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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2017

Registration No. 333-            


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



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



THE PRICELINE GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  06-1528493
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
(203) 299-8000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)

Peter J. Millones
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06854
(203) 299-8000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With a copy to:

Craig F. Arcella
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 474-1000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emerging growth company  o

           If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

       
 
Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered

  Amount to be Registered/
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price per Unit/
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price(1)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(1)

 

Common Stock

       
 

Debt Securities

       
 

Preferred Stock

       
 

Warrants

       
 

Depositary Shares

       
 

Units

       

 

(1)
An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered and may from time to time be offered at unspecified prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee and will update the fee table in connection with an offering of securities. Securities registered hereunder may be sold either separately or as units comprising more than one type of security registered hereunder.


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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC.

Common Stock

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Units



        The securities covered by this prospectus may be sold from time to time by The Priceline Group Inc. We may offer the securities for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future date. When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the specific issue of securities, including the offering price of the securities. You should carefully read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus relating to the specific issue of securities, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in any of these securities.

        Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PCLN."

         Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" on page 2 of this prospectus. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

        The securities may be offered and sold to or through underwriters, dealers or agents as designated from time to time, or directly to one or more other purchasers or through a combination of such methods. See "Plan of Distribution" on page 17. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangements between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement.

   

Prospectus Dated August 8, 2017.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    1  

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC. 

    2  

RISK FACTORS

    2  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    2  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    3  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    4  

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

    4  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    4  

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

    15  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

    15  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

    16  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

    17  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    17  

LEGAL MATTERS

    19  

EXPERTS

    19  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    20  

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of an automatic registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "SEC," using the "shelf" registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "Securities Act." Under the shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

        This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities in a manner not described herein, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the offering and the means of distribution of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus and may include other special considerations applicable to such offering of securities. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read carefully this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        The prospectus supplement will describe: the terms of the securities offered, any initial public offering price, the price paid to us for securities, the net proceeds to us, the manner of distribution and any underwriting compensation and the other specific material terms related to the offering of the applicable securities. For more detail on the terms of the securities, you should read the exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

        In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Priceline," "we," "our," "us" and the "Company" refer to The Priceline Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, whose shares of common stock are publicly traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PCLN," and its subsidiaries.

        References to "securities" include any security that we might sell under this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

        We prepare our financial statements in U.S. dollars and prepare our financial statements, including all of the financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or "U.S. GAAP." Our fiscal year ends on December 31. In this prospectus, except where otherwise indicated, references to "$" or "dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States.

        This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein. Please refer to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under "Where You Can Find More Information."

        Pursuant to this registration statement, we may offer, issue and sell securities as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Because we are a "well-known seasoned issuer," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, we may add to and offer additional securities by filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC at the time of the offer. In addition, we are able to add our subsidiaries and securities to be issued by them if we guarantee such securities.

         We are only responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The distribution of this prospectus and sale of these securities in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons in possession of this

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prospectus are required to inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.


THE PRICELINE GROUP INC.

        Our mission is to help people experience the world. We seek to achieve our mission by providing consumers, travel service providers and restaurants with worldwide leadership in online reservation and related services. We operate six primary, independently managed brands:

        The Priceline Group Inc. was formed as a Delaware limited liability company in 1997 and was converted into a Delaware corporation in July 1998. On April 1, 2014, the Company changed its name from priceline.com Incorporated to The Priceline Group Inc. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PCLN". Our principal executive offices are located at 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854.


RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our securities involves risks. Potential investors are urged to read and consider the risk factors and other disclosures relating to an investment in securities issued by us described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider those risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also affect our business operations. To the extent a particular offering implicates additional known material risks, we will include a discussion of those risks in the applicable prospectus supplement.


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus and the information incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein or therein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to in this prospectus as the "Exchange Act," and the Securities Act. These forward-looking

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statements reflect the views of management regarding current expectations and projections about future events and are based on currently available information and current foreign currency exchange rates. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including the Risk Factors identified on page 2 of this prospectus and in the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference; therefore, actual results could differ materially from those expressed, implied or forecast in any such forward-looking statements.

        Expressions of future goals and expectations and similar expressions, including "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," and "continue," are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements for various reasons including the risks we face, which are more fully described under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Quarterly Report for the three months ended June 30, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements:

        Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, readers should carefully review the reports and documents we file or furnish from time to time with the SEC, particularly our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. For information about how to obtain a copy of these reports or other documents that we file with the SEC, see "Where You Can Find More Information".


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which may include future repayments of indebtedness, share repurchases and corporate acquisitions, or for such other purposes as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years and periods indicated. As we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus, no ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is presented.

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2017   2016   2016   2015   2014   2013   2012  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)

    11.3     11.1     12.3     17.5     27.6     23.8     24.1  

(1)
For purposes of calculating our ratios of earnings to fixed charges, "Earnings" consist of (a) earnings before income taxes; and (b) fixed charges minus the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, before tax. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and an estimate of the interest within our rental expense. Our fixed charges do not include any dividend requirements with respect to preferred stock because we do not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding.


DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

        Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of outstanding shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the board of directors may from time to time determine. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not provided for in our certificate of incorporation, which means that the holders of a majority of the shares voted can elect all of the directors then standing for election. The common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights and is not subject to conversion or redemption. Upon the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in the distribution of all of our assets remaining available for distribution after satisfaction of all our liabilities and the payment of the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. Each outstanding share of common stock is fully paid and nonassessable.


DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

         The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

        We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities will be general obligations of The Priceline Group Inc. The debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a secured or unsecured senior or subordinated basis, jointly and severally, by guarantors, if any. In the event that any series of debt securities will be subordinated to other indebtedness that we have outstanding or may incur, the terms of the subordination will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities. Debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures between us and one or more trustees named in the prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the trustee. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement filed with the SEC. The following discussion of certain provisions of the indenture is a summary only and should not be considered a complete description of the terms and provisions of the indenture. Accordingly, the following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the

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indenture, including the definition of certain terms used below. You should refer to the indenture for the complete terms of the debt securities.

General

        The debt securities will represent direct, general obligations of The Priceline Group Inc. and:

        The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may authenticate and deliver is unlimited. You should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for the following terms of the debt securities of the series with respect to which that prospectus supplement is being delivered:

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        The prospectus supplement will also describe any material U.S. federal income tax consequences or other special considerations applicable to the series of debt securities to which such prospectus supplement relates, including those applicable to:

        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, securities in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States or at the office of the trustee or the trustee's agent at which its corporate agency business is conducted, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Securities in bearer form will be transferable only by delivery. Provisions with

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respect to the exchange of securities in bearer form will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities in bearer form.

        All funds that we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal, premium or interest will have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holders of those debt securities or any related coupons will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.

Global Securities

        The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities. A global security is a debt security that represents, and is denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all outstanding debt securities of a series, or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal and interest are due, and interest rate or method of determining interest. A global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities represented thereby, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary, or by the depositary or any nominee of the depositary to a successor depositary or any nominee of such successor.

        The terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements, in all cases subject to any restrictions or limitations described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities.

        Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such global security will credit, on its book entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by such global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary ("participants"). Such accounts will be designated by the dealers or underwriters with respect to such debt securities or, if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by us or through one or more agents, by us or such agents. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary (with respect to interests of participants) or records maintained by participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limitations and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

        So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of such global security, such depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the individual debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of such debt securities in definitive form, and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture.

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        Payments of principal, premium, and interest with respect to individual debt securities represented by a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or holder of such global security. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities nor any agent of ours or the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for:

        Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent or registrar for such debt securities or any agent of ours or the trustee will be liable for any delay by the depositary, its nominee or any of its participants in identifying the owners of beneficial interests in the global security, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the depositary or its nominee for all purposes.

