposed to any increased legal, bankruptcy, regulatory or tax risks, liabilities or requirements as the result of such transfer, or such transfer would cause it to be in noncompliance with any such requirements; (iv) an Event of Default or Termination

 

10


 

 

Event would exist before or after the transfer, (v) settlement netting and close-out netting would not be enforceable under the bankruptcy or insolvency laws applicable to the transferee, or (vi) collateral arrangements acceptable to it would not be in place at the time of such transfer to cover all existing and future obligations of the transferee for the Transactions being transferred.

 

(f)                                     Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor, in good faith negotiations, to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions. The above notwithstanding “ Severability shall not apply to Sections 2, 5, 6, 13 and 14 of this Agreement.

 

(g)                                  Confidential Information. Each party may share any information concerning the other party with any of its Affiliates.

 

(h)                                  Other Amendments.

 

Each party agrees that:

 

(1)                                   Section 2(b) of this Agreement shall only allow change of accounts within the country originally specified by the party.

 

(2)                                   Section 2(d)(i)(2) is hereby amended by adding prior to the semi-colon at the end thereof the following: “and that Y believes such assessment to be proper under applicable law”.

 

(3)                                   Section 2(e) is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(4)                                   Section 6(d)(ii) is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(5)                                   Section 5(a)(vii)(4)(B) and 5(a)(vii)(7) are hereby amended by substituting the number “60” for the number “30”.

 

(6)                                   Section 9(b) is hereby amended to read:

 

“No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing and executed by each of the parties.”

 

11



 

(7)                                   Section 9(e) is hereby amended to read:

 

“(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) which will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. Any such counterpart will specify that it constitutes a Confirmation.”

 

(8)                                   Section 10(b) is hereby amended by inserting after the word “party” the following: “,which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.”

 

(9)                                   Section 11 is hereby amended by inserting the word “reasonable” between the words “including” and “legal”.

 

(10)                             Section 14, the definition of “Default Rate,” is hereby amended by inserting after the word “amount” the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-Prime-H.15).”

 

(11)                             Section 14, the definition of “non-default Rate,” is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(but in no event for any day a rate per annum in excess of USD-LIBOR-BBA with a Designated Maturity of 30 days).”

 

(12)                             Section 14, the definition of “Unpaid Amounts,” is hereby amended by deleting the next to last sentence in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “Such interest shall be simple interest and shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.”

 

(13)                             ISDA Definitions Incorporated by Reference. The definitions contained in the 2006 ISDA Definitions (“2006 Definitions”) (as published by the International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”)) are incorporated by reference herein. Any terms used and not otherwise defined herein which are contained in the 2006 Definitions shall have the meaning set forth therein. In the event of any conflict between the 2006 Definitions and any other ISDA-published definitions referenced in a Confirmation, such Confirmation and the ISDA-published definitions referred to therein shall control for purposes of the particular Transaction.

 

12



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the parties have caused this Schedule to be duly executed as its act and deed as of the date hereof.

 

 

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

John Miechkowski

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

13



 

AMENDMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT, dated as September 2, 2010 (this “Amendment”) to the Schedule (“Schedule”) to the ISDA Master Agreement dated as of July 21, 2009 between WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A ., as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association (“Party A”) and QVC, INC . (“Party B”) (the “Agreement”). The Agreement includes the Schedule and all Confirmations exchanged between the parties confirming the Transactions (or Swap Transactions) thereunder. In consideration of the agreements and provisions herein contained, the parties have agreed to amend the Agreement by this Amendment.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as described herein;

 

Now therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of the Agreement and in consideration of the mutual agreements herein and in the Agreement contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment to the Schedule

 

Effective as of the date of this Amendment:

 

(a) Part 1(i)(ii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(ii) Specific Event of Default : Without limiting the applicability of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement, the occurrence or existence of any event or condition which results in an Event of Default under (and as defined in) the Credit Agreement shall constitute a Termination Event under the Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement means the credit agreement dated as of September 2, 2010 among Party B as Borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as lead arranger and bookrunner, as the same may be amended, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

 

(b) Part 1(i)(iii) of the Schedule is hereby amended by deleting the sub-section in its entirety and replacing such sub-section with the following:

 

“(iii) Additional Termination Event : With respect to Party B, the following Additional Termination Event will apply with Party B as the sole Affected Party:

 

If Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement:

 

(A)                               cease to be secured pursuant to the Security Agreement, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, except upon termination of the Security Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

 

(B)                                 cease to be equally and ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or equally or ratably secured with Party B’s secured obligations, if any, to the lenders or note holders under any future institution loan offerings or bond issuances by Party B.”

 

2. Representations

 

Each party represents to the other as follows:

 

(a)                                   it has the power to, and has taken all action necessary for it to, execute and deliver this Amendment and undertake its obligations under the Agreement;

 



 

(b)                                  its execution and delivery of this Amendment do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(c)                                   this Amendment is its legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Amendment (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally); and

 

(d)                                  as expressly amended hereby, the Agreement is in full force and effect.

 

3. Miscellaneous

 

(a)                                   Entire Agreement . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communications and prior writings with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (through facsimile transmission or otherwise in writing), each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute a single agreement.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized representative with effect as of the date specified on the first page of this Amendment.

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

John Miechkowski

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

By:

GRAPHIC

 

Name:

Daniel T. O’Connell

 

Title:

EVP & CFO

 

 




Exhibit 10.16

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 17th day of September, 2003, by and between QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and «FirstName» «LastName» (the “Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company believes that it is essential to attract and retain as directors and officers the most capable persons available;

 

WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the omnipresent risk of lawsuits and other claims that are routinely filed or made against directors and officers of companies operating in today’s environment, and the attendant costs of defending even wholly frivolous lawsuits or claims;

 

WHEREAS, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain insurance against the risk of personal liability of directors and officers on terms providing reasonable protection to the individual at reasonable cost to the companies, and the uncertainties relating to the availability of such insurance have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified directors and officers;

 

WHEREAS, the Company’s bylaws provide certain indemnification rights to the directors and officers of the Company, and its directors and officers have relied on this assurance of indemnification, as authorized by Delaware law;

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is concerned that the protection provided by the Company’s bylaws and available insurance may not be adequate in the present circumstances, and the Company believes that Indemnitee would be more willing to serve or continue to serve, as the case may be, as an officer and/or a director of the Company, as applicable, and to take on additional responsibilities for or on behalf of the Company (including, without limitation, serving as an officer, director or in a similar capacity of any other enterprise at the request of the Company) with the additional protection afforded by this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for substantial protection against personal liability and to encourage Indemnitee’s continued service to the Company, and in view of the increasing difficulty in obtaining and maintaining satisfactory insurance coverage and Indemnitee’s reasonable reliance on assurance of indemnification, the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law (whether partial or complete) and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained by the Company, for the coverage of Indemnitee under such directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies;

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and appropriate for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify and to advance expenses on behalf of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee has agreed to serve or continue to serve, as the case may be, as an officer of the Company and may from time to time serve as a director of the Company

 



 

or, at the request of the Company, an officer, director or in a similar capacity of any other enterprise, in reliance on the protections and benefits afforded to Indemnitee under and in accordance with this Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and Indemnitee’s continuing to serve as an officer of the Company, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                                  Certain Definitions :

 

(a)                                   Affiliate : means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including its correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(b)                                  Claim : any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including any mediation, arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution proceeding), whether instituted by or in the right of the Company or by any other Person, or any inquiry or investigation that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil (including intentional and unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, investigative or other.

