UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 12, 2010

 

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   000-51217   20-1920798

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois

  60179
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 286-2500

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report): Not Applicable

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement

6   5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018, Indenture, Security Agreement and Intercreditor Agreement

On October 12, 2010, Sears Holdings Corporation (the “Company”) completed its sale to initial purchasers (the “Initial Purchasers”) of $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”). The Company issued the Notes pursuant to an indenture dated as of October 12, 2010 among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as guarantors (the “Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent (the “Indenture”). The Notes were offered and sold in the United States to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. Concurrent with the closing of the sale of Notes described above, the Company completed its sale of an additional $250 million aggregate principal amount of Notes to the Sears Holdings Pension Trust (the “Pension Trust”), the trust of the Sears Holdings Pension Plan, which is the Company’s domestic pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), in a private placement. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold without registration unless pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and all applicable state laws.

The Notes mature on October 15, 2018 and bear interest at 6  5 / 8 % per annum, payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2011, to registered holders at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date.

The Company may redeem the Notes in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date at the “Treasury Rate” as defined in the Indenture, plus 50 basis points, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.

The Notes are initially unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis, by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that is a borrower or guarantor under the Company’s existing senior secured revolving credit facility. In addition, certain direct or indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company that become the owner of inventory or credit card accounts receivable and incur indebtedness for borrowed money will be required to become a guarantor as specified in the Indenture. Under certain circumstances, subsidiaries may be released from these guarantees without the consent of the holders of the Notes.

The Notes and the guarantees thereof are senior obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, are secured by a security interest in certain assets of the Company and the Guarantors consisting primarily of inventory and credit card accounts receivable (the “Collateral”) pursuant to a security agreement dated as of October 12, 2010 among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (the “Security Agreement”), and rank equally in right of payment to all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, respectively. Pursuant to an intercreditor agreement dated as of October 12, 2010 among Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC and General Electric Capital Corporation, as ABL agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as second lien agent (the “Intercreditor Agreement”), the security interest in the Collateral securing the Notes and the guarantees is junior in priority to the security interest securing the obligations under the Company’s existing senior secured revolving credit facility and the obligations under certain banking and cash management arrangements. Upon the satisfaction of certain conditions constituting a “Fall-Away Event” as defined in the Indenture, the security interest in the Collateral securing the Notes and the guarantees will be automatically released.

Upon the occurrence of certain change of control triggering events, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Notes as described above. In addition, if, prior to the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event, the borrowing base (as calculated pursuant to the Indenture) as of the last day of each of any two consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company is less than the principal amount of the Company’s consolidated indebtedness for borrowed money outstanding on such day that is secured by liens on the Collateral, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase.

 

1


The Indenture contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, (1) limit the ability of the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries to, among other things, create liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions and (2) limit the ability of the Company to consolidate with or merge into, or sell other than for cash or lease all of substantially all of its assets to, another person. The Indenture also provides for certain events of default, which, if any occur, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.

The foregoing descriptions of the Indenture, the Notes, the Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the actual terms of the respective documents. A copy of each of the Indenture (including the forms of Notes), the Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement is attached as Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 4.3, respectively, to this report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Registration Rights Agreements

In connection with the sale of Notes to the Initial Purchasers, the Company and Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement dated October 12, 2010, with the Initial Purchasers. Under the agreement, the Company has agreed, on or before the 300th day after the date the Notes were issued, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the Notes for notes registered under the Securities Act (the “Exchange Offer”). Affiliates of the Company, including the Pension Plan, are not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer. If the Company is unable to effect the Exchange Offer, it will instead use its commercially reasonable efforts to have a shelf registration statement declared effective with respect to resales of the Notes. If the Company fails to satisfy its obligations under this registration rights agreement on or before the 365th day after the date the Notes were issued, it will be required to pay additional interest to the holders of the Notes initially purchased by the Initial Purchasers under certain circumstances for certain periods.

In connection with the sale of the Notes to the Pension Trust, the Company and Guarantors entered into a registration rights agreement dated October 12, 2010, with the Sears Holdings Corporation Investment Committee on behalf of the Pension Plan and the Pension Trust. Under the agreement, the Company has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act covering resales of the Notes held by the Pension Trust and cause such shelf registration statement to be declared effective on or prior to the earliest to occur of (1) the consummation of the Exchange Offer, (2) the date on which the Notes, if held by a non-affiliate of the Company, would be freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, and (3) in the event the Exchange Offer is not consummated, the 365th day after the date the Notes were issued. If the Company fails to satisfy its obligations under this registration rights agreement, it will be required to pay additional interest with respect to the Notes held by the Pension Trust under certain circumstances for certain periods.

The foregoing descriptions of the registration rights agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the actual terms of the respective documents. A copy of each registration rights agreement is attached as Exhibit 4.4 and Exhibit 4.5 to this report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information in Item 1.01 under the heading “6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018, Indenture, Security Agreement and Intercreditor Agreement” is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)    Exhibits
4.1    Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Sears Holdings Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent.
4.2    Security Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Sears Holdings Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent.
4.3    Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC and General Electric Capital Corporation, as ABL Agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Second Lien Agent.
4.4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation and the guarantors party thereto and Banc of America Securities LLC.
4.5    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation and the guarantors party thereto, Sears Holdings Corporation Investment Committee on behalf of the Sears Holdings Pension Plan and Sears Holdings Pension Trust.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name:   William K. Phelan
  Title:   Senior Vice President, Controller and
    Chief Accounting Officer

Date: October 15, 2010

 


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

4.1    Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Sears Holdings Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent.
4.2    Security Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Sears Holdings Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent.
4.3    Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, among Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC and General Electric Capital Corporation, as ABL Agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Second Lien Agent.
4.4    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation and the guarantors party thereto and Banc of America Securities LLC.
4.5    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation and the guarantors party thereto, Sears Holdings Corporation Investment Committee on behalf of the Sears Holdings Pension Plan and Sears Holdings Pension Trust.

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION,

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee and Collateral Agent

INDENTURE

Dated as of October 12, 2010

6   5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

Section

  

Indenture

Section

310(a)(1)

   7.05

 (a)(2)

   7.05

 (a)(3)

   N.A.

 (a)(4)

   N.A.

 (a)(5)

   7.06

 (b)

   7.04; 7.06; 12.02

 (b)(1)

   7.06

 (c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   6.11

 (b)

   6.11

 (c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.06

 (b)

   12.03

 (c)

   12.03

313(a)

   7.11

 (b)(1)

   N.A.

 (b)(2)

   7.01(a); 7.11

 (c)

   7.11; 12.02

 (d)

   7.11

314(a)

   4.02; 4.03; 11.03; 12.02

 (b)

   11.02

 (c)(1)

   12.04

 (c)(2)

   12.04

 (c)(3)

   N.A.

 (d)

   11.03

 (e)

   12.05

 (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   N.A.

 (b)

   7.03; 12.02

 (c)

   7.02

 (d)

   7.02(b)

 (e)

   6.12

316(a)(last sentence)

   2.10

 (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

 (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

 (a)(2)

   N.A.

 (b)

   6.08

 (c)

   8.04

317(a)(1)

   6.09

 (a)(2)

   6.10

 (b)

   2.05

318(a)

   12.01

 

N.A. means Not Applicable

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
   ARTICLE ONE   
   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   

SECTION 1.01.

  

Definitions

   1

SECTION 1.02.

  

Other Definitions

   15

SECTION 1.03.

  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

   15

SECTION 1.04.

  

Rules of Construction

   15
   ARTICLE TWO   
   THE NOTES   

SECTION 2.01.

  

Amount of Notes

   16

SECTION 2.02.

  

Form and Dating

   17

SECTION 2.03.

  

Execution and Authentication

   17

SECTION 2.04.

  

Registrar and Paying Agent

   18

SECTION 2.05.

  

Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust

   18

SECTION 2.06.

  

Holder Lists

   19

SECTION 2.07.

  

Transfer and Exchange

   19

SECTION 2.08.

  

Replacement Notes

   20

SECTION 2.09.

  

Outstanding Notes

   20

SECTION 2.10.

  

Treasury Notes

   20

SECTION 2.11.

  

Temporary Notes

   21

SECTION 2.12.

  

Cancellation

   21

SECTION 2.13.

  

Defaulted Interest

   21

SECTION 2.14.

  

CUSIP Number

   21

SECTION 2.15.

  

Deposit of Moneys

   22

SECTION 2.16.

  

Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes

   22

SECTION 2.17.

  

Special Transfer Provisions

   24

SECTION 2.18.

  

Computation of Interest

   25
   ARTICLE THREE   
   REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT   

SECTION 3.01.

  

Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee

   25

SECTION 3.02.

  

Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed

   26

SECTION 3.03.

  

Notice of Redemption

   26

SECTION 3.04.

  

Effect of Notice of Redemption

   27

SECTION 3.05.

  

Deposit of Redemption Price

   27

SECTION 3.06.

  

Notes Redeemed in Part

   27

SECTION 3.07.

  

Optional Redemption

   27

SECTION 3.08.

  

Mandatory Redemption

   28

 

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          Page
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01.

   Payment of Notes    28

SECTION 4.02.

   Reports to Holders    28

SECTION 4.03.

   Compliance Certificate    29

SECTION 4.04.

   Limitations on Liens    29

SECTION 4.05.

   Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions    29

SECTION 4.06.

   Additional Guarantees    30

SECTION 4.07.

   Change of Control Offer    30

SECTION 4.08.

   Collateral Coverage Offer    31

SECTION 4.09.

   Calculations    31
   ARTICLE FIVE   
   SUCCESSOR CORPORATION   

SECTION 5.01.

   Limitations on Mergers and Sales of Assets    32

SECTION 5.02.

   Successor Person Substituted    32
   ARTICLE SIX   
   DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

SECTION 6.01.

   Events of Default    32

SECTION 6.02.

   Acceleration    33

SECTION 6.03.

   Other Remedies    34

SECTION 6.04.

   Waiver or Rescission of Past Defaults and Events of Default    34

SECTION 6.05.

   Control by Majority    34

SECTION 6.06.

   Limitation on Suits    35

SECTION 6.07.

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    35

SECTION 6.08.

   Rights of Holders To Receive Payment    35

SECTION 6.09.

   Collection Suit by Trustee    36

SECTION 6.10.

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    36

SECTION 6.11.

   Priorities    36

SECTION 6.12.

   Undertaking for Costs    37

SECTION 6.13.

   Restoration of Rights and Remedies    37

SECTION 6.14.

   Appointment and Authorization of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent    37
   ARTICLE SEVEN   
   TRUSTEE   

SECTION 7.01.

   Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions    38

SECTION 7.02.

   Duties of Trustee in Case of Default    40

SECTION 7.03.

   Notice to Holders of Defaults    41

SECTION 7.04.

   Resignation and Removal of Trustee and Notice Thereof    41

 

-ii-


          Page

SECTION 7.05.

   Qualifications of Trustee    41

SECTION 7.06.

   Disqualification Of Trustee By Reason Of Conflicting Interest    42

SECTION 7.07.

   Appointment of Successor Trustee    42

SECTION 7.08.

   Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of Its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Notes by Successor Trustee    43

SECTION 7.09.

   Trustee Required to Account for Amounts Collected As Creditor of the Issuer Under Certain Conditions    43

SECTION 7.10.

   Trustee May Rely on Officer’s Certificate    43

SECTION 7.11.

   Reports by Trustee    44

SECTION 7.12.

   Collateral Agent    44
   ARTICLE EIGHT   
   AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS   

SECTION 8.01.

   Without Consent of Holders    44

SECTION 8.02.

   With Consent of Holders    45

SECTION 8.03.

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    46

SECTION 8.04.

   Revocation and Effect of Consents    46

SECTION 8.05.

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes    47

SECTION 8.06.

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc    47
   ARTICLE NINE   
   DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE   

SECTION 9.01.

   Discharge of Indenture    47

SECTION 9.02.

   Legal Defeasance    48

SECTION 9.03.

   Covenant Defeasance    49

SECTION 9.04.

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    50

SECTION 9.05.

   Reinstatement    50

SECTION 9.06.

   Moneys Held by Paying Agent    51

SECTION 9.07.

   Moneys Held by Trustee    51
   ARTICLE TEN   
   GUARANTEE OF NOTES   

SECTION 10.01.

   Guarantee    51

SECTION 10.02.

   Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee    52

SECTION 10.03.

   Limitation of Guarantee    52

SECTION 10.04.

   Release of Guarantor    53

SECTION 10.05.

   Waiver of Subrogation    53

 

-iii-


          Page
   ARTICLE ELEVEN   
   SECURITY   

SECTION 11.01.

   Security Documents; Additional Collateral    54

SECTION 11.02.

   Recording, Registration and Opinions    54

SECTION 11.03.

   Releases of Liens on Collateral    54

SECTION 11.04.

   Form and Sufficiency of Release    55

SECTION 11.05.

   Possession and Use of Collateral    55

SECTION 11.06.

   Purchaser Protected    55

SECTION 11.07.

   Authorization of Actions To Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents    56

SECTION 11.08.

   Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Agreement    56

SECTION 11.09.

   Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Collateral Agent    56
   ARTICLE TWELVE   
   MISCELLANEOUS   

SECTION 12.01.

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    56

SECTION 12.02.

   Notices    57

SECTION 12.03.

   Communications by Holders with Other Holders    57

SECTION 12.04.

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    57

SECTION 12.05.

   Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion    58

SECTION 12.06.

   Rules by Trustee and Agents    58

SECTION 12.07.

   Business Days; Legal Holidays    58

SECTION 12.08.

   Governing Law    58

SECTION 12.09.

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    59

SECTION 12.10.

   Successors    59

SECTION 12.11.

   Multiple Counterparts    59

SECTION 12.12.

   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.    59

SECTION 12.13.

   Separability    59

SECTION 12.14.

   Waiver of Jury Trial    60

SECTION 12.15.

   Force Majeure    60

SECTION 12.16.

   Intercreditor Agreement.    60

Schedule A

   List of Guarantors   

EXHIBITS

     

Exhibit A

   Form of Note   

Exhibit B

   Form of Legend for Rule 144A Notes and Other Notes That Are Restricted Notes   

Exhibit C

   Form of Legend for Regulation S Note   

Exhibit D

   Form of Legend for Global Note   

Exhibit E

   Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors   

Exhibit F

   Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S   

Exhibit G

   Notation of Guarantee   

 

-iv-


INDENTURE, dated as of October 12, 2010, among SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuer ”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) listed on Schedule A hereto and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”) and Collateral Agent (as defined herein).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein):

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions .

Additional First Lien Obligations ” means any indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than the Credit Agreement Obligations, that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral ranking contractually prior to the Notes Liens and that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (2) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; provided that the representative of such Additional First Lien Obligations executes a joinder agreement to the Intercreditor Agreement (or another intercreditor agreement on terms not less favorable to the Holders of Notes than the Intercreditor Agreement) agreeing to be bound thereby. At the Issuer’s option, any indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted by clause (2) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” may be “Additional First Lien Obligations”.

Additional Interest ” means any additional interest pursuant to Section 5 of the Initial Purchasers Registration Rights Agreement or Section 4 of the Pension Plan Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable.

Additional Notes ” means an unlimited principal amount of Notes having identical terms and conditions (other than issue date, issue price and initial interest payment date) to the Notes issued on the Issue Date pursuant to Article Two.

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

Agent ” means the Collateral Agent, Depository Custodian, any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer, payment, tender, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Certificate, the rules and procedures of the Depository, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer, payment, tender, redemption or exchange.

Attributable Debt ” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value discounted at the rate of interest implicit in the terms of the lease (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the obligations of the lessee under such lease for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the Issuer’s option, be extended).


Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors ” means either the board of directors of the Issuer or any duly authorized committee of that board or any committee of officers or other representatives of the Issuer duly authorized by a Board Resolution to act on behalf of that board or in its stead.

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

Borrowing Base ” means, as of any date, the sum of (1) 90% of the book value (calculated in accordance with GAAP) of the accounts receivable of the Issuer and the Guarantors, on a consolidated basis, on such date and (2) 65% of the book value (calculated in accordance with GAAP) of the inventory of the Issuer and the Guarantors, on a consolidated basis, on such date.

Capital Stock ” means, as to any Person, the capital stock of such Person of every class, whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless of whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage with respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, other than a Permitted Holder, the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the Issuer becomes aware of the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any Person other than a Permitted Holder becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Issuer’s outstanding Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which the Issuer’s Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Issuer’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors; or (4) the adoption of a plan relating to the Issuer’s liquidation or dissolution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under clause (2) above if (i) the Issuer becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Issuer’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no Person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence or a Permitted Holder) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company.

Change of Control Notice ” has the meaning provided in the definition of “Change of Control Offer.”

Change of Control Offer ” means a written offer (the “ Change of Control Notice ”) sent by or on behalf of the Issuer by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or by electronic delivery to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, at its address appearing in the register for the Notes on the date of the Change of Control Offer offering to purchase all outstanding Notes in accordance with Section 4.07. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Change of Control Notice shall specify the payment date (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”) for the Change of Control Offer, which shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date such Change of Control Notice is mailed or electronically delivered.

 

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The Change of Control Notice shall contain all the information required by applicable law to be included therein and shall describe the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event. The Change of Control Notice shall also state:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to Section 4.07 of this Indenture;

(2) the Change of Control Payment Date;

(3) the Change of Control Payment;

(4) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be tendered in denominations of $2,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and that all Notes tendered in such manner for payment and not withdrawn shall be accepted;

(5) the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(6) that interest on any Note not tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will continue to accrue;

(7) that on the Change of Control Payment Date the Change of Control Payment will become due and payable upon each Note being accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer and that, unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment therefor, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(8) that each Holder electing to tender all or any portion of a Note pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will, subject to Applicable Procedures, be required to surrender such Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, at the place or places specified in the Change of Control Notice on or prior to the close of business on a date no earlier than the third Business Day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date (such Note being, if the Issuer so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing);

(9) that Holders will, subject to Applicable Procedures, be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of Notes tendered if the Issuer receives, not later than the close of business on the fifth Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note the holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of its tender;

(10) that in the case of any Holder whose Note is purchased only in part, subject to Applicable Procedures, the Issuer shall execute and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the Note so tendered, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; and

 

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(11) if mailed or electronically delivered prior to the date of consummation of the applicable Change of Control, that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the applicable Change of Control Payment Date.

Change of Control Payment Date ” has the meaning provided in the definition of “Change of Control.”

Change of Control Triggering Event ” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.

Collateral ” means, collectively, “Collateral” (as defined in the Security Agreement) and all other property subject or purported to be subject from time to time to a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders and the holders of any Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” means the Trustee, in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Security Documents together with its successors in such capacity.

Collateral Coverage Certificate ” means with respect to any annual or quarterly financial statements provided pursuant to Section 4.02, a certificate signed by a financial officer of the Issuer setting forth an accurate calculation of the Borrowing Base as of the last day of the period covered by such annual or quarterly financial statements, a calculation of the principal amount of outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money on such date that is secured by Liens on the Collateral pursuant to clauses (2) and (3) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and stating whether or not a Collateral Coverage Event has occurred.

Collateral Coverage Event ” shall be deemed to have occurred if, prior to a Fall-Away Event, as of the last day of any two consecutive fiscal quarters of the Issuer, the Borrowing Base as of each such day is less than the principal amount of the Issuer’s consolidated indebtedness for borrowed money outstanding on such day that is secured by Liens on the Collateral.

Collateral Coverage Notice ” has the meaning provided in the definition of “Collateral Coverage Offer.”

Collateral Coverage Offer ” means a written offer (a “ Collateral Coverage Notice ”) sent by or on behalf of the Issuer by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or by electronic delivery to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, at its address appearing in the register for the Notes on the date of the Collateral Coverage Offer offering to repurchase a portion (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes on the terms set forth hereunder up to an aggregate principal amount of Notes for all Holders equal to the Collateral Coverage Required Amount in accordance with Section 4.08. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Collateral Coverage Notice shall specify the payment date (the “ Collateral Coverage Payment Date ”) for the Collateral Coverage Offer, which shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date such Collateral Coverage Notice is mailed or electronically delivered. The Collateral Coverage Notice shall contain all the information required by applicable law to be included therein and shall describe the circumstances requiring such Collateral Coverage Offer. The Collateral Coverage Notice shall also state:

(1) that the Collateral Coverage Offer is being made pursuant to Section 4.08 of this Indenture;

 

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(2) the Collateral Coverage Payment Date;

(3) the Collateral Coverage Event Payment;

(4) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be tendered in denominations of $2,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided that in the event the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered for purchase in the Collateral Coverage Offer exceeds the Collateral Coverage Required Amount for such Collateral Coverage Offer, the Issuer will accept for payment only the Collateral Coverage Required Amount of Notes on a pro rata basis from Holders who have validly tendered their Notes in such Collateral Coverage Offer (subject to rounding such that all remaining Notes are in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof);

(5) the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Collateral Coverage Offer;

(6) that interest on any Note not tendered pursuant to the Collateral Coverage Offer will continue to accrue;

(7) that on the Collateral Coverage Payment Date, the Collateral Coverage Event Payment will become due and payable upon each Note being accepted for payment pursuant to the Collateral Coverage Offer and that, unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Collateral Coverage Event Payment therefor, interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after the Collateral Coverage Payment Date;

(8) that each Holder electing to tender all or any portion of a Note pursuant to the Collateral Coverage Offer will, subject to Applicable Procedures, be required to surrender such Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, at the place or places specified in the Collateral Coverage Notice on or prior to the close of business on a date no earlier than the third Business Day prior to the Collateral Coverage Payment Date (such Note being, if the Issuer so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing);

(9) that Holders will, subject to Applicable Procedures, be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of Notes tendered if the Issuer receives, not later than the close of business on the fifth Business Day preceding the Collateral Coverage Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note the Holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of its tender; and

(10) that in the case of any Holder whose Note is purchased only in part, subject to Applicable Procedures, the Issuer shall execute and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the Note so tendered, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Collateral Coverage Payment Date ” has the meaning provided in the definition of “Collateral Coverage Offer.”

 

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Collateral Coverage Required Amount ” means, with respect to any Collateral Coverage Event, an amount equal to the difference between (a) the principal amount of the Issuer’s consolidated indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by Liens on the Collateral outstanding on the date of occurrence of such Collateral Coverage Event and (b) the Borrowing Base on such date.

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

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes.

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Issuer obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means the aggregate amount of the Issuer’s assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) and the Issuer’s Subsidiaries’ assets after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities (excluding current maturities of long-term debt and current maturities under capital leases) and (b) all goodwill, trade names, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the Issuer’s most recent consolidated balance sheet and computed in accordance with GAAP.

Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer who (A) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date or (B) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of a proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

Credit Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2009, among the Issuer, Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp., Kmart Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, co-collateral agent and swingline lender, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as co-collateral agent, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as co-collateral agent, together with the related documents thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), in each case as such agreements may be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented or otherwise modified, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring (including, without limitation, increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder) all or any portion of the indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

Credit Agreement Agent ” means, collectively, the co-collateral agents under the Credit Agreement.

 

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Credit Agreement Obligations ” means the Obligations owed to the lenders and agents under the Credit Agreement.

Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Default ” means an Event of Default or an event that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Depository ” means, with respect to the Notes issued in the form of one or more Global Notes, The Depository Trust Company or another Person designated as Depository by the Issuer, which Person must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act.

Depository Custodian ” means the Trustee, as custodian of each Global Note for the Depository.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer which is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

Equity Interests ” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s Capital Stock, other equity interests whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date, partnership interests (whether general or limited), limited liability company interests, any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into Equity Interests), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such Equity Interests.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Offer ” has the meaning provided in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Securities ” has the meaning provided in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

Fall-Away Event ” means the satisfaction of the following conditions on any date following the Issue Date: (i) the Issuer shall have a corporate family rating of at least Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date, (iii) the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (after giving effect to the release of the Notes Liens and any concurrent release of Liens to occur on such date) have no Liens on any of their assets or properties other than Permitted Liens which are permitted to be outstanding following a Fall-Away Event and (iv) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the foregoing conditions are satisfied and requesting that the Notes Liens be released.

Fitch ” means Fitch Inc., a subsidiary of Fimalac, S.A., and its successors.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer which is not organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and any Subsidiary of any such Subsidiary.

 

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GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are in effect from time to time.

Government Securities ” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States 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, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, which, in either case under clause (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided , that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Guarantee ” means a guarantee of the Notes on the terms set forth in this Indenture.

Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary or other Person that has provided a Guarantee for so long as such Guarantee remains in effect.

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Independent Investment Banker ” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Issuer.

Initial Purchasers ” means Banc of America Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Initial Purchasers Registration Rights Agreement ” means the registration rights agreement to be dated as of the Issue Date among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Banc of America Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers, relating to the registration of the Notes with the Commission.

Institutional Accredited Investor ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) promulgated under the Securities Act.

Intercreditor Agreement ” means, collectively, the intercreditor agreement dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Credit Agreement Agent and any other intercreditor agreement entered into in accordance with the terms hereof in connection with any Additional First Lien Obligations or Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations.

interest ” means, with respect to the Notes, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes.

 

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Interest Payment Dates ” means each April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2011.

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch, Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement Rating Agency or Rating Agencies selected by the Issuer.

Issue Date ” means October 12, 2010.

Issuer ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereof.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Non-U.S. Person ” means a Person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in Regulation S.

Notes ” means $1,250.0 million of 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018, any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture and any Exchange Securities.

Notes Liens ” means the Liens securing the Obligations outstanding under the Notes and the Indenture.

Obligations ” means all obligations for principal, premium, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition of bankruptcy at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any indebtedness.

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer, or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Issuer.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee from legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or any Guarantor, or other counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, stating the matters required by Section 12.05, if applicable, and delivered to the Trustee.

Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations ” means any indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral equally and ratably with the Notes Liens and that is permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (2) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; provided that the representative of such Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations executes a joinder agreement to the Security Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement or enters into an additional intercreditor agreement with the Collateral Agent providing that any amounts received in respect of the Collateral in connection with an

 

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enforcement of the Notes Liens or the Liens securing such Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations (or received in respect of such Liens in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) shall, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, after payment of expenses of the Collateral Agent and the collateral agent for each other class of Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations, be distributed to the Trustee and each other agent for the holders of Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations on a pro rata basis based on the amount of outstanding obligations of each such class. At the Issuer’s option, any indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted by clause (2) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” may be Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations.

Pension Plan Registration Rights Agreement ” means the registration rights agreement to be dated as of the Issue Date among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Sears Holdings Pension Trust relating to the registration of the Notes with the Commission.

Permitted Holders ” means (i) ESL Investments, Inc. and its Affiliates, (ii) any group (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of which ESL Investments, Inc. or an Affiliate of ESL Investments, Inc. is a member so long as ESL Investments, Inc. and its Affiliates own a majority of the Issuer’s Voting Stock owned by all members of such group and (iii) to the extent a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and a Change of Control Offer completed, any Person whose acquisition of the Issuer’s Voting Stock caused such Change of Control Triggering Event and an Affiliate of such Person.

Permitted Liens ” means the following types of Liens:

(1) Liens existing as of the Issue Date (other than Liens securing indebtedness under the Credit Agreement);

(2) prior to the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event, Liens on the Collateral securing indebtedness (including indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed an amount equal to the Borrowing Base (measured as of the end of the calendar month most recently ended prior to the date of any applicable incurrence of indebtedness) less the outstanding principal amount of Notes outstanding at such time, other than Additional Notes; provided that for purposes of this clause (2), Liens on Collateral securing (a) indebtedness under the Credit Agreement in a principal amount not to exceed $2.45 billion shall be deemed to be Permitted Liens and (b) indebtedness under any other revolving credit facility shall be deemed to be Permitted Liens; provided, in the case of this clause (b), on the date firm commitments under such revolving credit facility are received by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, indebtedness secured by Liens on the Collateral in the full amount of all firm commitments under each then existing revolving credit facility secured by Liens on the Collateral in reliance on this clause (2) (including commitments then outstanding under the Credit Agreement, if any) could have been incurred under this clause (2) had the full amount of such firm commitments been funded on such date;

(3) Liens securing the Notes and the Guarantees issued on the Issue Date (and any registered exchange notes and related guarantees issued in exchange therefore);

(4) Liens of the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer on assets of any Subsidiary of the Issuer;

(5) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not delinquent or (b) contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Issuer or its Subsidiaries shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP;

 

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(6) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen, maritime and other Liens imposed by law incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made in respect thereof;

(7) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations or to secure or which results from required payments or deposits in connection with litigation (in each case, exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

(8) judgment Liens so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;

(9) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances in respect of real property not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(10) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(11) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;

(12) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual, or warranty requirements of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off;

(13) Liens securing indebtedness incurred to finance the purchase price or cost of construction of fixed or capital assets (or additions, substantial repairs, alterations or substantial improvements thereto) or of Equity Interests in a third party, provided that (x) such Liens and the indebtedness secured thereby are incurred within twelve months of the later of acquisition or completion of construction (or addition, repair, alteration or improvement) and full operation thereof and (y) such Liens extend only to the assets the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of which is financed thereby or, in the case of an acquisition of Equity Interests in a third party which becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such acquisition, the assets owned by such third party;

(14) Liens on the assets, property or Capital Stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , further , that such Liens do not extend to any property owned by the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(15) Liens on assets or property existing at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired such assets or property, including by means of merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , further , that such Liens do not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(16) Liens to secure obligations in respect of Cash Management Services and Bank Products (each as defined in the Credit Agreement); and

(17) from and after the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event, other Liens on property owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries securing indebtedness having an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, as of any date of incurrence of such secured indebtedness pursuant to this clause and after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom, 15% of the Issuer’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 4.02.