        We expect that the depositary for a series of debt securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to a definitive global security representing any of such debt securities, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security, as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers and registered in "street name." Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants. Receipt by owners of beneficial interests in a temporary global security of payments of principal, premium or interest with respect thereto will be subject to the restrictions described in an applicable prospectus supplement. See "Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form" below.

        If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary, we will appoint a successor depositary. If a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. The global security of a series shall also be exchangeable for individual debt securities of such series if an event of default with respect to such series of debt securities shall have happened and be continuing. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine to no longer have debt securities of a series represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue individual debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities. Furthermore, if we so specify with respect to the debt securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security representing debt securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee, and the depositary for such global security, receive individual debt securities of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities of the series represented by such global security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such debt securities registered in its name (if the debt securities are issuable as securities in registered form). Individual debt securities of such series so issued generally will be issued:

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Limitations on Issuance of Securities in Bearer Form

        The debt securities of a series may be issued as securities in registered form (which will be registered as to principal and interest in the register maintained by the registrar for such debt securities) or securities in bearer form (which will be transferable only by delivery). If such debt securities are issuable as securities in bearer form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain special limitations and considerations that will apply to such debt securities.

Certain Covenants

        If debt securities are issued, the indenture, as supplemented for a particular series of debt securities, will contain certain covenants for the benefit of the holders of such series of debt securities, which will be applicable (unless waived or amended) so long as any of the debt securities of such series are outstanding, unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement. The specific terms of the covenants, and summaries thereof, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities.

Subordination

        Debt securities of a series, and any guarantees, may be subordinated, which we refer to as subordinated debt securities, to senior indebtedness (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. To the extent we conduct operations through subsidiaries, the holders of debt securities (whether or not subordinated debt securities) will be structurally subordinated to the creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent such subsidiary is a guarantor of such series of debt securities.

Events of Default

        Each of the following will constitute an event of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities:

        A prospectus supplement may omit, modify or add to the foregoing events of default.

        A default described under the fourth bullet above will not constitute an event of default until the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities notify us of the default and we do not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.

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        If any event of default (other than an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) occurs and is continuing with respect to a particular series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding by written notice to us (and to the trustee if such notice is given by the holders), may declare the principal amount of (or in the case of original issue discount debt securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series to be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series will automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding by notice to the trustee under the indenture may on behalf of the holders of all of such series of debt securities waive any existing default or event of default and its consequences under the applicable indenture except a continuing default or event of default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the debt securities of such series.

        Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default will occur and be continuing, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture or debt securities at the request or direction of any of the holders of any series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of such series of debt securities (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee is entitled to indemnification and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

        Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of debt securities of a series has any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or debt securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

        The indenture provides that if a default with respect to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder of such debt securities notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal or premium, if any, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise with respect to any debt

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security of a series when such amount becomes due and payable, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders.

        The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.

        Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks and brokers for information on their requirements for giving notice or taking other actions upon a default.

Modification and Waiver

        Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the debt securities may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of all series under the indenture then outstanding and affected by such amendment, voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities). Without the consent of each holder of an outstanding debt security affected, however, no amendment may, among other things:

        Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture for one or more of the following purposes:

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Merger and Consolidation

        The indenture provides that we will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting,

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surviving or transferee person, if not The Priceline Group Inc., is a person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture; and (iii) the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if not The Priceline Group Inc., expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the notes and the indenture. Upon any such consolidation, merger or transfer, the resulting, surviving or transferee person shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, The Priceline Group Inc. under the indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture; Defeasance

        Unless otherwise provided for in the prospectus supplement, the indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to a series of debt securities if (a) we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of such series (with certain limited exceptions) or (b) all debt securities and coupons of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation will have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we will have deposited with the trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such debt securities and coupons (and if, in either case, we will also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture by us).

        In addition, we will have a "legal defeasance option" (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, all of our obligations under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such debt securities) and a "covenant defeasance option" (pursuant to which we may terminate, with respect to the debt securities of a particular series, our obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain specified covenants contained in the indenture). If we exercise our legal defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to the specified covenants.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the procedures we must follow in order to exercise our defeasance options.

Regarding the Trustee

        The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee may exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

        The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided , however , that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Governing Law

        The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

         The following description of the terms of the preferred stock we may issue sets forth certain general terms and provisions of any series of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. Particular terms of the preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general terms and provisions will apply to any series of preferred stock so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the applicable preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth in this description are inapplicable to such series of preferred stock. This description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable Delaware law and the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation relating to our preferred stock.

        We currently have 150,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Preferred stock may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to or separate from the other securities. As of August 8, 2017, we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

        Pursuant to Delaware law and our restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more classes or series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, the number of shares constituting any series and the designation of such series. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock and could adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. Our board of directors, in approving the issuance of a series of preferred stock and the applicable prospectus supplement, will set forth with respect to such series, the following:

        The terms of each series of preferred stock will be described in any prospectus supplement related to such series of preferred stock and will contain a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock.


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

         The following description of the terms of the warrants sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those warrants will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those warrants. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of warrants, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or units. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or units offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial

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owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

        The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following:


DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

         The following description of the terms of the depositary shares sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those depositary shares will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those depositary shares. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of depositary shares, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

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General


DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

         The following description of the terms of the units sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the units offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those units will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those units. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of units, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

        We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable as, and for a specified period of time may be transferable only as, a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units.

        If we issue units, we will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the units being issued:


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may offer and sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time, in one or more transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to market prices, at a fixed

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price or prices subject to change, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices, by a variety of methods, including the following:

        Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus does not mean that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold.

        In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged by us may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealer transactions may include:

        In addition, we may sell any securities covered by this prospectus in private transactions or under Rule 144 of, or pursuant to other exemptions from registration under, the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

        We may sell offered securities through agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent in the offer or sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement to the extent required. Unless indicated in the prospectus supplement, such agents will have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment.

        In connection with the sale of securities covered by this prospectus, broker-dealers may receive commissions or other compensation from us in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions. Broker-dealers may also receive compensation from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals or both. Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be in excess of customary commissions or in amounts to be negotiated. In connection with any underwritten offering, underwriters may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Any underwriters, broker-dealers, agents or other persons acting on our behalf that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on the sale of the securities by them and any discounts, commissions or concessions received by any of those underwriters, broker-dealers agents or other persons may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

        In connection with the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus or otherwise, we may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of our securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with us. We may also sell securities short

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and deliver the securities offered by this prospectus to close out our short positions. We may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction. We may also from time to time pledge our securities pursuant to the margin provisions of our customer agreements with our brokers. Upon our default, the broker may offer and sell such pledged securities from time to time pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction.

        At any time a particular offer of the securities covered by this prospectus is made, a revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of securities covered by this prospectus being offered and the terms of the offering. Such prospectus supplement, and, if necessary, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, will be filed with the SEC to reflect the disclosure of additional information with respect to the distribution of the securities covered by this prospectus. In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities sold under this prospectus may only be sold through registered or licensed broker-dealers. In addition, in some states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

        In connection with an underwritten offering, we would execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement, such underwriting agreement would provide that the obligations of the underwriter or underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the underwriter or underwriters with respect to a sale of the covered securities will be obligated to purchase all of the covered securities, if any such securities are purchased. We may grant to the underwriter or underwriters an option to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, less any underwriting discount, as may be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any such option, the terms of that option will be set forth in the revised prospectus or applicable prospectus supplement.

        Underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be entitled, pursuant to relevant agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto, or in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers may be required to make.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement and certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York. If the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.


EXPERTS

        The financial statements incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been

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so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and our website at http://www.pricelinegroup.com . You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

        We are "incorporating by reference" into this prospectus specific documents that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of this prospectus. Information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, and any future documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offerings of all of the securities covered by this prospectus has been completed. This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC.