 

(c)                                   Company Parent : means any Person which is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total number of shares of common stock of the Company then outstanding. For purposes of this definition, common stock of the Company shall include any and all securities of any kind whatsoever of the Company which may be issued after the date hereof in respect of, or in exchange for, shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or similar extraordinary transaction.

 

(d)                                  Executive Officers : means those officers of the Company having a title of Executive Vice President or higher, General Counsel or Chief Information Officer.

 

(e)                                   Expenses : include attorneys’ fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event.

 

(f)                                     Indemnifiable Event : any event or occurrence related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company, or is or was serving, at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise or by reason of anything done or not done

 

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by Indemnitee in any such capacity.

 

(g)                                  Independent Legal Counsel : an attorney or firm of attorneys, selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), who shall not have otherwise performed services for the Indemnitee or the Company or current or former Affiliates of the Company within the last five years (other than with respect to matters concerning the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements or under the Company’s bylaws).

 

(h)                                  Person : means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, governmental authority, business association or other entity.

 

(i)                                      Reviewing Party : any appropriate Person or body consisting of a member or members of the Company’s Board of Directors or any other Person or body appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors who is neither a party to nor associated with the Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification.

 

2.                                                  Basic Indemnification Arrangement .

 

(a)                                   In the event Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, a Claim by reason of (or arising in part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law as soon as practicable but in any event no later than thirty days after written demand is presented to the Company, against any and all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement) of such Claim. If so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance (within five business days of such request) any and all Expenses to Indemnitee (an “Expense Advance”).

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the obligations of the Company under Section 2(a) shall be subject to the condition that the Reviewing Party shall not have determined that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, which determination shall be evidenced by a notice promptly delivered to the Indemnitee, and (ii) the obligation of the Company to make an Expense Advance pursuant to Section 2(a) shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided, however, that (x) in the event the Reviewing Party makes such a determination under clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2(b), the Company will be obligated to provide indemnification and advance Expenses to Indemnitee pursuant to Section 2(a) notwithstanding such determination by the Reviewing Party in the event that Independent Legal Counsel provides to the Company within 45 days of such determination a written opinion to the effect that indemnification of the Indemnitee would be permitted under applicable law with respect to the Claims in question and (y) if

 

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Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). if the Reviewing Party and Independent Legal Counsel determine that Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation in any court in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the Reviewing Party and Independent Legal Counsel, or any aspect thereof, including the legal or factual bases therefor, and the Company hereby consents to service of process and agrees to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, otherwise shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

 

3.                                                  Independent Legal Counsel . In the event Indemnitee’s right to indemnification and advancement of Expenses is referred to Independent Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement, such Independent Legal Counsel shall among other things, render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

4.                                                  Indemnification for Additional Expenses . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within five business days of such request) advance such expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee (whether pursuant to Section 17 of this Agreement or otherwise) for (i) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement or bylaw of the Company now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events or (ii) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, or, to the extent Indemnitee is entitled to coverage pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the Company Parent, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

 

5.                                                  Partial Indemnity . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of a Claim but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. Moreover, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any or all Claims relating in whole or in part to an Indemnifiable

 

4



 

Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

6.                                                  Burden of Proof . In connection with any determination by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, or otherwise, as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

 

7.                                                  No Presumptions . For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, action, suit or proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law. In addition, neither the failure of the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under, applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief.

 

8.                                                  Nonexclusivity: Subsequent Change in Law . The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Company’s bylaws or under Delaware law, or otherwise. To the extent that a change in Delaware law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the Company’s bylaws or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

9.                                                  Liability Insurance . To the extent the Company or Company Parent maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director or officer in his (or her) then capacity as such.

 

10.                                            Amendments; Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

11.                                            Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

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12.                                            No Duplication of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, bylaw or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

 

13.                                            Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee continues to serve as an officer or director of the Company or as an officer, director or in a similar capacity of any other enterprise at the request of the Company.

 

14.                                            Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable in any respect, and the validity and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

15.                                            Effective Date . This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall apply to any Claim for indemnification by the Indemnitee on or after such date.

 

16.                                            Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws.

 

17.                                            Equitable Relief . The parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking specific performance hereof or other injunctive or equitable relief, without any necessity of showing irreparable harm or posting a bond, which requirements are hereby waived, and that by seeking such specific performance or relief, lndemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled.

 

18.                                            Further Assurance . In the event that following the date hereof a Triggering Event (as defined below) occurs and as a result, in the good faith reasonable determination of a majority of the Executive Officer Group (as defined below), the ability of the Company to satisfy its financial obligations to directors and officers of the Company and persons serving as officers, directors or in similar capacities of other enterprises at the request of the Company in respect of providing indemnification and advancement of Expenses under the Company’s bylaws and separate indemnification agreements entered into with such directors and officers of the Company and such other persons, is impaired such that it is reasonably likely that the Company will not be capable of meeting such financial obligations, then the Company’s Board of Directors will enter into good faith negotiations with the Designated Officer (as defined below) with respect to the Company’s obtaining alternative financial support for its indemnity and advancement of Expenses obligations (such as through obtaining director and officer liability insurance and similar actions) to the officers and directors of the Company and those persons serving as officers, directors or in similar capacities of other enterprises at the request of the Company. The “Designated Officer” will be the Company’s President, or if he (or she) is then or was at the time of the

 

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Triggering Event a director of the Company, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, unless the Company’s Chief Operating Officer is then or was at the time of the Triggering Event a director of the Company, in which case the Designated Officer will be the Chief Financial Officer; provided that, if the Company’s Chief Financial Officer is then or was at the time of the Triggering Event a director of the Company, the Designated Officer will be a member of the Executive Officer Group selected by a majority of the Executive Officer Group to serve as the negotiator. A “Triggering Event” means, (x) a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company, (y) a sale of all or a substantial portion of the assets and businesses of the Company or an acquisition of substantial assets and businesses by the Company or (z) the incurrence by the Company of significant indebtedness (including in connection with transactions referred to in clauses (x) or (y) above). “Executive Officer Group” means the group consisting of Executive Officers who have entered into separate indemnification agreements with the Company and excludes any Executive Officer who then serves as a director of the Company or served as a director of the Company at the time of the Triggering Event.

 

19.                                            RELEASE. INDEMNITEE HEREBY RELEASES AND WAIVES ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND OBJECTIONS THAT THE INDEMNITEE MAY HAVE AGAINST THE COMPANY AND ITS PRESENT AND FORMER SHAREHOLDERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES WITH RESPECT TO (I) THE DETERMINATION OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF COMPANY SHARES AS OF JUNE 30, 2003, INCLUDED IN THE COMMITTEE REPORT, DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2003, PURSUANT TO, AND AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN, THE COMPANY’S 1995 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS PLAN, AND (II) THE AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JUNE 30, 2003, AMONG COMCAST QVC, INC., COMCAST CORPORATION, LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Neal S. Grabell

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

«FirstName» «LastName»

 

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Liberty Media Corporation
12300 Liberty Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado 80112

 

September 17, 2003

 

«FirstName» «LastName»

 

Re: Indemnification Agreement

 

Dear «FirstName»:

 

Reference is made to (i) the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2003 (the “Indemnification Agreement”), between you and QVC, Inc. (the “Company”) and (ii) the amended and restated stock purchase agreement, dated as of June 30, 2003 (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), among Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty”), Comcast Corporation, Comecast QVC, Inc. and the Company, pursuant to which Liberty acquired a majority of the outstanding common stock of the Company. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indemnification Agreement.

