As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2011

Registration No. 333-______

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

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

AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
65-0774638
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
 
3601 Clover Lane
 
New Castle, Pennsylvania
16105
(Address of principal executive office)
(Zip Code)

(724) 654-9300
(Issuer’s telephone number)

Thomas Granville
3601 Clover Lane
New Castle, Pennsylvania 16105
Telephone (724) 654-9300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Jolie Kahn, Esq.
61 Broadway, Suite 2820
New York, NY 10006
Telephone (212) 422-4910

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to 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. ¨

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, as amended (the “Securities Act”) other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ

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. ¨

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. ¨

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

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 classes of additional securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
           
Proposed Maximum
   
Proposed Maximum
   
Amount of
 
Title of Each Class of
 
Amount
   
Offering
   
Aggregate
   
Registration
 
Securities to be Registered
 
to be Registered(1)(2)
   
Price per Share(1)(2)
   
Offering Price(1)(3)
   
Fee
 
     Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
                               
     Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
                               
     Debt Securities
                               
     Warrants
                               
     Total
                  $
28,000,000
    $
3,251
(4)

(1)
Such indeterminate amount or number of debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, and warrants to purchase any combination of the foregoing securities, as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices, with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $28,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the issue price, and not the principal amount of such debt securities shall be used for purposes of calculating the aggregate initial offering price of all securities issued. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities also include such indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or principal amounts of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion or exchange for debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock, common stock or debt securities, upon conversion of shares of preferred stock or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities.

(2)
With respect to the primary offering, such information is not required to be included pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

(3)
The proposed maximum aggregate price has been estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(4)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These shares and warrants may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these shares and warrants, and it is not a solicitation of an offer to buy these shares and warrants, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 
 

 
 
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 3, 2011

PROSPECTUS
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
$ 28,000,000
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
From time to time, we may offer and sell shares of preferred stock, common stock, debt securities or warrants to purchase preferred stock, common stock or any combination of these securities, either separately or in units, in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. The debt securities and warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for preferred stock, common stock or debt securities and the preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock. The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $28,000,000.

Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with specific terms of the securities offered in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” carefully before you invest in any securities.

The securities offered by this prospectus may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents in an accompanying prospectus supplement. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board Market under the symbol “AXPW”. The last reported sale price of our common stock on May 31, 2011 was $0.74 per share.

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISKS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 12 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE OTHER DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO READ ABOUT FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING OUR SECURITIES.

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

The date of this prospectus is June 3, 2011.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, the securities described in this prospectus only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of shares or warrants. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operation and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
     
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
ii
DESCRIPTION OF OUR BUSINESS
  1
RISK FACTORS
  12
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
  18
USE OF PROCEEDS
  18
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
  18
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
  20
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
  35
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC
  35
LEGAL MATTERS
  36
EXPERTS
  36

Axion Power International, Inc. is a Delaware corporation. The company’s address is 3601 Clover Lane, New Castle, PA 16105, and its telephone number is (724) 654-9300.

 
 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offering transactions up to a total dollar amount of $28,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell any securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the specific terms of that particular offering. Each such prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent that any statements that we make in a prospectus supplement are inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, includes all material information relating to the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sales of securities. To obtain additional information that may be important to you, you should read the exhibits filed by us with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or our other filings with the SEC. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find More Information” before making any investment decision with respect to the securities offered hereby.

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and in the prospectus supplement, including any information incorporated by reference. For more details on information incorporated herein by reference, you should review the discussion contained under the heading “Incorporation of Information Filed With the SEC.” We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the prospectus supplement. We are offering the securities only in jurisdictions where offers are permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement is accurate at any date other than the date indicated on the cover page of these documents.

In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to Axion Power International, Inc. as “Axion” or the “Company”. References in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement to the “company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Axion, unless the context suggests otherwise.

 
ii

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR BUSINESS

Axion Power International, Inc. (the “Company”, Axion, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is a development stage company whose primary mission is to engage in the development and production of new battery technologies. These are known as lead carbon, or PbC® batteries and components. In addition we manufacture standard and specialty lead-acid batteries. Our new technologies, primarily consisting of the use of activated carbon as an alternative to lead in the battery’s negative electrode, have application in the production of batteries for virtually all storage functions. It is the Company’s long term goal to become a primary supply source of PbC negative electrodes to established battery manufacturers.

Why We Are Currently Filing a Registration Statement

As stated above , with an effective Form S-3, we can file any combination of securities up to the maximum dollar amount of $28,000,000 in one or more financing transactions, thus we are affording the Company greater flexibility in its fund raising options.  More specifically, just because we are filing for “up to” $28,000,000 does not mean that we necessarily intend to raise $28,000,000, as this number was determined by our Board of Directors ( “Board “) to provide further flexibility.  In fact, while our Board has authorized us to file this S-3 registration statement for up to $28,000,000, our Board has currently authorized us to raise up to $18,000,000 of the $28,000,000 registered with the additional $10,000,000 of availability to be subject to further Board approval.

We are filing this registration statement currently due to the limited window during which we are eligible to file a Form S-3.  One of the requirements (as required by General Instruction 1.B.1. of Form S-3) of filing a Form S-3 is that the Company’s market cap be  at least $75,000,000 within 60 days prior to the date of filing the registration statement.  The last day we had a market cap of $75,000,000 was April 7, 2011, on which date we had a last sale price of $1.08 of our common stock on the OTC BB. On that date we had 70,752,259  shares in the public float (85,453,302 total shares issued and outstanding less 14,701,043  shares beneficially owned by affiliates), yielding a market cap on April 7, 2011 of $76,412,439.

Our need to consider further fund raising to absolutely insure continued operations past the first quarter of 2012 is the result of various factors.  When we raised funds in late 2009, we anticipated a significant funding award from the Department of Energy based on their August 2009 announcement listing us as a grant awardee. Unfortunately we never received that award, nor have we as yet received an award for the second year of our ONR grant from the Department of Defense. In addition, although we have made very significant progress with our technology, the adoption process, and the general path to commercial viability, have been longer than we originally anticipated.  Because of the above, and because of other potential strategic investments and  opportunities, we are filing this Form S-3 to provide us with funding flexibility as we move to meet our business goals.

The Battery Industry

There are two principal types of lead-acid batteries: flooded batteries and valve regulated lead-acid. The choice of battery depends mainly on the specific application that the battery serves. Typical standby or stationary applications use valve regulated lead-acid batteries due to their inherent advantages, including spill proof design, low maintenance, compact form, low self-discharge and high performance. On the other hand, applications like industrial equipment, traction and railroad applications are better served by the flooded lead-acid battery types due to their superior performance in continuous deep discharge applications and at high operating temperatures, among other features. Technology within the lead-acid battery industry has remained relatively stable for the last 30 years, and an industry-wide lack of innovation has generally restrained growth into new applications and emerging markets.

 
1

 

Alternative energy applications like wind and solar power require an energy storage solution that combines low cost and long deep discharge cycle life. Lead-acid batteries are currently one of the gold standards in large-scale power storage applications, but the short cycle-life of lead-acid chemistry at deep discharge levels is a primary inhibitor to growth. Due primarily to the cycle-life limitations of lead-acid batteries, a number of battery manufacturers are experimenting with alternative battery technologies that are far more expensive to implement, but offer substantial cycle-life advantages.

The North American lead-acid battery industry is mature with a few leading vendors that have a global presence and a larger number of smaller regional and local vendors that cater to the needs of the North American market. The first tier companies that have a global presence include EnerSys, Exide Technologies and Johnson Controls. The second tier companies that cater mainly to the North American Markets include, among others, East Penn Manufacturing, C&D Technologies, GS Batteries, and Trojan Battery. The user segments that rely on lead-acid batteries include automotive applications, standby applications ranging from uninterruptible power supplies to telecommunication applications, limited power storage for wind and solar systems and motive power for heavy-duty equipment and railroad applications.

Our Corporate History

Axion Power Corporation, our wholly owned subsidiary, was formed in September of 2003 to acquire and develop certain innovative battery technology. Since inception Axion Power Corporation has been engaged in research and development (“R&D”) of new technology for the production of our PbC batteries. As of December 31, 2003, Axion Power Corporation engaged in a reverse acquisition with Tamboril Cigar Company (“Tamboril”), a public shell company whereby Axion Power Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Tamboril. Tamboril was originally incorporated in Delaware in January 1997 and operated a wholesale cigar business until December 1998, after which date it was an inactive public shell until the reverse acquisition and subsequent name change to Axion Power International, Inc.

In February 2006, we acquired use of our Clover Lane facility totaling 70,438 square feet. We have utilized this space to manufacture our specialty battery products as well as to produce and test prototypes which incorporate our new technology. This facility allows us to manufacture batteries either for our own use or under contract for third parties. This facility has been tested and was found to be in compliance with emission standards established by new federal guidelines in accordance with the Clean Air Act–Title III.

Since inception, our operations have been financed through the sale of equity and debt instruments to investors, as well as loans and proceeds from government grants, with minimal and sporadic revenue generated from operations. We believe that a successful transition from R&D to PbC manufacturing will improve our financial condition, cash flow and market profile.

Developments Since 2008

Since 2008, we have devoted a significant portion of our time and financial resources to upgrading, and where necessary, replacing existing battery manufacturing equipment as part of our long range business plan. We anticipate future use of this upgraded equipment to manufacture our proprietary PbC lead carbon products. During 2009, we continued to make improvements to our production processes including capital acquisitions and quality control systems. We also received, installed and continued to engineer our first prototype automated PbC negative electrode manufacturing line.

On December 22, 2009, we sold 45,757,572 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.57 per share for total gross proceeds of $26,081,816 and net cash proceeds of $24,928,323 after “breakup” fees and cash offering costs.

During 2010, we continued to use the new prototype line installed in 2009 which, together with certain manual processes, allowed us to manufacture our PbC negative electrodes for sale and for use in ongoing prototype testing. We then incorporated our knowledge and experience into the design of a second generation automated line that incorporated robotics. There were two main challenges we needed to address in order to be able to ready our product for commercial production quantities – (i) implementation of improved quality control; and (ii) increase in target quantity production levels. We began discussions with a major “design and equipment manufacture” firm early in 2010 which, in the summer of 2010, led to a design and build contract for a robotic carbon electrode manufacturing line. The complete new line was delivered to us in March 2011 and is currently being aligned and put in place at our Green Ridge Road facility in New Castle, PA. We anticipate that the carbon electrode component of our PbC batteries for our various planned PowerCubeTM projects, our Norfolk Southern project, for our automotive strategic partners and for testing on various other customer oriented projects will all be manufactured with robotic precision on this second generation line.

 
2

 

In 2010, we began our planned upgrade and replacement of battery manufacturing equipment in our main battery production plant at the Clover Lane facility. This work has continued into the first quarter of 2011 and currently includes the installation of a new automatic paste mixer and a fixed orifice pasting line that will improve the quality and dimensional tolerances of battery plates. In addition, the assembly operation added an automatic stacker that will provide the precise wrap and alignment of absorbed glass matt separator that is needed for the production of our premium PbC products.

As a result of our having invested in the reconfiguration of our manufacturing space and in the training of our workforce, we have been able to seize an evolving opportunity to increase revenue and cash flow generated from legacy lead-acid batteries. On March 8, 2011, we announced that we had received a series of purchase orders for the production and immediate delivery of flooded lead-acid batteries. The batteries will be branded by the purchaser. Axion anticipates weekly shipments of these batteries in 2011 with a total minimum purchase price of $3.5 million and a potential maximum purchase price of $8 million. The maximum number is based on the purchaser's forecast, which was projected from their historical data. The flooded lead-acid batteries will be built by Axion, with the purchaser carrying the cost of inventory and providing the raw materials required. The battery order is well-suited to production on the newly renovated, and currently under-utilized, manufacturing capacity at the Clover Lane facility. Revenue and margin from the sale of these batteries began to be reported in our financial results for the first quarter of 2011. This initiative is not a deviation from our long-term strategy which is focused on PbC battery and component production. Rather, it provides us with an opportunity to enhance that strategy by further training our factory personnel, while at the same time it allows us to make production and quality improvements. A further benefit is the generation of cash flow to reduce our cash burn rate as we move forward with the commercialization of our PbC products.

Axion has been recommended by a Quality System Registrar (SRI) for certification under ISO 9001:2008 – ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2008 for its Quality Management System. The scope of the ISO 9001:2008 registration is the “Design, manufacture, and distribution of advanced lead acid batteries and battery components”. Training, visual shop floor controls, and a strong commitment to quality have resulted in the third-party accreditation firm (SRI) recommending Axion for ISO certification. We expect to receive the ISO certificate in June 2011.

In 2010, we also continued to work with several major global automotive manufacturers that have made commitments to fleet wide adoption of hybridization of their future manufactured vehicles. This commitment was strongly influenced by European Union (EU) legislation that requires reductions in CO2 emissions for all new passenger vehicle production in Europe beginning in 2012. In the first year of the phased in requirement, 65% of the fleet (average) is required to reduce CO2 emissions to 130 grams per kilometer. The percentage ratchets up to 75% in 2013, 80% in 2014 and a full 100% in 2015. Beginning in 2012, failure to comply with the regulation would result in a fine based on the number of grams of CO2 that were emitted above the 130 gram limit. The assessment would begin with 5 euros for the first gram; 15 euros for the second; 25 euros for the third; 95 euros for the fourth; and 95 euros for every subsequent gram of CO2 over the 130 gram limit. This fine would be assessed against the entire new manufactured fleet of an OEM. In real terms it means that if an OEM manufactured one million vehicles (and there are several that do) in 2015, and that manufacturer was 5 grams of CO2 over the limit (at the 135 grams of CO2 per kilometer level), then that manufacturer would be fined 235 million euros for the year 2015, and for every subsequent year of non-compliance (European Parliament regulation EC443/2009).

 
3

 

We and others believe that the fastest, and least expensive, method of reducing CO2 emissions from a gasoline powered vehicle is to equip the vehicle with stop/start technology. Simply put, in stop/start, every time the vehicle comes to rest the engine shuts off. When the operator takes their foot off the brake and re-engages, the engine comes back on. CO2 emission reductions, and the “hand in hand” fuel savings, are directly proportional to the time the engine is at rest. But, while the engine is off, there is still an ancillary load in the car that must be powered (headlights, heater/air conditioning, radio, power brakes, windshield wipers, door locks, dash board lights, power windows, etc.). The car battery will have to power this load, and it will have to do so without charge from the alternator, or integrated starter generator, because the engine is at rest. Several battery technologies can be utilized - expensive lithium ion, nickel metal hydride, super capacitors in various forms and combinations, but these solutions all cost more than $1,000 when the necessary ancillary equipment is added in. Prospective solutions in the form of conventional lead-acid batteries would cost a few hundred dollars but lead-acid batteries, in flooded, VRLA or AGM constructs, do not allow the vehicle to function fully as required. This is true because the lead-acid battery develops poor charge acceptance early in its life cycle resulting in extended charge time requirements between stop/start events. The result is a charging event that takes minutes during which time the vehicle engine cannot shut off and therefore does not reduce CO2 emissions, and increase mpg, in conformance with government regulations. The solution offered by our PbC technology combines low cost, with a fast rate of charge acceptance and achieves the specified stop/start performance that is needed to comply with CO2 emissions regulations. We feel we have the best potential product for the emerging micro-hybrid (stop/start) market and therefore we have devoted considerable time and money in working with our strategic partners and prospective customers in this area.