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

Physical Notes ” means certificated Notes in registered form that are not registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A .

Primary Treasury Dealer ” has the meaning provided in the definition of “Reference Treasury Dealers”.

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend initially set forth on the Rule 144A Notes and other Notes that are Restricted Notes in the form set forth in Exhibit B .

Qualified Institutional Buyer ” or “ QIB ” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rating Agencies ” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available, at the sole option of the Issuer, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section 3 of the Exchange Act, selected by the Issuer (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer) as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, or any of them, as the case may be.

Ratings Event ” means that the rating on the Notes is lowered by at least two of the three Rating Agencies and the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by at least two of the three Rating Agencies (it being understood that for purposes of this definition if fewer than three Rating Agencies maintain ratings of the Notes at the time of a Change of Control, the Notes will be deemed for purposes of this definition to have been downgraded in connection with such Change of Control (prior to any actual downgrades) by a number of Rating Agencies equal to the excess of 3 over the number of Rating Agencies that maintain ratings of the Notes at such time), on any day during the period (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) commencing 60 days prior to the first public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the Issuer’s intention to effect a Change of Control and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control.

 

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Redemption Date ” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to the terms of the Notes.

Reference Treasury Dealers ” means (1) Banc of America Securities LLC and its successors; provided , however , that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary Government Securities dealer (a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”), the Issuer shall substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer, and (2) two other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by the Issuer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Issuer by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Initial Purchasers Registration Rights Agreement or the Pension Plan Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable and “ Registration Rights Agreement ” means, collectively, the Initial Purchasers Registration Rights Agreement and the Pension Plan Registration Rights Agreement.

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S-X ” means Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

Responsible Officer ” when used with respect to the Trustee, means an officer or assistant officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Services department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or the Security Documents and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Note ” has the same meaning as “Restricted Security” set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means each Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer other than Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation and its Subsidiaries.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

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Security Agreement ” means the security agreement dated as of the Issue Date among the Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Grantors (as defined therein).

Security Documents ” means the Security Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and each other document entered into to grant a security interest in the Collateral to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Notes.

Specified Subsidiary ” means any wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary with Credit Card Accounts Receivable (as defined in the Security Agreement and for purposes of such definition, substituting the words “Domestic Subsidiary” for “Guarantor” in each instance where such term is used) and Inventory (as defined in the Security Agreement) the combined book value of which exceeds $100.0 million and which has incurred indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $100.0 million.

Subsidiary ” means a corporation, a majority of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Issuer and one or more other Subsidiaries.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to a maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

Trust Indenture Act ” or “ TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee ” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any item or portion of the Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other that the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any specified Person as of any date, the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person.

 

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SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions .

The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections indicated as follows:

 

Term

   Defined in Section

“Agent Members”

   2.16(a)

“Authentication Order”

   2.01    

“Business Day”

   12.07      

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.07    

“Collateral Coverage Event Payment”

   4.08    

“Covenant Defeasance”

   9.03    

“Event of Default”

   6.01    

“Global Notes”

   2.16(a)

“Institutional Accredited Investor Notes”

   2.02    

“Legal Defeasance”

   9.02    

“Legal Holiday”

   12.07      

“Paying Agent”

   2.04      

“Registrar”

   2.04      

“Regulation S Global Note”

   2.16(a)

“Regulation S Notes”

   2.02    

“Restricted Global Note”

   2.16(a)

“Restricted Period”

   2.16(f)

“Rule 144A Notes”

   2.02    

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction”

   4.05(a)

SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities ” means the Notes and the Guarantees.

indenture securityholder ” means a Holder.

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.

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

obligor on the indenture securities ” means the Issuer, the Guarantors or any other obligor on the Notes.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule have the meanings therein assigned to them.

SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction .

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined expressly or by reference;

(2) “or” is not exclusive;

(3) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(4) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

(5) “herein,” hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or Subsection;

 

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(6) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(7) “$,” “U.S. Dollars” and “United States Dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts;

(8) the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”; and

(9) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the TIA shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

ARTICLE TWO

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01. Amount of Notes .

The Trustee shall, upon the receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer of the Issuer (an “ Authentication Order ”), the applicable Notes duly executed by the Issuer, and the notation of Guarantee to be endorsed thereon duly executed by each Guarantor, authenticate (i) Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,250,000,000 and (ii) Additional Notes in an unlimited principal amount, to the extent permitted by Section 4.04. The Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, and the names and delivery instructions for each Holder of the Notes. Furthermore, Notes may be authenticated or delivered upon registration or transfer, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.11, 3.06 or 8.05 or in connection with a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.07 or Collateral Coverage Offer pursuant to Section 4.08. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel of the Issuer and the Guarantors in connection with such authentication of Notes that this Indenture will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and that such Notes, when duly authorized and executed by the Issuer and duly authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in this Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, and that the Guarantees, when duly authorized and executed by the Guarantors, will constitute valid and binding obligations of such Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights or remedies of creditors generally, (ii) the application of general principles of equity, and (iii) applicable law and public policy with respect to rights to indemnity and contribution.

Upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate Notes in substitution for Notes originally issued to reflect any name change of the Issuer. Any Additional Notes shall be part of the same issue as the Notes being issued on the Issue Date and will vote on all matters as one class with the Notes being issued on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. For the purposes of this Indenture, references to the Notes include Additional Notes, if any.

 

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Upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the applicable Notes duly executed by the Issuer, the notation of Guarantee to be endorsed thereon duly executed by each Guarantor, and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that a registration statement relating to an exchange offer specified in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement or any registration rights agreement relating to the Additional Notes is effective, the Trustee shall authenticate an additional series of Notes for issuance in exchange for the Notes tendered for exchange pursuant to such exchange offer registered under the Securities Act. Exchange Securities may have such distinctive series designations and such changes in the form thereof as are specified in the Authentication Order referred to in the preceding sentence.

The principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, State of New York, or at such other office or agency of the Issuer as may be maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.04; provided , however , that, at the option of the Issuer, each installment of interest may be paid by (i) check mailed to addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the registry maintained by the Registrar or (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee. Payments in respect of Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depository. If Additional Interest is payable on the Notes, the Issuer shall provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee on or before the record date for each Interest Payment Date on which such Additional Interest is payable setting forth the amount of such Additional Interest in reasonable detail. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate or other notice received from the Issuer relating to Additional Interest to any Holder upon request.

SECTION 2.02. Form and Dating .

The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication with respect thereto shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A , which is incorporated in and forms a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rule or usage to which the Issuer is subject. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Notes offered and sold to Qualified Institutional Buyers in reliance on Rule 144A (“ Rule 144A Notes ”) and Notes offered and sold to Institutional Accredited Investors (“ Institutional Accredited Investor Notes ”) shall bear the legend and include the form of assignment set forth in Exhibit B , and Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S (“ Regulation S Notes ”) shall bear the legend and include the form of assignment set forth in Exhibit C . The Issuer shall approve the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on them. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and agree to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the Registrar.

SECTION 2.03. Execution and Authentication .

At least one Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note was an Officer at the time of such execution but no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

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No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Note shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Note to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.12, for all purposes of this Indenture such Note shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate the Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate the Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer and Affiliates of the Issuer. Each Paying Agent is designated as an authenticating agent for purposes of this Indenture.

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent .

The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agen t”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer, if any, in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may have one or more additional Paying Agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Issuer may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and the Trustee.

The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement, which shall incorporate the provisions of the TIA, with any Agent that is not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.01(a). The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes and this Indenture and the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its office for purposes of this Section 2.04.

SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust .

Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal or interest on any Notes, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or premium or interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Notes or the Guarantors), and the Issuer and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer

 

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serves as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. Money held in trust by the Paying Agent need not be segregated except as required by law and in no event shall the Paying Agent be liable for any interest on any money received by it hereunder. The Issuer at any time may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01, upon written request to the Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay forthwith all money so held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon making such payment, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.06. Holder Lists .

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

SECTION 2.07. Transfer and Exchange .

Subject to Sections 2.16 and 2.17, when Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request from the Holder of such Notes to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange such notes as requested if the requirements of this Indenture are met. Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorneys duly authorized in writing. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall issue and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes (and the Guarantors shall execute the notation of Guarantee thereon) evidencing such transfer or exchange at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange. The Issuer may require from the Holder payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer taxes or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.06, 4.07, 4.08 or 8.05 (in which events the Issuer shall be responsible for the payment of such taxes). The Registrar shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Note for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the mailing or electronic delivery of notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or of any Note selected, called or being called for redemption except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

Any Holder of the Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable federal or state securities law.

Except as expressly provided herein, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any duty to monitor the Issuer’s compliance with or have any responsibility with respect to the Issuer’s compliance with any federal or state securities laws. The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or

 

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under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Notes (including any transfers between or among the Depository’s participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation, as is expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

SECTION 2.08. Replacement Notes .

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note (and the Guarantors shall execute the notation of Guarantee thereon) if the Holder of such Note furnishes to the Issuer and the Trustee evidence reasonably acceptable to them of the ownership and the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the UCC are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond shall be posted by such Holder, sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any Paying Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if such Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge such Holder for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing such Note (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements). Every replacement Note shall constitute a contractual Obligation of the Issuer.

SECTION 2.09. Outstanding Notes .

The Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for (a) those cancelled by it, (b) those delivered to it for cancellation, (c) to the extent set forth in Sections 9.01 and 9.02, on or after the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 9.01 or 9.02 have been satisfied, those Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and (d) those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. Subject to Section 2.10, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or one of its Affiliates holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuer receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Note is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.

If the principal of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it shall cease to be outstanding and interest thereon shall cease to accrue. If the Paying Agent holds, on any Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all accrued interest and principal with respect to the Notes payable on that date and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

SECTION 2.10. Treasury Notes .

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, Notes owned by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, only Notes as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee

 

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established to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, a Guarantor, any other obligor on the Notes or any of their respective Affiliates.

SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes .

Until definitive Notes are prepared and ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Notes.

SECTION 2.12. Cancellation .

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall (subject to the record-retention requirements of the Exchange Act) dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner. The Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Issuer upon its request therefor. The Issuer may not reissue or resell, or issue new Notes to replace, Notes that the Issuer has redeemed or paid, or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest .

If the Issuer defaults on a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent permitted by law) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, in accordance with the terms hereof, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date. The Issuer shall fix such special record date and payment date in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. The Issuer shall promptly mail or electronically deliver to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on defaulted interest, if any, to be paid. The Issuer may make payment of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements (if applicable) of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed and, upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this sentence, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

SECTION 2.14. CUSIP Number .

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, ISIN and “Common Code” number (in each case if then generally in use), and if so, such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number shall be included in notices, including notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such number either as printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any such CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number used by the Issuer in connection with the issuance of the Notes and of any change in the CUSIP number, ISIN and Common Code number.

 

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SECTION 2.15. Deposit of Moneys .

Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Interest Payment Date, maturity date, Change of Control Payment Date and Collateral Coverage Payment Date, as the case may be, the Issuer shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to make cash payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date, maturity date, Change of Control Payment Date and Collateral Coverage Payment Date, as the case may be. The principal and interest on Global Notes shall be payable to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the Global Notes represented thereby in accordance with Applicable Procedures. The principal and interest on Physical Notes shall be payable, either in person or by mail, at the office of the Paying Agent and further in connection with the payment of principal, upon presentment of such Physical Notes at the office of the Paying Agent.

SECTION 2.16. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes .

(a) Rule 144A Notes and Institutional Accredited Investor Notes initially shall be represented by notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Restricted Global Notes ”). Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by one or more notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “ Regulation S Global Notes ,” and, together with the Restricted Global Note and any other global notes representing Notes, the “ Global Notes ”). The Global Notes shall bear legends as set forth in Exhibit D . The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member, (ii) be delivered to the Depository Custodian and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Exhibit B with respect to Restricted Global Notes and Exhibit C with respect to Regulation S Global Notes.

Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Depository Custodian, or under the Global Notes, and the Depository may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.

(b) Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Subject to Section 2.16(e), interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged for Physical Notes in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.17. In addition, subject to Section 2.16(e), a Global Note shall be exchangeable for Physical Notes if (i) the Depository (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Note and the Issuer thereupon fails to appoint a successor depository within 90 days thereof or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and the Issuer thereupon fails to appoint a successor depository within 90 days thereof or (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and the Depository shall have requested the issuance of Physical Notes. In all cases, Physical Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository (in accordance with Applicable Procedures).

(c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the beneficial interest in any Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more Physical Notes are to be issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal

 

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amount of the Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Authentication Order from the Issuer authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.

(d) In connection with the transfer of Global Notes as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Global Notes shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Notes, an equal aggregate principal amount of Physical Notes of authorized denominations.

(e) Any Physical Note constituting a Restricted Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b), shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraphs (a)(i)(x) and (c) of Section 2.17, bear the Private Placement Legend or, in the case of the Regulation S Global Note, the legend set forth in Exhibit C , in each case, unless the Issuer determines otherwise in compliance with applicable law.

(f) On or prior to the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Notes represented by the Regulation S Global Note and the issue date of such Notes (such period through and including such 40th day, the “ Restricted Period ”), a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the corresponding Restricted Global Note only upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor to the effect that such transfer is being made (i)(a) to a Person whom the transferor reasonably believes is a Qualified Institutional Buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A or (b) pursuant to another exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act which is accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee regarding the availability of such exemption and (ii) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction. During the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Physical Note.

(g) Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Restricted Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available).

(h) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note shall, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and become an interest in such other Global Note and, accordingly, shall thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such an interest.

(i) The Holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

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SECTION 2.17. Special Transfer Provisions .

(a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors and Non-U.S. Persons . The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Note constituting a Restricted Note to any Institutional Accredited Investor which is not a QIB or to any Non-U.S. Person:

(i) the Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note constituting a Restricted Note, whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if (x) the requested transfer is after the date such Note shall be freely transferable under Rule 144 as certified in an Officer’s Certificate or (y) (1) in the case of a transfer to an Institutional Accredited Investor which is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons), the proposed transferee has delivered to the Registrar a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee or (2) in the case of a transfer to a Non-U.S. Person (including a QIB), the proposed transferor has delivered to the Registrar a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto; provided that in the case of any transfer of a Note bearing the Private Placement Legend for a Note not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar has received an Officer’s Certificate authorizing such transfer; and

(ii) if the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in a Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the certificate, if any, required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions given in accordance with the Depository’s and the Registrar’s procedures,

whereupon (a) the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and (if the transfer does not involve a transfer of outstanding Physical Notes) a decrease in the principal amount of a Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in a Global Note to be transferred, and (b) the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of a Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note transferred or the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery one or more Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.