 

In accordance with Section 9.04 of the Stock Purchase Agreement, Liberty (i) has caused the Company to enter into the Indemnification Agreement and (ii) hereby agrees to cause any successor to the Company or Person acquiring all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Company that at the time of such succession or acquisition is an Affiliate of Liberty to assume the Company’s obligations under the Indemnification Agreement; provided, that Liberty’s obligation hereunder shall terminate at such time as the successor or acquiror ceases to be an Affiliate of Liberty.

 

Kindly acknowledge your agreement with the foregoing by countersigning this letter agreement and returning it to the undersigned.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation

 

Accepted and Agreed as of

 

 

the date first written above:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

«FirstName» «LastName»

 

QYC, Inc. hereby certifies to Liberty Media Corporation and the Person signatory to the Indemnification Agreement that such Indemnification Agreement complies with the provisions of Section 9.04 of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

 

 

 

QVC, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Neal S. Grabell

 

 

 

Senior Vice President

 


 

EXECUTION COPY

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this           day of March, 2009, by and between QVC, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (“Indemnitee”).

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee has agreed to serve on continue to serve, as the case may be, as a director, manager, member, officer, managing member or in a similar capacity of one or more of the entities set forth on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Covered Entity”), in reliance on the protections and benefits afforded to Indemnitee under and in accordance with this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for substantial protection against personal liability and to encourage Indemnitee’s service to the Company and the applicable Covered Entity, and in view of the increasing difficulty in obtaining and maintaining satisfactory insurance coverage and Indemnitee’s reasonable reliance on assurance of indemnification, the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law (whether partial or complete) and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained by the Company or the applicable Covered Entity, for the coverage of Indemnitee under such directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies; and

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and appropriate for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify and to advance expenses on behalf of Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that he will serve or continue to serve the Company and the applicable Covered Entity free from undue concern that he will not be so indemnified.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.              Certain Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a)            “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including its correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(b)            “Claim” shall be broadly construed and shall include without limitation any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including any mediation, arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution proceeding), whether

 



 

instituted by or in the right of the Company, a Covered Entity or by any other Person, or any inquiry or investigation that Indemnitee reasonably believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil (including intentional and unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, investigative or other.

 

(c)            “Expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other reasonable costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing to defend, be a witness in or participate in any Claim relating to any Indemnifiable Event.

 

(d)            “Indemnifiable Event” shall be broadly construed and shall include without limitation any event or occurrence related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, manager, member, officer, managing member or serves or served in a similar capacity of a Covered Entity.

 

(e)            “Independent Legal Counsel” means an attorney or firm of attorneys, selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), who shall not have otherwise performed services for Indemnitee or the Company or current or former Affiliates of the Company within the last five years (other than with respect to matters concerning the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements or under the Company’s by laws).

 

(f)             “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, governmental authority, business association or other entity.

 

(g)            “Reviewing Party” means any appropriate Person or body consisting of a member or members of the Company’s Board of Directors or any other Person or body appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors who is neither a party to nor associated with the Claim for which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification.

 

2.      Basic Indemnification Arrangement .

 

(a)            In the event Indemnitee was, is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, a Claim by reason of (or arising in part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law as soon as practicable but in any event no later than 10 days after written demand is presented to the Company, against any all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement) of such Claim; provided that Indemnitee makes a written demand for payment of such Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or other amount on or prior to the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Indemnitee incurs such Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or other amount. If so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance (within 10 days of such request) any and all Expenses to Indemnitee (an “Expense Advance”). In the event the Company is also a defendant, indemnitee hereby agrees to

 

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seek to engage the same counsel that represents the Company with regard to such Claim so long as in Indemnitee’s reasonable judgment such counsel will be able to provide Indemnitee an adequate defense against such Claim.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the obligations of the Company under Section 2(a) shall be subject to the condition that the Reviewing Party shall not have determined that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law, which determination shall be evidenced by a notice promptly delivered to Indemnitee, and (ii) the obligation of the Company to make an Expense Advance pursuant to Section 2(a) shall be subject to the condition that, if, when and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid; provided , however , that (x) in the event the Reviewing Party makes such a determination under clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2(b), the Company will be obligated to provide indemnification and advance Expense to Indemnitee pursuant to Section 2(a ) notwithstanding such determination by the Reviewing Party in the event that Independent Legal Counsel provides to the Company within 45 days of such determination a written opinion to the effect that indemnification of Indemnitee would be permitted under applicable law with respect to the Claims in question and (y) if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, any determination made by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all right of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). If the Reviewing Party and Independent Legal Counsel determine that Indemnitee substantively would not be permitted to be indemnified in whole or in part under application law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation in any federal or state court located in New Castle Country in the State of Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such determination by the Reviewing Party and Independent Legal Counsel, or any aspect thereof, including the legal or factual bases therefor, and the Company hereby consents to service of process and agrees to appear in any such proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated under Section 2(a) to provide indemnification or make an Expense Advance if a court makes a final determination (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed) that such indemnification and Expense Advance is not permitted under applicable law. If Independent Legal Counsel determines that indemnification of Indemnitee would be permitted in whole or in part under applicable law with respect to the Claim in question, the Company shall have the right to commence litigation in any federal or state court located in New Castle County in the State of Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper, seeking a determination by the court that such indemnification is not permitted under applicable law or challenging any such determination by Independent Legal Counsel, or any aspect thereof, including the legal or factual basis therefor, and Indemnitee hereby consents to service of process and agrees to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the

 

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Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, otherwise shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and Indemnitee.

 

3.              Independent Legal Counsel . In the event Indemnitee’s right to indemnification and advancement of Expenses is referred to Independent Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Agreement, such Independent Legal Counsel shall among other things, render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

4.              Indemnification for Additional Expenses . Provided that Indemnitee makes such request promptly, but in no event later than 90 days following the date Indemnitee incurred the applicable expense, the Company (a) shall (within 10 days of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification hereunder) indemnify Indemnitee against any and all reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), and, (b) if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within 10 days of such request) advance such expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee (whether pursuant to Section 17 of this Agreement or otherwise) for (i) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement, bylaw, limited liability company agreement or other similar organizational document of the Company or a Covered Entity, as the case may be, now or hereafter in effect relating to Claims for Indemnifiable Events or (ii) recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company or a Covered Entity, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advance expense payment or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

 

5.              Partial Indemnity . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement of a Claim but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled. Moreover, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any or all Claims relating in whole or in part to an Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

6.              Burden of Proof . In connection with any determination by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, or otherwise, as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proof shall be on the Company to establish that Indemnitee is not so entitled.

 

7.              No Presumptions . For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, action, suit or proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that lndemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable

 

4



 

law. In addition, neither the failure of the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by the Reviewing Party or Independent Legal Counsel, as applicable, that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief.