In 2010, we continued to work on our hybrid locomotive PbC product. Similar to the hybrid vehicle market, battery charge acceptance and ability to take advantage of opportunity charging are key elements in providing a product for the hybrid locomotive market. This area is a major focus for us and, we feel, a natural application for our high charge acceptance/fast re-charge PbC product. To that end, we have been working with Norfolk Southern for the last eighteen months and are currently string testing batteries with them to develop a system that takes full advantage of their unique usage profile. We expect to advance to full field-testing with Norfolk Southern during the second quarter of 2011.

In connection with the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and Commonwealth Financing Authority grants we received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we have launched our PowerCube product onsite at our Clover Lane facility. The PowerCube is outfitted with battery racking, electronics and power equipment. The batteries for the PowerCube are currently under test with the uninterrupted power supply system (UPS). We anticipate the PowerCube energy storage system will be fully functional during the summer of 2011. There is a solar tree component to this project, being installed by our strategic partner Envision Solar, which we expect to be fully functional within the same time frame.

In addition, we began developing smaller PowerCube units (mini-cubes) for smaller storage applications. These applications include residential storage and small commercial storage. The end product will provide backup power, power quality, power smoothing, and in most cases will be combined with a solar power component. We have entered into a memorandum of understanding with a group that intends to take this product to market.

We continued our work on the grant from the Office of Naval Services (ONR) in 2010. This project is aimed at developing a product for the Navy and Marine Corps silent watch program and their assault vehicle program. This program provided us with valuable information that we can utilize across the spectrum of our products. We have billed and collected 61% of this grant award in 2010 and expect to finish the program in the first half of 2011.

Our Business and Products

We are a development stage company that has invested seven years and $60.7 million through December 31, 2010 to develop our patented energy storage device that uses activated carbon electrode assemblies to replace the lead-based negative electrodes found in conventional lead-acid batteries. Our PbC energy storage device is a hybrid battery-supercapacitor that combines the simplicity of lead-acid batteries with the fast recharge rate and longer cycle life of supercapacitors. The result is a relatively low cost device that has versatility of design that will allow differing iterations to deliver maximum power; maximum energy; or a range of balances between the two.

Our PbC technology is protected by eight issued U.S. patents and other proprietary features and structures and we typically have a number of patent applications in process at any point in time. The resulting devices are technically sophisticated and yet simple in design. The carbon electrode assemblies are fabricated from readily available raw materials using, for the most part, standard industrial processes and techniques. The PbC negative electrodes are then assembled into PbC batteries that can employ the same cases, covers, positive electrodes, separators and electrolyte that are used in conventional lead-acid batteries, and can be assembled with the same equipment and methodology used throughout the world for manufacturing conventional lead-acid batteries. PbC batteries use significantly less lead than standard lead-acid batteries with a comparable footprint, and the lead, plastics and acid employed, just like lead-acid batteries, can be routinely and profitably recycled at existing recycling facilities around the world. As is the case with the lead-acid battery, we expect that in the United States our PbC battery will be fully recycled 99.1% of the time (United States Environmental Protection Agency, Solid Waste and Energy Response [5306P]).

 
4

 

In February 2007, our PbC technology received the Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for the best development in the field of lead-acid batteries for 2006.

We believe our advanced battery technologies are uniquely situated to answer the current challenges facing the conventional lead-acid battery and that industry as a whole. While we explore the various potential applications for our PbC technology, two facilities in New Castle, Pennsylvania provide us with both an excellent R&D facility and a pilot production plant in which to produce our advanced energy storage devices. In manufacturing this battery assembly using conventional lead-acid battery production methods for our PbC battery production, we provide proof to our future PbC negative electrode customers that our product is suitable to immediate use in their factories.

The PbC battery production is limited at this time by our inability to make the carbon electrodes in large numbers and with proper quality control. As part of our plan to transition from pilot production of PbC negative electrodes to commercial manufacturing, in 2010 we entered into a long term lease for an additional New Castle, Pennsylvania facility that we had been subleasing since 2008 (our Green Ridge Road facility). This 45,000 square foot facility currently houses our prototype automated PbC negative electrode production line, which was delivered to us in March 2011, and commissioning is underway. In addition, this transition will require that we:
 
 
·
continue to refine our fabrication methods for carbon sheeting, packet assembly and other key components of our carbon electrode assemblies;

 
·
demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing our PbC device and our other technologies, using standard techniques and equipment;

 
·
demonstrate that the proper quality control can be achieved on our robotic PbC negative electrode manufacturing line;
 
 
·
demonstrate and document the performance of our products in key applications; and
 
 
·
respond appropriately to anticipated and unanticipated technical and manufacturing challenges.

Our Clover Lane facility has a permitted manufacturing capacity of 3,000 batteries per day, so we currently have excess battery manufacturing capacity that we are able to dedicate to production of high margin specialty batteries that are required in relatively small numbers for direct sales. We are also able to respond quickly as other opportunities to manufacture traditional products present themselves.

We plan to develop our lead carbon technology for use in a variety of applications including:

 
·
motive power applications;

 
·
stationary power applications;

 
·
hybrid electric vehicle applications;

 
·
hybrid locomotive applications; and

 
·
military applications.

We believe demand for cost-effective energy storage systems produced using our PbC technology will grow rapidly. We also believe that our technologies can be among the leaders in the high performance battery market, and that our competitive advantages will include:

 
5

 

 
·
Cost effectiveness: Due to an extended cycle life and relatively low production costs;

 
·
Superior properties of our product: The PbC battery has a much greater charge acceptance and has must faster recharge capabilities when compared to other standard and advanced lead-acid batteries;

 
·
Ease of manufacturing integration: Our planned carbon electrode assemblies will be designed to replace the standard lead negative electrodes in conventional lead-acid batteries. In some applications that require fixed voltage operations, voltage conversion may be needed;

 
·
Superior flexibility: By changing the number, geometry and arrangement of the PbC negative electrode assemblies, we expect to be able to configure our devices to favor either maximum energy storage or maximum power delivery; and

 
·
Reduced lead content: Depending on the energy, power and cycling requirements of a particular application, our fully recyclable device will use substantially less lead than conventional lead-acid batteries in some applications.

We anticipate our ability to establish and maintain a competitive position will be dependent on several factors, including:

 
·
the availability of raw materials and key components;

 
·
our ability to design and manufacture commercial carbon electrode assemblies;

 
·
our ability to establish and operate facilities that can fabricate PbC negative electrode assemblies and commercially manufacture our PbC device with consistent quality at a predictable cost;

 
·
our ability to establish and expand a customer base;

 
·
our ability to execute and perform on any future strategic distribution agreements with tier one and/or tier two battery manufacturers;
 
 
·
our ability to compete against established, emerging, and other storage technologies;
 
 
·
the market for batteries in general; and

 
·
our ability to retain key personnel.

Our objective is to become an industry leader in the development and production of components for low cost, high performance energy storage systems. We plan to achieve this objective by pursuing the following core strategies:

 
·
Platform technology business model. We plan to implement a platform technology business model that will focus on developing and manufacturing carbon electrode assemblies that we can offer for sale to established battery manufacturers who want to use our PbC carbon electrode products in their batteries.

 
·
Leverage relationships with thought leaders. We are engaged in discussions with industry consortia, research institutions, automotive OEM’s, rail transportation providers and other thought leaders in the fields of utility applications and hybrid electric vehicle technology. As we develop our relationships in the field of energy research, we believe the opportunities for government funding and consortia participation will expand and improve our access to potential suppliers and customers.

 
·
Leverage relationships with battery manufacturers. Our business model is based on the premise that we can most effectively address the needs of the market by selling PbC negative electrode assemblies to established lead-acid battery manufacturers who want to add advanced battery technology to their existing product lines. This business model should allow us to leverage the business abilities, manufacturing facilities and distribution networks of established manufacturers in order to reduce our time to market and increase our potential market penetration.

 
6

 

 
·
Build a recognized brand. We believe strong brand name recognition is important in order to increase product awareness and to effectively penetrate the mass market. We intend to differentiate our brand by emphasizing our combination of high performance and low total cost of ownership per storage cycle.

 
·
Focus on specific markets. Markets for hybrid electric vehicles, hybrid locomotives and conventional utility applications are becoming increasingly attractive. We are actively pursuing the use of our lead carbon technology products in these emerging markets.

 
·
Maintain our technical advantage and reduce manufacturing costs. We intend to maintain our technical advantage by continuing to invest in R&D in order to improve the performance of our PbC devices and other technologies and to continue to lower our manufacturing costs.

The battery industry is mature, capital intensive, heavily regulated, highly competitive and averse to product performance risks associated with radical departures from established technology. We do not believe we will be able to make a credible entry into the battery market until we have proven the advantages of our PbC device technology in demonstration projects with end users. Therefore, our business plan contemplates two discrete phases: the development phase (including prototype and demonstration) and the commercialization phase.

Development Phase . We are currently in the final stages of the development phase of our business plan. We are focusing on producing small quantities of commercial prototypes in our own manufacturing facilities. These commercial prototypes will serve as the foundation for a series of paid demonstration projects with established end users. If these projects are successful and end user testing validates the advantages of our PbC device technology under real-world operating conditions, we may be able to proceed more easily to the full commercialization phase. In general, our development path in each identified target market will include the following:

 
·
Prototype manufacturing . We are finalizing architecture and manufacturing methods for our commercial prototype PbC carbon electrodes. These PbC negative electrode assemblies will be the key component in the onsite manufacturing of our PbC batteries. We are also working in house, and with third parties, to develop methods of properly integrating electronics unique to various applications. Our proprietary battery management system plays a key role in this development since it allows us to remotely monitor, and in some cases manage the condition, of both individual batteries and battery strings.
 
 
·
Demonstration projects . When we have developed and bench tested our commercial prototype PbC devices for a particular target market, we will negotiate additional demonstration projects for each of the intended applications. In some of the larger projects we may partner with a larger battery manufacturer in order to provide the required quantity of PbC devices. Our goal is to document and validate the superior performance of our products in real-world applications.

 
·
Commercial production . When we have developed sufficient data to support a decision to commence full scale production of a product or product line, we intend to use our Clover Lane facility until we reach our maximum permitted capacity, after which we plan to pursue strategic relationships with other battery manufacturers that are willing to manufacture co-branded commercial PbC products. Those products will contain our proprietary PbC negative electrode assembly, which we will continue to manufacture at our Green Ridge Road facility and build our brand recognition.

Our planned demonstration projects are not expected to generate sufficient revenue and gross profit to offset our expected operating costs. Accordingly, we do not expect to attain profitability during the development phase. If we enter into a commercialization relationship for a specific product or product line, we believe our margins may improve based on efficiencies of scale. However, there is no assurance that the commercialization of products for one or more market segments will generate sufficient revenue and gross profit to offset our anticipated R&D and other operating expenses and yield a profit.

 
7

 

Commercialization Phase . During the commercialization phase, we intend to implement a platform technology business model where we will develop and manufacture the PbC carbon electrode assemblies that are unique to our PbC batteries. In addition to using these assemblies in our batteries, we eventually intend to sell our proprietary assemblies to other established battery manufacturers who are seeking to market more advanced batteries. We believe a platform technology business model will reduce our time to market, allow us to rely on the established business abilities of existing manufacturers and forge a strong brand identity for our PbC products, while, at the same time, allowing us to focus on a narrow band of value-added activities that should minimize our investment and maximize our profitability.

Until we complete our planned demonstration projects, our negotiation position with respect to developing customer relationships with established battery manufacturers may be impaired. Even if our planned demonstration projects are successful, we may be unable to negotiate manufacturing relationships on terms acceptable to us.

We plan to initially focus on high-value market segments where the total cost of ownership is the primary determining factor in product selection. We believe our commercial PbC device will be most appealing where longer life, high performance, and low maintenance are fully valued.

Our Patents and Intellectual Property

We own eight issued U.S. patents at the date of this prospectus covering various aspects of our PbC technologies, and we typically have a number of patent applications in process at any point in time. There is no assurance that any of the pending patent applications will ultimately be granted. Our issued patents are:

 
·
U.S. Patent No. 6,466,429 (expires May 2021) - Electric double layer capacitor;
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 6,628,504 (expires May 2021) - Electric double layer capacitor;
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 6,706,079 (expires May 2022) - Method of formation and charge of the negative polarizable carbon electrode in an electric double layer capacitor;
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 7,006,346 (expires June 2004) - Positive Electrode of an electric double layer capacitor;
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 7,110,242 (expires February 2021) - Electrode for electric double layer capacitor and method of fabrication thereof;
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 7,119,047 (expires February 2021) - Modified activated carbon for carbon for capacitor electrodes and method of fabrication thereof;
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 7,569,514 (expires May 22, 2021) - Modified activated carbon for carbon for capacitor electrodes and method of fabrication thereof; and
 
·
U.S. Patent No. 7,881,042 (expires March 2027) – Activated Carbon Electrode with PTFE Binder.

Presently, we have no duty to pay any royalties or license fees with respect to the commercialization of our PbC device technology, and we are not subject to any field of use restrictions. We believe our patents and patent applications, along with our trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property, will be critical to our success.

Our ability to compete effectively with other companies will depend on our ability to maintain and protect the PbC device intellectual property and technology. We plan to file additional patent applications in the future. However, the degree of protection offered by our existing patents or the likelihood that our future applications will be granted, or the degree of protection afforded by future patents, if granted, is uncertain. Competitors in both the United States and foreign countries, many of which have substantially greater resources and have made substantial investment in competing technologies, may have, or may apply for and obtain patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make and sell products based on our PbC device technology. Competitors may also intentionally infringe on our patents. The prosecution and defense of patent litigation is both costly and time-consuming, even if the outcome is favorable to us. An adverse outcome in the defense of a patent infringement suit could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties and prevent us from using all or any portion of the technology covered by such a patent. Although third parties have not asserted any infringement claims against us, there is no assurance that third parties will not assert such claims in the future.

We also rely on trade secrets and know-how, and there is no assurance that others will not independently develop the same or similar technology or obtain unauthorized access to our trade secrets, know-how and other unpatented technology. To protect our rights in these areas, we require all employees, consultants, advisors and collaborators to enter into strict confidentiality agreements. These agreements may not provide meaningful protection for our unpatented technology in the event of an unauthorized use, misappropriation or disclosure. While we have attempted to protect the unpatented proprietary technology that we develop or acquire, and will continue to attempt to protect future proprietary technology through patents, copyrights and trade secrets, we believe that our success will depend, to a large extent, upon continued innovation and technological expertise.

 
8

 

Our proposed products are still in the development stage, and we may need to license additional technologies to optimize the performance of our products. We may not be able to license these technologies on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, we may fail to successfully integrate any licensed technology into our proposed products. Our inability to obtain any necessary licenses could delay our product development and testing until alternative technologies can be identified, licensed and integrated.

In general, the level of protection afforded by a patent is directly proportional to the ability of the patent owner to protect and enforce those rights through legal action. Since our financial resources are limited, and patent litigation can be both expensive and time consuming, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully prosecute an infringement claim in the event that a competitor develops a technology or introduces a product that infringes on one or more of our patents or patent applications. There can be no assurance that our competitors will not independently develop other technologies that render our proposed products obsolete. In general, we believe the best protection of our proprietary technology will come from market position, technical innovation, speed-to-market, and product performance. There is no assurance that we will realize any benefit from our intellectual property rights.

Our Competition

Our PbC technology is potentially competitive with technologies being developed by a number of new and established companies engaged in the manufacture of storage devices or components for storage devices. In addition, many universities, research institutions and other companies are developing advanced energy storage technologies including:

 
·
symmetric supercapacitors;
 
·
asymmetric supercapacitors with organic electrolytes;
 
·
nickel metal hydride batteries;
 
·
lithium-ion batteries;
 
·
other advanced lead-acid devices; and
 
·
flow batteries.