        We are "incorporating by reference" into this prospectus the following documents filed with the SEC (excluding any portions of such documents that have been "furnished" but not "filed" for purposes of the Exchange Act):

        We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request and without charge, a copy of the documents referred to above that we have incorporated in this prospectus by reference. You can request copies of such documents if you call or write us at the following address or telephone number: Office of the General Counsel, Priceline Group, 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854, telephone: 203-299-8000, or you may visit our website at http://www.pricelinegroup.com for copies of any such document.

        This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference herein or therein, contains summaries of certain agreements that we have filed as exhibits to various SEC filings, as well as certain agreements that we will enter into in connection with the offering of securities covered by any particular accompanying prospectus supplement. The descriptions of these agreements contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference herein or therein do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the definitive agreements. Copies of the definitive agreements will be made available without charge to you by making a written or oral request to us.

        Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or in any accompanying prospectus supplement, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified and superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

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PART II


INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.     Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

        The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by The Priceline Group Inc. (the "registrant") in connection with the sale or distribution of the securities registered under this registration statement.

 
  Amount  

SEC Registration Fee

  $   *

Printing Expenses

      **

Legal Fees and Expenses

      **

Rating Agency Fees

      **

Accounting Fees and Expenses

      **

Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees

      **

Trustee Fees

      **

Miscellaneous

      **

Total

  $   **

*
Under Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred and will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under this registration statement, and are therefore not estimable at this time.

**
Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable.

Item 15.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him or her against the expenses that such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

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        Article Seven of our restated certificate of incorporation provides that:

            (1)   we shall indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, provided that any proceeding initiated by any director or officer (other than a proceeding to enforce rights to indemnification) must be authorized or consented to by our board of directors;

            (2)   we may, to the extent authorized from time to time by our board of directors, indemnify its other employees and agents to the extent that we indemnify our officers and directors;

            (3)   the right to indemnification in Article Seven includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; and

            (4)   the rights conferred in Article Seven are not exclusive of any other right any person may have or acquire under our restated certificate of incorporation, our by-laws, any statute, agreement, vote of stockholders of the Company or disinterested directors of the Company or otherwise.

        Section 145 of the DGCL permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who 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, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in such capacity, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability. We have obtained officers' and directors' liability insurance for the members of our board of directors and executive officers for certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them while acting in their capacities as directors and officers of the Company.

        In addition, Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that the certificate of incorporation of a corporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall 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 stockholders; (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 the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Article Five of our restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

        We have also entered into indemnification agreements with certain officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, indemnifying each such person against losses, liabilities and expenses arising out of any claims made against such person by reason of his or her being a director or officer of the Company. Among other exclusions, we shall not indemnify any person with respect to claims involving any breach of the duty of loyalty; willful or intentional misconduct, gross negligence or a knowing and willful violation of law; unlawful payment of a dividend or distribution or unlawful stock or equity purchase or redemption; or any receipt of an improper personal benefit.

Item 16.     Exhibits

        The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index, which is incorporated by reference herein.

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Item 17.     Undertakings

            (a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

                 (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in 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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act ("Rule 424(b)") if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

                 (ii)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B under the Securities Act relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) under the Securities Act for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B under the Securities Act, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall

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        be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided , however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

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

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

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

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

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

            (b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (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.

            (c)   For an offering in which the securities to be registered are to be offered to existing security holders pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders are to be reoffered to the public, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

            (d)   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 SEC, 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

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    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.

            (e)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

              (1)   for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

              (2)   for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

            (f)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the Trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Norwalk, State of Connecticut, on August 8, 2017.

    THE PRICELINE GROUP INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ DANIEL J. FINNEGAN

        Name:   Daniel J. Finnegan
        Title:   Chief Financial Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        The officers and directors of The Priceline Group Inc. whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Glenn D. Fogel and Peter J. Millones, or either of them, to act severally as attorneys-in-fact and agents, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of them in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments, including post-effective amendments, of and supplements to this registration statement and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact, or substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ JEFFREY H. BOYD

Jeffery H. Boyd
  Director, Executive Chairman of the Board   August 8, 2017

/s/ GLENN D. FOGEL

Glenn D. Fogel

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ DANIEL J. FINNEGAN

Daniel J. Finnegan

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ TIMOTHY M. ARMSTRONG

Timothy M. Armstrong

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ JAN L. DOCTER

Jan L. Docter

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

II-6


Table of Contents

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ JEFFREY E. EPSTEIN

Jeffrey E. Epstein
  Director   August 8, 2017

/s/ JAMES M. GUYETTE

James M. Guyette

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ ROBERT J. MYLOD JR.

Robert J. Mylod Jr.

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ CHARLES H. NOSKI

Charles H. Noski

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ NANCY B. PERETSMAN

Nancy B. Peretsman

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ THOMAS E. ROTHMAN

Thomas E. Rothman

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ CRAIG W. RYDIN

Craig W. Rydin

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

/s/ LYNN M. VOJVODICH

Lynn M. Vojvodich

 

Director

 

August 8, 2017

II-7


Table of Contents


EXHIBIT INDEX

        Set forth below is a list of exhibits that are being filed or incorporated by reference into this prospectus:

 
   
  Incorporated by Reference    
   
Exhibit
Number
  Exhibit Description   Form   File No.   Date of
First Filing
  Exhibit
Number
  Filed
Herewith
  1.1   Form of Equity Securities Underwriting Agreement*            
                              
  1.2   Form of Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement*            
                              
  1.3   Form of Preferred Shares and Depositary Shares Underwriting Agreement*            
                              
  3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Priceline Group Inc.   8-K   000-25581   7/18/2014     3.1  
                              
  3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of The Priceline Group Inc.   8-K   001-36691   11/9/2015     3.2  
                              
  4.1   Indenture, dated August 8, 2017 (the "Base Indenture"), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee             X
                              
  4.2   Form of Debt Security*            
                              
  4.3   Form of Warrant*            
                              
  4.4   Form of Warrant Agreement*            
                              
  4.5   Form of Certificate of Designation*            
                              
  4.6   Form of Deposit Agreement*            
                              
  4.7   Form of Depositary Receipt*            
                              
  5.1   Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP             X
                              
  12.1   Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges             X
                              
  23.1   Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)             X
                              
  23.2   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm             X
                              
  24.1   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this registration statement)             X
                              
  25.1   Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Debt Securities.             X

*
To be filed, if necessary, as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the registrant in connection with a specific offering, and incorporated herein by reference.

II-8




Exhibit 4.1

 

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC.

 

as Issuer

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of August 8, 2017

 

Table Showing Reflection in Indenture of Certain Provisions

of Trust Indenture Act of 1939,

as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990*

 

Reflected in Indenture

 



 

Trust Indenture Act 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)

 

7.10

311(a)

 

7.11

(b)

 

7.11

312(a)

 

2.06

(b)

 

10.03

(c)

 

10.03

313(a)

 

7.06

(b)(1)

 

7.06

(b)(2)

 

7.06

(c)

 

7.06; 10.02

(d)

 

7.06

314(a)

 

4.02; 4.03; 10.02

(b)

 

N.A.

(c)(1)

 

10.04

(c)(2)

 

10.04

(c)(3)

 

N.A.

(d)

 

N.A.

(e)

 

10.05

(f)

 

N.A.

 

ii



 

315(a)

 

7.01

(b)

 

7.05; 10.02

(c)

 

7.01

(d)

 

7.01

(e)

 

6.11

316(a)

 

2.09

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

(a)(2)

 

N.A.

(b)

 

6.07

(c)

 

9.04

317(a)(1)

 

6.08

(a)(2)

 

6.09

(b)

 

2.05

318(a)

 

10.01

(b)

 

N.A.

(c)

 

10.01

 


N.A. means not applicable.