 

8.              Nonexclusivity; Subsequent Change in Law . The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Company’s bylaws, under a Covered Entity’s bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other similar organizational document, under Delaware or other applicable law, or otherwise. To the extent that a change in Delaware or other applicable law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the Company’s bylaws, a Covered Entity’s bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other similar organizational document or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

9.              Liability Insurance : To the extent the Company or a Covered Entity maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director or officer in his (or her) then capacity as such; provided , however , this Agreement shall not impose any obligation on the Company or a Covered Entity to obtain or maintain any such insurance policy or policies.

 

10.           Amendments; Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

11.           Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

12.           No Duplication of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, bylaw, limited liability company agreement or other similar organizational document of the Company or a Covered Entity, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

 

13.           Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives. This Agreement shall continue in effect regardless of whether Indemnitee

 

5



 

continues to serve as a director, manager, member, officer, managing member or in a similar capacity of a Covered Entity.

 

14.           Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable in the event that any of the provisions hereof (including any provision within a single section, paragraph or sentence) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable in any respect, and the validity and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

15.           Effective Date . This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall apply to any Claim for indemnification by Indemnitee on or after such date.

 

16.           Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such state without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws.

 

17.           Equitable Relief . The parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking specific performance hereof or other injunctive or equitable relief, without any necessity of showing irreparable harm or posting a bond, which requirements are hereby waived, and that by seeking such specific performance or relief Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled.

 

18.           Further Assurance . If following the date hereof a Triggering Event (as defined below) occurs and as a result, in the good faith reasonable determination of a majority of the Covered Indemnitee Group (as defined below), the ability of the Company to satisfy its financial obligations to Indemnitee and the other members of the Covered Indemnitee Group in respect of providing indemnification and advancement of Expenses under this Agreement and the other Indemnity Agreements (as defined below) entered into with the other members of the Covered Indemnitee Group, is impaired such that it is reasonably likely that the Company will not be capable of meeting such financial obligations, then the Company’s Board of Directors will enter into good faith negotiations with the Designated Officer (as defined below) with respect to the Company’s obtaining alternative financial support for such indemnity and advancement of Expenses obligations (such as through obtaining director and officer liability insurance and similar actions). The “Designated Officer” will be a member of the Covered Indemnitee Group selected by a majority of the Covered Indemnitee Group to serve as the negotiator. A “Triggering Event” means, (x) a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the Company, (y) a sale of all or a substantial portion of the assets and businesses of the Company or (z) the incurrence by the Company of significant indebtedness (excluding indebtedness incurred to refinance then-existing indebtedness, but including indebtedness incurred in connection with transactions referred to in clauses (x) or (y) above or in connection with acquisitions made outside the ordinary course of business of substantial assets and businesses by the Company). “Covered Indemnitee Group” means the group consisting of Indemnitee and the other persons who have entered into Indemnity Agreements. “Indemnity Agreements” means this Agreement and any other indemnification agreements substantially identical to this Agreement entered into substantially concurrently with this Agreement (or after the date hereof) by the Company with other persons serving as a director, manager, member, officer, managing member or in a similar capacity with one or more Covered Entities. The

 

6



 

current members of the Covered Indemnity Group are set forth on Exhibit B . If the composition of the Covered Indemnity Group changes after the date hereof the Company will promptly provide Indemnitee with a revised Exhibit B reflecting such changes. The provisions of this paragraph shall terminate and be of no further force or effect on the tenth anniversary of the date upon which Indemnitee no longer serves as a director, manager, member, officer, managing member or in a similar capacity with any Covered Entity, provided , however , that if a Claim is pending on the tenth anniversary of such date, the provisions of this paragraph shall not terminate on such date but shall continue in full force and effect until such time as the pending Claim is resolved.

 

19.           Form and Delivery of Communications . Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the parties under this Agreement shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by facsimile, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

 

QVC, Inc.

1200, Willson Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Attn:   General Counsel

Facsimile: (484) 701-1021

 

If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth beneath Indemnitee’s signature line on the signature page to this Agreement.

 

20.           Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the documents expressly referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the indemnification of the Indemnitee by the Company for an Indemnifiable Event, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the indemnification of the Indemnitee by the Company for an Indemnifiable Event are expressly superseded by this Agreement.

 

21.           Jurisdiction . The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New Castle County in the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding that arises out of or relates to this Agreement. The Company and Indemnitee each further hereby agree that any action or proceeding that arises out of relates to this Agreement shall be Instituted only in the federal and state courts located in New Castle County in the State of Delaware.

 

22.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument, notwithstanding that both parties are not signatories to the original or same counterpart.

 

23.           Headings . The section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

7



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above

 

 

QVC, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEMNITEE

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Address:

 




Exhibit 21.1

 

QVC, Inc. Subsidiaries

 

Entity Name

 

Domicile

 

QVC, Inc.

 

DE

 

Affiliate Investment, Inc.

 

DE

 

Affiliate Relations Holdings, Inc.

 

DE

 

Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC China Licensing, Inc.

 

DE

 

AMI 2, Inc.

 

DE

 

ER Marks, Inc.

 

DE

 

IC Marks, Inc.

 

DE

 

QC Marks, Inc.

 

DE

 

RS Marks, Inc.

 

DE

 

GC Marks, Inc.

 

DE

 

DMS DE, Inc.

 

DE

 

NSTBC, Inc.

 

DE

 

Diamonique Canada Holdings, Inc.

 

DE

 

ER Development International, Inc.

 

PA

 

Innovative Retailing, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Information and Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd

 

China

 

Q the Music, Inc.

 

DE

 

QDirect Ventures, Inc.

 

DE

 

QExhibits, Inc.

 

DE

 

QHealth, Inc.

 

DE

 

QK Holdings, LLC

 

DE

 

QLocal, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Chesapeake, Inc.

 

VA

 

QVC China, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC China Domain Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

QVC Delaware, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Global DDGS, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC India, Ltd.

 

DE

 

QVC HK Holdings, LLC

 

DE

 

QVC China Holdings Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

QVC International LLC

 

DE

 

1227844 Ontario Ltd.

 

Ontario

 

CDirect Mexico I, Inc.

 

DE

 

CDirect Mexico II, Inc.

 

DE

 

IM Experience, Inc.

 

PA

 

Influence Marketing Corp

 

Nova Scotia

 

Influence Marketing Services, Inc.

 

Ontario

 

Savor North Carolina, Inc.

 

NC

 

QVC Britain III, Inc.

 

UK

 

QVC Cayman Holdings LLC

 

DE

 

QVC Cayman, Ltd.

 

Cayman Islands

 

QVC China Domain Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

QVC Germany I LLC

 

DE

 

QVC International Management LLC & Co KG

 

Germany

 

QVC Deutschland GP, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Deutschland Inc. & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

 



 

Entity Name

 

Domicile

 

QVC Deutschland Inc. & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

iQVC GmbH

 

Germany

 

QVC Call Center GmbH & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

QVC Call Center Vërwaltungs-GmbH

 

Germany

 

QVC Grundstücksverwaltungs GmbH

 

Germany

 

QVC GV Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

QVC Grundstücksverwaltungs GmbH

 

Germany

 

QVC Handel GmbH

 

Germany

 

QVC Studio GmbH

 

Germany

 

QVC UK Holdings Limited

 

England-Wales

 

QVC Britain I, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Britain

 

UK

 

QVC

 

UK

 

QVC Pension Trustee Limited

 

UK

 

QVC Properties, Ltd.