(b) Transfers to QIBs . The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration or any proposed registration of transfer of a Note constituting a Restricted Note to a QIB (excluding transfers to Non-U.S. Persons):

(i) the Registrar shall register the transfer if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the box provided for on such Holder’s Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Issuer and the Registrar in writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the certification provided for on such Holder’s Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Issuer and the Registrar in writing, that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A; and

(ii) if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Notes to be transferred consist of Physical Notes which after transfer are to be evidenced by an interest in the Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar of instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Physical Notes to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Notes so transferred.

 

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(c) Private Placement Legend . Upon the registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend. Upon the registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend unless (i) it has received the Officer’s Certificate required by paragraph (a)(i)(y) of this Section 2.17, (ii) there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act or (iii) such Note has been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and the Registrar has received an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer to such effect or such Note has been exchanged in the Exchange Offer under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

(d) General . By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, each Holder of such Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.

The Registrar shall retain for a period of two years or as may otherwise be required by applicable law copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.16 or this Section 2.17. The Issuer shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable notice to the Registrar.

SECTION 2.18. Computation of Interest .

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

SECTION 3.01. Election To Redeem; Notices to Trustee .

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, at least 30 days prior to the Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to in writing by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, except that any such notice to the Trustee may be given to the Trustee more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance or a satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01, the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the conditions contained in Section 3.07. Notice given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.01 may not be revoked after the time that notice is given to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03. If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual redemption price, calculated as described in the terms of the Notes, will be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

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SECTION 3.02. Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed .

In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to a redemption made pursuant to Section 3.07, selection of the Notes for redemption shall be made in accordance with Applicable Procedures if the Notes are Global Notes, otherwise by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided , however , that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000 in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. For all purposes of this Indenture unless the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Issuer may acquire Notes by means other than redemption, whether pursuant to an Issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise; provided such acquisition does not otherwise violate the other terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption .

At least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail by first-class mail or electronically deliver, or cause to be mailed by first-class mail or electronically delivered, a notice of redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04, except that redemption notices may be mailed or electronically delivered more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP numbers, ISIN and Common Code numbers, if any thereof) and shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the redemption price and the amount of premium, if any, or manner of computation if not then known, and accrued interest to be paid;

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;

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

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

(6) that unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(7) the provision of Section 3.07, as the case may be, pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(8) the aggregate principal amount of Notes that are being redeemed.

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall forward the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense; provided that the Trustee has received notice of such request at least 45 days prior to such Redemption Date unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Trustee. In such event, the Issuer shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section 3.03.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is mailed or electronically delivered, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price, including any premium, plus interest accrued to the Redemption Date; provided that if the Redemption Date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant record date, and provided , further , that if a Redemption Date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Redemption Date and no interest shall accrue for the period from such Redemption Date to such succeeding Business Day. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price .

On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation.

On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, including premium, if any, and accrued interest on Notes called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Notes called for redemption will cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Notes will be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the first proviso in Section 3.04, accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to the Redemption Date. If any Note surrendered for redemption shall not be so paid, interest will be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Note and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.

SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part .

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder thereof a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

SECTION 3.07. Optional Redemption .

At any time and from time to time the Issuer may redeem the Notes in whole or in part, at its option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date at the Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points, plus accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

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SECTION 3.08. Mandatory Redemption .

The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes .

The Issuer shall pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment.

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal (including post-petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.

SECTION 4.02. Reports to Holders .

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall file with the Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such filings) and furnish to the Trustee and Holders all quarterly and annual financial information (including a Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Notes were registered under the Exchange Act and on or prior to the dates on which such filings with the Commission would be required to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the commencement of the exchange offer contemplated by the Initial Purchasers Registration Rights Agreement or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement contemplated by such Registration Rights Agreement, such reports shall not be required to include any financial information required by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.

(b) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a Collateral Coverage Certificate together with each delivery of quarterly or annual financial information required by Section 4.02(a).

(c) The Issuer shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise furnishing such information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to clause (d)(4) of Rule 144A.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Issuer is exempt from the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act under Rule 12h-5 of the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall not be required to file such reports and documents with the Commission under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor provisions thereto) or provide such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports to the Trustee and Holders so long as (i) a direct parent entity that guarantees the Notes files such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports with the Commission, (ii) such parent entity, the Issuer and each Guarantor are in compliance with the requirements set forth in Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act and (iii) the Issuer provides the Trustee and Holders with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports filed by such parent entity.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall be deemed to have furnished the reports referred to in Section 4.02(a) to the Trustee and to Holders if the Issuer has filed such reports with the Commission via the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available.

(f) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee hereunder is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of any such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates or statements delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.03).

(g) To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall comply with TIA § 314(a).

SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificate .

The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement that need not comply with Section 12.05 signed by its principal executive officer, principal accounting officer or principal financial officer, stating that:

(a) a review of the activities of the Issuer during such year with regard to its compliance with this Indenture has been made under such officer’s supervision; and

(b) to the best of such officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Issuer has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof, all without regard to grace periods or notice requirements.

SECTION 4.04. Limitations on Liens .

The Issuer shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) of any kind against or upon (i) prior to the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event, the Collateral or any proceeds thereof and (ii) from and after the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event, any property or assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any proceeds thereof, in each case, to secure indebtedness for borrowed money and whether such assets are owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date.

SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the sale by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any property more than 180 days following the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s acquisition of such property, with the intention of taking back a lease of such property (a “ Sale and Leaseback Transaction ”) unless the terms of such sale or transfer have been determined by the Issuer’s Board of Directors to be fair and arm’s-length and either:

(i) within 12 months after the receipt of the proceeds of the sale or transfer, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale or transfer to the prepayment or retirement of indebtedness (other than any indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes); or

 

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(ii) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled, at the effective date of the sale or transfer, to incur indebtedness secured by a Lien on such property (and such Attributable Debt shall be deemed to be secured by a Lien on such property) in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of the Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.04.

(b) Clause (a) of this Section 4.05 will not apply to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (i) for a term of not more than three years including renewals; or (ii) between the Issuer and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries, provided that the lessor is the Issuer or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Issuer.

SECTION 4.06. Additional Guarantees .

If, any of the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Issuer becomes a Specified Subsidiary, then the Issuer shall cause such Specified Subsidiary (unless such Specified Subsidiary is already a Guarantor) to:

(a) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Specified Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture and, unless a Fall-Away Event has occurred, enter into joinders to the Security Documents to grant the Collateral Agent a Lien on the assets of such Subsidiary constituting Collateral; and

(b) deliver to the Trustee one or more Opinions of Counsel that, subject to customary qualifications, such supplemental indenture and guarantee (i) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and (ii) constitute valid and legally binding obligations of such Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with their terms.

SECTION 4.07. Change of Control Offer .

(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs with respect to the Notes, unless the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, the Issuer shall commence a Change of Control Offer no later than 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event (or at the Issuer’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control). In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuer shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Payment ”).

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful: (i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.

(c) The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Issuer and the third party repurchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

 

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(d) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.07, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached the Issuer’s obligations under this Section 4.07 by virtue of such conflicts.

SECTION 4.08. Collateral Coverage Offer .

(a) If prior to the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event, a Collateral Coverage Event occurs, unless the Issuer has exercised its option to redeem such Notes, the Issuer shall make a Collateral Coverage Offer no later than 30 days following any Collateral Coverage Event. In a Collateral Coverage Offer, the Issuer shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of repurchase (a “ Collateral Coverage Event Payment ”).

(b) On the Collateral Coverage Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Collateral Coverage Offer; provided that in the event the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered for purchase in the Collateral Coverage Offer exceeds the Collateral Coverage Required Amount for such Collateral Coverage Offer, the Issuer will, subject to the applicable procedures of the Depository, accept for payment only the Collateral Coverage Required Amount of Notes on a pro rata basis from Holders who have validly tendered their Notes in such Collateral Coverage Offer (subject to rounding such that all remaining Notes are in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof);

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Collateral Coverage Event Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes required to be accepted for payment as provided hereunder; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes accepted for purchase together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.

(c) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Collateral Coverage Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.08, the Issuer shall comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached the Issuer’s obligations under this Section 4.08 by virtue of any such conflict.

SECTION 4.09. Calculations .

Issuer will be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes, including but not limited to determination of redemption price, premium, if any, Additional Interest, and other amounts payable on the Notes, if any. The Issuer will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders of the notes. The Issuer will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when applicable, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Issuer’s calculations without independent verification.

 

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ARTICLE FIVE

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 5.01. Limitations on Mergers and Sales of Assets .

The Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge into another Person, or sell other than for cash or lease all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets to another Person, unless:

(a) either the Issuer is the continuing Person or the successor Person (if other than the Issuer) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes;

(b) immediately after the merger, consolidation, sale or lease, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) the Issuer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction or series of transactions and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction or series of transactions have been satisfied and stating whether, in the case of a sale or lease, the Issuer shall be released from its obligations and covenants under this Indenture in accordance with Section 5.02.

SECTION 5.02. Successor Person Substituted .

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Issuer herein and therein, and thereafter the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default .

Each of the following in an “ Event of Default ”:

(1) the failure of the Issuer to pay any installment of interest on any Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(2) the failure of the Issuer to pay the principal or premium, if any, on any Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption, by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

 

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(3) the failure of the Issuer to observe and perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto), which failure shall not have been remedied to the satisfaction of the Trustee, or without provision deemed by the Trustee to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 60 days after the written notice specified below shall have been given;

(4) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for substantially all of its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer’s affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days;

(5) the commencement by the Issuer of a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the consent by the Issuer to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or the consent by the Issuer to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for substantially all of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(6) any Lien purported to be created by any Security Document on Collateral with a book value in excess of $100.0 million shall cease to be a valid and enforceable Lien except in accordance with the Security Documents, which failure shall not have been remedied to the satisfaction of the Trustee, or without provision deemed by the Trustee to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 30 days after the written notice specified below shall have been given.

A Default with respect to Notes under clauses (3) and (6) of this Section 6.01 shall not be an Event of Default until the Trustee (by notice to the Issuer) or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee) gives written notice of the Default to the Issuer and the Issuer does not cure such Default within the time specified in clauses (3) or (6) above, as applicable, after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration .

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01), shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the outstanding Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration”, and the same shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01 occurs, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies .

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture and may take any necessary action requested of it as Trustee to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any proceedings to which it is a party.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04. Waiver or Rescission of Past Defaults and Events of Default .

(1) At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes as described in Section 6.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may rescind and cancel such declaration and its consequences:

(a) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree;

(b) if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration;

(c) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid;

(d) if the Issuer has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances; and

(e) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in clauses (4) or (5) of Section 6.01, the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

(2) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued and then outstanding under this Indenture may waive any existing Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, and its consequences, except (a) a Default described in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 and (b) in respect of a covenant or provision in this Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected thereby.

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority .

Subject to the other provisions of this Indenture and applicable law, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture. Subject to Section 7.02, the Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly

 

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prejudicial to the rights of another Holder not taking part in such direction (it being understood the Trustee shall have no obligation to determine whether any such actions or forebearances are unduly prejudicial to such other Holders), and the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer, determine that the proceedings so directed may result in costs and expenses of the Trustee for which it has no source of payment or recovery or involve it in personal liability to which it does not have adequate indemnity; provided that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits .

No Holder of any Note shall have any right to institute an action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity with respect to this Indenture, or for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such Notes, unless (1) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of the occurrence of one or more Events of Default with respect to such Notes; (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of; and (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of security and indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, and such notification, request and offer of security and indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Note, it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the outstanding Notes of such series; provided , however , that nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Notes shall affect or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 2.13) interest on the Notes of such series to the respective Holders of such Notes at the stated maturity expressed in such Notes, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce any such payment.

SECTION 6.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

No direct or indirect parent, and no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent (other than the Guarantors pursuant to the Guarantees), as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or any Guarantee, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Guarantees. This waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the securities laws.

SECTION 6.08. Rights of Holders To Receive Payment .

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest of the Note (including Additional Interest, if any) on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.09. Collection Suit by Trustee .

If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor on the Notes) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate set forth in the Notes.

SECTION 6.10. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.01(a). To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.01(a) hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that may be distributable in respect of the Issuer’s or Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture or that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceedings. The Trustee may, unless prohibited by applicable law, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar person and shall be entitled to participate as a member of any official committee of creditors in the matter as it deems necessary or advisable.

SECTION 6.11. Priorities .

Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, if the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article Six or from the Collateral Agent pursuant to any Security Document, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

First: to the Collateral Agent for amounts due in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents;

Second: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.01(a);

Third: to Holders for interest accrued on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for interest;

 

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Fourth: to Holders for principal amounts due and unpaid on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal; and

Fifth: to the Issuer or, if applicable, the Guarantors, as their respective interests may appear.

The Trustee, upon prior notice to the Issuer, may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.11.

SECTION 6.12. Undertaking for Costs .

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.08 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

SECTION 6.13. Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 6.14. Appointment and Authorization of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent .

(a) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is hereby designated and appointed as the Collateral Agent of the Holders under the Security Documents, and is authorized as the Collateral Agent for such Holders to execute and enter into each of the Security Documents and all other instruments relating to the Security Documents and (i) to take action and exercise such powers as are expressly required or permitted hereunder and under the Security Documents and all instruments relating hereto and thereto and (ii) to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are in each case, expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof and thereof together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental hereto and thereto.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Indenture or the Security Documents, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein or therein or any fiduciary relationship with any Holder, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture or any Security Document or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.

(c) The Collateral Agent may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder or under the Security Documents in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions .

The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Notes agree:

(a) Trustee Entitled to Compensation and Expenses . The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as is agreed upon in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Issuer agrees to pay such compensation, and all other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of Trustee’s counsel and experts), disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee hereunder, promptly on demand from time to time as such services shall be rendered and as such expenses shall be incurred. Each of the Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder for, and to hold it or them harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense incurred without its or their own negligence or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its or their duties, as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder. As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuer under this subsection (a), the Trustee shall have a lien therefor on any moneys or property held or collected by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel and experts) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors to indemnify the Trustee under this Section 7.01(a) shall survive any satisfaction and discharge under Article 9, the termination of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(b) Trustee May Act by Agents and Attorneys . The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereof and perform any duty hereunder either directly or by its agents and attorneys and shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(c) Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals of Fact . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals contained herein or in the Notes (except its certificates of authentication thereon) or the Guarantees, all of which are made by the Issuer solely; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes (except its certificates of authentication thereon) or the Guarantees, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any Notes, or the proceeds of any Notes. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for or make any representation as to the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any Collateral, for the legality, effectiveness or sufficiency of any Security Document, or for the creation, perfection, priority, sufficiency or protection of any Notes Liens. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Lien or security interest in the Collateral.