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

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

 

 

 

 

Definitions And Incorporation By Reference

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02.

Other Definitions

5

SECTION 1.03.

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

5

SECTION 1.04.

Rules of Construction

5

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

 

 

 

 

The Securities

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Issuable in Series

6

SECTION 2.02.

Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities

6

SECTION 2.03.

Execution and Authentication

9

SECTION 2.04.

Registrar and Paying Agent

10

SECTION 2.05.

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

10

SECTION 2.06.

Holder Lists

11

SECTION 2.07.

Transfer and Exchange

11

SECTION 2.08.

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

12

SECTION 2.09.

Outstanding Securities

13

SECTION 2.10.

Treasury Securities

13

SECTION 2.11.

Temporary Securities

13

SECTION 2.12.

Cancellation

13

SECTION 2.13.

Defaulted Interest

14

SECTION 2.14.

Global Securities

14

SECTION 2.15.

CUSIP Numbers

15

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

 

 

 

 

Redemption

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Notices to Trustee

15

SECTION 3.02.

Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

16

SECTION 3.03.

Notice of Redemption

16

 

iv



 

SECTION 3.04.

Effect of Notice of Redemption

17

SECTION 3.05.

Deposit of Redemption Price

17

SECTION 3.06.

Securities Redeemed in Part

17

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

 

 

 

 

Covenants

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Payment of Securities

18

SECTION 4.02.

SEC Reports

18

SECTION 4.03.

Compliance Certificate

18

SECTION 4.04.

Further Instruments and Acts

18

SECTION 4.05.

Original Issue Discount

18

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

 

 

 

 

Successor Companies

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

Merger and Consolidation

19

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

 

 

 

 

Defaults And Remedies

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Events of Default

19

SECTION 6.02.

Acceleration

21

SECTION 6.03.

Other Remedies

21

SECTION 6.04.

Waiver of Past Defaults

21

SECTION 6.05.

Control by Majority

22

SECTION 6.06.

Limitation on Suits

22

SECTION 6.07.

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

23

SECTION 6.08.

Collection Suit by Trustee

23

SECTION 6.09.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

23

SECTION 6.10.

Priorities

23

SECTION 6.11.

Undertaking for Costs

24

SECTION 6.12.

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

24

 

v



 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

Duties of Trustee

24

SECTION 7.02.

Rights of Trustee

25

SECTION 7.03.

Individual Rights of Trustee

27

SECTION 7.04.

Trustee’s Disclaimer

27

SECTION 7.05.

Notice of Defaults

27

SECTION 7.06.

Reports by Trustee to Holder

27

SECTION 7.07.

Compensation and Indemnity

28

SECTION 7.08.

Replacement of Trustee

28

SECTION 7.09.

Successor Trustee by Merger

29

SECTION 7.10.

Eligibility; Disqualification

29

SECTION 7.11.

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer

30

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Defeasance And Covenant Defeasance

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

30

SECTION 8.02.

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

30

SECTION 8.03.

Covenant Defeasance

31

SECTION 8.04.

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

31

SECTION 8.05.

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

33

SECTION 8.06.

Repayment to the Issuer

33

SECTION 8.07.

Reinstatement

34

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

 

 

 

 

 

Amendments

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Without Consent of Holders

34

SECTION 9.02.

With Consent of Holders

35

SECTION 9.03.

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

36

SECTION 9.04.

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

36

SECTION 9.05.

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

37

SECTION 9.06.

Trustee To Sign Amendments

37

SECTION 9.07.

Payment for Consent

37

 

vi



 

 

ARTICLE X

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

Trust Indenture Act Controls

37

SECTION 10.02.

Notices

37

SECTION 10.03.

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

39

SECTION 10.04.

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

39

SECTION 10.05.

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

39

SECTION 10.06.

When Securities Disregarded

39

SECTION 10.07.

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

40

SECTION 10.08.

Legal Holidays

40

SECTION 10.09.

Governing Law

40

SECTION 10.10.

No Recourse Against Others

40

SECTION 10.11.

Successors

40

SECTION 10.12.

Multiple Originals

40

SECTION 10.13.

Table of Contents; Headings

40

SECTION 10.14.

Severability

40

SECTION 10.15.

Waiver of Jury Trial

40

SECTION 10.16.

Force Majeure

41

SECTION 10.17.

U.S.A. Patriot Act

41

 

vii


 

INDENTURE dated as of August 8, 2017, between THE PRICELINE GROUP INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuer ”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking 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 of the securities issued under this Indenture (the “ Securities ”):

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions And Incorporation By Reference

 

SECTION 1.01.                               Definitions .

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.

 

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

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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

 

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof, for purposes of presentment, surrender, registration, transfer and exchange in respect of the Securities is located at 111 Fillmore Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55107, Attention: The Priceline Group, and for all other purposes is located at 225 Asylum Street, 23rd Floor, Hartford, CT 06103, Attention: The Priceline Group, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).

 

1



 

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

 

“Definitive Securities” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities issuable in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

“Dollar” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

 

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

 

“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Issuer, which at the date hereof ends on December 31.

 

“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those principles set forth in (i) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (ii) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (iii) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (iv) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

 

Global Security ” when used with respect to any Series of Securities issued hereunder, means a Security which is executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and an indenture supplemental hereto, if any, or Board Resolution and pursuant to an Issuer Order, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the outstanding Securities of such Series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of determining interest and which shall bear the legend as prescribed by Section 2.14(c).

 

Global Securities Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.14(c), which is required to be placed on all Global Securities issued under this Indenture.

 

2



 

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit; provided , that if Securities of a Series are denominated in a currency other than Dollars, an Officers’ Certificate or any supplemental indenture may provide for Government Securities to be direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, a country other than the United States of America and the payment for which such country pledges its full faith and credit, for purposes of such Securities of a Series.

 

“Guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

 

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

“Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in the applicable Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate relating to a particular Series of Securities.

 

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

 

“Interest Payment Date” when used with respect to any Series of Securities, means the date specified in such Securities for the payment of any installment of interest on those Securities.

 

“Issuer” means The Priceline Group Inc., a Delaware corporation, until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the Trust Indenture Act, each other obligor on the indenture securities.

 

“Issuer Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Issuer by two Officers of the Issuer.

 

“Maturity” , when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise.

 

“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any Executive Vice President, the Controller, the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of the Issuer.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Issuer, that meets the requirements of Section 10.04 hereof.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel, that meets the requirements of Section 10.04 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer.

 

3



 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means (i) any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof and (ii) any other security which is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code.

 

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

 

Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities ” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

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

 

Securities Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Security (as appointed by the Depositary) or any successor thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

 

Series ” or “ Series of Securities ” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Issuer created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means, at any time, any Subsidiary of the Issuer which would be a “Significant Subsidiary” at such time, as such term is defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Stated Maturity ”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which an amount equal to the principal amount of such Security is due and payable.

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” means the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§77aaa—77bbbb) and the rules and regulations thereunder as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

4



 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

SECTION 1.02.                               Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

 

“Bankruptcy Law”

 

6.01

 

“Covenant Defeasance”

 

8.03

 

“Custodian”

 

6.01

 

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

 

“Legal Defeasance”

 

8.02

 

“Legal Holiday”

 

10.08

 

“Notice of Default”

 

6.01

 

“Paying Agent”

 

2.04

 

“Registrar”

 

2.04

 

“Successor Company”

 

5.01

 

 

SECTION 1.03.                               Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .  This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the Securities means the Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.04.                               Rules of Construction .  Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

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

 

(3)  “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)  “including” means including without limitation;

 

5



 

(5)  words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular; and

 

(6)  the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Securities

 

SECTION 2.01.                               Issuable in Series .  The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series as the Issuer may authorize from time to time. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters.