Other business entities are developing advanced energy production technologies like fuel cells, solar cells and windmills which may use our products, or, in some cases, compete with our products. Since some of our competitors are developing technologies that may ultimately have costs similar to, or lower than, our projected costs, there can be no assurance we will be able to compete effectively.

Our competitors with more diversified product offerings may be better positioned to withstand changing market conditions. Some of our competitors own, partner with, have longer term or stronger relationships with suppliers of raw materials and components, which could result in them being able to obtain raw materials on a more favorable basis than us. It is possible that new competitors or alliances among existing competitors could emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share, which would harm our business.

The development of technology, equipment and manufacturing techniques and the operation of a facility for the automated production of rechargeable batteries require large capital expenditures. In order to minimize our capital investment in manufacturing facilities and establish strong brand name recognition for our products, our overall strategy is to negotiate strategic alliances and other production agreements with established battery manufacturers that want to add high-performance co-branded products to their existing product lines. There can be no assurance, however, that our PbC platform technology business model will succeed in the battery industry.

 
9

 

Raw Materials

During the research stage, we used readily available raw materials, off-the-shelf components manufactured by others and hand-made components fabricated by our staff. When we begin manufacturing our PbC products in commercial quantities, we will need to establish reliable supply channels for commercial quantities of raw materials and components. We believe established suppliers of raw materials and components will be able to satisfy our requirements on a timely basis. However, we do not have any long-term supply contracts and the unavailability of necessary raw materials or components could delay the production of our products and adversely impact our results of operations.

Lead is the primary raw material in lead-acid batteries and currently accounts for 80% of our raw material and component costs in the specialty conventional lead-acid batteries we now manufacture. Lead prices have fluctuated dramatically over the last three years, similar to other industrial grade commodity metals. Although our PbC battery does not require as much lead as a conventional lead-acid battery, lead is still a major raw material component.

Environmental Protection

Lead is a toxic material that is a primary raw material in our PbC batteries. We also use, generate and discharge other toxic, volatile and hazardous chemicals and wastes in our research, development and manufacturing activities. We comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding pollution control and environmental protection. Under some statutes and regulations, a government agency, or other parties, may seek to recover response costs from operators of property where releases of hazardous substances have occurred or are ongoing, even if the operator was not responsible for such release or otherwise at fault. In addition, more stringent laws and regulations may be adopted in the future, and the costs of complying with those laws and regulations could be substantial. If we fail to control the use of, or to adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances, we could be subject to significant monetary damages and fines, or forced to suspend certain operations. Our facility was previously tested and found to be in compliance with emission standards as established by new federal guidelines in accordance with the Clean Air Act – Title III.

Our Research and Development

We engage in extensive R&D activities for the purpose of improving our PbC technology and our proposed products. Our goal is to increase efficiency and reduce costs in order to maximize our competitive advantage. Our R&D organization works closely with our engineering team, our suppliers and potential customers to improve our product design and lower manufacturing costs. During 2010 and 2009, we spent $5.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively, on R&D, and $23.8 million since inception. While our limited financial resources and brief operating history makes it difficult for us to estimate our future expenditures, we expect to incur R&D expenditures of consistent magnitude for the foreseeable future.
 
Our Employees

As of December 31, 2010 we employed a staff of 64, including a 16 member scientific and engineering team, and 31people who are involved principally in manufacturing. We are not subject to any collective bargaining agreements, and we believe we have a good relationship with our employees.

Description of Properties

On November 4, 2010, the Company entered into a Commercial Lease (“Lease”) with Becan Development, LLC (“Lessor”) to lease a 45,000 square foot building, located at 209 Green Ridge Road in New Castle PA, (the “Property”), which the Company currently occupies to house various offices and manufacturing facilities. The salient terms of the Lease are as follows:

 
·
The Lease term commenced on January 1, 2011 and the term expires on December 31, 2015.
 
·
The Lease may be extended for two 5-year terms, by giving notice not less than 30 nor more than 120 days before the expiration of the initial term or first renewal term (as applicable). The renewal leases shall be on terms substantially similar to the terms of the initial Lease except for any adjustment to rent, if warranted, as mutually agreed upon by Lessor and the Company.
 
·
The rental amount for the initial term is $19,297 per month and is on a “triple net” basis.
 
·
If the Company is able to obtain sufficient funding from either the federal or state government or agencies, and it enters into a binding agreement to purchase the Property, the Lease shall be immediately terminated and Lessor shall credit the most recent 6 months of actual rental payments made to Lessor against the purchase price of the Property

 
10

 


 
·
The Company also has a right of first refusal to purchase the property within 30 days of receipt of notice of a third party offer from Lessor upon substantially the same terms as those offered by the third party.
 
·
The Lease contains market terms on standard provisions such as defaults and maintenance.

On March 28, 2010, we renewed our lease for existing space at our manufacturing plant located at 3601 Clover Lane in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The salient terms of the renewal lease are as follows:

 
·
The term commenced on April 3, 2010 with an initial term of three years.
 
·
The renewal lease may be extended for two successive five-year renewal options with future rent to be negotiated at a commercially reasonable rate.
 
·
The battery manufacturing facility includes 70,438 square feet of floor space, including 7,859 square feet of office, locker, lab and lunch area, 46,931 square feet of manufacturing space, 1,488 square feet of dedicated lab space, 9,200 square feet of storage buildings and 5,000 square feet of basement area.
 
·
The rental amount for the initial term is $16,700 per month, which is fixed through 2013. In addition to the monthly rental, we are obligated to pay all required maintenance costs, taxes and special assessments, maintain public liability insurance, and maintain fire and casualty insurance for an amount equal to 100% of the replacement value of the leased premises.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including pending opposition proceedings involving patents that arise in the ordinary course of business. There are no matters pending that we expect to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Final Settlement of the Contingent Shares Litigation

As of July 28, 2010, all remaining litigation with respect to the Mercatus stock transaction was fully settled and dismissed with a total amount of settlement proceeds of $860,000. The settlement proceeds are allocated as follows:

$
214,000
 
To legal counsel for fees and expenses
 
646,000
 
To us (which consists mainly of reimbursement of legal fees and expenses)
$
860,000
 
Total proceeds
 
The two remaining plaintiffs were issued unrestricted shares of our common stock in settlement of their right to a portion of the proceeds subject to execution of the agreements.

Taylor Litigation and Bankruptcy Court Litigation

On February 10, 2004, Lewis “Chip” Taylor, Chip Taylor in Trust, Jared Taylor, Elgin Investments, Inc. and Mega-C Technologies, Inc. (collectively the “Taylor Group”) filed a lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Commercial List (Case No. 04-CL-5317) that named Tamboril, Axion Power Corporation, and others as defendants (the “Taylor Litigation”). As discussed more fully below, by virtue of orders entered on February 11, 2008 and June 9, 2008 by the Bankruptcy Court in the Mega-C bankruptcy case, as confirmed by a judgment entered on November 10, 2009, this action against us is subject to the permanent injunction of the confirmed Chapter 11 Plan of Mega-C. On April 14, 2009, the Ontario Superior Court entered an order dismissing us from the Taylor Litigation.

In June 2004, we filed an involuntary Chapter 11 petition against Mega-C in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada (Case No. 04-50962-gwz). In March 2005, the Bankruptcy Court appointed William M. Noall (“Noall”) to serve as Chapter 11 Trustee for the Mega-C case. On June 7, 2005, the Chapter 11 Trustee commenced an adversary proceeding against Sally Fonner (“Fonner”), the trustee of the Mega-C Trust (Adversary Proceeding No. 05-05042-gwz), demanding, among other things, the turnover of at least 7,327,500 shares held by the Mega-C Trust as property of the bankruptcy estate. On July 27, 2005, we commenced an adversary proceeding against Noall and Fonner (Adversary Proceeding No. 05-05082-gwz).

 
11

 

On December 12, 2005, we entered into the Settlement Agreement with Mega-C, represented by Chapter 11 Trustee Noall, and the Mega-C Trust, represented by its trustee Fonner.

The Settlement Agreement was approved by the Bankruptcy Court after a hearing in an order dated February 1, 2006. Certain terms were subject to confirmation and effectiveness of Mega-C’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. On November 8, 2006, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Chapter 11 plan. The confirmed Chapter 11 plan was subsequently substantially consummated on November 21, 2006. The Settlement Agreement was fully incorporated in the confirmed Chapter 11 plan. The plan is fully effective and substantially consummated.

The litigation settlement and releases provided by the Chapter 11 plan are now binding on Mega-C, the Chapter 11 trustee, the Taylor Group and all other parties described in the plan of reorganization. In an order entered on February 11, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted our motion for partial summary judgment, holding that the alleged “oral” agreement creating rights or interests in the Technology in favor of the Taylor Group never existed and, even if it had, the Taylor Group transferred any such rights to the Debtor which were then transferred to us by the confirmed Chapter 11 plan. The Bankruptcy Court held that the Taylor Group has no interest in or rights to the Technology. The Bankruptcy Court held that any attempts to claim an interest in or contest our title to the Technology are contrary to the permanent injunction of the Chapter 11 plan. The Bankruptcy Court held that the Taylor Litigation against us is barred by the permanent injunction of the confirmed Chapter 11 plan.

In orders entered on June 9, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court mandated that the Taylor Group litigation against us be dismissed. On February 10, 2009, the Taylors filed a second motion to vacate the February 11, 2008 order granting summary judgment in our favor. At a hearing on the Taylors’ second motion to vacate the February 11, 2008 summary judgment order on April 23, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court denied the Taylors’ motion in its entirety. The order denying the Taylors’ second motion to vacate and judgment were entered on November 10, 2009.

By virtue of the confirmed Chapter 11 plan, all of the Mega-C’s right, title and interest, if any, in the technology was transferred to us. By virtue of the February 11, 2008 orders of the Bankruptcy Court, as subsequently confirmed in the judgment entered on November 10, 2009, the Taylor Group has no interest in or rights to the technology. By virtue of the April 14, 2009 order from the Ontario Superior Court, the Taylor Litigation has been dismissed against us. The Taylors filed a notice of appeal from the November judgment, which is pending in the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit. We filed a cross-appeal from the portion of the judgment denying Axion’s requests for sanctions and to hold the Taylors in contempt.

On April 6, 2011, the Bankruptcy Court has entered an order dismissing the adversary proceeding entitled Taylor v. Axion et al . The Bankruptcy Court has closed that adversary proceeding and so noted the closure on its docket.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, as well as all other information included in all other filings, incorporated herein by reference, when evaluating the Company and its business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could suffer. In that case, the price of our common stock could decline and our stockholders may lose all or part of their investment.

Investing in our common stock is very speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus before making an investment decision. The following are among the risks we face related to our business, assets and operations. They are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also arise. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. You should not purchase our shares unless you can afford to lose your entire investment.

 
12

 

We are a development stage company, and our business and prospects are extremely difficult to evaluate.

Since our inception in September 2003, the majority of our resources have been dedicated to our R&D efforts, and we have only recently begun to transition into the very early stages of commercial PbC prototype production. We do not have a stable operating history that you can rely on in connection with your evaluation of our current business and our future business prospects. Our business and prospects must be carefully considered in light of the limited history of PbC technology and the many business risks, uncertainties and difficulties that are typically encountered by development stage companies that have sporadic revenues and are committed to focusing on research, development and product testing for an indeterminate period of time. Some of the principal risks and difficulties we have encountered and expect to continue to encounter include, but are not limited to, our ability to:

 
·
Maintain effective control over the cost of our research, pace of progress, development and product testing activities;
 
·
Develop cost effective manufacturing methods for essential components of our proposed products;
 
·
Improve the performance of our commercial prototype batteries;
 
·
Successfully transition from our laboratory research and pilot production efforts to commercial manufacturing and sales of our prototype PbC battery technologies;
 
·
Adapt and successfully execute our vision and business plan;
 
·
Implement and improve operational, information technology , financial and management control systems and processes;
 
·
License complementary technologies if necessary and successfully defend our intellectual property rights against potential claims;
 
·
Respond effectively to competitive developments and changing market conditions;
 
·
Continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; and
 
·
Manage each of the other risks set forth below.

Because of our limited operating history and our relatively recent transition into the production of prototype PbC devices that we are relying on to become our core revenue generating products, we have limited insight into trends and conditions that may exist or might emerge and affect our business. There is no assurance that our business strategy will be successful or that we will successfully address the risks identified in this prospectus.

We have incurred net losses from inception and do not expect to introduce our first commercial PbC products in quantity until the fourth quarter of 2011.

From our inception we have incurred net losses and expect to incur substantial and possibly increasing losses for the foreseeable future as we increase our spending to fund the development of production methods for our PbC devices and to build an infrastructure to support this business. Our operating losses have had, and will continue to have, an adverse impact on our working capital, total assets and stockholders’ equity. For 2010, we had a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $6.8 million. In addition, we had cumulative losses from inception (September 18, 2003) to December 31, 2010 of $67.7 million. We have not yet reached a point where we can manufacture our proprietary PbC batteries and our proprietary activated carbon electrodes in commercial volumes and we will not be in a position to commercialize such products until we complete the design development, manufacturing process development and pre-market testing activities. There can be no assurance that our development and testing activities will be successful or that our proposed products will achieve market acceptance or be sold in sufficient quantities and at prices necessary to make them commercially viable.

We are subject to stringent environmental regulation.

We use or generate certain hazardous substances in our research and manufacturing facilities. We do not carry environmental impairment insurance. We believe that all permits and licenses required for our current business activities are in place. Although we do not know of any material environmental, safety or health problems in our property or processes, there can be no assurance that problems will not develop in the future which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, or financial condition.

 
13

 

Our products contain hazardous materials including lead.

Lead is a toxic material that is a primary raw material in our batteries. We also use, generate and discharge other toxic, volatile and hazardous chemicals and wastes in our research, development and manufacturing activities. We are required to comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding pollution control and environmental protection. Under some statutes and regulations, a government agency, or other parties, may seek to recover response costs from operators of property where releases of hazardous substances have occurred or are ongoing, even if the operator was not responsible for such release or otherwise at fault. In addition, more stringent laws and regulations may be adopted in the future, and the costs of complying with those laws and regulations could be substantial. If we fail to control the use of, or inadequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances, we could be subject to significant monetary damages and fines, or be forced to suspend certain operations.

As we sell our products, we may become the subject of product liability claims.

Due to the hazardous nature of many of the key materials used in the manufacturing of our batteries, the producers of such products may be exposed to a greater number of product liability claims, including possible environmental claims. We currently have product liability insurance up to $1,000,000 per occurrence and $5,000,000 in the aggregate to protect us against the risk that in the future a product liability claim or product recall could materially and adversely affect our business operations. Inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage at an acceptable cost or otherwise to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our product. We cannot assure you that as we continue distribution of our products that we will be able to obtain or maintain adequate coverage on acceptable terms, or that such insurance will provide adequate coverage against all potential claims. Even if we maintain adequate insurance, any successful claim could materially and adversely affect our reputation and prospects, and divert management’s time and attention. If we are sued for any injury allegedly caused by our future products our liability could exceed our total assets and our ability to pay such liability.

We depend on key personnel, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives, employees, and consultants.

Our business is dependent upon the knowledge and experience of our key scientists, engineers, manufacturing staff and executive officers. Given the competitive nature of our industry, there is the risk that one or more of our key scientists or engineers will resign their positions, which could have a disruptive impact on our operations. If any of our key scientists, engineers or executive officers do not continue in their present positions, we may not be able to easily replace them and our business may be severely disrupted. If any of these individuals joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we could lose important know-how and experience and incur substantial expense to recruit and train suitable replacements. Currently, all of our key employees have employment contracts that include non-compete provisions.