 

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(d) Trustee May Consult With Counsel . The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and, to the extent permitted by Section 7.02, the 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 to be taken by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel.

(e) Trustee May Rely Upon Certificate as to Adoption of Resolutions; Requests May Be Evidenced by Officer’s Certificate . The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 7.02, may conclusively rely upon the certificate of the secretary or one of the assistant secretaries of the Issuer as to the adoption of any resolution by the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Issuer, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, offering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

(f) Trustee May Become Owner or Pledgee of Notes . The Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to Sections 7.06 and 7.09, may otherwise deal with the Issuer with the same rights it would have had if it were not a Trustee or such agent.

(g) Segregation of Funds . Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder 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 money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuer.

(h) Action at Request of or with Consent of Holder Binding on Future Holders . Any action taken by the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof at the request or with the consent of any Person who at the time is the Holder of Notes shall be conclusive and binding in respect of any such Notes upon all future Holders thereof or of any Notes or other securities that may be issued for or in lieu thereof in whole or in part, whether or not such Note shall have noted thereon the fact that such request or consent had been made or given.

(i) Trustee May Rely on Instruments Believed by It to Be Genuine . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document (whether in original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j) Trustee Need Not Exercise Rights or Powers Unless Indemnified by Holders . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any Holders, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

(k) Trustee Not Liable for Action Taken or Omitted in Good Faith . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

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(l) Trustee Not Bound to Make Investigation . Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 7.02, 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, debenture or other paper or document.

(m) Trustee Not Deemed to Have Knowledge of Default . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Trustee in writing thereof.

(n) Limitation on Liability . In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(o) Agents Protected . The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each Agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

SECTION 7.02. Duties of Trustee in Case of Default .

If one or more Events of Default shall have happened, then, during the continuance thereof, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as relieving the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that, anything contained in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding:

(a) When No Default Subsisting . Unless and until an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of any series shall have happened, which at the time is continuing,

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to the Notes as are specifically set out in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, whose duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and

(ii) the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, upon certificates and opinions furnished to it pursuant to the express provisions of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which, by the provisions of this Indenture, are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(b) Trustee Not Liable for Error of Judgment Made in Good Faith by Responsible Officer . The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person for error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

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(c) Trustee Not Liable for Certain Action or Non-Action at Direction of Holders of Majority of Notes . The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Holders given as provided in Section 6.05, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it, or any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority of the Notes outstanding concerning the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall be construed as requiring the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or remedies, if adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 7.03. Notice to Holders of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Notes notice of each Default known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; but, unless such Default be the failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Notes when and as the same shall become due and payable the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

SECTION 7.04. Resignation and Removal of Trustee and Notice Thereof .

The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to the Notes by giving to the Issuer notice in writing and by mailing or electronically delivering notice thereof to the Holders of the Notes. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee by the Issuer and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to the Notes at any time by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, acting pursuant to the provisions of Article 8.

Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification provided in Section 7.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

SECTION 7.05. Qualifications of Trustee .

There shall at all times be a Trustee under this Indenture, and such Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000. For the purposes of this Section 7.05, the combined capital and surplus of any such Trustee shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the most recent report of its condition published by such Trustee; provided that such reports are published at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a federal or state supervising or examining authority. If such Trustee or any successor shall at any time cease to have the qualifications prescribed in this Section 7.05, it shall promptly resign as Trustee hereunder.

 

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SECTION 7.06. Disqualification Of Trustee By Reason Of Conflicting Interest .

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

SECTION 7.07. Appointment of Successor Trustee .

In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed, or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property of affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Notes, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns, is removed, becomes incapable of acting, is adjudged a bankrupt of insolvent or is taken charge or control of as described in the preceding sentence, a successor Trustee may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Issuer and the other with the successor Trustee; but, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Notes as herein authorized, the Issuer, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Issuer shall be in the possession of one or more Custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, Custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.04, 7.05 and 7.06, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes, the Trustee with respect of the Notes shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment (other than by the Holders of Notes) the person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed or electronically delivered to the Holders of Notes at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the registry of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.04; but any successor Trustee so appointed shall immediately and without further act be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Notes in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing or electronic delivery of such notice by the Issuer, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

If any Trustee shall resign because of conflict of interest as provided in Section 7.06 and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Issuer or by the Holders of the Notes or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee may apply at the expense of the Issuer to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.07 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Note or any retiring Trustee may, at the expense of the Issuer, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper, appoint a successor Trustee.

Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Issuer, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its

 

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charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder. Nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee; and, upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuer shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

SECTION 7.08. Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of Its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Notes by Successor Trustee .

Any corporation into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any corporation with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any corporation to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to the Notes, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor Trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture, provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 7.09. Trustee Required to Account for Amounts Collected As Creditor of the Issuer Under Certain Conditions .

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Issuer (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 7.10. Trustee May Rely on Officer’s Certificate .

Subject to Section 7.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 12.04 with respect to the certificates required thereby, 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 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 Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered to be taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.11. Reports by Trustee .

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

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

SECTION 7.12. Collateral Agent .

The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Collateral Agent as if the Collateral Agent were named as the Trustee herein and the Security Documents were named as this Indenture herein.

ARTICLE EIGHT

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 8.01. Without Consent of Holders .

The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, if a party thereto) may amend, waive or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Security Documents, without prior notice to or consent of any Holder:

(1) to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture;

(2) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

(3) to provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes, or provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of a Guarantor under this Indenture, in each case, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(4) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add additional Guarantees of the Notes or additional assets as Collateral;

(7) to release a Guarantor as provided in section 10.04;

 

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(8) to allow for the addition of Additional First Lien Obligations and Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations under the Security Documents (including by way of entry into an additional Intercreditor Agreement) to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture (including, in the case of Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations that are not secured by the Security Agreement, to enter into conforming modifications to the Intercreditor Agreement or an additional intercreditor agreement with any collateral agent for the holders of such obligations providing that the Liens of the Collateral Agent and such other collateral agent on any Collateral shall be pari passu and that amounts received in connection with an enforcement of the Notes Liens or the Liens securing such Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations (or received in respect of such Liens in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) shall, after payment of expenses of the Collateral Agent and the collateral agent for each other class of Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations, be distributed to the Trustee and the agent(s) for the holders of Pari Passu Junior Lien Obligations on a pro rata basis based on the amount of outstanding obligations of each such class);

(9) release Guarantees and/or Collateral as otherwise permitted in this Indenture and the Security Documents;

(10) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to, or in place of, certificated Notes; or

(11) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor.

SECTION 8.02. With Consent of Holders .

(a) This Indenture, the Notes or the Security Documents may be amended or supplemented by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, if a party thereto) with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of each of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived (except a Default in respect of the payment of principal or interest on the Notes) with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with any purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).

(b) Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture may not:

(1) extend the fixed maturity of the Notes,

(2) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on the Notes,

(3) reduce the principal amount or the premium, if any, of the Notes or reduce the amount of the principal payable on any date,

(4) change the coin or currency in which principal of or any premium or interest on any Notes are payable, or

(5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof.

 

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(c) Furthermore, an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture may not:

(1) reduce the percentage of Notes, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such modification without the consent of the Holders of all Notes then outstanding (including Notes held by Affiliates of the Issuer);

(2) modify without the written consent of the Trustee the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee; or

(3) except as expressly permitted under this Indenture, (i) release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes or (ii) release one or more Guarantors from their Guarantees (or otherwise limit the liability of one or more Guarantors with respect to their obligations under their Guarantees) if such release or limitation is in respect of substantially all of the value provided by all Guarantors under the Guarantees, in each case without the consent of Holders of at least 75% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail or electronically deliver to each Holder affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Upon the written request of the Issuer and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 8.06, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

SECTION 8.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 8.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents .

Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Note or portion thereof, and of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Note. Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Note or portion of a Note, if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

 

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After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder.

SECTION 8.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) shall request the Holder of the Note (in accordance with the specific written direction of the Issuer) to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue, the Guarantors shall endorse, and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 8.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .

The Trustee or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Eight if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent. If it does, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.02, shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating, in addition to the matters required by Section 12.04, that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent required hereunder to such amendment, supplement or waiver have been satisfied.

ARTICLE NINE

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 9.01. Discharge of Indenture .

(a) The Issuer may terminate its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.01, if

(1) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or

(2) (A) all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (x) have become due and payable by reason of the mailing or electronic delivery of a notice of redemption or otherwise, (y) will become due and payable by reason of the mailing or electronic delivery of a notice of redemption or otherwise, or may be called for redemption within one year or (B) have been called for redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 and, in any case, the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. Dollars, Government Securities, or a combination

 

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thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest), in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and accrued interest through the date of maturity or redemption,

(b) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture, and

(c) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money or proceeds from Government Securities toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, if the Issuer delivers an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified below.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer in Sections 7.01(a), 9.04 and 9.05 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 9.02. Legal Defeasance .

(a) The Issuer may at its option be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantors discharged from their obligations under the Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth in clause (b) of this Section 9.02 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall, subject to Section 9.05, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and Issuer acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders to receive solely from the trust funds described in clause (b) of this Section 9.02 and as more fully set forth in Section 9.04, payments in respect of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in clause (b) of this Section 9.02, (B) the Issuer’s obligations hereunder with respect to such Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.01(a)), and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith, and (D) this Article Nine. Subject to compliance with this Article Nine, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 9.02 with respect to the Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.03 with respect to the Notes.

(b) The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 9.02(a) to the outstanding Notes:

(i) the Issuer shall have deposited with the Trustee, in trust, money and/or Government Securities that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest), in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of

 

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independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes;

(ii) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the exercise of the option of the Issuer under clause (a) of this Section 9.02 and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion of Counsel must be based upon (and accompanied by a copy of) a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law after the Issue Date to the same effect or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of Counsel;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; and

(iv) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to such Legal Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 9.03. Covenant Defeasance .

(a) At the option of the Issuer, (x) the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Sections 4.02 (except for obligations mandated by the TIA) and 4.03 through 4.09 and (y) clause (3) of Section 6.01 shall no longer apply with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (b) of this Section 9.03 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

(b) The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 9.03(a) to the outstanding Notes:

(i) the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of U.S. legal tender and/or Government Securities that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest), in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes on the scheduled maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Notes;

(ii) the delivery by the Issuer to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(iii) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; and

(iv) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to such Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 9.04. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

All money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.02(b) or 9.03(b) in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent), to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis) pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 9.02(b) or 9.03(b) or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article Nine to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 9.02(b) and 9.03(b) which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 9.05. Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Nine until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such U.S. Dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03, as the case may be; provided that if the Issuer or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the U.S. Dollars or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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SECTION 9.06. Moneys Held by Paying Agent .

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon written demand of the Issuer, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.02(b) or 9.03(b), to the Issuer (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

SECTION 9.07. Moneys Held by Trustee .

Subject to applicable law, any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Issuer (or, if appropriate, the Guarantors), or if such moneys are then held by the Issuer or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, either mail or electronically deliver to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 2.06, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York or the United States, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing, electronic delivery or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer. After payment to the Issuer or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the Issuer or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for payment as general unsecured creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

ARTICLE TEN

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

SECTION 10.01. Guarantee .

Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee and their respective successors and assigns (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, required purchase or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual payment of all other Obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of such Note, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreements, and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, required purchase or otherwise. Each Guarantor, by execution of this Indenture, agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any such Note or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any such Note, this Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreements, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer or any other Guarantor with respect thereto by the Holder of such Note, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or such Guarantor.

 

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Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) subject to this Article Ten, the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article Six, subject to any rescission thereof pursuant to Section 6.04, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Guarantee.

SECTION 10.02. Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee .

To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit G hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer or an Officer of a general partner or member, as the case may be, of each Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

If an Officer of a Guarantor (or general partner or member thereof) whose signature is on this Indenture or a notation of Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.

SECTION 10.03. Limitation of Guarantee .

Each Guarantor, the Trustee, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the assets of each Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 10.04. Release of Guarantor .

A Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee:

(i) in the event of a sale or other transfer of Equity Interests in such Guarantor or dissolution of such Guarantor in compliance with the terms of this Indenture following which such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary;

(ii) upon such Guarantor ceasing to be a borrower or guarantor under any Credit Agreement and the Issuer’s delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee requesting the release and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder; or

(iii) in connection with a discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01 or Covenant Defeasance or Legal Defeasance.

and in each such case, the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.

Upon being provided the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel mentioned in clause (ii) above, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Issuer or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article Ten.

SECTION 10.05. Waiver of Subrogation .

Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Issuer that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Issuer, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Issuer, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or Security on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 10.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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ARTICLE ELEVEN

SECURITY

SECTION 11.01. Security Documents; Additional Collateral .

(a) Security Documents . In order to secure the due and punctual payment of the Obligations outstanding under the Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the other parties thereto have simultaneously with the execution of this Indenture entered or, in accordance with the provisions of this Article Eleven and the provisions of the Security Agreement, will enter into the Security Documents.

(b) The Issuer shall, and shall cause each Guarantor to, and each Guarantor shall, make all filings (including filings of continuation statements and amendments to financing statements that may be necessary to continue the effectiveness of such financing statements) and take all other actions as are necessary or required by the Security Documents to maintain (at the sole cost and expense of the Issuer and its Guarantors) the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Collateral (other than with respect to any Collateral the security interest in which is not required to be perfected under the Security Documents) as a perfected security interest subject only to Permitted Liens.

(c) Additional Collateral . With respect to assets acquired after the Issue Date, the Issuer or applicable Guarantor will take the actions required by the Security Agreement.

SECTION 11.02. Recording, Registration and Opinions .

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall furnish to the Trustee, (a) upon or no later than 30 days following the Issue Date, an Opinion of Counsel stating that this Indenture or the Security Documents or financing statements with respect thereto, as applicable, have been properly recorded and filed so as to make the Notes Liens effective, and reciting the details of such action, and (b) at least 30 days prior to the anniversary of the Issue Date in each year an Opinion of Counsel, dated as of such date, either (i) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such action has been taken with respect to the recording, filing, re-recording, and refiling of this Indenture or the Security Documents, as applicable, as are necessary to maintain the Notes Liens under applicable law to the extent required by the Security Documents other than any action as described therein to be taken and such opinion may refer to prior Opinions of Counsel and contain customary qualifications and exceptions and may rely on an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuer or (ii) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, no such action is necessary to maintain such Notes Liens or security interests.