 

SECTION 2.02.                               Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities .  At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Section 2.02(a) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Sections 2.02(b) through 2.02(z)) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:

 

(a)  the title of the Securities of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);

 

(b)  the price or prices of the Securities of the Series;

 

(c)  any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series);

 

(d)  the date or dates on which the principal and premium with respect to the Securities of the Series are payable;

 

(e)  the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest, if any, shall be payable or the method by which such dates will be determined, the record dates for the determination of holders thereof to whom such interest is payable (in the

 

6



 

case of Securities in registered form), and the basis upon which such interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(f)  the currency or currencies in which Securities of the Series shall be denominated, if other than Dollars, the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the principal, premium and interest with respect to Securities of such Series shall be payable or the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

 

(g)  the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part at the option of the Issuer or otherwise;

 

(h)  whether Securities of the Series are to be issued as Securities in registered form or as Securities in bearer form or both and, if Securities in bearer form are to be issued, whether coupons will be attached to them, whether Securities in bearer form of the Series may be exchanged for Securities in registered form of the Series, and the circumstances under which and the places at which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;

 

(i)  if any Securities of the Series are to be issued as Securities in bearer form or as one or more Global Securities representing individual Securities in bearer form of the Series, whether certain provisions for the payment of additional interest or tax redemptions shall apply; whether interest with respect to any portion of a temporary bearer Security of the Series payable with respect to any Interest Payment Date prior to the exchange of such temporary bearer Security for definitive Securities in bearer form of the Series shall be paid to any clearing organization with respect to the portion of such temporary bearer Security held for its account and, in such event, the terms and conditions (including any certification requirements) upon which any such interest payment received by a clearing organization will be credited to the Persons entitled to interest payable on such Interest Payment Date; and the terms upon which a temporary Security in bearer form may be exchanged for one or more definitive Securities in bearer form of the Series;

 

(j)  the Issuer’s obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder of such Securities and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

 

(k)  the terms, if any, upon which the Securities of the Series may be convertible into or exchanged for the Issuer’s common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, other debt securities or warrants for common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, Indebtedness or other securities of any kind and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

 

(l)  if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

 

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(m)  if the amount of principal, premium or interest with respect to the Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

 

(n)  if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Securities of the Series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined), and if necessary, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars;

 

(o)  any changes or additions to Article VIII;

 

(p)  if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy;

 

(q)  the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Securities of the Series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the Trust Indenture Act are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as then in effect;

 

(r)  any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of such Series of Securities to declare the principal, premium and interest, if any, on such Series of Securities due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(s)  if the Securities of the Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities of such Series in definitive registered form, the Depositary for such Global Security and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of the Global Securities Legend;

 

(t)  any Trustee, authenticating agent, Paying Agent, transfer agent or Registrar;

 

(u)  the applicability of, and any addition to or change in, the covenants and definitions set forth in Articles IV or V which apply to Securities of the Series;

 

(v)  the terms, if any, of any Guarantee of the payment of principal, premium and interest with respect to Securities of the Series and any corresponding changes to the provisions of this Indenture and as then in effect;

 

(w)  the subordination, if any, of the Securities of the Series pursuant to this Indenture and any changes or additions to the provisions of this Indenture then in effect;

 

(x)  with regard to Securities of the Series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee;

 

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(y)  any U.S. Federal Income tax consequences applicable to the Securities; and

 

(z)  any other terms of Securities of the Series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

 

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.

 

SECTION 2.03.                               Execution and Authentication .  One or more Officers of the Issuer shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

 

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. A Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate.

 

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of an Issuer Order, an Officers’ Certificate delivered in accordance with section 10.04 and an Opinion of Counsel which shall state:

 

(1)  that the form and the terms of such Securities have been established by a supplemental indenture or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02 and in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)  that such Securities when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, including concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law; and

 

(3)  that all conditions precedent in respect of the execution and delivery by the Issuer of such Securities have been complied with.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.08.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer at the Issuer’s Expense to authenticate the Securities. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Responsible Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Issuer. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities 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 any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

 

SECTION 2.04.          Registrar and Paying Agent .  The Issuer shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars. The Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent for each Series of Securities unless another Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.  In acting hereunder and in connection with the Securities, the Paying Agent and Registrar shall act solely as agents of the Issuer, and will not thereby assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for or with any Holder of any Series of Securities.

 

The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Issuer or any of its domestically organized Significant Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Issuer may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (1) acceptance of any appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuer and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (2) notification is received by the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (1) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice.

 

SECTION 2.05.          Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .  The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust,

 

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for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.

 

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 Holders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least ten days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities.

 

SECTION 2.07.          Transfer and Exchange .  Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.06 or 9.05).

 

Neither the Issuer nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business fifteen days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

 

The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders of the Securities and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to the registered Holders of the Securities (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be

 

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exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

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

 

SECTION 2.08.          Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .  If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.09.          Outstanding Securities .  The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent holds at the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Security.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities of any Series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 2.10.          Treasury Securities .  In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Issuer shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.11.          Temporary Securities .  Until Definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate temporary Securities upon the Issuer’s Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Securities but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, shall authenticate Definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary Securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the Definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.12.          Cancellation .  The Issuer at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation in accordance with its procedures and upon the Issuer’s written request deliver a

 

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certificate of such cancellation to the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid for or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.13.          Defaulted Interest .  If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 30 days before the record date, the Issuer shall send to the Trustee and to each Holder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Issuer may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

 

SECTION 2.14.          Global Securities .

 

(a)  Terms of Securities . A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

 

(b)  Transfer and Exchang e. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of this Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of this Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Issuer fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days of such event, (ii) the Issuer executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

 

Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b) a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

 

(c)  Legend . Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO

 

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SECTION 9.05 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.12 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY).”

 

(d)  Acts of Holders . The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under this Indenture.

 

(e)  Payments . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

 

(f)  Consents, Declaration and Directions . Except as provided in Section 2.14(e), the Issuer, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

 

(g)  Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

SECTION 2.15.          CUSIP or ISIN Numbers .  The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Redemption

 

SECTION 3.01.          Notices to Trustee .  The Issuer, with respect to any Series of Securities, may elect to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms provided for in such Series of Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Issuer wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Securities of the Series to be redeemed and

 

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the redemption price. The Issuer shall give such notice to the Trustee at least 10 days before the redemption notice is to be sent unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period.

 

SECTION 3.02.          Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed .  Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if fewer than all the Securities of a particular Series are to be redeemed or purchased, the Trustee shall select the Securities of such Series to be redeemed or purchased pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with applicable Depositary requirements. The Trustee shall make the selection at least 30 days but no more than 60 days before the redemption date from outstanding Securities of a Series not previously called for redemption. Securities and portions thereof that the Trustee selects shall be in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.03.          Notice of Redemption .  Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Issuer shall send a notice of redemption to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address.

 

The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)  the redemption date;

 

(2)  the redemption price;

 

(3)  if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Security;

 

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

 

(5)  that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(6)  that, upon the satisfaction of any conditions to such redemption set forth in the notice of redemption, and unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

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

 

(8)  the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed; and

 

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(9)  that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

 

In addition, if such redemption is subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date stated in such notice, or by the redemption date as so delayed.

 

At the Issuer’s written request in accordance with Section 3.01 hereof, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption as provided to it in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section.

 

SECTION 3.04.          Effect of Notice of Redemption .  Once notice of redemption is sent, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in such notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice.