We will not begin automated production of our PbC technology until the 3rd quarter of 2011.

We will not be able to begin full commercial production of our PbC energy storage devices until we complete our current testing operations, our planned application evaluation, our planned product development and until our second generation robotic PbC negative electrode production line is fully commissioned. We believe our path to full automated production will, at a minimum, take us into the third quarter of 2011. Even if our prototype development operations are successful, there can be no assurance that we will be able to establish and maintain our facilities and relationships for the manufacturing, distribution and sale of our PbC batteries and other technologies or that any future products will achieve market acceptance and be sold in sufficient quantities and at prices necessary to make them commercially successful. Even if our proposed products are commercially successful, there can be no assurance that we will realize enough revenue and gross margin from the sale of products to achieve profitability.

We have limited manufacturing experience with respect to our PbC technology, which may translate into substantial cost overruns in manufacturing and marketing our products.

We do not have extensive manufacturing experience with respect to production of our commercial PbC negative electrode prototypes in quantities required to achieve our operational goals, and there is no assurance that we will be able to retain a qualified manufacturing staff or effectively manage the manufacturing of our proposed products when we are ready to do so.

 
14

 

As we transition into the commercial production of our prototype devices, we may experience substantial cost overruns in manufacturing and marketing our PbC technologies, and we may not have sufficient capital in the future to successfully complete such tasks. In addition, we may not be able to manufacture or market our products because of industry conditions, general economic conditions, and/or competition from potential manufacturers and distributors. Either of these inabilities could cause us to abandon our current business plan and may cause our operations to eventually fail.

Risks related to our PbC Technology

We need to improve the performance of our commercial prototypes before we commit to achieve large scale production.

Our commercial prototypes do not satisfy all of our performance expectations, and we need to continue to improve various aspects of our PbC technology as we move forward with larger scale production of our commercial prototypes. There is no assurance that we will be able to resolve the known technical issues. Future testing of our prototypes may reveal additional technical issues that are not currently recognized as obstacles. If we cannot improve the performance of our prototypes in a timely manner, we may be forced to redesign or delay the large scale production of commercial prototypes or possibly cause us to abandon our product development efforts altogether.

We do not have any long-term vendor contracts.

We currently purchase the raw materials for our carbon electrodes and a variety of other components from third parties. We then fabricate our carbon electrodes and build our prototypes in-house. We do not have any long-term contracts with suppliers of raw materials and components, and our current suppliers may be unable to satisfy our future requirements on a timely basis. Moreover, the price of purchased raw materials and components could fluctuate significantly due to circumstances beyond our control. If our current suppliers are unable to satisfy our long-term requirements on a timely basis, we may be required to seek alternative sources for necessary materials and components or redesign our proposed products to accommodate available substitutes.

We will be a small player in an intensely competitive market and may be unable to compete.

The lead-acid battery industry is large, intensely competitive and resistant to technological change. Even if our product development efforts are successful, we will have to compete or enter into further strategic relationships with well-established companies that are much larger and have greater financial capital and other resources than we do. We may be unable to convince end users that products based on our PbC technology are superior to available alternatives. Moreover, if competitors introduce similar products, they may have a greater ability to withstand price competition and finance their marketing programs. There is no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively.

To the extent we enter into strategic relationships, we will be dependent upon our partners.

Some of our products are not intended for direct sale to end users and our business strategy is likely to require us to enter into strategic relationships with manufacturers of other power industry equipment that use batteries and other energy storage devices as important components of their finished products. The agreements governing any future strategic relationships may not provide us with control over the activities of any strategic relationship we negotiate and our future partners, if any, could retain the right to terminate the strategic relationship at their option. Our future partners will have significant discretion in determining the efforts and level of resources that they dedicate to our products and may be unwilling or unable to fulfill their obligations to us. In addition, our future partners may develop and commercialize, either alone or with others, products that are similar to or competitive with the products that we intend to produce.

 
15

 

Risks relating to our intellectual property

We may rely on licenses for our PbC technology, which may affect our continued operations with respect thereto.

As we develop our PbC technology, we may need to license additional technologies to optimize the performance of our products. We may not be able to license these technologies on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, we may fail to successfully integrate any licensed technology into our proposed products. Our inability to obtain any necessary licenses could delay our product development and testing until alternative technologies can be identified, licensed and integrated. The inability to obtain any necessary third-party licenses could cause us to abandon a particular development path, which could seriously harm our business, financial position and results of our operations.

New technology may lead to our competitors developing superior products which would reduce demand for our products.

Research into the electrochemical applications for carbon nanotechnology and other storage technologies is proceeding at a rapid pace, and many private and public companies and research institutions are actively engaged in the development of new battery technologies based on carbon nanotubes, nanostructured carbon materials and other non-carbon materials. These new technologies may, if successfully developed, offer significant performance or price advantages when compared with our technologies. There is no assurance that our existing patents or our pending and proposed patent applications will offer meaningful protection if a competitor develops a novel product based on a new technology.

If we are unable to protect our proprietary technology and preserve our trade secrets, we will increase our vulnerability to competitors which could materially adversely impact our ability to remain in business.

Our ability to successfully commercialize our products will depend, in large measure, on our ability to protect those products and our technology with domestic and foreign patents. We will also need to continue to preserve our trade secrets. The issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its validity or as to the enforceable scope of the claims of the patent. The patent positions of technology companies, including us, are uncertain and involve complex legal and factual issues.

We cannot assure you that our patents will prevent other companies from developing similar products or products which produce benefits substantially the same as our products, or that other companies will not be issued patents that may prevent the sale of our products or require us to pay significant licensing fees in order to market our products. Accordingly, if our patent applications are not approved or, even if approved, if such patents are circumvented or not upheld in a court of law, our ability to competitively exploit our patented products and technologies may be significantly reduced. Additionally, the coverage claimed in a patent application can be significantly reduced before the patent is issued.
 
From time to time, we may need to obtain licenses to patents and other proprietary rights held by third parties in order to develop, manufacture and market our products. If we are unable to timely obtain these licenses on commercially reasonable terms, our ability to commercially exploit such products may be inhibited or prevented. Additionally, we cannot assure investors that any of our products or technology will be patentable or that any future patents we obtain will give us an exclusive position in the subject matter claimed by those patents. Furthermore, we cannot assure investors that our pending patent applications will result in issued patents, that patent protection will be secured for any particular technology, or that our issued patents will be valid or enforceable or provide us with meaningful protection.

If we are required to engage in expensive and lengthy litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights, the costs of such litigation could be material to our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and, if we are unsuccessful, the results of such litigation could materially adversely impact our entire business.

We may find it necessary to initiate litigation to enforce our patent rights, to protect our trade secrets or know-how or to determine the scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. We plan to aggressively defend our proprietary technology and any issued patents if funding is available to do so. Litigation concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights and proprietary technologies can often be time-consuming and expensive and, as with litigation generally, the outcome is inherently uncertain.

 
16

 

Although we have entered into invention assignment agreements with our employees and with certain advisors, if those employees or advisors develop inventions or processes independently which may relate to products or technology under development by us, disputes may also arise about the ownership of those inventions or processes. Time-consuming and costly litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our rights under these agreements.

We also rely on confidentiality agreements with our strategic partners, customers, suppliers, employees and consultants to protect our trade secrets and proprietary know-how. We may be required to commence litigation to enforce such agreements, and it is certainly possible that we will not have adequate remedies for breaches of our confidentiality agreements.

Other companies may claim that our technology infringes on their intellectual property or proprietary rights and commence legal proceedings against us which could be time-consuming and expensive and could result in our being prohibited from developing, marketing, selling or distributing our products.

Because of the complex and difficult legal and factual questions that relate to patent positions in our industry, we cannot assure you that our products or technology will not be found to infringe upon the intellectual property or proprietary rights of others. Third parties may claim that our products or technology infringe on their patents, copyrights, trademarks or other proprietary rights and demand that we cease development or marketing of those products or technology or pay license fees. We may not be able to avoid costly patent infringement litigation, which will divert the attention of management away from the development of new products and the operation of our business. We cannot assure investors that we would prevail in any such litigation. If we are found to have infringed on a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be liable for money damages, encounter significant delays in bringing products to market or be precluded from manufacturing particular products or using particular technology.

Other parties may challenge certain of our foreign patent applications. If such parties are successful in opposing our foreign patent applications, we may not gain the protection afforded by those patent applications in particular jurisdictions and may face additional proceedings with respect to similar patents in other jurisdictions, as well as related patents. The loss of patent protection in one jurisdiction may influence our ability to maintain patent protection for the same technology in other jurisdictions.

Risks relating to our common stock

We have issued a large number of warrants and options, which if exercised would substantially increase the number of common shares outstanding.

On March 1, 2011, we had 85,453,302 shares of common stock outstanding, and (a) we have warrants outstanding and that, if exercised, would generate proceeds of $15,258,947 and cause us to issue up to an additional 12,973,820 shares of common stock, with 1,085,714 of these warrants classified as derivative liabilities, and (b) we have options outstanding to purchase common stock that, if exercised, would generate proceeds of $7,051,223 and result in the issuance of an additional 3,578,520 shares of common stock.

As a key component of our growth strategy we have provided and intend to continue offering compensation packages to our management and employees that emphasize equity-based compensation and would thus cause further dilution.

Our stock price may not stabilize at current levels.

Our common stock is quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board. Since trading in our common stock began in January 2004, trading has been at times sporadic, trading volumes have at times been low and the market price has been volatile. The closing price reported as of May 31, 2011, the latest practicable date, was $0.74 per share. Current quotations are not necessarily a reliable indicator of value and there is no assurance that the market price of our stock will stabilize at or near current levels.

 
17

 

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to our research and development activities, business strategy, business plan, financial performance and other future events. These statements include forward-looking statements both with respect to us, specifically, and the battery sector, in general. We make these statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise.

All forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement and under the captions “Business,” “Legal Proceedings,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and “Controls and Procedures” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which you should review carefully. Please consider our forward-looking statements in light of those risks as you read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materializes, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we anticipate. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or individuals acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this Note. Before purchasing any shares or warrants, you should consider carefully all of the factors set forth or referred to in this prospectus and in the prospectus supplement that could cause actual results to differ.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of our securities to augment our working capital and for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, product development activities, including research and development activities, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions and other business opportunities. We may set forth in the prospectus supplement additional information on our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to that prospectus supplement.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 
·
through agents to the public or to investors;
 
·
to one or more underwriters for resale to the public or to investors;
 
·
in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;
 
·
directly to investors; or
 
·
through a combination of these methods of sale.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of an offering of shares of our securities, including.

 
·
the name or names of any agents or underwriters;
 
·
the purchase price of the shares and/or warrants being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
 
·
any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional shares and/or warrants from us;
 
·
any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;
 
·
the public offering price; and

 
18

 

 
·
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions;

 
·
at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
 
·
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
 
·
at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
 
·
at negotiated prices.

We may also, from time to time, authorize dealers, acting as our agents, to offer and sell securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriters may act as agents, may compensate underwriters in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions, in connection with the sale of securities. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a “best efforts” basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we will pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. The dealers and agents participating in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and to reimburse these persons for certain expenses. We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities we are offering under this prospectus an option to purchase additional shares and/or warrants to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.

To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them is repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

Certain underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of our business.

Under no circumstances will the fee, commission or discount received by a placement agent or any other FINRA member or independent broker-dealer exceed eight percent of the gross proceeds to us in this offering or any other offering in the United States pursuant to the base prospectus.

The agent’s compensation warrants, if any, will be substantially on the same terms as the warrants offered under any prospectus supplement, except that the compensation warrants will comply with FINRA Rule 2710(g)(1) in that for a period of six months after the issuance date of the compensation warrants (which shall not be earlier than the closing date of the offering pursuant to which the compensation warrants are being issued), neither the compensation warrants nor any warrant shares issued upon exercise of the compensation warrants shall be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of effectiveness or commencement of sales of the offering pursuant to which the compensation warrants are being issued, except as otherwise permitted by FINRA Rule 2710(g)(2).

 
19

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

General

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 125,000,000 shares of common stock and 12,500,000 shares of preferred stock. As of May 31, 2011, we have 85,453,302 common shares issued and outstanding. Outstanding warrants, vested options, and convertible rights entitle the holders to purchase 14,335,512 additional shares of common stock.

Within the limits established by our amended and restated of incorporation, our board of directors has the power at any time and without stockholder approval to issue shares of our authorized common stock or preferred stock for cash, to acquire property or for any other purpose that the board of directors believes is in the best interests of our company. Our stockholders have no pre-emptive rights and any decision to issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock will reduce the percentage ownership of our current stockholders and could dilute our net tangible book value.

Our board of directors has the power to establish the designation, rights and preferences of any preferred stock we issue in the future. Accordingly, our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. Subject to the directors’ duty to act in the best interest of our company, shares of preferred stock can be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control or make removal of management more difficult.

PREFERRED STOCK

We currently have authorized 12,500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, the rights and preferences of which may be established from time to time by our board of directors.

Under Delaware law and our restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized, without stockholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series. Subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the board of directors can determine the number of shares constituting each series of preferred stock and the designation, preferences, voting powers, qualifications, and special or relative rights or privileges of that series. These may include provisions concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and other subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution of the board or an authorized committee of the board. The preferred stock offered by this prospectus will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.

Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction which holders of some, or a majority, of our common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which holders of some, or a majority, of our common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of those shares.

If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the certificate establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC. To the extent required, this description will include:

 
the title and stated value;

 
the number of shares offered, the liquidation preference per share, and the purchase price;

 
the dividend rate(s), period(s), and/or payment date(s), or method(s) of calculation for such dividends;

 
whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 
20

 
 
 
the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 
the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 
any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 
whether the preferred stock will be convertible into Axion common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price (or how it will be calculated) and conversion period;

 
whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price (or how it will be calculated) and exchange period;

 
voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

 
a discussion of any material and/or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 
the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of Axion; and

 
any material limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Axion.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for any series or class of preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

COMMON STOCK

We currently have authorized 125,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of May 31, 2011, there were 85,453,302 shares of common stock outstanding held of record by 429 stockholders. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

The following summary of the terms of our common stock is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, copies of which are on file with the SEC as exhibits to previous SEC filings. Please refer to the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” for directions on obtaining these documents.

Voting Rights. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including, without limitation, the election of our board of directors. Our stockholders have no right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends declared from time to time by the board of directors.

Rights Upon Liquidation. Subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in assets remaining after payment of liabilities.

 
21

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Delaware Law. Some provisions of Delaware law and our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make the following transactions more difficult: our acquisition by means of a tender offer; our acquisition by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law is applicable to takeovers of Delaware corporations. Subject to exceptions enumerated in Section 203, Section 203 provides that a corporation shall not engage in any business combination with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the date that the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder unless:

 
prior to that date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, though some shares may be excluded from the calculation; and
 
 
on or subsequent to that date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and by the affirmative votes of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Except as specified in Section 203, an interested stockholder is generally defined to include any person who, together with any affiliates or associates of that person, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date. Under certain circumstances, Section 203 makes it more difficult for an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the stockholders may elect not to be governed by this section, by adopting an amendment to the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, effective 12 months after adoption. Our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not opt out from the restrictions imposed under Section 203. We anticipate that the provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with the board because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if a majority of the directors then in office excluding an interested stockholder approve either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control, which could depress the market price of our common stock and deprive stockholders of opportunities to realize a premium on shares of common stock held by them.