SECTION 11.03. Releases of Liens on Collateral .

The Liens on the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents shall automatically and without the need for any further action by any Person be released:

(a) as to any property, or portion thereof, subject to such Liens which has been taken by eminent domain, condemnation or other similar circumstances;

(b) in whole, upon:

(i) a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture under Section 9.01 hereof; or

 

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(ii) a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of this Indenture under Section 9.02 or Section 9.03, respectively;

(c) as to any property that (i) is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than to the Issuer or another Guarantor) in a transaction not prohibited by this Indenture at the time of such transfer or disposition or (ii) is owned or at any time acquired by a Guarantor that has been released from its Guarantee, concurrently with the release of such Guarantee;

(d) in whole or in part, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement;

(e) in whole or in part, in accordance with Section 8.01 or 8.02; and

(f) in whole, upon the occurrence of a Fall-Away Event.

To the extent applicable, the Issuer shall comply with TIA § 314(b) and, following qualification of the Indenture under the TIA (if required), TIA § 314(d). Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) may be made by an Officer of the Issuer except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert appointed by the Issuer, who shall be approved by the Trustee.

SECTION 11.04. Form and Sufficiency of Release .

In the event that any Lien is to be released pursuant to Section 11.03, and the Issuer or such Guarantor requests the Collateral Agent to furnish a written disclaimer, release or quitclaim of any interest in such property under the Security Documents, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such release complies with Section 11.03 and specifying the provision in Section 11.03 pursuant to which such release is being made (upon which the Trustee and Collateral Agent may exclusively and conclusively rely), the Collateral Agent shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer or such Guarantor such an instrument in the form provided by the Issuer, and providing for release without recourse and shall take such other action as the Issuer or such Guarantor may reasonably request and as necessary to effect such release.

SECTION 11.05. Possession and Use of Collateral .

Subject to the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall have the right to remain in possession and retain exclusive control of and to exercise all rights with respect to the Collateral, to freely operate, manage, develop, lease, use, consume and enjoy the Collateral, to alter or repair any Collateral so long as such alterations and repairs do not impair the Lien of the Security Documents thereon, and to collect, receive, use, invest and dispose of the reversions, remainders, interest, rents, lease payments, issues, profits, revenues, proceeds and other income thereof.

SECTION 11.06. Purchaser Protected .

No purchaser or grantee of any property or rights purporting to be released shall be bound to ascertain the authority of the Collateral Agent to execute the release or to inquire as to the existence of any conditions herein prescribed for the exercise of such authority so long as the conditions set forth in Section 11.04 have been satisfied.

 

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SECTION 11.07. Authorization of Actions To Be Taken by the Collateral Agent Under the Security Documents .

The Holders of Notes agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, indemnities and benefits provided to the Collateral Agent by the Security Documents. Furthermore, each Holder of a Note, by accepting such Note, agrees, acknowledges and consents to the terms (including, but not limited to, waivers, representations and covenants) of and authorizes and directs the Trustee (in each of its capacities) and the Collateral Agent to enter into and perform the Security Documents in each of its capacities thereunder.

SECTION 11.08. Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Agreement .

The Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of Holders distributed under the Security Documents to the Trustee and to apply such funds as provided in Section 6.11.

SECTION 11.09. Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Collateral Agent .

In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article Eleven upon the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, or of any officer or officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article Eleven.

ARTICLE TWELVE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls .

Except as otherwise specified herein, if any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies any TIA provision that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified. If any provision of this Indenture excludes any TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision shall be excluded from this Indenture.

The provisions of TIA §§ 310 through 317 that impose duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.

 

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SECTION 12.02. Notices .

Except for notice or communications to Holders, any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in person, sent by telecopy, delivered electronically, delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

Sears Holdings Corporation

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

Facsimile: (847) 286-2055

Attention: Treasurer

copy to:

Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz

51 West 52 nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Facsimile: (212) 403-2000

Attention: James Cole Jr.

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

230 W. Monroe Street, Suite 2900

Chicago, IL 60606

Facsimile: (312) 726-2158

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; at the time delivered, if delivered electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. Any notice or communication to a Holder may be mailed or electronically delivered.

The Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee by written notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice or communication as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

SECTION 12.03. Communications by Holders with Other Holders .

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

SECTION 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signer, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

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(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with.

SECTION 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion .

Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Guarantor with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

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

(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 each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

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

provided that, with respect to matters of fact, legal counsel delivering such Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents .

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or meetings of Holders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 12.07. Business Days; Legal Holidays .

A “ Business Day ” is a day that is not a Legal Holiday. A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which (i) the Trustee or commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to close or (ii) the New York Stock Exchange is not open for trading. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

SECTION 12.08. Governing Law .

THIS INDENTURE, THE GUARANTEES AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION

 

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WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE GUARANTEES AND THE NOTES, AND IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THAT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. CERTAIN MORTGAGES AND OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF OTHER STATES.

SECTION 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof. No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 12.10. Successors .

All agreements of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

SECTION 12.11. Multiple Counterparts .

The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.

SECTION 12.12. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 12.13. Separability .

Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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SECTION 12.14. Waiver of Jury Trial .

EACH OF THE ISSUER, GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 12.15. Force Majeure .

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 12.16. Intercreditor Agreement .

This Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders are subject to and bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

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

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, as Issuer
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

 

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Senior Vice President, Controller and

Chief Accounting Officer

KMART CORPORATION

KMART HOLDING CORPORATION

KMART MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.,

as Guarantors

By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

 

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

CALIFORNIA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

FLORIDA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

KLC, INC.

KMART OF MICHIGAN, INC.

LANDS’ END DIRECT MERCHANTS, INC.

LANDS’ END, INC.

PRIVATE BRANDS, LTD.

SEARS BRANDS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.

SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY

SEARS ROEBUCK ACCEPTANCE CORP.

SEARS, ROEBUCK DE PUERTO RICO, INC.

SOE, INC.

STARWEST, LLC,

as Guarantors

By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Vice President


KMART.COM LLC, as Guarantor
By:   Bluelight.com, Inc., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Vice President

KMART OF WASHINGTON LLC

KMART STORES OF ILLINOIS LLC

KMART STORES OF TEXAS LLC

MYGOFER LLC, as Guarantors

By:   Kmart Corporation, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

 

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY (FLORIDA), L.L.C., as Guarantor
By:   Sears Protection Company, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

 

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Vice President

A&E HOME DELIVERY, LLC

A&E LAWN & GARDEN, LLC

A&E SIGNATURE SERVICE, LLC

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC

SEARS HOME APPLIANCE SHOWROOMS, LLC,

as Guarantors

By:   Sears, Roebuck and Co., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Senior Vice President and Controller


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee and Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Gregory S. Clarke

  Name: Gregory S. Clarke
  Title: Vice President


SCHEDULE A

LIST OF GUARANTORS

A&E Home Delivery, LLC

A&E Lawn & Garden, LLC

A&E Signature Service, LLC

California Builder Appliances, Inc.

Florida Builder Appliances, Inc.

KLC, Inc.

Kmart Corporation

Kmart Holding Corporation

Kmart Management Corporation

Kmart of Michigan, Inc.

Kmart of Washington LLC

Kmart Stores of Illinois LLC

Kmart Stores of Texas LLC

Kmart.com LLC

Lands’ End Direct Merchants, Inc.

Lands’ End, Inc.

MyGofer LLC

Private Brands, Ltd.

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC

Sears Brands Management Corporation

Sears Holdings Management Corporation

Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC

Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc.

Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.

Sears Protection Company

Sears Protection Company (Florida), L.L.C.

Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp.

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck de Puerto Rico, Inc.

SOE, Inc.

StarWest, LLC


EXHIBIT A

 

CUSIP:    No.         
ISIN:   

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

$[            ]

6   5 / 8 % SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2018

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to                              , or registered assigns, the principal sum of              Dollars [(subject to adjustment as reflected in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto)] 1 on October 15, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15.

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained herein, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

 

1

Use Schedule of Increases or Decreases if Global Note.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officer.

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-2


Certificate of Authentication

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

Dated:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

              Authorized Signatory

 

A-3


[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

6   5 / 8 % SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2018

1 Interest . Sears Holdings Corporation (the “ Issuer ”), a Delaware corporation, promises to pay, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, interest on the principal amount set forth on the face hereof at a rate of 6  5 / 8 % per annum. Interest hereon will accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including October 12, 2010 to but excluding the date on which interest is paid. Interest shall be payable in arrears on each April 15 and October 15, commencing on April 15, 2011. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal and on overdue interest (to the full extent permitted by law) at a rate equal to the interest rate on the Notes.

2 Method of Payment . The Issuer will pay interest hereon (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date; provided that if an Interest Payment Date falls on a Legal Holiday, interest will be payable on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuer will pay principal and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. At the option of the Issuer, each installment of interest may be paid by (i) check mailed to addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the registry maintained by the Registrar or (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee. Payments in respect of Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depository.

3 Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “ Trustee ”) will act as a Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Issuer or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

4 Indenture . The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 12, 2010 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Issuer, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee. This is one of an issue of Notes of the Issuer issued, or to be issued, under the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended from time to time. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of them. Capitalized and certain other terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

5. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part, at the Issuer’s option, at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date at the Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points, plus accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

 

A-4


(b) In the event of a redemption of fewer than all of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes selection for redemption shall be made in accordance with Applicable Procedures, otherwise the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with Section 3.02 of the Indenture.

6. Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his registered address, except that redemption notice may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. On and after the Redemption Date, unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

7. Offers to Purchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event . The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.07 of the Indenture.

8. Offers to Purchase upon a Collateral Coverage Event . The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Collateral Coverage Event and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.08 of the Indenture.

9. Registration Rights . Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements, the Issuer will be obligated, under certain circumstances, to consummate an exchange offer pursuant to which the Holder of this Note shall have the right to exchange this Note for notes which have been registered under the Securities Act, in like principal amount and having substantially identical terms as the Notes. The Holders shall be entitled to receive certain additional interest payments in the event such exchange offer is not consummated and upon certain other conditions, all pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

10. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay to it any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.

11. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.

12. Unclaimed Money . If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee will pay the money back to the Issuer at its written request. After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general unsecured creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.

13. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver, Etc . The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, if a party thereto) may, without the consent of the Holders of any outstanding Notes, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture, the Notes or the Security Documents for certain specified purposes set forth in the Indenture, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, complying with the requirements of the Commission in order to maintain or effect the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and making any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder. Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture, the Notes or the Security Documents may be made by the Issuer, and the

 

A-5


Trustee or the Collateral Agent, if a party thereto) with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture requiring the consent of the Holders of the particular Notes to be affected.

14. Successor Corporation . When a successor Person assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Article Five of the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will, except as provided in Article Five, be released from those obligations.

15. Defaults and Remedies . Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by written notice to the Trustee and the Issuer, declare all principal of and accrued interest on all Notes to be immediately due and payable and such amounts shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture occurs, the principal amount of and interest on, all Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require security or indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when and as the same shall become due and payable) if the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

16. Trustee Dealings with Issuer . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuer or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee.

17. Discharge . The Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations pursuant to the Indenture will be discharged, except for obligations pursuant to certain sections thereof, subject to the terms of the Indenture, upon the payment of all the Notes or upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee of United States Dollars or Government Securities sufficient to pay when due principal of and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be.

18. Guarantees . The Notes will be entitled to the benefits of certain Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders.

19. Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreement . The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees are secured by a Lien on the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents. The provisions of the Indenture, the Notes and the Security Documents are subject to the Intercreditor Agreement.

20. Authentication . This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

A-6


21. Governing Law . This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby. Each of the Trustee, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Holders hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture and this Note, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts.

22. Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TENANT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

The Issuer will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Sears Holdings Corporation

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

Facsimile: (847) 286-2055

Attention: Treasurer

 

A-7


ASSIGNMENT

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

  

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

  

 

  

 

  

 

(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably appoint:                                                                                                                                                                                                       

  

 

Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The Agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:                           Your Signature:   

 

        (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:                                         

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-8


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $              . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date  

Amount of

decrease in principal amount of this

Global Note

 

Amount of

increase in principal amount of this

Global Note

 

Principal amount

of this Global Note following such

decrease or

increase

 

Signature of

authorized signatory

of Trustee or

Depository Custodian

       
       
       

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.07 or Section 4.08 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box:

Section 4.07 [    ]            Section 4.08 [    ]

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.07 or Section 4.08 of the Indenture, state the amount: $             

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:

 

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

 

Signature Guaranteed

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF LEGEND FOR 144A NOTES AND OTHER NOTES

THAT ARE RESTRICTED NOTES]

THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE ISSUER OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.

 

B-1


[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT FOR 144A NOTES AND OTHER NOTES

THAT ARE RESTRICTED NOTES]

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably  appoint: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The Agent may substitute another to act for him.

[Check One]

 

¨    (a)    this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A thereunder.
      or
¨    (b)    this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Sections 2.16 and 2.17 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

 

Date:

                             Your Signature:   

 

           (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

     

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

B-2


TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:                             

 

        NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

B-3


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF LEGEND FOR REGULATION S NOTE]

THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE ISSUER OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.

 

C-1


[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT FOR REGULATION S NOTE]

I or we assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)

and irrevocably  appoint:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The Agent may substitute another to act for him.

[Check One]

 

¨    (a)    this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A thereunder.
      or
¨    (b)    this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Sections 2.16 and 2.17 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

 

Date:

                             Your Signature:   

 

           (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

     

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

C-2


TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:                          

 

     NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF LEGEND FOR GLOBAL NOTE]

Any Global Note authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of a Restricted Note) in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (a New York corporation) (“DTC”) to the Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any Certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), any transfer, pledge or other use hereof for value or otherwise by or to any person is wrongful inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

D-1


EXHIBIT E

Form of Certificate To Be

Delivered in Connection with

Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Attn: DAPS Reorg

MAC N9303-121

608 2 nd Ave South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with our proposed purchase of 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “ Notes ”) of Sears Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuer ”), we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of October 12, 2010 relating to the Notes and we agree to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).

2. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws, have not been and will not be qualified for sale under the securities laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction and that the Notes may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell any Notes, we will do so only (i) to the Issuer or any subsidiary thereof, (ii) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A), (iii) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements relating to the restrictions on transfer of the Notes, (iv) outside the United States to persons other than U.S. persons in offshore transactions meeting the requirements of Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (v) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if applicable) or (vi) pursuant to an effective registration statement, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any of the Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are restricted as stated herein.

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we will be required to furnish to you and the Issuer such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Issuer may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting each are able to bear the economic risk of our or their investment, as the case may be.