 

UK

 

QVC Britain II, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Britain I Limited

 

England

 

QVC Britain

 

England

 

QVC

 

England

 

QVC France SAS

 

France

 

QVC Japan Holdings, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Japan, Inc.

 

Japan

 

QVC Satellite, Ltd

 

Japan

 

QVC Japan Services, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Germany II LLC

 

DE

 

QVC International Management LLC & CO KG

 

Germany

 

QVC International Management GP LLC

 

DE

 

QVC Italy Holdings, LLC

 

DE

 

QVC Italia S.r.l.

 

Italy

 

QVC of Thailand, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Mexico, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Mexico II, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Mexico III, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Productworks, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Publishing, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC-QRT, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC Realty, Inc.

 

PA

 

QVC eDistribution Inc. & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

QVC eProperty Management GmbH & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

QVC eService Inc. & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

QVC eProperty Management GmbH & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

QVC Rocky Mount, Inc.

 

NC

 

QVC RS Naples, Inc.

 

FL

 

QVC San Antonio, LLC

 

TX

 

QVC Shop International, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC STT Holdings, LLC

 

DE

 

Send the Trend, Inc.

 

DE

 

QVC St. Lucie, Inc.

 

FL

 

 



 

Entity Name

 

Domicile

 

QVC Suffolk, Inc.

 

VA

 

QVC TX, LLC

 

DE

 

QVC Voices, LLC

 

DE

 

RS Mebane, Inc.

 

NC

 

RS Myrtle Beach, Inc.

 

SC

 

TOBH, Inc.

 

DE

 

 




Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Shareholder-Director of QVC, Inc.:

 

We consent to the use of our report included herein, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

October19, 2012

 

 




Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM T-1

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER

THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of

a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) o

 


 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

31-0841368

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

55402

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

George J. Rayzis

U.S. Bank National Association

50 South 16 th  St.-Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 761-9317

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

QVC, Inc.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

Delaware

 

23-2414041

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

1200 Wilson Drive at Studio Park

West Chester, PA

 

19380

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

5.125% Senior Notes due 2022

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 



 

FORM T-1

 

Item 1.                                  GENERAL INFORMATION .   Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

 

a)                        Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

 

b)    Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

 

Item 2.                                  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.   If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15                                      Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

 

Item 16.                           LIST OF EXHIBITS:  List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

 

1.               A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee.*

 

2.               A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

 

3.               A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, attached as Exhibit 3.

 

4.               A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee.**

 

5.               A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4.  Not applicable.

 

6.               The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

 

7.               Report of Condition of the Trustee as of June 30, 2012 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 


* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to Amendment No. 2 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-128217 filed on November 15, 2005.

 

2



 

** Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 25.1 to registration statement on S-4, Registration Number 333-166527 filed on May 5, 2010.

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania the 19 th  day of October, 2012.

 

 

By:

/s/ George J. Rayzis

 

 

George J. Rayzis

 

 

Vice President

 

3


Exhibit 2 Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks Washington, DC 20219 CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE I, Thomas J. Curry, Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that: 1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations. 2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking on the date of this certificate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, May 9, 2012, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia. Comptroller of the Currency 

 


Exhibit 3 Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks Washington, DC 20219 CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS I, John Walsh, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that: 1. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations. 2. “U.S. Bank National Association,” Cincinnati, Ohio (Charter No. 24), was granted, under the hand and seal of the Comptroller, the right to act in all fiduciary capacities authorized under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved September 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 668, 12 USC 92a, and that the authority so granted remains in full force and effect on the date of this certificate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, September 14, 2011, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia. Acting Comptroller of the Currency

 

 

 

Exhibit 6

 

CONSENT

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

 

Dated: October 19, 2012

 

 

 

By:

/s/ George J. Rayzis

 

 

George J. Rayzis

 

 

Vice President

 

6



 

Exhibit 7

 

U.S. Bank National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

As of 6/30/2012

 

($000’s)

 

 

 

6/30/2012

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions

 

$

15,399,893

 

Securities

 

72,720,824

 

Federal Funds

 

75,584

 

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

 

211,830,660

 

Fixed Assets

 

5,286,747

 

Intangible Assets

 

12,383,063

 

Other Assets

 

25,125,941

 

Total Assets

 

$

342,822,712

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Deposits

 

$

245,043,009

 

Fed Funds

 

6,587,299

 

Treasury Demand Notes

 

0

 

Trading Liabilities

 

937,898

 

Other Borrowed Money

 

35,563,317

 

Acceptances

 

0

 

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

 

5,829,815

 

Other Liabilities

 

11,359,611

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

305,320,949

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

 

$

2,015,054

 

Common and Preferred Stock

 

18,200

 

Surplus

 

14,133,323

 

Undivided Profits

 

21,335,186

 

Total Equity Capital

 

$

37,501,763

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

 

$

342,822,712

 

 

7




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Exhibit 99.1

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
QVC, INC.
for Offer to Exchange
up to $500,000,000 Principal Amount of
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
as amended (the "Securities Act")
for
a Like Principal Amount of
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
that have not been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933

 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON [                                    ], 2012, UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH DATE AND TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE, BUT NOT THEREAFTER.  

        If you wish to accept the Exchange Offer, this Letter of Transmittal must be completed, signed and delivered to the Exchange Agent:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By Mail:   By Registered or Certified Mail, Hand or Overnight Delivery:

U.S. Bank National Association
60 Livingston Avenue – EP – MN – WS2N
St. Paul, MN 55107-2292
Attention: Specialized Finance

 

U.S. Bank National Association
111 Fillmore Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107-1402
Attention: Specialized Finance

Facsimile Transmissions:

 

To Confirm by Telephone or for Information:
(651) 466-7372   (651) 466-7150

         DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN THE ONE LISTED ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED. RECEIPT OF INCOMPLETE, INACCURATE OR DEFECTIVE LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL WILL NOT CONSTITUTE VALID DELIVERY. ALTHOUGH WE MAY WAIVE DEFECTS AND IRREGULARITIES WITH RESPECT TO YOUR TENDER OF ORIGINAL NOTES (DEFINED BELOW), WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO AND MAY NOT DO SO.

        The undersigned is a holder of Original Notes (defined below) issued by QVC, Inc. (the "Company") under that certain indenture dated July 2, 2012 (as such indenture has been, or may be, supplemented, amended and modified, the "Indenture"), by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, in a private transaction that was not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.


        The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the prospectus dated [                                    ], 2012 (the "Prospectus"), of the Company and the Company's subsidiaries (each, a "Guarantor" and collectively, the "Guarantors") and this letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"). These two documents together constitute the offer by the Company to exchange its 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Exchange Notes"), the issuance of which has been registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding unregistered 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Original Notes"). The offer to exchange the Exchange Notes for the Original Notes is referred to as the "Exchange Offer."

        Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Prospectus.

        The Company reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer for the Original Notes is open, at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Company shall notify U.S. Bank National Association (the "Exchange Agent") of any extension by written notice and shall make a public announcement thereof no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

        This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by a holder of Original Notes to allow for delivery of Original Notes to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—-Procedures for Tendering Original Notes," in the case where an "agent's message" is not delivered or being transmitted through ATOP (defined below) as described in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Original Notes."

        Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an agent's message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal pursuant to DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP"). See the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Original Notes." The undersigned should allow sufficient time for completion of the ATOP procedure with DTC if used for tendering their Original Notes on or prior to the Expiration Date.

Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.

        The term "holder" with respect to the Exchange Offer for Original Notes means any person in whose name the Original Notes are registered on the books of the registrar for the Original Notes, any person who holds such Original Notes and has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder or any participant in the DTC system whose name appears on a security position listing as the holder of such Original Notes and who desires to deliver such Original Notes by book-entry transfer at DTC. The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Original Notes must complete this Letter of Transmittal in its entirety (unless such Original Notes are to be tendered by book-entry transfer and an agent's message is delivered in lieu hereof pursuant to DTC's ATOP).

         Please read the entire Letter of Transmittal and the Prospectus carefully before checking any box below. The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal.

        List below the Original Notes tendered under this Letter of Transmittal. If the space below is inadequate, list the registered numbers and principal amounts on a separate signed schedule and affix the list to this Letter of Transmittal.

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DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED

Name(s) and address(es) of the
DTC Participant(s) or Registered
Holder(s) Exactly as Name(s)
Appear(s) on Certificates
Representing Original Notes
(Please Fill In, If Blank)
  Old Note(s) Tendered
  Registered
Certificate Number(s)*
  Aggregate Principal Amount
Represented by Note(s)
  Principal Amount
Tendered**

           

           

           

           

      Total Principal Amount Tendered:    

*
Need not be completed by book-entry holders.

**
Unless otherwise indicated, any tendering holder of Original Notes will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate principal amount represented by such Original Notes. All tenders must be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
o
CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.

o
CHECK HERE AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC (FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY):

        Name of Tendering Institution:        
   
 
   

        DTC Account Number(s):        
   
 
   

        Transaction Code Number(s):        
   
 
   
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CHECK HERE AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO:

        Name:        
   
 
   

        Address:        
   
 
   

        Telephone/Facsimile No. for Notices:        
   
 
   

SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Company for exchange the principal amount of Original Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the principal amount of Original Notes tendered in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Original Notes tendered for exchange hereby.

3


        The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact for the undersigned (with full knowledge that said Exchange Agent also acts as the agent for the Company in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Original Notes with full power of substitution to:

The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

        The undersigned acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is being made in reliance upon interpretations set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), Shearman & Sterling (available July 2,1993) and similar no-action letters (the "Prior No-Action Letters"), that the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than any holder that is a broker-dealer who purchased Original Notes directly from the Company for resale and any holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act (except for prospectus delivery obligations applicable to certain broker-dealers), provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of such Exchange Notes. The SEC has not, however, considered this Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in other circumstances.

         The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Original Notes tendered hereby and to acquire the Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Original Notes, and that the Company will acquire good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all liens, security interests, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim, right or interest of any party other than the undersigned, when the same are accepted for exchange by the Company. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Original Notes tendered hereby, including the transfer of such Original Notes on the account books maintained by DTC. The undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer as described under the caption "The Exchange Offer—-Terms of the Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus.

         By tendering the Original Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal, or transmitting an agent's message in lieu thereof, the undersigned hereby further represents to the Company that (i) any Exchange Notes received will be acquired in the ordinary course of business of the undersigned; (ii) the undersigned does not have an arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes; (iii) the undersigned is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes; (iv) if the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Original Notes, the

4


undersigned acquired those Original Notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will deliver the Prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes; provided, however, that by acknowledging that it will deliver, and by delivering, the Prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; (v) the undersigned is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company; and (vi) the undersigned is not acting on behalf of any person or entity who could not truthfully make the statements set forth in clauses (i) through (v) above.

        The undersigned acknowledges that if the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Original Notes, it represents that the Original Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

        The SEC staff has taken the position that such broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the Exchange Notes (other than a resale of Exchange Notes received in exchange for an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Original Notes) with the Prospectus. The Company has agreed that the Prospectus may be used by certain broker-dealers (as specified in the registration rights agreement referenced in the Prospectus) in connection with the sale or transfer of Exchange Notes for a period of time ending on the earlier of [                                    ], 2012 and the date on which a broker-dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for such period of time, they will make the Prospectus available to any such broker-dealer which elects to exchange Original Notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Notes. In that regard, each exchanging broker-dealer, by tendering such Original Notes and executing, or otherwise becoming bound by, this Letter of Transmittal, including by transmitting an agent's message in lieu thereof, agrees that, upon receipt of notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any fact which makes any statement contained or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which causes the Prospectus to omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained or incorporated by reference therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other events specified in the registration rights agreement referenced in the Prospectus with respect to the Original Notes tendered hereby, such exchanging broker-dealer will suspend the sale of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Prospectus until the Company (i) has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission, (ii) either has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented Prospectus to such broker-dealer or, if the Company has not otherwise agreed to furnish such copies or declines to do so after such broker-dealer so requests, such broker-dealer has obtained a copy of such amended or supplemented Prospectus as filed with the SEC and (iii) has given notice that the sale of Exchange Notes may be resumed, as the case may be.

         A broker-dealer may not participate in the Exchange Offer with respect to Original Notes acquired other than as a result of marked-making activities or other trading activities.

        The undersigned acknowledges that if the undersigned is an affiliate of the Company or is tendering Original Notes in the Exchange Offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the Exchange Notes:

5


        For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange validly tendered Original Notes when, as and if the Company gives written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and comply with the applicable provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company and the Guarantors (as defined therein) and the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein), dated July 2, 2012. Any tendered Original Notes that are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason will be returned, without expense, to the undersigned promptly after the Expiration Date.

        All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders."

        The undersigned acknowledges that the acceptance by the Company of properly tendered Original Notes pursuant to the procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering Original Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned, on one hand, and the Company, on the other, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

        The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer." The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Company in their sole discretion), the Company may not be required to exchange any of the Original Notes tendered hereby.

        Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions," please issue the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Original Notes accepted for exchange, and return any Original Notes not tendered or not exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Original Notes, please credit the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please mail or deliver the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Original Notes accepted for exchange and any Original Notes not tendered or not exchanged (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned's signature(s). In the event that both "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Original Notes accepted for exchange in the name(s) of, and return any Original Notes not tendered or not exchanged to, the person(s) or account(s) so indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer any Original Notes from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for exchange any of the Original Notes so tendered for exchange.

SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4 AND 5)

To be completed ONLY if (i) Original Notes in a principal amount not tendered, or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Original Notes accepted for exchange, are to be issued in the name of someone

6


other than the undersigned, or (ii) Original Notes tendered by book-entry transfer that are not exchanged are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than the DTC Account Number set forth above. Issue Exchange Notes and/or Original Notes to:

Name:    
   
 

Address:    
   
 

 

 

 
   
 
    (Include ZIP Code)

     
 
   
      (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
   

(See Instruction 7 below.)
(Please Type or Print)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4 AND 5)

To be completed ONLY if Original Notes in a principal amount not tendered, or Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Original Notes accepted for exchange, are to be mailed or delivered to someone other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown below the undersigned's signature. Mail or deliver Exchange Notes and/or Original Notes to:

Name:    
   
 

Address:    
   
 

 

 

 
   
 
    (Include ZIP Code)

     
 
   
      (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
   

(See Instruction 7 below.)
(Please Type or Print)

o
Credit unexchanged Original Notes delivered by book-entry transfer to the DTC account number set forth below:

DTC Account Number:    
   
 

7


IMPORTANT
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(complete accompanying IRS Form W-9 below)

X    
   
 
X    
   
 
    (Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s) of Original Notes)

Dated        
   
 
   

(The above lines must be signed by the registered holder(s) of Original Notes as your/their name(s) appear(s) on the Original Notes or on a security position listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by a properly completed bond power from the registered holder (s), a copy of which must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If Original Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relate are held of record by two or more joint holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, then such person must (i) set forth his or her full title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority so to act. See Instruction 4 regarding the completion of this Letter of Transmittal.)