In addition to our board of directors’ ability to issue shares of preferred stock, our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws:

 
authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a takeover attempt;

 
do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would allow holders of less than a majority of the stock to elect some directors;

 
establish a classified board of directors, as a result of which the successors to the directors whose terms have expired will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following their election;

 
require that directors only be removed from office for cause;

 
provide that vacancies on the board of directors, including newly-created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office; and

 
22

 

 
establish advance notice requirements for nominating candidates for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
 
Listing. Our common stock is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “AXPW.”

DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue, from time to time, debt securities in one or more series that will consist of either senior debt or subordinated debt under one or more trust indentures to be executed by us and a specified trustee. The terms of the debt securities will include those stated in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture (before any supplements) by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. Debt securities, whether senior or subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities.

The following description sets forth certain anticipated 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 (which terms may be different than those stated below) and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the debt securities so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, investors should review both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and the following description. Forms of the senior indenture (as discussed herein) and the subordinated indenture (as discussed herein) are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

General

The debt securities will be our direct obligations and may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The indebtedness represented by subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt (as defined in the applicable indenture). Senior securities and subordinated securities will be issued pursuant to separate indentures (respectively, a senior indenture and a subordinated indenture), in each case between us and a trustee.

Except as set forth in the applicable indenture and described in a prospectus supplement relating thereto, the debt securities may be issued without limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, secured or unsecured, in each case as established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a resolution of our board of directors or as established in the applicable indenture. All debt securities of one series need not be issued at the time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series, for issuance of additional debt securities of such series. The applicable indenture may provide that we may issue debt securities in any currency or currency unit designated by us. Except for any limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets that may be contained in the applicable indenture, the terms of such indenture will not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will contain the specific terms thereof, including, without limitation:

 
the title of such debt securities and whether such debt securities are senior securities or subordinated securities and the terms of any such subordination;

 
the aggregate principal amount of such debt securities and any limit on such aggregate principal amount;

 
23

 

 
the percentage of the principal amount at which such debt securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities which is convertible into common stock or preferred stock, or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

 
the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or dates, on which the principal of such debt securities will be payable;

 
the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which the rate or rates shall be determined, at which such debt securities will bear interest, if any;

 
the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which any such interest will be payable, the regular record dates for such interest payment dates, or the method by which any such date shall be determined, the person to whom   such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
 
 
the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions;

 
the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such debt securities will be payable, such debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange and notices or demands to or upon us in respect of such debt securities and the applicable indenture may be served;

 
the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at our option, if we have such an option;

 
our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase such debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 
if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which such debt securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;

 
whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units or composite currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 
any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of such debt securities with respect to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture;

 
any provisions for collateral security for repayment of such debt securities;

 
whether such debt securities will be issued in certificated and/or book-entry form;

 
whether such debt securities will be in registered or bearer form and, if in registered form, the denominations thereof if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and, if in bearer form, the denominations thereof and terms and conditions relating thereto;

 
whether issued in the form of one or more global securities and whether all or a portion of the principal amount of the debt securities is represented thereby;

 
if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities when issued, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of maturity, and the terms and conditions of any acceleration;

 
24

 

 
if applicable, covenants affording holders of debt protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us;

 
the applicability, if any, of defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture;

 
the terms, if any, upon which such debt securities may be convertible into our common stock or preferred stock and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected, including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period;

 
if applicable, any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the common stock or preferred stock into which such debt securities are convertible;

 
whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts as contemplated in the indenture on such debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem such debt securities in lieu of making such payment; and

 
any other material terms of such debt securities.

 
25

 

The debt securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof. Special federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to these original issue discount securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth material U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or quoted, if any.

The applicable indenture may contain provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or in the event of a change of control.

Senior Debt Securities

Payment of the principal of premium, if any, and interest on senior debt securities will rank on parity with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

Subordinated Debt Securities

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

Merger, Consolidation or Sale

The applicable indenture will provide that we may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation, provided that:

 
either we shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of such assets shall expressly assume payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest on, all of the applicable debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in the applicable indenture;

 
immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes our obligation or an obligation of one of our subsidiaries as a result thereof as having been incurred by us or such subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no event of default under the applicable indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 
an officer’s certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions shall be delivered to the applicable trustee.

Covenants

The applicable indenture will contain covenants requiring us to take certain actions and prohibiting us from taking certain actions. The covenants with respect to any series of debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 
26

 

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Each indenture will describe specific “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities issued thereunder. Such “events of default” are likely to include (with grace and cure periods):
 
default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt security of such series;

 
default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of such series at its maturity or upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise;
 
default in making any required sinking fund payment for any debt security of such series;

 
default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty of the Company contained in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant added to the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities issued thereunder other than such series), continued for a specified period of days after written notice as provided in the applicable indenture;

 
default in the payment of specified amounts of indebtedness of the Company or any mortgage, indenture or other instrument under which such indebtedness is issued or by which such indebtedness is secured, such default having occurred after the expiration of any applicable grace period and having resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such indebtedness, but only if such indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled;

 
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the Company or any of our significant subsidiaries or their property; and

 
any other event of default provided in the applicable resolution of our board of directors or the supplemental indenture under which we issue series of debt securities.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if an event of default under any indenture with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities or indexed securities, such portion of the principal amounts may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice thereof to us (and to the applicable trustee if given by the holders). However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of such series (or of all debt securities then outstanding under any indenture, as the case may be) has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the applicable trustee, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series (or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture, as the case may be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 
we shall have deposited with the applicable trustee all required payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities of such series (or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture, as the case may be), plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the applicable trustee; and

 
all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or specified portion thereof), with respect to debt securities of such series (or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture, as the case may be) have been cured or waived as provided in such indenture.

 
27

 

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

Each indenture also will provide that the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or of all debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture, as the case may be) may waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default:

 
in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt security of such series; or

 
in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the applicable indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby.

 
28

 

Each trustee will be required to give notice to the holders of debt securities within 90 days of a default under the applicable indenture unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that such trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any debt security of such series) if specified responsible officers of such trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of such holders.

Each indenture will provide that no holders of debt securities of any series may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the applicable trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it. This provision will not prevent, however, any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such debt securities at the respective due dates thereof.

Each indenture provides that in case an event of default shall occur and be known to any trustee and not be cured, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would use in the conduct of his or her own affairs in the exercise of the trustee’s power. Subject to provisions in each indenture relating to its duties in case of default, no trustee will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under an indenture at the request or direction of any holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding under such indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee thereunder reasonable security or indemnity. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or of all debt securities then outstanding under an indenture, as the case may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable trustee, or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such trustee. However, a trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture, which may involve such trustee in personal liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of such series not joining therein.

Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we will be required to deliver to each trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers, stating whether or not such officer has knowledge of any default under the applicable indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature and status thereof.

Modification of the Indenture

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

 
secure any debt securities;

 
evidence the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations;

 
add covenants for the protection of the holders of debt securities;

 
cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the indenture;

 
establish the forms or terms of debt securities of any series; and

 
evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee.

 
29

 

It is anticipated that modifications and amendments of an indenture may be made by us and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of each series of the outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture that are affected by the modification or amendment, provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder of such debt securities affected thereby:

 
change the stated maturity date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of interest, if any, on any such debt security;

 
reduce the principal amount of (or premium, if any) or the interest, if any, on any such debt security or the principal amount due upon acceleration of an original issue discount security;

 
change the time or place or currency of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such debt security;

 
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or with respect to any such debt security;

 
reduce any amount payable on redemption;

 
modify any of the subordination provisions or the definition of senior indebtedness applicable to any subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to the holders of those securities;

 
reduce the above-stated percentage of holders of debt securities necessary to modify or amend the indenture; or

 
modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.

A record date may be set for any act of the holders with respect to consenting to any amendment. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of each series affected thereby will have the right to waive our compliance with certain covenants in such indenture. Each indenture will contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt securities of a series to take permitted action.

A prospectus supplement may set forth modifications or additions to these provisions with respect to a particular series of debt securities.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

A prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or other securities. These terms will also include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. Such provisions will also include the conversion or exchange price (or manner or calculation thereof), the conversion or exchange period, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price, and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of such series of debt securities.

Registered Global Securities

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

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

 
30

 


 
by the depositary for such registered global security to its nominee;

 
by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or

 
by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
 
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:
 
 
ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the depositary for the registered global security, those persons being referred to as “participants,” or persons that may hold interests through participants;

 
upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security beneficially owned by the participants;

 
any dealers, underwriters, or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities will designate the accounts to be credited; and

 
ownership of any beneficial interest in the registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of any ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants).

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

 
31

 

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

 
will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names;

 
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in the definitive form; and

 
will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the indenture.

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

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

We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of the Company, the trustee or any other agent of the Company or the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
 
We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

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

We may also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global securities, referred to as “bearer global securities.” We will deposit these bearer global securities with a common depositary for Euroclear System and Clearstream Bank Luxembourg, Societe Anonyme, or with a nominee for the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security will describe the specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer global security, with respect to the position of the series represented by a bearer global security.

 
32

 

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

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

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

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

 
we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay at maturity (or upon redemption) the principal, premium, if any, and interest on all outstanding debt securities of the series; and

 
covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter the holders’ U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the series of debt securities, which opinion, in the case of legal defeasance, must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued, or a change in U.S. federal income tax law.
 
Although we may discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

Redemption of Securities

Debt securities may also be subject to optional or mandatory redemption on terms and conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

From and after notice has been given as provided in the applicable indenture, if funds for the redemption of any debt securities called for redemption shall have been made available on such redemption date, such debt securities will cease to bear interest on the date fixed for such redemption specified in such notice, and the only right of the holders of the debt securities will be to receive payment of the redemption price.

Notices

Holders of our debt securities will receive notices by mail at their addresses as they appear in the security register.

 
33

 

Title

We may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered on the applicable record date as the owner of the debt security for all purposes, whether or not it is overdue.

Governing Law

Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, New York law will govern the indentures and the debt securities, without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

Concerning the Trustee

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

Each indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.
 
WARRANTS
 
We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or any combination thereof. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from the other offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into by us with a 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 owners of warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of the warrants, including, as applicable, the following:

 
the title of the warrants;

 
the aggregate number of the warrants;

 
the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 
the designation, terms and number of shares of preferred stock or common stock or principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 
the designation and terms of the offered securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of the warrants issued with each offered security;

 
the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities, preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

 
34

 

 
the price at which each share of preferred stock, common stock or underlying debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased or the manner of determining such price;

 
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and the date on which that right shall expire;

 
the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 
a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and

 
any other material terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, and are required to file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC in Washington, D.C. (100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549). Copies of such materials can be obtained from the SEC’s public reference section at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 or on the SEC website located at http://www.sec.gov .

Our common stock is traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “AXPW”.

Information about us is also available at our website at www.axionpower.com; however, the information on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC

The SEC allows us to incorporate in this prospectus “by reference” information contained in documents that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and documents that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, modify or supersede any information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below:

 
·
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
·
Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
 
·
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 14, 2010, February 11, 2010, March 9, 2010, April 6, 2010, May 26, 2010, June 15, 2010, July 6, 2010, October 4, 2010, November 10, 2010 and December 3, 2010.
 
·
Any document that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of this offering (other than any portion of such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules). Information in these subsequent SEC filings will be deemed to be incorporated by reference as of the date we make the filing.

 
35

 

You may obtain a copy of the foregoing documents from us at no cost by writing or calling us at the following address and telephone number: Axion Power International, Inc., 3601 Clover Lane, New Castle, PA 16105 (724) 654-9300, attn: Charles R. Trego, Chief Financial Officer.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities being offered hereby has been passed upon for us by Jolie Kahn, Esq., 61 Broadway, Suite 2820, New York, NY 10006.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of EFP Rotenberg, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.   Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on such report given the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 14.       Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
 
The following table sets forth an itemization of all estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.
 
   
Amount to be
 
   
Paid by
 
   
Registrant
 
         
SEC Registration Fee
 
$
3,251
 
Legal Fees and Expenses
   
*
 
Accounting Fees and Expenses
   
*
 
Printing and Engraving Fees
   
*
 
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses
   
*
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees
   
*
 
Miscellaneous Expenses
   
*
 
Total
   
*
 
 
*
The amount of securities and number of offerings are indeterminable and the expenses cannot be estimated at this time.
 
 
36

 
 
Item 15.       Indemnification of Directors and Officers
 
The Delaware General Corporation Law and the registrant’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for indemnification of the registrant’s directors and officers for liabilities and expenses that they may incur in such capacities. In general, directors and officers are indemnified with respect to actions taken in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the registrant, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, actions that the indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe were unlawful.
 
The registrant has also entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. These identification agreements generally require that the registrant pay, on behalf of each director and officer party thereto, all amounts that he or she is or becomes legally obligated to pay because of any claim or claims made against him or her because of any act or omission which he or she commits or suffers while acting in his or her capacity as the registrant’s director and/or officer and because of his or her being a director and/or officer. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, absent an indemnification agreement or a provision in a corporation’s bylaws or certificate of incorporation, indemnification of a director or officer is discretionary rather than mandatory (except in the case of a proceeding in which a director or officer is successful on the merits).
 
The registrant currently maintains a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.
 
Item 16.
Exhibits
 
The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Exhibit Index to this registration statement, which Exhibit Index is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Item 17.
Undertakings.
 
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a further post-effective amendment to the 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) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 
37

 

(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 :
 
(A) Paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and 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; and
 
(B) Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and 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.
 
(C) Provided, further, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is for an offering of asset-backed securities on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment is provided pursuant to Item 1100(c) of Regulation AB.
 
(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) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
 
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and (B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

 
38

 

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. 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 first use, 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 date of first use.
 
(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.

 
39

 

(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 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 offering therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the 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 the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on the 3rd day of June, 2011.
 
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
By: /s/ Thomas Granville
 
Thomas Granville, Principal Executive Officer
 
Date: June 3, 2011
 
By: /s/ Charles Trego
 
   
Charles Trego, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer.
 
Date: June 3, 2011
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 
40

 
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
         
/s/ D. Walker Wainwright
 
Director
 
June 3, 2011
         
D. Walker Wainwright
       
         
/s/ Robert G. Averill
 
Director
 
June 3, 2011
         
Robert G. Averill
       
         
/s/ Thomas Granville
 
Director
 
June 3, 2011
         
Thomas Granville
       
         
/s/ Michael Kishinevsky
 
Director
 
June 3, 2011
         
Michael Kishinevsky
       

 EXHIBIT INDEX

1.1
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement
 
*
2.1
 
Reorganization Agreement (without exhibits) between Tamboril Cigar Company, Axion Power Corporation and certain stockholders of Axion Power Corporation dated December 31, 2003.
 
(1)
2.2
 
First Addendum to the Reorganization Agreement between Tamboril Cigar Company, Axion Power Corporation and certain stockholders of Axion Power Corporation dated January 9, 2004.
 
(1)
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Tamboril Cigar Company dated February 13, 2001.
 
(2)
3.3
 
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Tamboril Cigar Company dated June 4, 2004.
 
(3)
3.4
 
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Axion Power International, Inc. dated June 4, 2004.
 
(3)
3.5
 
Amended By-laws of Axion Power International, Inc. dated June 4, 2004. (3)
   

 
41

 
 
4.1
 
Specimen Certificate for shares of Company’s $0.00001 par value common stock.
 