 

E-1


5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “ accredited investor ”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

6. We are not acquiring the Notes with a view toward the distribution thereof in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction.

You are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

Very truly yours,
[Name of Purchaser]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

E-2


EXHIBIT F

Form of Certificate To Be Delivered

in Connection with Transfers

Pursuant to Regulation S

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Attn: DAPS Reorg

MAC N9303-121

608 2 nd Ave South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

 

  Re: Sears Holdings Corporation (the “ Issuer ”)
   

6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”)

Dear Sirs:

In connection with our proposed sale of $                aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, we represent that:

(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a U.S. person or to a person in the United States;

(2) either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

(3) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 904(a) of Regulation S;

(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act; and

(5) we have advised the transferee of the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes.

You are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

Very truly yours,
[Name of Purchaser]
By:  

 

 

F-1


EXHIBIT G

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

For value received, each of the undersigned (the “ Guarantors ”) has jointly and severally unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture dated as of October 12, 2010 by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, required purchase or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, required purchase or otherwise, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Ten of the Indenture, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms and limitations of the Guarantees. Each Holder of the Note to which this notation of Guarantee is endorsed, by accepting such Note, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

G-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Guarantors has caused this notation of Guarantee to be signed by a duly authorized officer.

 

[GUARANTORS]  

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

G-2

Exhibit 4.2

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

among

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION,

and certain of its Subsidiaries,

as Grantors

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Collateral Agent

Dated as of October 12, 2010

 

 

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT is subject to the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), among Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent, Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, and General Electric Capital Corporation, each as a Co-Collateral Agent and the other persons from time to time party thereto.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page
SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS    1
1.1.      Definitions    1
1.2.      Other Definitional Provisions    5
1.3.      Perfection Certificate    5
SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST    5
2.1.      Collateral; Grant of Security Interest    5
2.2.      No Assumption of Liability    6
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    6
3.1.      Title; No Other Liens    6
3.2.      Perfected Liens    6
3.3.      Jurisdiction of Organization    7
3.4.      Credit Card Accounts Receivable    7
3.5.      Related Intellectual Property    7
3.6.      Dealer Store Inventory    7
SECTION 4. COVENANTS    7
4.1.      Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper    7
4.2.      [Intentionally Omitted]    8
4.3.      Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation    8
4.4.      Changes in Name, etc    8
SECTION 5. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS    8
5.1.      Certain Matters Relating to Credit Card Accounts Receivable    8
5.2.      Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable    9
5.3.      [Intentionally Omitted]    9
5.4.      Application of Proceeds    9
5.5.      Code and Other Remedies    10
5.6.      Deficiency    12
5.7.      Grant of License in Intellectual Property, Software and other Assets    12
SECTION 6. THE COLLATERAL AGENT    13
6.1.      Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc    13
6.2.      Duty of Collateral Agent    14
6.3.      Execution of Financing Statements    15
6.4.      Authority of the Collateral Agent    15
6.5.      Pari Passu Obligations    15
SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS    15
7.1.      Intercreditor Agreement    15
7.2.      Pari Passu Obligations    15
7.3.      Amendments in Writing    16
7.4.      Notices    16
7.5.      No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies    16
7.6.      Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification    16
7.7.      Successors and Assigns    17

 

-i-


               7.8.      [Intentionally Omitted]    17
  7.9.      Counterparts    17
  7.10.      Severability    17
  7.11.      Section Headings    17
  7.12.      Integration    17
  7.13.      GOVERNING LAW    18
  7.14.      Acknowledgements    18
  7.15.      Additional Grantors    18
  7.16.      Releases    18
  7.17.      Jurisdiction, Etc    18
  7.18.      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL    19

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1      Grantors; Notice Addresses
Schedule 2      Perfection Matters
Schedule 3      Jurisdictions of Organization

 

-ii-


SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof, this “ Agreement ”), is made by SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuer ”), and the guarantors from time to time party hereto (the “ Guarantors ” and, together with the Issuer, the “ Grantors ”), in favor of WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as collateral agent (in such capacity and, together with any successors and assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, reference is made to that certain indenture, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as trustee (in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”) and Collateral Agent, pursuant to which the Issuer is issuing $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal of 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (together with any Exchange Securities and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture, the “ Notes ”).

WHEREAS, each Guarantor has, pursuant to the Indenture, among other things, unconditionally guaranteed the Note Obligations.

WHEREAS, from time to time after the date hereof, the Issuer may, subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Security Documents, incur Pari Passu Obligations that are equally and ratably secured with the Note Obligations by the Lien on the Collateral created hereunder.

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the issuance of the Notes that each Grantor execute and deliver the applicable Security Documents to secure the Secured Obligations, including this Agreement.

WHEREAS, this Agreement is given by each Grantor in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the payment and performance of all Secured Obligations.

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the other Grantors, the Collateral Agent, the ABL Agents, the Pari Passu Agents from time to time party thereto and the Additional First Lien Agents from time to time party thereto have entered into that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated and in effect from time to time, the “ Intercreditor Agreement ”), establishing the relative rights and priorities of the Secured Parties and the First Lien Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral.

WHEREAS, each Grantor will receive substantial benefits from the issuance of the Notes and each is, therefore, willing to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS

1.1. Definitions .

(a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Indenture and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture, and the following terms are used herein as defined in the New York UCC: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Control, Documents, Equipment, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Proceeds and Supporting Obligations.

 

-1-


(b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

ABL Agents ” has the meaning provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.

ABL Obligations ” has the meaning provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.

ABL Secured Parties ” has the meaning provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Additional First Lien Agent ” means the Person appointed to act as trustee, agent or representative for the holders of Additional First Lien Obligations pursuant to any Additional First Lien Agreement.

Additional First Lien Agreement ” means any indenture, credit agreement or other agreement, if any, pursuant to which any Grantor has or will incur Additional First Lien Obligations.

Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereof.

Collateral ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1 hereof.

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereof.

Copyrights ” means (i) all copyrights arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

Copyright Licenses ” means any written agreement naming any Grantor as licensor or licensee granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

Credit Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2009, among the Issuer, Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp., Kmart Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, co-collateral agent and swingline lender, Wells Fargo Retail Finance, LLC, as co-collateral agent, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as co-collateral agent, together with the related documents thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), in each case as such agreements may be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented or otherwise modified, replaced or refinanced from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring (including, without limitation, increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the Issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder) all or any portion of the indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

 

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Credit Card Accounts Receivables ” means all Accounts together with all income, payments, and proceeds thereof, owed by a credit card payment processor or an issuer of credit cards to the Issuer or any Guarantor resulting from charges by a customer of the Issuer or such Guarantor on credit cards issued by such issuer in connection with the sale of goods by the Issuer or such Guarantor or services performed by the Issuer or such Guarantor.

Discharge of First Lien Obligations ” means the Discharge of ABL Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and the payment in full in cash of all outstanding Additional First Lien Obligations.

Discharge of Obligations ” means (i) in the case of the Indenture, the discharge or defeasance of the Indenture in accordance with Article Nine thereof and (ii) in the case of each Pari Passu Agreement, the repayment, discharge or defeasance of the Pari Passu Obligations under such agreement or such other event which entitles the Grantors to obtain a release of the Liens securing such Pari Passu Obligations under the Security Documents.

Event of Default ” means (i) an “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Indenture or (ii) an “Event of Default” or equivalent term under and as defined in any Pari Passu Agreement.

Final Date ” means the earliest to occur of (i) a Discharge of Obligations or (ii) a Fall-Away Event.

First Lien Collateral Agents ” means (i) the ABL Agents and (ii) the Additional First Lien Agents.

First Lien Obligations ” means (i) the ABL Obligations and (ii) the Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Secured Parties ” means (i) the ABL Secured Parties and (ii) each Additional First Lien Agent and each holder of Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Security Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2009, by and among the Issuer, the grantors party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Retail Finance LLC and General Electric Capital Corporation, as co-collateral agents, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Grantors ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereof.

Guarantors ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereof.

Intellectual Property ” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, all Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks and Trademark Licenses, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

Intercreditor Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the recitals hereof.

Issuer ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereof.

 

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New York UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Note Documents ” means the Notes, the Indenture and the Security Documents.

Note Obligations ” means the collective reference to (i) all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness (including, without limitation, principal, premium, interest (including, without limitation, all interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding of any Grantor at the rate provided for in the respective documentation, whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in any such proceeding), fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, including the fees and expenses of counsel) owing to the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and Holders of the Notes under the Note Documents and the due performance and compliance by the Grantors with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained in the Note Documents; (ii) any and all sums advanced by the Collateral Agent in accordance with any of the Note Documents in order to preserve the Collateral or preserve its security interest in the Collateral; and (iii) in the event of any proceedings for the collection or enforcement of any indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of the Grantors referred to in clause (i) above, the reasonable expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by the Collateral Agent of its rights hereunder, together with reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs.

Pari Passu Agent ” means the Person appointed to act as trustee, agent or representative for the holders of Pari Passu Obligations pursuant to any Pari Passu Agreement.

Pari Passu Agreement ” means any indenture, credit agreement or other agreement, if any, designated as such by the Issuer pursuant to, and as permitted by, Section 7.2 hereof.

Pari Passu Joinder Agreement ” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto.

Pari Passu Obligations ” means all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness (including, without limitation, principal, premium, interest (including, without limitation, all interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar proceeding of any Grantor at the rate provided for in the respective documentation, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowed in any such proceeding)) incurred under any Pari Passu Agreement.

Patents ” means (i) all letters patent of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues and extensions thereof and all goodwill associated therewith, (ii) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof and (iii) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

Patent License ” means all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

Perfection Certificate ” means that certain perfection certificate to be executed and delivered by the Grantors in connection with the execution and delivery of the Indenture, to be dated on or about the Issue Date.

 

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Required Secured Parties ” means the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Note Obligations and the Pari Passu Obligations voting together as a single class.

Secured Obligations ” means the collective reference to (i) the Note Obligations and (ii) Pari Passu Obligations.

Secured Parties ” shall mean, collectively, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, the Holders of Notes, each Pari Passu Agent and each holder of Pari Passu Obligations.

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

Software ” means all “software” as such term is defined in the New York UCC used by any Grantor to process, assemble, prepare for sale, market for sale, sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral, other than software embedded in any category of goods, including all computer programs and all supporting information provided in connection with a transaction related to any program.

Trademarks ” means (i) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

Trademark License ” means any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark.

1.2. Other Definitional Provisions .

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

(b) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

(c) Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

1.3. Perfection Certificate . The Collateral Agent, each Grantor and each Secured Party agree that the Perfection Certificate and all descriptions of Collateral therein and schedules, amendments and supplements thereto are and shall at all times remain a part of this Agreement.

SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

2.1. Collateral; Grant of Security Interest . Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent for the equal and ratable benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in all of the following property now owned, or at any time hereafter acquired, by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has, or at any time in the future may acquire, any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Collateral ”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Secured Obligations:

(a) all Credit Card Accounts Receivable;

 

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(b) all Inventory;

(c) all Chattel Paper relating to Credit Card Accounts Receivable;

(d) all Instruments relating to Credit Card Accounts Receivable;

(e) all Documents relating to any Inventory;

(f) all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and

(g) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds, insurance claims, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

2.2. No Assumption of Liability . The security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent is granted as security only and shall not subject the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Collateral. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under any contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to perform all of its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement and the Note Documents had not been executed, the exercise by Collateral Agent of any of its rights hereunder or any of the Note Documents shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and the Collateral Agent shall not have any obligation or liability under any contracts, licenses, and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement or any of the Note Documents, nor shall Collateral Agent be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Grantor represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that:

3.1. Title; No Other Liens . Except for the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement and any other Permitted Lien, such Grantor owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others. No financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except (i) such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) as are permitted by the Indenture.

3.2. Perfected Liens .

(a) The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings specified on Schedule 2 (which, in the case of all financing statements referred to on said Schedule 2, have been delivered to the Collateral Agent in completed form) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral as to which a Lien can be perfected by filing in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof other than Permitted Liens having priority over the Liens of the Collateral Agent pursuant to applicable law or the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the requirements of this Agreement to deliver Collateral and any certificates, instruments or related documents to the Collateral Agent shall be deemed satisfied by delivery of such Collateral and such certificates, instruments or related documents to any First Lien Collateral Agent. The Issuer shall deliver copies of any such certificates, instruments or related documents to the Collateral Agent.

3.3. Jurisdiction of Organization . On the date hereof, such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization and identification number from the jurisdiction of organization (if any) are specified on Schedule 3. Such Grantor has furnished to the Collateral Agent a charter, certificate of incorporation or other formation document and good standing certificate dated as of a date which is recent to the date hereof.

3.4. Credit Card Accounts Receivable .

(a) No amount payable to such Grantor under or in connection with any Credit Card Accounts Receivable is evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been delivered to the Collateral Agent (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, to any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent).

(b) Except as would not be reasonably expected to result in a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries considered as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), there are no facts, events or occurrences which would impair the validity of any Credit Card Accounts Receivable, or tend to reduce the amount payable thereunder from the face amount of the claim or invoice or statements delivered to the Collateral Agent (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, to any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent) with respect thereto (other than arising in the ordinary course of business).

3.5. Related Intellectual Property . Such Grantor owns or has a license to use all Intellectual Property which is reasonably necessary to sell the Collateral in the ordinary course. Such Grantor shall take all reasonable and necessary steps to maintain and preserve the benefit of each Trademark License, Copyright License and Patent License which relates to Intellectual Property to the extent that the use of such Intellectual Property would be reasonably necessary in connection with the Collateral Agent’s enforcement of any of its remedies under the Note Documents.

3.6. Dealer Store Inventory . Except as would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) all of the Inventory at each Dealer Store is owned by a Grantor free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others except for any Permitted Liens, and (b) all such Inventory is subject to a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the applicable Grantor, which is prior to any other Lien on such Inventory.

SECTION 4. COVENANTS

Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that, until the Final Date:

4.1. Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper . If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument, Chattel Paper or transferable records, such Instrument, Chattel Paper or transferable records, shall be promptly delivered to the

 

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Collateral Agent (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, to any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent), duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, to any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent), to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

4.2. [ Intentionally Omitted ].

4.3. Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation .

(a) Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority described in Section 3.2 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever, subject to the rights of such Grantor under the Security Documents to dispose of the Collateral.

(b) Each Grantor shall file, and if reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent will execute or authenticate and deliver to the Collateral Agent, all financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be necessary, or as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, from time to time in order to maintain a perfected security interest in the Collateral owned by such Grantor subject only to (i) Liens securing the First Lien Obligations and (ii) any other Permitted Lien. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent herein.