 

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 .  Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption date for a Series of Securities denominated in Dollars, or as otherwise agreed upon among the Trustee, the Issuer and the paying agent for any Series of Securities denominated in a currency other than Dollars, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Securities to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation; provided, however, that to the extent any such funds are received by the Paying Agent from the Issuer after 11:00 a.m. (New York City time), on such due date, such funds will be distributed to such Persons within one Business Day of receipt thereof. The Paying Agent shall as promptly as practicable return to the Issuer any money deposited with it by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Securities to be redeemed. If such money is then held by the Issuer in trust and is not required for such purpose it shall be discharged from such trust. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 3.06.          Securities Redeemed in Part .  Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and, upon receipt of an Issuer’s Order, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Issuer’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

Covenants

 

SECTION 4.01.          Payment of Securities .  The Issuer shall promptly make all payments in respect of each Series of Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in such Series of Securities and in this Indenture. Such payments shall be considered made on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with this Indenture, money sufficient to make all payments with respect to such Securities then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.02.          SEC Reports .  Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee and Holders, within the time periods (including any extensions thereof) specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations, copies of its annual report and quarterly reports that the Issuer is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Issuer also shall comply with the other provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer will be deemed to have furnished such reports to the Trustee and the Holders if the Issuer has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports are publicly available; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed pursuant to the EDGAR filing system (or its successor).

 

SECTION 4.03.          Compliance Certificate .  The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Issuer (commencing with the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017 or, if later, December 31 of the first fiscal year during which Securities are issued under this Indenture) an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Issuer they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Issuer also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4).

 

SECTION 4.04.          Further Instruments and Acts .  The Issuer shall execute and deliver to the Trustee such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.05.          Original Issue Discount .  In the case of Original Discount Securities, the Issuer shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific

 

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information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Successor Companies

 

SECTION 5.01.          Merger and Consolidation .  Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, the Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its properties and assets to, any Person unless:

 

(i)  the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “ Successor Company ”) shall be a corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Issuer) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(ii)  immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(iii)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture (as modified or supplemented by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate), and the predecessor Issuer, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Defaults And Remedies

 

SECTION 6.01.          Events of Default .  Unless otherwise provided for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, each of the following constitutes an “Event of Default” with respect to each Series of Securities:

 

(1)  the Issuer’s default in any payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), or premium, if any, on any Security of that Series when such amount becomes due and payable at Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, required redemption or otherwise;

 

(2)  the Issuer’s failure to pay interest on any Security of that Series when such interest becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

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(3)  the Issuer fails to comply with Section 5.01;

 

(4)  the Issuer fails to comply with any of its covenants or agreements contained in the Securities of that Series or this Indenture (other than those referred to in (1), (2), or (3) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the notice specified below;

 

(5)  the Issuer or a 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 any substantial part of its property; or

 

(D)  makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

 

(6)  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)  is for relief against the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(B)  appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

 

(C)  orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

 

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

 

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

A Default under clause (4) above is not an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series notify the Issuer of the Default and the Issuer does not cure such Default within the time specified in clause (4) after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

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The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the Issuer first gains knowledge of the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto ( provided that, solely with respect to an Event of Default under clause (5) or (6) above, no such status or description of action is required).

 

SECTION 6.02.                               Acceleration .  If an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series by written notice to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if such notice is given by the Holders), may declare the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that Series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such amounts shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Issuer occurs, the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of each Series of Security 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. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series of Securities by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration of that Series of Securities and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to such Series of Securities have been cured or waived except nonpayment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Securities of that Series that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.03.                               Other Remedies .  If an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that Series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that Series or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may institute and maintain a suit or legal proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of a Series 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 with respect to any Series of Securities 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.

 

SECTION 6.04.                               Waiver of Past Defaults .  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding may by written notice to the Trustee waive an existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the payment of the

 

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principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on a Security of that Series, (ii) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Security of that Series when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (iii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder of that Series affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

SECTION 6.05.                               Control by Majority .  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that Series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of that Series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that would subject the Trustee to personal liability; provided , however , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06.                               Limitation on Suits .  Except to enforce the right to receive payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on a Security of any Series when due, no Holder of a Security of that Series may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that Series unless:

 

(1)  the Holder previously gave the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default with respect to that Series is continuing;

 

(2)  the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3)  such Holder or Holders of that Series offer to the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)  the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(5)  the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request during such 60-day period.

 

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

 

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SECTION 6.07.                               Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after their Maturity, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after their Maturity, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08.                               Collection Suit by Trustee .  If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07 to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses disbursement and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09.                               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 of its Subsidiaries, their creditors or their property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 6.10.                               Priorities .  If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI with respect to any Series of Securities, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST: costs and expenses of collection, including all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the compensation, expenses and disbursements of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07;

 

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of that Series for the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of that Series for the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, respectively; and

 

THIRD: to the Issuer.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section. 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 amount to be paid.

 

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SECTION 6.11.                               Undertaking for Costs .  In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as 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 and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any Series.

 

SECTION 6.12.                               Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws .  The Issuer (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim to take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and 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.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Trustee

 

SECTION 7.01.                               Duties of Trustee.   (a)  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Series of Securities, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

 

(b)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any Series of Securities:

 

(1)  the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that Series, as modified or supplemented by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(e)  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.

 

(f)  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

(h)  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 and to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(i)  The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 7.02.                               Rights of Trustee .  (a)  The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

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

 

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(d)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(e)  The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Securities, shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)  The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, direction, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note 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 to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

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

 

(h)  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.

 

(i)  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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

 

(k)  The permissive right of the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty to so act.

 

(l)  In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including loss of profit)

 

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irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(m)  Any request or direction of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(n)  Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate.

 

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

 

SECTION 7.03.                               Individual Rights of Trustee .  The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with 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 Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use or application of the proceeds from the Securities, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent (other than itself as Paying Agent), and it shall not be responsible for any statement in this Indenture, in the Securities, or in any document executed in connection with the sale of the Securities, other than those set forth in a Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.                               Notice of Defaults .  If a Default with respect to Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of that Series notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default with respect to Securities of any Series in payment of the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on any Security of that Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.

 

SECTION 7.06.                               Reports by Trustee to Holder .  As promptly as practicable after each May 15 beginning with the first May 15 after the issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture , for so long as Securities remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Issuer agrees to notify promptly the Trustee in writing whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.07.                               Compensation and Indemnity .  The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as the Issuer and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, costs of preparation and sending of notices to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel retained by the Trustee and any predecessor trustee or their agents or otherwise in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by or in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing the Indenture (including this Section 7.07) and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any failure so to notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence (as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay the principal of and interest and any liquidated damages on particular Securities.

 

The Issuer’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 7.08.                               Replacement of Trustee .  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of any Series by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee if:

 

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

 

(2)  the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or 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.

 

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If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of that Series of Securities. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities of that Series may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, after written notice hereto, the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of that Series of Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09.                               Successor Trustee by Merger .  If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate-trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

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

 

SECTION 7.10.                               Eligibility; Disqualification .  The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b); provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Trust Indenture Act Section

 

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310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuer are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b)(1) are met.

 

SECTION 7.11.                               Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer .  The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or has been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Legal Defeasance And Covenant Defeasance

 

SECTION 8.01.                               Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.   The Issuer may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by resolutions set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

 

Unless otherwise provided for in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, when (a) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a Series or (b) all outstanding Securities of a Series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and the Issuer shall have deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption of all outstanding Securities of the Series, and if, in either case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable under the Indenture by the Issuer, then the Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to such Securities of such Series. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer.

 

SECTION 8.02.                               Legal Defeasance and Discharge .  Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02 with respect to any Series of Securities, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of that Series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of that Series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture with respect to such Securities of such Series (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

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(a)  the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of that Series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due;

 

(b)  the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Securities of that Series under Article II; and

 

(c)  the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; and this Article VIII.

 

(d)  Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

SECTION 8.03.                               Covenant Defeasance .  Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to any Series of Securities, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate with respect to the outstanding Securities of that Series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Securities of that Series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of that Series, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof with respect to any Series of Securities, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) and 6.01(4) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default with respect to such Securities.