(9)
4.2
 
Trust Agreement for the Benefit of the Shareholders of Mega-C Power Corporation dated December 31, 2003.
 
(1)
4.3
 
Succession Agreement Pursuant to the Provisions of the Trust Agreement for the Benefit of the Shareholders of Mega-C Power Corporation dated March 25, 2004.
 
(4)
4.4
 
Form of Warrant Agreement for 1,796,300 capital warrants.
 
(9)
4.5
 
Form of Warrant Agreement for 667,000 Series I investor warrants.
 
(9)
4.6
 
Form of Warrant Agreement for 350,000 Series II investor warrants.
 
(9)
4.7
 
Form of Warrant Agreement for 313,100 Series III investor warrants.
 
(9)
4.8
 
Form of 8% Cumulative Convertible Senior Preferred Stock Certificate
 
(D)
4.9
 
First Amended and Restated Trust Agreement for the Benefit of the Shareholders of Mega-C Power Corporation dated February 28, 2005.
 
(11)
4.10
 
Second Amendment and Restated Trust Agreement for the Benefit of the Shareholders of Mega-C Power Corporation dated November 21, 2006
 
(19)
4.11
 
Certificate of Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the 8% Convertible Senior Preferred Stock of Axion Power International, Inc. dated March 17, 2005.
 
(12)
4.12
 
Certificate of Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.0001 Per Share, of Axion Power International, Inc. dated October 23, 2006.
 
(13)
4.13
 
Amended Certificate of Powers, Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.0001 Per Share, of Axion Power International, Inc. dated October 26, 2006.
 
(13)
         
4.14
 
Form of Senior Indenture
   
4.15
 
Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock*
   
4.16
 
Form of Warrant*
   
4.17
 
Form of Subordinated Indenture
   
5.1
 
Opinion of Jolie Kahn, Esq.
   
9.1
 
Agreement respecting the voting of certain shares beneficially owned by the Trust for the Benefit of the Shareholders of Mega-C Power Corporation.
 
Included in Exhibit 4.2
10.1
 
Development and License Agreement between Axion Power Corporation and C and T Co. Incorporated dated November 15, 2003.
 
(1)
10.2
 
Letter Amendment to Development and License Agreement between Axion Power Corporation and C and T Co. Incorporated dated November 17, 2003.
 
(1)
10.3
 
Tamboril Cigar Co. Incentive Stock Plan dated January 8, 2004
 
(A)
10.4
 
Tamboril Cigar co. Outside Directors Stock Option Plan dated February 2, 2004
 
(A)
10.5
 
Stock Purchase & Investment Representation Letter among John L. Petersen, Sally A. Fonner and C and T Co. Incorporated dated January 9, 2004
 
(1)
10.6
 
Letter Amendment to Development and License Agreement between Axion Power Corporation and C and T Co. Incorporated dated January 9, 2004.
 
(1)
10.7
 
First Amendment to Development and License Agreement between Axion Power Corporation and C and T Co. Incorporated dated as of January 9, 2004.
 
(5)
10.8
 
Definitive Incentive Stock Plan of Axion Power International, Inc. dated June 4, 2004.
 
(3)
10.9
 
Definitive Outside Directors’ Stock Option Plan of Axion Power International, Inc. dated June 4, 2004.
 
(3)
         
10.10
 
Executive Employment Agreement of Charles Mazzacato.
 
(9)
10.11
 
Executive Employment Agreement of Peter Roston.
 
(9)
10.12
 
Amended Retainer Agreement between the law firm of Fefer, Petersen & Cie dated March 31, 2005
 
(C)
10.13
 
Retainer Agreement dated January 2, 2004 between the law firm of Fefer, Petersen & Cie and Tamboril Cigar Company.
 
(10)
10.14
 
Bankruptcy Settlement Agreement Between Axion Power International, Inc. and Mega-C Power Corporation dated December, 2005
 
(E)
10.15
 
Second Amendment to Development and License Agreement between Axion Power International, Inc. and C and T Co. Incorporated dated as of March 18, 2005.
 
(12)

 
42

 
 
10.16
 
Executive Employment Agreement of Thomas Granville dated June 23, 2008.
 
(20)
10.17
 
Loan agreement dated January 31, 2006 between Axion Battery Products, Inc. as borrower, Axion Power International, Inc. as accommodation party and Robert Averill as lender respecting a $1,000,000 purchase money and working capital loan.
 
(14)
10.18
 
Security agreement dated January 31, 2006 between Axion Battery Products, Inc. as debtor and Robert Averill as secured party.
 
(14)
10.19
 
Security agreement dated January 31, 2006 between Axion Power International, Inc. as debtor and Robert Averill as secured party.
 
(14)
10.20
 
Promissory Note dated February 14, 2006 between Axion Battery Products, Inc. as maker and Robert Averill as payee.
 
(14)
10.21
 
Form of Warrant Agreement between Axion Power International, Inc. and Robert Averill.
 
(14)
10.22
 
Commercial Lease Agreement dated February 14, 2006 between Axion Battery Products, Inc. as lessee and Steven F. Hoye and Steven C. Warner as lessors.
 
(14)
10.23
 
Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 10, 2006 between Axion Battery Products, Inc. as buyer and National City Bank of Pennsylvania as seller.
 
(14)
10.24
 
Escrow Agreement dated February 14, 2006 between Axion Battery Products, Inc. and National City Bank of Pennsylvania as parties in interest and William E. Kelleher, Jr. and James D. Newell as escrow agents.
 
(14)
10.25
 
Executive Employment Agreement of Edward Buiel dated June 23, 2008.
 
(21)
10.26
 
Consulting Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2007, by and between Axion Power International, Inc. and Andrew Carr Conway, Jr.
 
(16)
10.27
 
Amendment No. 1 to Consulting Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2007, by and between Axion Power International, Inc. and Andrew Carr Conway, Jr.
 
(16)
10.28
 
Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 14, 2008, by and between Axion Power International, Inc. and Quercus Trust.
 
(17)
10.29
 
Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated January 14, 2008, executed by Axion Power International, Inc.
 
(17)
10.30
 
Executive Employment Agreement of Donald T. Hillier dated June 18, 2008.
 
(19)
10.31
 
Amendment to Warrants and Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of September 22, 2009, by and between Axion Power International, Inc. and Quercus Trust.
 
(22)
10.32
 
Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of December 18, 2009, by and between Axion Power International, Inc. and the Investors named therein.
 
(23)
10.33
 
Registration Rights Agreement, executed by Axion Power International Inc. and the Investors named therein.
 
(23)
10.34
 
Amendment No. 2 to Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 14, 2008, by and between Axion Power International, Inc. and Quercus Trust.
 
(23)
10.35
 
Lock-Up Agreement executed by Quercus Trust and David Gelbaum and Monica Chavez Gelbaum.
 
(23)
10.36
 
Lease Agreement, dated March 28, 2010, by and between Steven F. Hoye and Steven C. Warner, Lessor, and Axion Power Battery Manufacturing, Inc., Lessee.
 
(24)
10.37
 
Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2010, between Charles R. Trego and the Company
 
(26)
10.38
 
Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2010 between Philip S. Baker and the Company
 
(26)
10.39
 
Executive Employment Agreement of Thomas Granville dated June 29, 2010.
 
(27)
10.40
 
Amendment No. 3 to Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Axion Power International, Inc.
and the Quercus Trust dated September 30, 2010.
 
(28)
10.41
 
Commercial Lease with Becan Development, LLC dated November 4, 2010.
 
(29)
14.1
 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 
(6)
23.1
 
Consent of Jolie Kahn, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5.1)
   
23.2
 
Consent of EFP Rotenberg, LLP
   
 

(1)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 15, 2004.
(2)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 5, 2003.
(3)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 7, 2004.
(4)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 13, 2004.

 
43

 
 
(5)
Incorporated by reference from our Form S-3 registration statement dated May 20, 2004.
(6)
Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB dated March 30, 2004
(7)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 13, 2003.
(8)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2004.
(9)
Incorporated by reference from our Form S-1 registration statement dated September 2, 2004.
(10)
Incorporated by reference from our Form S-1 registration statement dated December 17, 2004.
(11)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 28, 2005.
(12)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 21, 2005.
(13)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 2006.
(14)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2006.
(15)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 3, 2007.
(16)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.
(17)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 17, 2008.
(18)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 31, 2008.
(19)
Incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated July 3, 2008.
(20)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 27, 2008.
(21)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 2, 2008.
(22)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2009.
(23)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 18, 2009.
(24)
Incorporated by reference from our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed on March 30, 2010
(25)
Reserved.
(26)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 6, 2010.
(27)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 6, 2010.
(28)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 4, 2010.
(29)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 10, 2010.
(A)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated February 2, 2004.
(B)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 2005.
(C)
Incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 dated April 16, 2005.
(D)
Incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 13, 2005.
*         To be filed, if necessary, subsequent to the effectiveness of this registration statement by an amendment to this registration statement or by a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.

 
44

 
Exhibit 4.14
FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC., INC.
ISSUER
and
[ ],
TRUSTEE
__________________
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ], 201[ ]
__________________
Senior Debt Securities
 
 
 

 
 
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE (1)
 
Section of Trust
   
Indenture Act of
 
Section of
1939, as amended
 
Indenture
310(a)
 
7.09
310(b)
 
7.08
   
7.10
310(c)
 
Inapplicable
311(a)
 
7.13
311(b)
 
7.13
311(c)
 
Inapplicable
312(a)
 
5.01
   
5.02(a)
312(b)
 
5.02(c)
312(c)
 
5.02(c)
313(a)
 
5.04(a)
313(b)
 
5.04(b)
313(c)
 
5.04(a)
   
5.04(b)
313(d)
 
5.04(b)
   
5.04(c)
314(a)
 
5.03
   
13.05(c)
314(b)
 
Inapplicable
314(c)
 
13.05
314(d)
 
Inapplicable
314(e)
 
13.05
314(f)
 
Inapplicable
315(a)
 
7.01(b)
   
7.02
315(b)
 
5.04(d)
315(c)
 
7.01
315(d)
 
7.01
   
7.02
315(e)
 
6.07
316(a)
 
6.06
   
8.04
316(b)
 
6.04
316(c)
 
8.01
317(a)
 
6.02
317(b)
 
4.03
318(a)
 
13.06
 
(1)
This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

 
i

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (2)
 
   
Page
 
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
 
1
 
       
SECTION 1.01 Definitions of Terms
 
1
 
       
ARTICLE II
 
4
 
       
SECTION 2.01 Forms Generally
 
4
 
SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
 
5
 
SECTION 2.03 Securities Issuable in Global Form
 
5
 
       
ARTICLE III ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
 
6
 
       
SECTION 3.01 Designation and Terms of Securities
 
6
 
SECTION 3.02 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate
 
7
 
SECTION 3.03 Denominations; Provisions for Payment
 
8
 
SECTION 3.04 Execution and Authentications
 
9
 
SECTION 3.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange
 
10
 
SECTION 3.06 Temporary Securities
 
10
 
SECTION 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities
 
11
 
SECTION 3.08 Cancellation
 
11
 
SECTION 3.09 Benefits of Indenture
 
12
 
SECTION 3.10 Authenticating Agent
 
12
 
SECTION 3.11 Global Securities
 
12
 
       
ARTICLE IV REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS
 
13
 
       
SECTION 4.01 Redemption
 
13
 
SECTION 4.02 Notice of Redemption
 
13
 
SECTION 4.03 Payment Upon Redemption
 
14
 
SECTION 4.04 Sinking Fund
 
15
 
SECTION 4.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
 
15
 
SECTION 4.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
 
15
 
       
ARTICLE V COVENANTS
 
15
 
       
SECTION 5.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest
 
15
 
SECTION 5.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency
 
16
 
SECTION 5.03 Paying Agents
 
16
 
SECTION 5.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee
 
17
 
       
ARTICLE VI SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
 
17
 
       
SECTION 6.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders
 
17
 
SECTION 6.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders
 
17
 
SECTION 6.03 Reports by the Company
 
18
 
SECTION 6.04 Reports by the Trustee
 
18
 
       
ARTICLE VII REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
 
19
 
       
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default
 
19
 
SECTION 7.02 Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
 
20
 
SECTION 7.03 Application of Moneys Collected
 
21
 

 
ii

 

   
Page
 
SECTION 7.04 Limitation on Suits
   
21
 
SECTION 7.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver
   
22
 
SECTION 7.06 Control by Securityholders
   
22
 
SECTION 7.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs
   
23
 
         
ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
   
23
 
         
SECTION 8.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee
   
23
 
SECTION 8.02 Certain Rights of Trustee
   
24
 
SECTION 8.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities
   
25
 
SECTION 8.04 May Hold Securities
   
25
 
SECTION 8.05 Moneys Held in Trust
   
25
 
SECTION 8.06 Compensation and Reimbursement
   
25
 
SECTION 8.07 Reliance on Officers’ Certificate
   
26
 
SECTION 8.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests
   
26
 
SECTION 8.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility
   
26
 
SECTION 8.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
   
27
 
SECTION 8.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor
   
27
 
SECTION 8.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
   
29
 
SECTION 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company
   
29
 
         
ARTICLE IX CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
   
29
 
         
SECTION 9.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders
   
29
 
SECTION 9.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders
   
29
 
SECTION 9.03 Who May be Deemed Owners
   
30
 
SECTION 9.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded
   
30
 
SECTION 9.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders
   
30
 
         
ARTICLE X SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
   
31
 
         
SECTION 10.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders
   
31
 
SECTION 10.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders
   
31
 
SECTION 10.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures
   
32
 
SECTION 10.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures
   
32
 
SECTION 10.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures
   
32
 
         
ARTICLE XI SUCCESSOR ENTITY
   
33
 
         
SECTION 11.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.
   
33
 
SECTION 11.02 Successor Entity Substituted
   
33
 
SECTION 11.03 Evidence of Consolidation, Etc. to Trustee
   
34
 
         
ARTICLE XII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
   
34
 
         
SECTION 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
   
34
 
SECTION 12.02 Discharge of Obligations
   
34
 
SECTION 12.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust
   
35
 
SECTION 12.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents
   
35
 
SECTION 12.05 Repayment to Company
   
35
 
         
ARTICLE XIII IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
   
35
 
         
SECTION 13.01 No Recourse
   
35
 

 
iii

 

   
Page
 
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
36
 
       
SECTION 14.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns
 
36
 
SECTION 14.02 Actions by Successor
 
36
 
SECTION 14.03 Notices
 
36
 
SECTION 14.04 Governing Law
 
36
 
SECTION 14.05 Compliance Certificates and Opinions
 
36
 
SECTION 14.06 Payments on Business Days
 
37
 
SECTION 14.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act
 
37
 
SECTION 14.08 Counterparts
 
37
 
SECTION 14.09 Separability
 
37
 
SECTION 14.10 Assignment
 
37
 
 
(2)
This Table of Contents does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

 
iv

 

INDENTURE, dated as of [____________], 201[_], among Axion Power International, Inc., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [____________], as trustee (the “Trustee”):
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of unsecured debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the certificate of the Trustee;
WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions of Terms.
The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.
“Authenticating Agent” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed with respect to all or any series of the Securities by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.10.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which Federal or State banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

 
 

 

“Certificate” means a certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company. The Certificate need not comply with the provisions of Section 14.05.
“Company” means Axion Power International, Inc., Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article Eleven, shall also include its successors and assigns.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [_________], except that whenever a provision herein refers to an office or agency of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, such office is located, at the date hereof, at [____________].
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series, for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 3.01 or 3.11.
“Event of Default” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series any event specified in Section 7.01, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.
“Global Security” means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
“Governmental Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 
2

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Controller or an Assistant Controller or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.05, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.05, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 9.04, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article Four provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 3.07.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, any trust officer, any corporate trust officer or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities” means the debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 
3

 

“Securityholder”, “holder of Securities”, “registered holder” or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security shall be registered on the books of the Company kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.
“Trustee” means [_____________], and, subject to the provisions of Article Eight, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute.
“Voting Stock”, as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.
ARTICLE II
SECTION 2.01 Forms Generally
The Securities, if any, to be endorsed thereon shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by, or pursuant to a Board Resolution or, subject to Section 3.04, set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities or coupons. If the forms of Securities or coupons of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or coupons. Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, Securities in bearer form shall have interest coupons attached.
The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article.