Name(s):    
   
 
    (Please Type or Print)

Capacity (Full Title)    
   
 

Address:    
   
 

 

 

 
   
 
    (Include ZIP Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number:    
   
 

Taxpayer Identification Number:    
   
 

8


MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
(if required by Instruction 4)

Certain signatures must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined in the instructions below). Please read Instruction 4 of this Letter of Transmittal to determine whether a signature guarantee is required for the tender of your Original Notes.

Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution:    
   
 
    (Authorized Signature(s))

 

 


 
    (Title)

 

 


 
    (Name of Firm)

 

 


 
    (Address, include ZIP Code)

 

 


 
    (Area Code and Telephone Number)

Dated:

 

 
   
 

9


INSTRUCTIONS TO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        Any confirmation of a book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of Original Notes tendered by book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation"), as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal or facsimile hereof (or an agent's message in lieu hereof pursuant to DTC's ATOP), and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The method of delivery of the tendered Original Notes and Letters of Transmittal, any required signature guarantees and all other required documents, including delivery through DTC and any acceptance or Agent's Message transmitted through ATOP, is at the election and risk of the persons tendering Original Notes and delivering Letters of Transmittal. If you use ATOP, you must allow sufficient time for completion of the ATOP procedures during normal business hours of DTC on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tender and delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. If delivery is by mail, it is suggested that the holder use properly insured, registered mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested, and that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the Expiration Date to permit delivery to the Exchange Agent prior to such date. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ORIGINAL NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.

        Only a registered holder of Original Notes may tender such Original Notes in the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial holder of Original Notes who is not the registered holder and who wishes to tender should arrange with the registered holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his behalf or must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of Transmittal and delivering his Original Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Original Notes in such holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.

        Tenders of Original Notes will be accepted only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than the entire principal amount of any Original Notes is tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the principal amount tendered in the fourth column of the box entitled "Description of Original Notes Tendered" above. The entire principal amount of Original Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Original Notes is not tendered, then Original Notes for the principal amount of Original Notes not tendered and Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Original Notes accepted will be returned to the holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

        If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the record holder(s) of the Original Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the Original Notes without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a participant in DTC, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing as the holder of the Original Notes. If any tendered Original Notes are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all of such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

10


        If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the registered holder(s) of Original Notes listed and tendered hereby and the Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor are to be issued (or any untendered principal amount of Original Notes is to be reissued) to the registered holder(s), then said holder(s) need not and should not endorse any tendered Original Notes, nor provide a separate bond power. In any other case, such holder(s) must either properly endorse the Original Notes tendered or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this Letter of Transmittal, with the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by a firm that is a member of a registered national securities exchange or of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17 Ad-IS under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in each case that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents' Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program or the Stock Exchanges' Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association Inc. (each, an "Eligible Institution").

        If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Original Notes or bond powers are signed by one or more trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

        Tendering holders should indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which Exchange Notes or substitute Original Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification number (see Instruction 7 below) of the person named must also be indicated. Holders tendering Original Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Original Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at DTC as such holder may designate hereon. If no such instructions are given, such Original Notes not exchanged will be returned to the name and address (or account number) of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal.

        The Company will pay or cause to be paid all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder, and the Exchange Agent will retain possession of an amount of Exchange Notes

11


with a face amount at least equal to the amount of such transfer taxes due by such tendering holder pending receipt by the Exchange Agent of the amount of such taxes.

        U.S. federal income tax laws generally require that a tendering holder that is a U.S. person (including a resident alien) provide the Company (as payor) with such holder's correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") on IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (the "IRS Form W-9"), enclosed, which in the case of a holder who is an individual, is his or her social security number. If the tendering holder is a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, other requirements (as described below) will apply. If the Company is not provided with the tendering holder's correct TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption from backup withholding, such holder may be subject to certain penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). In addition, failure to provide the Company with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption from backup withholding may result in backup withholding on payments made to the holder or other payee at a current rate of 28%. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, the holder may be able to obtain a refund from the IRS.

        Certain holders of Original Notes (including, among others, corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding requirements. See the instructions on the enclosed IRS Form W-9 (the "W-9 Instructions") for additional information.

        To prevent backup withholding, each tendering holder that is a U.S. person (including a resident alien) that does not otherwise establish an exemption must provide such holder's correct TIN by completing the IRS Form W-9 enclosed, certifying, under penalties of perjury, that such holder is a U.S. person (including a resident alien), that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) such holder is exempt from backup withholding, or (ii) such holder has not been notified by the IRS that such holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has notified such holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the Exchange Notes will be registered in more than one name or will not be registered in the name of the beneficial holder, such holder should consult the W-9 Instructions for information on which TIN to report. If such holder does not have a TIN, such holder should consult the W-9 Instructions for instructions on applying for a TIN and write "Applied For" in the space reserved for the TIN. Note: Writing "Applied For" on the IRS Form W-9 means that such holder has already applied for a TIN or that such holder intends to apply for one soon. If such holder does not provide its TIN to the Company prior to the time payments are made to the holder, backup withholding will apply to such payments.

        A tendering holder that is a non-resident alien or a foreign entity that does not otherwise establish an exemption must submit the appropriate completed IRS Form W-8 (generally IRS Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding) to avoid backup withholding. The appropriate form may be obtained via the IRS website at www.irs.gov or by contacting the Depositary at one of the addresses on the face of this Letter of Transmittal.

         FAILURE TO COMPLETE IRS FORM W-9, THE APPROPRIATE IRS FORM W-8, OR ANOTHER APPROPRIATE FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING AT THE RATE DESCRIBED ABOVE ON ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE .

        All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Original Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be conclusive, final and binding. Alternative, conditional or contingent tenders of Original Notes will not be considered valid and may be rejected by the Company. The Company

12


reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Original Notes not properly tendered or any Original Notes our acceptance of which, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, would be unlawful.

        The Company also reserves the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Original Notes. The interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) by the Company will be conclusive, final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Original Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall determine.

        Although the Company intends to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Original Notes through the Exchange Agent, neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is under any duty to give such notice, nor shall they incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Original Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived.

        Any Original Notes tendered into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC that are not validly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived within the timeframes established by the Company in its sole discretion, if any, or if Original Notes are submitted in a principal amount greater than the principal amount of Original Notes being tendered by such tendering holder, such unaccepted or non-exchanged Original Notes will be credited back to the account maintained by the applicable DTC participant with such book-entry transfer facility.

        The Company in its sole discretion reserves the absolute right to waive, in whole or part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus.

        No alternative, conditional, or contingent tender of Original Notes will be accepted.

        Any holder whose Original Notes have been mutilated, lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing mutilated, lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed Original Notes have been followed.

        Requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address or telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.

        Tenders may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer-Withdrawal of Tenders."

         IMPORTANT: This Letter of Transmittal or a manually signed facsimile hereof or an agent's message in lieu hereof (together with the Original Notes delivered by book-entry transfer or in original hard copy form) must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on or prior to the Expiration Date.

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Exhibit 99.2

LETTER TO CLIENTS
QVC, INC.
for Offer to Exchange
Up to $500,000,000 Principal Amount of
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
as amended (the "Securities Act")
for
a Like Principal Amount of
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
that have not been registered under the Securities Act

 
The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                                    ], 2012, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). Outstanding notes tendered in the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, but not thereafter.  

To Our Clients:

        We are enclosing with this letter a prospectus dated [                                    ], 2012 (the "Prospectus") of QVC,  Inc. (the "Company"), and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"). The Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal together constitute the Company's offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") its 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Exchange Notes"), the issuance of which has been registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding unregistered 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Original Notes"). The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of Original Notes being tendered for exchange.

        We are the holder of record of Original Notes held by us for your account. A tender of your Original Notes held by us can be made only by us as the record holder according to your instructions. The Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your information only and cannot be used by you to tender Original Notes held by us for your account.

        We request that you provide written instructions to us, in the form attached hereto, as to whether you wish to tender any or all of the Original Notes held by us for your account under the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer. We also request that you confirm that we may, on your behalf, make the representations contained in the Letter of Transmittal.

        Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Original Notes who tenders such Original Notes will represent to the Company that such person has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Original Notes tendered and to acquire the Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Original Notes, and that the Company will acquire good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all liens, security interests, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim, right or interest of any party other than the undersigned, when the same are accepted for exchange by the Company.


        Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Original Notes will further represent to the Company that:

        (i)    any Exchange Notes received will be acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes;

        (ii)   such person does not have an arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes;

        (iii)  such person is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes;

        (iv)  if such person is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Original Notes, such person acquired those Original Notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and will deliver a Prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes; provided, however, that by acknowledging that it will deliver, and by delivering, a Prospectus, such person will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act;

        (v)   such person is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company; and

        (vi)  such person is not acting on behalf of any person or entity who could not truthfully make the statements set forth in clauses (i) through (v) above.

        The Exchange Offer is not being made to (nor will the surrender of Original Notes be accepted from or on behalf of) holders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.

        No person has been authorized to give any information with respect to the Exchange Offer, or to make any representation in connection therewith, other than those contained in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. If made or given, such recommendation or any such information or representation must not be relied on as having been authorized by the Company.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

QVC, INC.

        None of the Original Notes held by us for your account will be tendered unless we receive written instructions from you to do so.

        Please return your instructions to us in the enclosed envelope within ample time to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf prior to the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer.

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INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO EXCHANGE OFFER

        The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the prospectus dated [                                    ], 2012 (the "Prospectus") of QVC, Inc. (the "Company"), and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"). The Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal together constitute the Company's offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") its 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Exchange Notes"), the issuance of which has been registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding unregistered 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Original Notes").

        This will instruct you, the registered holder and DTC participant, as to the action to be taken by you relating to the Exchange Offer for the Original Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned.

        The aggregate principal amount of the Original Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned is (fill in amount): $            .

        With respect to the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby instructs you (check appropriate box):

        All tenders must be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

        If no box is checked, a signed and returned Instruction will be deemed to instruct you to tender all Original Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned.

        If the undersigned instructs you to tender the Original Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned, it is understood that you are authorized to make, on behalf of the undersigned (and the undersigned, by its signature below, hereby makes to you), the representations contained in the Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to the undersigned as a beneficial owner, including, but not limited to, the representations that:

        (i)    any Exchange Notes received will be acquired in the ordinary course of business of the undersigned;

        (ii)   the undersigned does not have an arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes;

        (iii)  the undersigned is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities law of the Exchange Notes;

        (iv)  if the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Original Notes, the undersigned acquired those Original Notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will deliver a Prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes; provided, however, that by acknowledging that it will deliver, and by delivering, a Prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act;

        (v)   the undersigned is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company; and

        (vi)  the undersigned is not acting on behalf of any person or entity who could not truthfully make the statements set forth in clauses (i) through (v) above.

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SIGN HERE

Name of beneficial owner(s):    
   
 

Signature(s):    
   
 

Name(s) (please print):    
   
 

Address:    
   
 

Telephone Number:    
   
 

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number:    
   
 

Date:    
   
 

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Exhibit 99.3

LETTER TO NOMINEE
QVC, INC.
Offer to Exchange
Up to $500,000,000 Principal Amount of
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
that have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
for
a Like Principal Amount of
5.125% Senior Notes due 2022
that have not been registered under the Securities Act

 
The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                                    ], 2012, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). Outstanding notes tendered in the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, but not thereafter.  

To Registered Holders and The Depository Trust Company Participants:

        We are enclosing with this letter the materials listed below relating to the offer (the "Exchange Offer") by QVC, Inc. (the "Company") to exchange its 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Exchange Notes"), the issuance of which has been registered under the Securities Act, for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding unregistered 5.125% Notes due 2022 (the "Original Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company's prospectus dated [                                    ], 2012 (the "Prospectus") and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal").

        We are enclosing copies of the following documents:

        1.     Prospectus dated [                                    ], 2012;

        2.     Letter of Transmittal, together with accompanying Form W-9 and applicable Instructions; and

        3.     Letter to Clients, which may be sent to your clients for whose account you hold Original Notes in your name or in the name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such client's instruction with regard to the Exchange Offer.

        We urge you to contact your clients promptly. Please note that the Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [                                    ], 2012, unless extended by us.

        The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of Original Notes being tendered for exchange.

        Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Original Notes who tenders such Original Notes will represent to the Company that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Original Notes tendered and to acquire the Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Original Notes, and that the Company will acquire good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all liens, security interests, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim, right or interest of any party other than the undersigned, when the same are accepted for exchange by the Company.


        Pursuant to the Letter of Transmittal, each holder of Original Notes will further represent to the Company that:

        (i)    any Exchange Notes received will be acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes;

        (ii)   such person does not have an arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes;

        (iii)  such person is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in the distribution (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) of the Exchange Notes;

        (iv)  if such person is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Original Notes, that it acquired those Original Notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and it will deliver a Prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes; provided, however, that by acknowledging that it will deliver, and by delivering, a Prospectus, such person will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act;

        (v)   such person is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company; and

        (vi)  such person is not acting on behalf of any person or entity who could not truthfully make the statements set forth in clauses (i) through (v) above.

        The enclosed Letter to Clients contains an authorization by the beneficial owners of the Original Notes for you to make the foregoing representations on their behalf.

        The Company will not pay any fee or commission to any broker or dealer or to any other person (other than U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as exchange agent) in connection with the solicitation of tenders of Original Notes under the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes payable on the transfer of Original Notes to it, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the enclosed Letter of Transmittal.

        The Exchange Offer is not being made to (nor will the surrender of Original Notes be accepted from or on behalf of) holders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.

        No person has been authorized to give any information with respect to the Exchange Offer, or to make any representation in connection therewith, other than those contained in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. If made or given, such recommendation or any such information or representation must not be relied on as having been authorized by the Company.

Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained from us upon request.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

QVC, INC.

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