 

SECTION 8.04.                               Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .  The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Securities:

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any Series of Securities:

 

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(1)  the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of that Series of Securities, cash in U.S. dollars (or the currency in which Securities of that Series is denominated), non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm, to pay the principal amount of (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities of that Series, the portion thereby specified in the terms of such Security), premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Securities of that Series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

 

(2)  in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee 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 of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of that Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3)  in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, 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 the outstanding Securities of that Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(4)  no Default or Event of Default with respect to that Series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing either:

 

(a)  on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default with respect to that Series of Securities resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit); or

 

(b)  insofar as Section 6.01(5) or 6.01(6) hereof is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

 

(5)  such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries are a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries are bound;

 

(6)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that on the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any

 

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applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;

 

(7)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders of that Series of Securities over any other creditors of the Issuer or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuer or others; and

 

(8)  the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.05.                               Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .  Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of any outstanding Series of Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal 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 Securities of that Series.

 

Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the written request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

SECTION 8.06.                               Repayment to the Issuer .  Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its written request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

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SECTION 8.07.                               Reinstatement.   If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any currency or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 thereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Amendments

 

SECTION 9.01.                               Without Consent of Holders .  The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Holder:

 

(1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer pursuant to Article V and the assumption by such successor of the Issuer’s covenants, agreements and obligations in this Indenture and in the Securities;

 

(2)  to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer by this Indenture, to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any Series of Securities as the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in respect of any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default under this Indenture; provided, however, that with respect to any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment may provide for a period of grace after default, which may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults, may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series to waive such default;

 

(3)  to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision contained in this Indenture, in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained therein;

 

(4)  to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any Holders of Securities of any Series;

 

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(5)  to modify or amend this Indenture in such a manner as to permit or maintain the qualification of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect;

 

(6)  to add or to change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Securities in bearer form may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to Securities in registered form or of principal, premium or interest with respect to Securities in bearer form, or to permit Securities in registered form to be exchanged for Securities in bearer form, so as to not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities or any coupons of any Series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities of any Series in uncertificated form;

 

(7)  in the case of subordinated Securities, to make any change in the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture relating to subordination that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior Indebtedness under such provisions (but only if each such holder of senior Indebtedness consents to such change);

 

(8)  to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities;

 

(9)  to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;

 

(10)  to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture with respect to one or more Series of Securities, so long as any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Indenture shall (A) neither apply to any Security of any Series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holders of any such Security with respect to the benefit of such provision or (B) become effective only when there is no such Security outstanding;

 

(11)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of this Indenture by more than one Trustee; or

 

(12)  to establish the form or terms of Securities and coupons of any Series pursuant to Article II.

 

SECTION 9.02.                               With Consent of Holders .  Subject to certain exceptions, this Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of all Series under this Indenture then outstanding and affected by such amendment, voting as a single class (including consent obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Security affected, no amendment may:

 

(1)  make any change to the percentage of principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any amendment, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;

 

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(2)  reduce the principal amount of, premium, if any, or interest on, or extend the Stated Maturity or interest payment periods of, any Security;

 

(3)  make any Security payable in money or securities other than those stated in the Security;

 

(4)  make any change that adversely affects such Holder’s right to require the Issuer to purchase the Securities in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture;

 

(5)  impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect to the Securities;

 

(6)  in the case of any subordinated Securities, or coupons appertaining thereto, make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to subordination that adversely affects the rights of any Holder under such provisions; or

 

(7)  make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of this Section 9.02.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Issuer shall send to all affected Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

SECTION 9.03.                               Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .  Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04.                               Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers .  A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective once both (i) the requisite number of consents have been received by the Issuer or the Trustee and (ii) such amendment or waiver has been executed by the Issuer and the Trustee.

 

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, 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.

 

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SECTION 9.05.                               Notation on or Exchange of Securities .  If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

 

SECTION 9.06.                               Trustee To Sign Amendments .  The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment does not affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall receive indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03).

 

SECTION 9.07.                               Payment for Consent .  Neither the Issuer nor any Affiliate of the Issuer shall, 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 Securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all Holders of such Series of Securities, ratably, that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 10.01.                        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 Trust Indenture Act, the required provision shall control.

 

SECTION 10.02.                        Notices .  Unless otherwise provided herein, any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person, sent in accordance with the Depositary’s applicable procedures, mailed by first-class mail or sent via electronic mail (in PDF format) addressed as follows:

 

If to the Issuer:

 

The Priceline Group Inc.
800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854

Fax: (203) 299-8915

Attention: General Counsel

 

with a copy to:

 

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Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Fax: (212) 474-3700
Attention: Craig F. Arcella

 

If to the Trustee:

 

U.S. Bank National Association

Global Corporate Trust Services

225 Asylum Street, 23rd Floor

Hartford, CT 06103

Fax: (860) 241-6881

 

Attention: Arthur L. Blakeslee

 

with a copy to:

 

Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP

28 State Street

Boston, MA 02109

Fax: (617) 378-4397

Attention: Jonathan R. Winnick

 

The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be sent to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so sent within the time prescribed.

 

Failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions and directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, PDF, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however , that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. For the avoidance of doubt, notice sent via electronic mail shall be deemed to be “written” for purposes of this Indenture. The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions in the form of an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, PDF, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the Issuer elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or

 

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expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

SECTION 10.03.                        Communication by Holders with Other Holders .  Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 10.04.                        Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .  Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)  an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuer 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 stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.05.                        Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .  Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

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

 

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

 

(3)  a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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

 

SECTION 10.06.                        When Securities Disregarded .  In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Issuer, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject

 

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to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

SECTION 10.07.                        Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar .  The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

SECTION 10.08.                        Legal Holidays .  A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York state or other place of payment are authorized or required by law to close. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

 

SECTION 10.09.                        Governing Law .  THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

SECTION 10.10.                        No Recourse Against Others .  A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Issuer shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

 

SECTION 10.11.                        Successors .  All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 10.12.                        Multiple Originals .  The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy of the Indenture is enough to prove this Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

 

SECTION 10.13.                        Table of Contents; Headings .  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 intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 10.14.                        Severability .  If any provision or portion thereof in this Indenture or any Series of Securities is deemed unenforceable, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or portion thereof set forth herein, or of the Indenture as a whole.

 

SECTION 10.15.                        Waiver of Jury Trial .  EACH OF THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY

 

40



 

APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 10.16.                        Force Majeure .  The Trustee shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of the Trustee (including but not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any act of God or war, civil unrest, local or national disturbance or disaster, any act of terrorism, or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility).

 

SECTION 10.17.                        U.S.A. Patriot Act .  In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (“ Applicable Law ”), the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee. Accordingly, the Issuer agrees to provide to the Trustee, upon its request from time to time, such identifying information and documentation as may be available for the Issuer in order to enable the Trustee to comply with Applicable Law.

 

41



 

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

 

 

THE PRICELINE GROUP INC.,

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Daniel J. Finnegan

 

 

Name:

Daniel J. Finnegan

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

 

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Arthur L. Blakeslee

 

 

Name:

Arthur L. Blakeslee

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

42




Exhibit 5.1

 

[Letterhead of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP]

 

August 8, 2017

 

The Priceline Group Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to The Priceline Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act and the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of: debt securities (the “ Debt Securities ”) of the Company, which may be issued under the indenture referred to in the Registration Statement (the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (the “ Trustee ”); preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”) of the Company, including Preferred Stock as may from time to time be issued upon conversion of Debt Securities; common stock, par value $0.008 per share (the “ Common Stock ”) of the Company, including Common Stock as may from time to time be issued upon conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock; warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock (collectively, the “ Warrants ”) of the Company; depositary shares representing fractional or multiple shares of Preferred Stock (the “ Depositary Shares ”) of the Company; and units of a combination of one or more of the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants or Depositary Shares (collectively, the “ Units ”).  The Debt Securities, the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock, the Warrants, the Depositary Shares and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “ Securities ”.