 
4

 

The definitive Securities and coupons, if any, including the Guarantees, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, executing such Securities, coupons or Guarantees, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities, coupons or Guarantees.
SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 3.10, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Dated: ____________________
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

    ,
 
as Trustee
 
     
 
By:
 
 
Authorized Officer
 
SECTION 2.03 Securities Issuable in Global Form
If Securities are issuable as a Global Security, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 3.01, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.04 or Section 3.06. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.04 and, if applicable, Section 3.06, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.04 or Section 3.06 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.04 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.04.

 
5

 

Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 5.01 to the contrary, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.
ARTICLE III
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION,
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
SECTION 3.01 Designation and Terms of Securities.
(a) 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 up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:
(1) the title of the Security of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);
(3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable and the place(s) of payment;
(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any;
(5) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates;
(6) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;
(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at 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 Company;
(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 
6

 

(9) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the certificate of authentication for such series;
(10) if other than denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(11) any and all other terms with respect to such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any supplemental indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series;
(12) whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the identity of the Depositary for such series;
(13) whether the Securities will be convertible into shares of common stock or other securities of the Company and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible, including the conversion price and the conversion period;
(14) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.01; and
(15) any additional or different Events of Default or restrictive covenants provided for with respect to the Securities of the series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates.
SECTION 3.02 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate.
The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purpose as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution and as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage.

 
7

 

SECTION 3.03 Denominations; Provisions for Payment.
The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, subject to Section 3.01(10). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon in case of redemption thereof prior to maturity, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security, except as provided in Section 4.03.
Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:
(1) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register (as hereinafter defined), not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date.
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 
8

 

Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof, the term “regular record date” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities with respect to any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 3.04 Execution and Authentications.
The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its President, or one of its Vice Presidents, or its Treasurer, or one of its Assistant Treasurers, or its Secretary, or one of its Assistant Secretaries, under its corporate seal attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature. The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been a President or Vice President thereof, or of any Person who shall have been a Secretary or Assistant Secretary thereof, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be the President or a Vice President, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by its President or any Vice President and its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 8.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 
9

 

SECTION 3.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, or such other location designated by the Company a register or registers (herein referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities and the transfers of Securities as in this Article provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfer of Securities as herein provided shall be appointed as authorized by Board Resolution (the “Security Registrar”).
Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.
All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.
(c) No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial redemption of any series, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.06, Section 4.03(b) and Section 10.04 not involving any transfer.
(d) The Company shall not be required (1) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portions thereof called for redemption. The provisions of this Section 3.05 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 3.11 hereof.
SECTION 3.06 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 
10

 

SECTION 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities.
In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company’s request the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company 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. In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
SECTION 3.08 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 
11

 
 
SECTION 3.09 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities.
SECTION 3.10 Authenticating Agent.
So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.
SECTION 3.11 Global Securities.
(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 3.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (1) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (2) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (3) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (4) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.11 of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.05, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.05, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 
12

 

(c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, this Section 3.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute and, subject to Section 3.05, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 3.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 3.05, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 3.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
ARTICLE IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.01 Redemption.
The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.
SECTION 4.02 Notice of Redemption.
(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with the right reserved so to do, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.

 
13

 

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in whole or in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed. In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion and that may provide for the selection of a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by its President or any Vice President, instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 4.03 Payment Upon Redemption.
(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 3.03).
(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

 
14

 

SECTION 4.04 Sinking Fund.
The provisions of Sections 4.04, 4.05 and 4.06 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 4.05. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
SECTION 4.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any Securities previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 4.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 4.05 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officers’ Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 4.02 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 4.02. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 4.03.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities.

 
15

 

SECTION 5.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company agrees to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, with respect to each such series and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 5.02, where (a) Securities of that series may be presented for payment, (b) Securities of that series may be presented as herein above authorized for registration of transfer and exchange, and (c) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by its President or a Vice President and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands.
SECTION 5.03 Paying Agents.
(a) If the Company shall appoint one or more paying agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;
(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent; and
(4) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in this Indenture.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.

 
16

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, (1) the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 12.05, and (2) the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such payment by any paying agent to the Trustee, such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
SECTION 5.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 8.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE VI
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on each regular record date (as defined in Section 3.03) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to be furnished such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.
SECTION 6.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar (if acting in such capacity).
(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(c) Securityholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).
 
 
17

 

SECTION 6.03 Reports by the Company.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, or reputable overnight delivery service that provides for evidence of receipt, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
SECTION 6.04 Reports by the Trustee.
(a) On or before [_________] in each year in which any of the Securities are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding [__________], if and to the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any stock exchange.
(d) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and the Trustee receives actual notice of such Event of Default, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder notice of the uncured Event of Default within 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of an Event of Default in payment of principal of, or interest on, any Securities, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholder.

 
18

 

ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default.
(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, “Event of Default” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:
(1) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto, shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
(3) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;
(4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.
(b) In each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may declare the principal of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable.

 
19

 

(c) At any time after the principal of the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and any amount payable to the Trustee under Section 8.06, and (2) any and all other Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 7.06.
No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
SECTION 7.02 Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(a)(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.
(b) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affected the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of a series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 8.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 8.06.
(c) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of a series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 8.06, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

 
20

 
 
In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 7.03 Application of Moneys Collected.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 8.06; and
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively.
SECTION 7.04 Limitation on Suits.
No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (a) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (b) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as trustee hereunder; (c) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and (e) during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series shall not have given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 
21

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder. By accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
SECTION 7.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.07, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.
(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or on acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.
SECTION 7.06 Control by Securityholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 9.01, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of Securities of any other series at the time Outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.01. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 9.01, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 7.01(c)). Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 
22

 

SECTION 7.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 8.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series that may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of such series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities of such series except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

 
23

 

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(3) 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 not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding 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 that series; and
(4) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 8.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company, by the President or any Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer thereof (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);
(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

 
24

 
 
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 9.04); provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand; and
(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
SECTION 8.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities.
(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.
(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.
(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 3.01, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.
SECTION 8.04 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee or any paying agent or Security Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Security Registrar.
SECTION 8.05 Moneys Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 12.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.
SECTION 8.06 Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.

 
25

 

(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.
SECTION 8.07 Reliance on Officers’ Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
SECTION 8.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 8.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 8.10.

 
26

 
 
SECTION 8.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or any Securityholder of that series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 8.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 8.11.
(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.
SECTION 8.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 
27

 

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates, (2) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, and each such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.

 
28

 

SECTION 8.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 8.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.
ARTICLE IX
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 9.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.
If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
SECTION 9.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

 
29

 
 
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.
(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.
(c) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
SECTION 9.03 Who May be Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.03) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
SECTION 9.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.
SECTION 9.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 9.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 9.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.

 
30

 

ARTICLE X
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 10.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders.
In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series;
(b) to comply with Article Eleven;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(e) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;
(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or
(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 3.01, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of Securities.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.
SECTION 10.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 9.01) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 10.01 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

 
31

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 10.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 11.01, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 10.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 11.01, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.
SECTION 10.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof; provided, however, that such Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

 
32

 

ARTICLE XI
SUCCESSOR ENTITY
SECTION 11.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 3.01 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property.
SECTION 11.02 Successor Entity Substituted.
(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture or established with respect to each series of the Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 to be performed by the Company with respect to each series, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article shall apply to limit or impose any requirements upon the consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).

 
33

 

SECTION 11.03 Evidence of Consolidation, Etc. to Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply with the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07) and Securities for whose payment money or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company (and thereupon repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 12.05); or (b) all such Securities of a particular 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 under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such series by the Company then this Indenture shall thereupon cease to be of further effect with respect to such series except for the provisions of Sections 3.03, 3.05, 3.07, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03 and 8.10, that shall survive until the date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 8.06 and 12.05, that shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series.
SECTION 12.02 Discharge of Obligations.
If at any time all such Securities of a particular series not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section 12.01 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then after the date such moneys or Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such series shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 3.03, 3.05, 3.07, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 8.06, 8.10 and 12.05 hereof that shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 8.06 and 12.05 shall survive.

 
34

 

SECTION 12.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.
All moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 12.01 or 12.02 shall be held in trust and shall be available for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular series of Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.
SECTION 12.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.
SECTION 12.05 Repayment to Company.
Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or the Trustee, or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of a particular series that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the holders of such Securities for at least two years after the date upon which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Securities shall have respectively become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and the holder of any of the Securities entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.
ARTICLE XIII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 13.01 No Recourse.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.

 
35

 

ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 14.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 14.02 Actions by Successor.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
SECTION 14.03 Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited first class postage prepaid in a post-office letterbox addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: [_____________]. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
SECTION 14.04 Governing Law.
This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State.
SECTION 14.05 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he 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 Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 
36

 

(c) The Company shall furnish to the Trustee, on [____________] of each year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of such obligor’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this subsection, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder.
SECTION 14.06 Payments on Business Days.
Except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.
SECTION 14.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 14.08 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 14.09 Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
SECTION 14.10 Assignment.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, the Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.

 
37

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
       
   
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC., INC.
       
   
By:
 
       
   
Name:
 
       
   
Title:
 
       
   
[   ],
   
as Trustee
       
   
By:
 
       
   
Name:
 
       
   
Title:
 
       
 
 
 

 
Exhibit 4.17
FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC., INC.
ISSUER
and
[ ],
TRUSTEE
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ], 201[ ]
Subordinated Debt Securities
 
 
 

 
 
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE (1)
     
Section of Trust
   
Indenture Act of
 
Section of
1939, as amended
 
Indenture
310(a)
 
7.09
310(b)
 
7.08
   
7.10
310(c)
 
Inapplicable
311(a)
 
7.13
311(b)
 
7.13
311(c)
 
Inapplicable
312(a)
 
5.01
   
5.02(a)
312(b)
 
5.02(c)
312(c)
 
5.02(c)
313(a)
 
5.04(a)
313(b)
 
5.04(b)
313(c)
 
5.04(a)
   
5.04(b)
313(d)
 
5.04(b)
   
5.04(c)
314(a)
 
5.03
   
13.05(c)
314(b)
 
Inapplicable
314(c)
 
13.05
314(d)
 
Inapplicable
314(e)
 
13.05
314(f)
 
Inapplicable
315(a)
 
7.01(b)
   
7.02
315(b)
 
5.04(d)
315(c)
 
7.01
315(d)
 
7.01
   
7.02
315(e)
 
6.07
316(a)
 
6.06
   
8.04
316(b)
 
6.04
316(c)
 
8.01
317(a)
 
6.02
317(b)
 
4.03
318(a)
 
13.06

(1)
This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.

 
i

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (2)
 
   
Page
     
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
 
1
     
SECTION 1.01 Definitions of Terms
 
1
     
ARTICLE II
 
4
     
SECTION 2.01 Forms Generally
 
4
SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
 
5
SECTION 2.03 Securities Issuable in Global Form
 
5
     
ARTICLE III ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
 
6
     
SECTION 3.01 Designation and Terms of Securities
 
6
SECTION 3.02 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate
 
7
SECTION 3.03 Denominations; Provisions for Payment
 
8
SECTION 3.04 Execution and Authentications
 
9
SECTION 3.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange
 
10
SECTION 3.06 Temporary Securities
 
10
SECTION 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities
 
11
SECTION 3.08 Cancellation
 
11
SECTION 3.09 Benefits of Indenture
 
12
SECTION 3.10 Authenticating Agent
 
12
SECTION 3.11 Global Securities
 
12
     
ARTICLE IV REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS
 
13
     
SECTION 4.01 Redemption
 
13
SECTION 4.02 Notice of Redemption
 
13
SECTION 4.03 Payment Upon Redemption
 
14
SECTION 4.04 Sinking Fund
 
15
SECTION 4.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
 
15
SECTION 4.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
 
15
     
ARTICLE V COVENANTS
 
15
     
SECTION 5.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest
 
15
SECTION 5.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency
 
16
SECTION 5.03 Paying Agents
 
16
SECTION 5.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee
 
17
     
ARTICLE VI SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
 
17
     
SECTION 6.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders
 
17
SECTION 6.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders
 
17
SECTION 6.03 Reports by the Company
 
17
SECTION 6.04 Reports by the Trustee
 
18
     
ARTICLE VII REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
 
19
     
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default
 
19
SECTION 7.02 Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
 
20
SECTION 7.03 Application of Moneys Collected
 
21
 
 
ii

 
 
   
Page
SECTION 7.04 Limitation on Suits
 
21
SECTION 7.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver
 
22
SECTION 7.06 Control by Securityholders
 
22
SECTION 7.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs
 
23
     
ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
23
     
SECTION 8.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee
 
23
SECTION 8.02 Certain Rights of Trustee
 
24
SECTION 8.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities
 
25
SECTION 8.04 May Hold Securities
 
25
SECTION 8.05 Moneys Held in Trust
 
25
SECTION 8.06 Compensation and Reimbursement
 
26
SECTION 8.07 Reliance on Officers’ Certificate
 
26
SECTION 8.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests
 
26
SECTION 8.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility
 
26
SECTION 8.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
 
27
SECTION 8.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor
 
28
SECTION 8.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
 
29
SECTION 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company
 
29
     
ARTICLE IX CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
 
29
     
SECTION 9.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders
 
29
SECTION 9.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders
 
30
SECTION 9.03 Who May be Deemed Owners
 
30
SECTION 9.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded
 
30
SECTION 9.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders
 
31
     
ARTICLE X SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
 
31
     
SECTION 10.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders
 
31
SECTION 10.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders
 
32
SECTION 10.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures
 
32
SECTION 10.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures
 
32
SECTION 10.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures
 
33
     
ARTICLE XI SUCCESSOR ENTITY
 
33
     
SECTION 11.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.
 