 

In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, certificates of corporate officers and government officials and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including: (a) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; (b) the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company; (c) resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company on July 27, 2017; (d) the Registration Statement; and (e) the Indenture.  As to various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon representations of officers or directors of the Company and documents furnished to us by the Company

 



 

without independent verification of their accuracy.  We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and assuming that (i) the Registration Statement and any supplements and amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective and will comply with all applicable laws; (ii) the Registration Statement and any supplements and amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; (iii) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws; (iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with all applicable Federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate prospectus supplement; (v) none of the terms of any Security to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance and delivery of such Security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Security will violate any applicable law or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (vi) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and any other necessary agreement with respect to any Securities offered or issued will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vii) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, we are of opinion as follows:

 

(1) with respect to Debt Securities to be issued under the Indenture, when (A) the Trustee is qualified to act as Trustee under the Indenture, (B) the Trustee has duly executed and delivered the Indenture, (C) the Indenture has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee, (D) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (E) the board of directors of the Company, a duly constituted and acting committee thereof or any officers of the Company delegated such authority (such board of directors, committee or officers being hereinafter referred to as the “ Board ”) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of a particular series of Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof, and related matters, and (F) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, including any supplemental indenture related thereto, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally

 

2



 

from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(2) with respect to shares of Preferred Stock, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation relating to such Preferred Stock (a “ Certificate ”) and the filing of such Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (B) such Certificate has been properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and (C) certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of  such Debt Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock), then such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(3) with respect to shares of Common Stock, when both (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of (i) the Debt Securities or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock and (ii) the shares of Common Stock, and related matters and (B) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of such Debt Security or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Common Stock), then such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

 

(4) with respect to the Warrants, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (B) a warrant agreement or agreements relating to the Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, the warrant agent appointed by the Company and each other party thereto and (C) the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and

 

3



 

delivered in accordance with the appropriate warrant agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Warrants will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

(5) with respect to the Depositary Shares, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Depositary Shares and the related series of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (B) a deposit agreement or agreements relating to the Depositary Shares have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, the depositary appointed by the Company and each other party thereto, (C) the Certificate for the related series of Preferred Stock has been properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (D) certificates representing such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (which consideration is not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein and (D) Depositary Shares or receipts representing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate deposit agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Depositary Shares will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

 

(6) with respect to the Units, when (A) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (B) a unit agreement or agreements relating to the Units have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, a unit agent appointed by the Company and each other party thereto and (C) the Units or certificates representing the Units have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate unit agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board

 

4



 

upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Units will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

We express no opinion herein as to any provision of the Indenture or the Debt Securities that (a) relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of any Federal court of the United States of America, or any Federal appellate court, to adjudicate any controversy related thereto, (b) contains a waiver of an inconvenient forum, (c) relates to the waiver of rights to jury trial or (d) provides for indemnification, contribution or limitations on liability.  We also express no opinion as to (i) the enforceability of the provisions of the Indenture or the Debt Securities to the extent that such provisions constitute a waiver of illegality as a defense to performance of contract obligations or any other defense to performance which cannot, as a matter of law, be effectively waived or (ii) whether a state court outside the State of New York or a Federal court of the United States would give effect to the choice of New York law provided for therein.

 

Courts in the United States have not customarily rendered judgments for money damages denominated in any currency other than United States dollars.  Section 27(b) of the Judiciary Law of the State of New York provides, however, that a judgment or decree in an action based upon an obligation denominated in a currency other than United States dollars shall be rendered in the foreign currency of the underlying obligation and converted into United States dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the entry of the judgment or decree.  We express no opinion as to whether a Federal court of the United States would render a judgment other than in United States dollars.

 

We are admitted to practice only in the State of New York and express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the laws of the State of New York, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Federal laws of the United States of America.

 

5



 

We understand that we may be referred to as counsel who has passed upon the validity of the Debt Securities or the issuance of the Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Depositary Shares or Units on behalf of the Company in the prospectus and in a supplement to the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement relating to the Securities filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, and we hereby consent to such use of our name in said Registration Statement and to the use of this opinion for filing with said Registration Statement as Exhibit 5.1 thereto.  In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

 

The Priceline Group Inc.

800 Connecticut Avenue

Norwalk, Connecticut 06854

 

O

 

6




Exhibit 12.1

 

The Priceline Group Inc.
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Except Ratios, all numbers in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June
30, 2017

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes (1)

 

$

1,390,727

 

$

1,153,041

 

$

2,713,238

 

$

3,128,320

 

$

2,989,448

 

$

2,296,537

 

$

1,761,869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed charges

 

135,240

 

114,527

 

241,069

 

189,033

 

112,399

 

100,798

 

75,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, before tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

(5,922

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Earnings

 

$

1,525,967

 

$

1,267,568

 

$

2,954,307

 

$

3,317,353

 

$

3,101,847

 

$

2,397,160

 

$

1,831,911

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

116,659

 

$

97,184

 

$

207,900

 

$

160,229

 

$

88,353

 

$

83,289

 

$

62,064

 

Interest portion of fixed rent

 

18,581

 

17,343

 

33,169

 

28,804

 

24,046

 

17,509

 

13,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

$

135,240

 

$

114,527

 

$

241,069

 

$

189,033

 

$

112,399

 

$

100,798

 

$

75,964

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

11.3

 

11.1

 

12.3

 

17.5

 

27.6

 

23.8

 

24.1

 

 


(1)          The year ended December 31, 2016 includes a non-cash charge related to an impairment of OpenTable goodwill of $940.7 million, which is not tax deductible.

 


 



Exhibit 23.2

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 27, 2017, relating to the financial statements of The Priceline Group Inc. (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2016, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Stamford, Connecticut

August 8, 2017

 




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)

 

Arthur L. Blakeslee

U.S. Bank National Association

225 Asylum Street, Floor 23

Hartford, CT 06103

(860) 241-6859

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

Priceline group, Inc

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

Delaware

 

06-1528493

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut

 

06854

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Debt Securities

(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 March 31, 2017 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 form S-3ASR,  Registration Number 333-199863 filed on November 5, 2014.

 

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 Hartford, State of Connecticut on the 4th of August, 2017.

 

 

By:

/s/ Arthur L. Blakeslee

 

 

Arthur L. Blakeslee

 

 

Vice President

 

3


 

Exhibit 2 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 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, October 28, 2016, 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 [SEAL]

GRAPHIC

 


Exhibit 3 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Washington, DC 20219 CERTIFICATE OF FIDUCIARY POWERS I, Thomas J. Curry, 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, October 28, 2016, 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 [SEAL]

GRAPHIC

 

 

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: August 4, 2017

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Arthur L Blakeslee

 

 

Arthur L. Blakeslee

 

 

Vice President

 

6



 

Exhibit 7

 

U.S. Bank National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

As of 6/30/2017

 

($000’s)

 

 

 

6/30/2017

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions

 

$

28,930,463

 

Securities

 

110,114,701

 

Federal Funds

 

51,218

 

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

 

276,413,785

 

Fixed Assets

 

4,477,993

 

Intangible Assets

 

12,859,050

 

Other Assets

 

24,062,996

 

Total Assets

 

$

456,910,206

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Deposits

 

$

357,756,287

 

Fed Funds

 

998,184

 

Treasury Demand Notes

 

0

 

Trading Liabilities

 

878,885

 

Other Borrowed Money

 

33,876,373

 

Acceptances

 

0

 

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

 

3,800,000

 

Other Liabilities

 

12,866,522

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

410,176,251

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Common and Preferred Stock

 

18,200

 

Surplus

 

14,266,915

 

Undivided Profits

 

31,649,555

 

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

 

799,285

 

Total Equity Capital

 

$

46,733,955

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

 

$

456,910,206

 

 

7