33
SECTION 11.02 Successor Entity Substituted
 
33
SECTION 11.03 Evidence of Consolidation, Etc. to Trustee
 
34
     
ARTICLE XII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
34
     
SECTION 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
 
34
SECTION 12.02 Discharge of Obligations
 
35
SECTION 12.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust
 
35
SECTION 12.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents
 
35
SECTION 12.05 Repayment to Company
 
35
     
ARTICLE XIII IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
35
     
SECTION 13.01 No Recourse
 
35
 
 
iii

 

   
Page
     
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
36
     
SECTION 14.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns
 
36
SECTION 14.02 Actions by Successor
 
36
SECTION 14.03 Notices
 
36
SECTION 14.04 Governing Law
 
36
SECTION 14.05 Compliance Certificates and Opinions
 
36
SECTION 14.06 Payments on Business Days
 
37
SECTION 14.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act
 
37
SECTION 14.08 Counterparts
 
37
SECTION 14.09 Separability
 
37
SECTION 14.10 Assignment
 
37
     
ARTICLE XV SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
 
38
     
SECTION 15.01 Subordination Terms
 
38

(2)
This Table of Contents does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.
 
 
iv

 

INDENTURE, dated as of [__________], 201[_], among Axion Power International, Inc., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [__________], as trustee (the “Trustee”):
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of unsecured subordinated debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the certificate of the Trustee;
WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions of Terms.
The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.
“Authenticating Agent” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed with respect to all or any series of the Securities by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.10.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which Federal or State banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

 
 

 
 
“Certificate” means a certificate signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company. The Certificate need not comply with the provisions of Section 14.05.
“Company” means Axion Power International, Inc., Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article Eleven, shall also include its successors and assigns.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [__________], except that whenever a provision herein refers to an office or agency of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, such office is located, at the date hereof, at [__________].
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series, for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 3.01 or 3.11.
“Event of Default” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series any event specified in Section 7.01, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.
“Global Security” means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
“Governmental Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 
2

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Controller or an Assistant Controller or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.05, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 14.05, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 9.04, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article Four provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 3.07.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, any trust officer, any corporate trust officer or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities” means the debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 
3

 

“Securityholder”, “holder of Securities”, “registered holder” or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security shall be registered on the books of the Company kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.
“Trustee” means [ ], and, subject to the provisions of Article Eight, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute.
“Voting Stock”, as applied to stock of any Person, means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.
ARTICLE II
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 2.01 Forms Generally
The Securities, if any, to be endorsed thereon shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by, or pursuant to a Board Resolution or, subject to Section 3.04, set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities or coupons. If the forms of Securities or coupons of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or coupons. Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, Securities in bearer form shall have interest coupons attached.
The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article.

 
4

 

The definitive Securities and coupons, if any, including the Guarantees, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, executing such Securities, coupons or Guarantees, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities, coupons or Guarantees.
SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 3.10, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Dated: ____________________
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

      ,  
   
as Trustee
   
             
   
By:
       
       
Authorized Officer
   
SECTION 2.03 Securities Issuable in Global Form
If Securities are issuable as a Global Security, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 3.01, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.04 or Section 3.06. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.04 and, if applicable, Section 3.06, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.04 or Section 3.06 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.04 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 14.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.04.

 
5

 

Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 5.01 to the contrary, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.
ARTICLE III
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION,
REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
SECTION 3.01 Designation and Terms of Securities.
(a) 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 up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:
(1) the title of the Security of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);
(3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable and the place(s) of payment;
(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any;
(5) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates;
(6) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;
(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at 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 Company;
(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 
6

 

(9) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the certificate of authentication for such series;
(10) if other than denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(11) any and all other terms with respect to such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any supplemental indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series;
(12) whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the identity of the Depositary for such series;
(13) whether the Securities will be convertible into shares of common stock or other securities of the Company and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible, including the conversion price and the conversion period;
(14) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 7.01;
(15) the subordination terms of the Securities of the series; and
(16) any additional or different Events of Default or restrictive covenants provided for with respect to the Securities of the series.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates.
SECTION 3.02 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate.
The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purpose as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution and as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage.

 
7

 

SECTION 3.03 Denominations; Provisions for Payment.
The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, subject to Section 3.01(10). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon in case of redemption thereof prior to maturity, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security, except as provided in Section 3.03.
Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:
(1) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register (as hereinafter defined), not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date.
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 
8

 

Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof, the term “regular record date” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities with respect to any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 3.04 Execution and Authentications.
The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its President, or one of its Vice Presidents, or its Treasurer, or one of its Assistant Treasurers, or its Secretary, or one of its Assistant Secretaries, under its corporate seal attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature. The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been a President or Vice President thereof, or of any Person who shall have been a Secretary or Assistant Secretary thereof, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be the President or a Vice President, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by its President or any Vice President and its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 8.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 
9

 
 
SECTION 3.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency designated for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, or such other location designated by the Company a register or registers (herein referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities and the transfers of Securities as in this Article provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfer of Securities as herein provided shall be appointed as authorized by Board Resolution (the “Security Registrar”).
Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.
All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.
(c) No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial redemption of any series, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.06, Section 4.03(b) and Section 10.04 not involving any transfer.
(d) The Company shall not be required (1) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (2) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portions thereof called for redemption. The provisions of this Section 3.05 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 3.11 hereof.
SECTION 3.06 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 
10

 

SECTION 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities.
In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company’s request the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company 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. In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
SECTION 3.08 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 
11

 

SECTION 3.09 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities (and, with respect to the provisions of Article Fifteen, the holders of Senior Indebtedness), any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities (and, with respect to the provisions of Article Fifteen, the holders of Senior Indebtedness).
SECTION 3.10 Authenticating Agent.
So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.
SECTION 3.11 Global Securities.
(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 3.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (1) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (2) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (3) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (4) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.11 of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.05, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 3.05, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 
12

 

 (c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, this Section 3.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute and, subject to Section 3.05, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 3.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 3.05, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 3.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
ARTICLE IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.01 Redemption.
The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.
SECTION 4.02 Notice of Redemption.
(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with the right reserved so to do, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.

 
13

 

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in whole or in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed. In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion and that may provide for the selection of a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by its President or any Vice President, instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 4.03 Payment Upon Redemption.
(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 3.03).
(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

 
14

 

SECTION 4.04 Sinking Fund.
The provisions of Sections 4.04, 4.05 and 4.06 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 4.05. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
SECTION 4.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any Securities previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 4.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 4.05 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officers’ Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 4.02 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 4.02. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 4.03.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities.

 
15

 

SECTION 5.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company agrees to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and State of New York, with respect to each such series and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 5.02, where (a) Securities of that series may be presented for payment, (b) Securities of that series may be presented as herein above authorized for registration of transfer and exchange, and (c) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by its President or a Vice President and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands.
SECTION 5.03 Paying Agents.
(a) If the Company shall appoint one or more paying agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;
(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent; and
(4) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in this Indenture.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.

 
16

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, (1) the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 12.05, and (2) the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such payment by any paying agent to the Trustee, such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
SECTION 5.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 8.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE VI
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS
BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on each regular record date (as defined in Section 3.03) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to be furnished such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.
SECTION 6.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar (if acting in such capacity).
(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(c) Securityholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).
SECTION 6.03 Reports by the Company.

 
17

 

(a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.
(b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations.
(c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, or reputable overnight delivery service that provides for evidence of receipt, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.
SECTION 6.04 Reports by the Trustee.
(a) On or before [__________] in each year in which any of the Securities are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding [__________], if and to the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any stock exchange.
(d) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and the Trustee receives actual notice of such Event of Default, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder notice of the uncured Event of Default within 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of an Event of Default in payment of principal of, or interest on, any Securities, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholder.

 
18

 

ARTICLE VII
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default.
(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, “Event of Default” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:
(1) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto, shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
(3) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;
(4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.
(b) In each and every such case, unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may declare the principal of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable.
(c) At any time after the principal of the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and any amount payable to the Trustee under Section 8.06, and (2) any and all other Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 7.06.

 
19

 

No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
SECTION 7.02 Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default specified in Section 7.01(a)(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.
(b) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affected the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of a series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 8.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 8.06.
(c) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of a series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 8.06, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

 
20

 

In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 7.03 Application of Moneys Collected.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 8.06;
SECOND: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and to the extent required by Article Fifteen; and
THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively.
SECTION 7.04 Limitation on Suits.
No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (a) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (b) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as trustee hereunder; (c) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; and (e) during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series shall not have given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 
21

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder. By accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
SECTION 7.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.07, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.
(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or on acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.04, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.
SECTION 7.06 Control by Securityholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 9.01, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of Securities of any other series at the time Outstanding determined in accordance with Section 9.01. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 9.01, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 7.01(c)). Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 
22

 

 SECTION 7.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 8.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series that may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of such series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities of such series except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

 
23

 

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(3) 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 not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding 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 that series; and
(4) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 8.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company, by the President or any Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer thereof (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);
(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

 
24

 

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 9.04); provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand; and
(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
SECTION 8.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities.
(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.
(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.
(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 3.01, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.
SECTION 8.04 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee or any paying agent or Security Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Security Registrar.
SECTION 8.05 Moneys Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 12.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.

 
25

 

SECTION 8.06 Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.
(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.
SECTION 8.07 Reliance on Officers’ Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
SECTION 8.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 8.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 8.10.

 
26

 

SECTION 8.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or any Securityholder of that series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 8.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.

 
27

 

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 8.11.
(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.
SECTION 8.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates, (2) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, and each such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

 
28

 

(d) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 8.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 8.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 8.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 8.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.
ARTICLE IX
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
SECTION 9.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.
If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 
29

 

SECTION 9.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.
(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.
(c) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
SECTION 9.03 Who May be Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.03) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
SECTION 9.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

 
30

 

SECTION 9.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 9.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 9.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.
ARTICLE X
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 10.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders.
In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series;
(b) to comply with Article Eleven;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(d) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(e) to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;
(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect; or
(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 3.01, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of Securities.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 
31

 

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 10.02.
SECTION 10.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 9.01) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 10.01 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 10.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 11.01, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
SECTION 10.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 11.01, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.

 
32

 

SECTION 10.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof; provided, however, that such Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
ARTICLE XI
SUCCESSOR ENTITY
SECTION 11.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 3.01 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property.
SECTION 11.02 Successor Entity Substituted.
(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture or established with respect to each series of the Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 to be performed by the Company with respect to each series, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 
33

 

(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article shall apply to limit or impose any requirements upon the consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).
SECTION 11.03 Evidence of Consolidation, Etc. to Trustee.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.01, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply with the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE XII
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.07) and Securities for whose payment money or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company (and thereupon repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 12.05); or (b) all such Securities of a particular 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 under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such series by the Company then this Indenture shall thereupon cease to be of further effect with respect to such series except for the provisions of Sections 3.03, 3.05, 3.07, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03 and 8.10, that shall survive until the date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 8.06 and 12.05, that shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series.

 
34

 

SECTION 12.02 Discharge of Obligations.
If at any time all such Securities of a particular series not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section 12.01 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then after the date such moneys or Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such series shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 3.03, 3.05, 3.07, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 8.06, 8.10 and 12.05 hereof that shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 8.06 and 12.05 shall survive.
SECTION 12.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.
All moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 12.01 or 12.02 shall be held in trust and shall be available for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular series of Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.
SECTION 12.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.
SECTION 12.05 Repayment to Company.
Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or the Trustee, or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of a particular series that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the holders of such Securities for at least two years after the date upon which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Securities shall have respectively become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and the holder of any of the Securities entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.
ARTICLE XIII
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
SECTION 13.01 No Recourse.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.

 
35

 

ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 14.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
SECTION 14.02 Actions by Successor.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
SECTION 14.03 Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited first class postage prepaid in a post-office letterbox addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: [__________]. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
SECTION 14.04 Governing Law.
This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State.
SECTION 14.05 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 
36

 

(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he 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 Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
(c) The Company shall furnish to the Trustee, on [ ] of each year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of such obligor’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this subsection, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder.
SECTION 14.06 Payments on Business Days.
Except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.
SECTION 14.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 14.08 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 14.09 Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
SECTION 14.10 Assignment.
The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such assignment, the Company will remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to the foregoing, the Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.

 
37

 

ARTICLE XV
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 15.01 Subordination Terms.
The payment by the Company of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Securities issued hereunder shall be subordinated to the extent set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto relating to such Securities.

 
38

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
             
   
AXION POWER INTERNATIONAL, INC., INC.
   
             
   
By:
       
             
   
Name:
       
             
   
Title:
       
             
   
[_],
   
   
as Trustee
   
             
   
By:
       
             
   
Name:
       
             
   
Title:
       

 
 

 
 
Exhibit 5.1
Jolie Kahn, Esq.
61 Broadway, Suite 2820
New York, NY 10006
June 3, 2011
Axion Power International, Inc., Inc.
3601 Clover Lane
New Castle, PA 16105
 
Re:
 
Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:

This opinion is furnished to Axion Power International, Inc., Inc. (the “Company”), in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2011 of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), including the prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Prospectus provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). The Prospectus, as supplemented by the various Prospectus Supplements, relates to the registration of the offering by the Company from time to time of (a) shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company, (b) shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company, (c) one or more series of the debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), which may be either senior securities or subordinated securities and which may be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock or (d) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”).

The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities and the Warrants are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities are being registered for offering and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The maximum aggregate public offering price of the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities and the Warrants being registered is $28,000,000.

The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to one or more indentures in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time (each, an “Indenture”), between the Company, as obligor, and a trustee chosen by the Company and qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (each, a “Trustee”).

In connection with this opinion, I have examined the Registration Statement and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion. I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to me as copies thereof and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, I have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the additional qualifications set forth below, I am of the opinion that:

1. When the issuance and the terms of the sale of the shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company in conformity with its certificate of incorporation, and such shares have been issued and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount in excess of the par value thereof, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and, if issued upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of Debt Securities or Warrants, when such shares have been duly issued and delivered as contemplated by the terms of the applicable Indenture or Warrant, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 
 

 

2. When the issuance and the terms of the sale of the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company in conformity with its certificate of incorporation; an appropriate certificate or certificates of designation relating to a series of the Preferred Stock to be sold under the Registration Statement has or have been duly authorized and adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware; the terms of issuance and sale of shares of such series of Preferred Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws so as to not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its property; and such shares have been issued and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor in an amount in excess of the par value thereof, in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and, if issued upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any Debt Securities or Warrants, when such shares have been duly issued and delivered as contemplated by the terms of the applicable Indenture or Warrant, the shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. When the issuance and the terms of the sale of the Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company and duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under, or breach of, any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its property, and the Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued, delivered and sold in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, and in the manner provided for in the applicable Indenture against payment of the purchase price therefor, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.
 
4. When the issuance and the terms of the sale of the Warrants have been duly authorized by the board of directors of the Company; the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established so as to not violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its property; and the Warrants have been duly executed and issued and sold in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the Delaware General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing), the laws of the State of New York and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In rendering the opinions set forth above, I have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement will have become effective under the Securities Act, a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared and filed with the SEC describing the Securities offered thereby and such Securities will have been issued and/or sold in accordance with the terms of such Prospectus Supplement; (ii) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to such Securities (if applicable) will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iii) the Securities issued by the Company will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate action by the Company and any Indenture, any applicable supplemental indenture thereto, and other agreement pursuant to which such Securities may be issued will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the Company is and will remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under applicable state law; and (v) the Company will have reserved a sufficient number of shares of its duly authorized, but unissued, Common Stock and Preferred Stock as is necessary to provide for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 
 

 

The opinions set forth above are subject to the following exceptions, limitations and qualifications: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, including without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought; (iii) the unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provision providing for the indemnification of, or contribution to, a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy. We express no opinion (i) concerning the enforceability of any waiver of rights or defenses with respect to stay, extension or usury laws or (ii) with respect to whether acceleration of Debt Securities may affect the collectability of any portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon. Our opinions expressed herein are also subject to the qualification that no term or provision shall be included in any Indenture, any Warrant or any other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any of the Securities are to be issued that would affect the validity of such opinions.
 
I consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement, and further consent to the use of my name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, and in any amendment or supplement thereto.
     
   
Very truly yours,
     
   
/s/ Jolie G. Kahn

 
 

 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Axion Power International, Inc.
3601 Clover Lane
New Castle, Pennsylvania 16105

We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March 30, 2011, in this Registration Statement on Form S-3, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Axion Power International, Inc. as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended and for the period since inception (September 18, 2003) through December 31, 2010.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.


/s/ EFP Rotenberg, LLP

EFP Rotenberg, LLP
Rochester, New York
June 2, 2011