(c) Each Grantor agrees that, in the event any Grantor, pursuant to the First Lien Security Agreement, takes any action to grant or perfect a Lien in favor of any First Lien Collateral Agent in any assets that constitute Collateral (other than Proceeds in the form of cash or cash equivalents) hereunder, such Grantor shall, to the extent reasonable, take a corresponding action to grant or perfect a Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement) in such Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations without the request of the Collateral Agent.

4.4. Changes in Name, etc . Such Grantor will not, except upon 15 days’ prior written notice to the Collateral Agent, the filing of all additional financing statements and other documents necessary to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein and other documents necessary or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein, change its organizational form from that of a registered entity to an unregistered entity (or from an unregistered entity to a registered entity), change its jurisdiction of organization from that referred to in Section 3.3 or change its name or organizational form.

SECTION 5. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS

5.1. Certain Matters Relating to Credit Card Accounts Receivable . At the Collateral Agent’s request (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, at the request of any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent), at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, to any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent) all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Credit Card Accounts Receivable.

 

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5.2. Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable .

(a) The Collateral Agent (or, if prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, any First Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent) in its own name or in the name of others may at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default communicate with obligors under the Credit Card Accounts Receivable to verify with them to the satisfaction of the Collateral Agent the existence, amount and terms of any Credit Card Accounts Receivable.

(b) Upon the request of the Collateral Agent after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the Credit Card Accounts Receivable that the Credit Card Accounts Receivable have been assigned to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Collateral Agent.

(c) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Credit Card Accounts Receivable to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Credit Card Accounts Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party of any payment relating thereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Credit Card Accounts Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

5.3. [ Intentionally Omitted ].

5.4. Application of Proceeds . Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, any proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral pursuant to the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its remedies shall be applied, together with any other sums then held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement, as follows:

First , to pay amounts owing to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Indenture, to the Trustee in its capacity as such in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and to any Pari Passu Junior Lien Agent in its capacity as such in accordance with the terms of the applicable Pari Passu Junior Lien Agreement, in each case ratably;

Second , to ratably pay all amounts owing to holders of Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and any Pari Passu Junior Lien Agreement; and

Third , to pay the Issuer or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

All applications of proceeds pursuant to clause First above and, separately, clause Second above shall be allocated among the applicable Secured Parties on a pro rata basis according to the principal, interest and other amounts owing in respect of the Secured Obligations owing to such Secured Parties at the time of the distribution. In the event that any such proceeds are insufficient to pay in full the items described in clauses First through Third of this Section 5.4 , the Grantors shall remain liable, jointly and severally, for any deficiency.

 

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If, despite the provisions of this Agreement, any Secured Party shall receive any payment or other recovery in excess of its portion of payments on account of the Secured Obligations to which it is then entitled in accordance with this Agreement, such Secured Party shall hold such payment or recovery in trust for the benefit of all Secured Parties for distribution in accordance with this Section 5.4 .

Upon the request of the Collateral Agent prior to any distribution under this Section 5.4 , each Secured Party shall provide to the Collateral Agent certificates, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, setting forth the respective amounts referred to in Section 5.4 , that each such Secured Party believes it is entitled to receive, and the Collateral Agent shall be fully entitled to rely on such certificates.

5.5. Code and Other Remedies .

(a) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may (and at the direction of the Required Secured Parties shall) exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may (and at the direction of the Required Secured Parties shall) in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor. The Collateral Agent shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption, stay, valuation or appraisal on the part of any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released, and may credit against the purchase price the amount of any claim then due and payable from any Grantor on account of the Secured Obligations owed to the Collateral Agent, and the Collateral Agent may, upon compliance with the terms of sale, hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to any Grantor therefor. Each Grantor further agrees, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at the Grantor’s sole risk and expense, at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Collateral Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 5.5 , after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Secured Obligations, in the order set forth in Section 5.4 , and only after such application and after the payment by the Collateral Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615(a)(3) of the New York UCC, need the Collateral Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against any Collateral Agent arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale

 

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or other disposition of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale or other disposition of such Collateral shall have been given. The Collateral Agent may, without notice or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. Any public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as the Collateral Agent may fix and state in the notice of such sale. If any of the Collateral is sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of by the Collateral Agent on credit, the Secured Obligations shall not be deemed to have been reduced as a result thereof unless and until payment is finally received thereon by the Collateral Agent.

(b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, with respect to any Collateral consisting of Inventory, the Collateral Agent may conduct one or more going out of business sales, in the Collateral Agent’s own right or by one or more agents and contractors. Such sale(s) may be conducted upon any premises owned, leased, or occupied by any Grantor. The Collateral Agent and any such agent or contractor, in conjunction with any such sale, may augment the Inventory with other goods (all of which other goods shall remain the sole property of the Collateral Agent or such agent or contractor). Any amounts realized from the sale of such goods which constitute augmentations to the Inventory (net of an allocable share of the costs and expenses incurred in their disposition) shall be the sole property of the Collateral Agent or such agent or contractor and neither any Grantor nor any Person claiming under or in right of any Grantor shall have any interest therein. Each purchaser at any such going out of business sale shall hold the property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor.

(c) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, with respect to any Collateral consisting of Accounts, the Collateral Agent may: (i) demand, collect and receive any amounts relating thereto, as the Collateral Agent may reasonably determine; (ii) commence and prosecute any actions in any court for the purposes of collecting any such Accounts and enforcing any other rights in respect thereof; (iii) defend, settle or compromise any action brought and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem appropriate; (iv) without limiting the Collateral Agent’s rights set forth in Section 6.1 , receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to any Grantor and endorse checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, money orders, bills of lading, warehouse receipts or other instruments or documents evidencing payment, shipment or storage of the goods giving rise to such Accounts or securing or relating to such Accounts, on behalf of and in the name of such Grantor; and (v) sell, assign, transfer, make any agreement in respect of, or otherwise deal with or exercise rights in respect of, any such Accounts or the goods or services which have given rise thereto, as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent was the absolute owner thereof for all purposes.

(d) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, with or without legal process and with or without prior notice or demand for performance, the Collateral Agent may enter upon, occupy, and use any premises owned or occupied by each Grantor. The Collateral Agent shall not be required to remove any of the Collateral from any such premises upon taking possession thereof, and may render any Collateral unusable to the Grantors. In no event shall the Collateral Agent be liable to any Grantor for use or occupancy by the Collateral Agent of any premises pursuant to this Section 5.5, nor for any charge (such as wages for the Grantors’ employees and utilities) reasonably incurred in connection with the Collateral Agent’s exercise of its rights and remedies hereunder.

(e) For purposes of this Section 5.5 , a written and fully executed agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof. The Collateral Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Grantor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Collateral Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Secured Obligations paid in full.

 

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(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor hereby waives all rights of redemption, stay, valuation and appraisal which such Grantor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral or resort to any of the property or assets of any Grantor in any particular manner or order.

5.6. Deficiency. Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Secured Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

5.7. Grant of License in Intellectual Property, Software and other Assets .

(a) For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent to exercise the rights and remedies under this Section 5 at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby (i) assigns and transfers to the Collateral Agent and grants the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or any other compensation to such Grantor or any Affiliate of such Grantor) to use, license or sublicense, any related Intellectual Property now owned or licensed or hereafter owned, licensed or otherwise acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof and (ii) irrevocably agrees that the Collateral Agent may sell any of such Grantor’s Inventory directly to any Person, including, without limitation, Persons who have previously purchased such Grantor’s Inventory from such Grantor and in connection with any such sale or other enforcement of the Collateral Agent’s rights under this Agreement, may sell Inventory which bears any Trademark owned by or licensed to such Grantor and any Inventory that is covered by any Copyright owned by or licensed to such Grantor and the Collateral Agent may finish any work in process and affix any Trademark owned by or licensed to such Grantor and sell such Inventory as provided herein; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in any agreement between the Collateral Agent and the owner or licensor of such Intellectual Property, this Agreement shall not constitute a license to use, license or sublicense, any Intellectual Property to the extent such license or sublicense is prohibited by or results in the termination of or requires any consent not obtained under, any contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or giving rise to such Intellectual Property, except to the extent that (x) the term in such contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable law, or (y) the contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document pursuant to which such Grantor was granted its rights to any such Intellectual Property was issued by a Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Grantor (and is not subject to an applicable constraint in an over-license or other agreement with a third party).

(b) For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent to exercise the rights and remedies under this Section 5 at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to the Collateral Agent and grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or any other compensation to such Grantor or any other Person) to use, license or sublicense, any Software now owned or licensed or hereafter owned, licensed or otherwise acquired by such Grantor; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in any agreement between the Collateral Agent and the owner or licensor of such Software, this Agreement shall not constitute a license to use, license or sublicense, any Software to the extent such license or sublicense is prohibited by or results in the termination of or requires any

 

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consent not obtained under, any contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or giving rise to such Software, except to the extent that (i) the term in such contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable law, or (ii) the contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document pursuant to which such Grantor was granted its rights to any such Software was issued by a Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Grantor (and is not subject to an applicable constraint in an over-license or other agreement with a third party).

(c) Without duplication of the rights granted to the Collateral Agent in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.7 , and for the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent to exercise the rights and remedies under this Section 5 at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to the Collateral Agent and grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty, rent or any other compensation to such Grantor or any other Person), to use, license or sublicense, any real property or personal property of such Grantor which does not constitute Collateral, including but not limited to, all Equipment, Fixtures, General Intangibles and Goods, whether now or hereafter owned, leased or occupied by such Grantor; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in any agreement between the Collateral Agent and the owner or licensor of such real or personal property, this Agreement shall not constitute a license to use, license or sublicense, any real or personal property to the extent such license or sublicense is prohibited by or results in the termination of or requires any consent not obtained under, any lease, contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or giving rise to such property or any rights therein, except to the extent that (i) the term in such lease, contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable law, or (ii) the contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document pursuant to which such Grantor was granted its rights to any such real property or personal property was issued by a Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Grantor (and is not subject to an applicable constraint in an over-license or other agreement with a third party).

SECTION 6. THE COLLATERAL AGENT

6.1. Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc .

(a) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to, or assent by such Grantor, to do any or all of the following:

(i) in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Credit Card Accounts Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Credit Card Accounts Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;

 

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(ii) pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

(iii) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 5.5 , any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

(iv)(1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; and (7) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent was the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s and any other Secured Party’s security interest therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

Anything in this Section 6.1(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Collateral Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 6.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(b) Without limitation to the Collateral Agent’s or any other Secured Party’s rights to payment, reimbursement or indemnification under any other Security Document, the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in Sections 6.1 and 7.6 shall be payable by any applicable Grantor to the Collateral Agent on demand.

(c) Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

6.2. Duty of Collateral Agent. The provisions of the Indenture are herein incorporated by reference and shall be applicable to the rights, obligations, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Collateral Agent hereunder, including without limitation its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and indemnified, and are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, each agent, custodian and other person employed to act on behalf of the Collateral Agent hereunder. The Collateral Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the New York UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Collateral Agent deals with similar property for its own account. The Collateral Agent will not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments

 

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in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Liens on the Collateral. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

6.3. Execution of Financing Statements . Each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor in such form and in such offices as the Collateral Agent determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

6.4. Authority of the Collateral Agent . Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of any request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, be governed by the Indenture and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, the Collateral Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

6.5. Pari Passu Obligations . The Collateral Agent shall be permitted to rely on any certificate, direction or consent delivered by any Pari Passu Agent with respect to all matters relating to the Pari Passu Obligations.

SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS

7.1. Intercreditor Agreement . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Liens and security interests granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent hereunder, in each case, with respect to the Collateral are subject to the limitations and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

7.2. Pari Passu Obligations . On or after the date hereof and so long as expressly permitted by the Indenture, the Issuer may from time to time designate any indenture, credit agreement or other contract to be a “Pari Passu Agreement” and the indebtedness and other obligations thereunder to be secured on a pari passu basis with the Note Obligations as Pari Passu Obligations by delivering to the Collateral Agent and each Pari Passu Agent, if any, (a) a certificate signed by an Officer of the Issuer (i) identifying the obligations so designated and the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, (ii) stating that such agreement is designated as a Pari Passu Agreement and such

 

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obligations are designated as Pari Passu Obligations for purposes hereof, (iii) representing that such designation of such obligations as Pari Passu Obligations complies with the terms of the Indenture and any Pari Passu Agreement and (iv) specifying the name and address of the Pari Passu Agent for such obligations and (b) a fully executed Pari Passu Joinder Agreement. Each Pari Passu Agent agrees that upon the satisfaction of all conditions set forth in the preceding sentence, the Collateral Agent shall act as agent under this Agreement for such Pari Passu Agent and the holders of such Pari Passu Obligations and as Collateral Agent for the benefit of all Secured Parties, including without limitation, any Secured Party that holds any such Pari Passu Obligations, and each Pari Passu Agent, for itself and the other holders of the applicable Pari Passu Obligations, agrees to the appointment, and acceptance of the appointment, of the Collateral Agent as agent for such Pari Passu Agent and the holders of such Pari Passu Obligations as set forth in each Pari Passu Joinder Agreement and agrees, on behalf of itself and each Secured Party it represents, to be bound by this Agreement and to be subject to, and, if requested, to become a party to, the Intercreditor Agreement.

7.3. Amendments in Writing . None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Article Eight of the Indenture and the equivalent provisions of each Pari Passu Agreement.

7.4. Notices . All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Collateral Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 12.02 of the Indenture; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Pari Passu Agent shall be addressed to such Pari Passu Agent at its notice address set forth in the applicable Pari Passu Joinder Agreement.

7.5. No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies . Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 7.1 ), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Collateral Agent or such other Secured Party would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

7.6. Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification . Without limitation to the Collateral Agent’s or any other Secured Party’s rights to payment, compensation, reimbursement or indemnification under any other Security Document:

(a) each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to pay or reimburse the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties for all their costs and expenses incurred in collecting against any Grantor under this Agreement or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Security Documents, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of the Secured Parties’ counsel in accordance with the terms of the Indenture;

(b) each Grantor agrees to pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Security Documents;

 

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(c) each Grantor agrees to pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement and the other Security Documents other than such as arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Person; and

(d) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Grantor shall assert, and each Grantor hereby waives, any claim against the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Security Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by the Collateral Agent or other Secured Party through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Security Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Collateral Agent or other Secured Party as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The agreements in this Section 7.6 shall survive repayment of the Secured Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Indenture and the other Security Documents, the replacement of the Collateral Agent, the release of the Collateral from the Liens created hereby and the termination of this Agreement.

7.7. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and their successors and assigns; provided that no Grantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement except as permitted by the Indenture.

7.8. [ Intentionally Omitted ] .

7.9. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or by electronic mail of a “PDF” file shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

7.10. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

7.11. Section Headings . The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

7.12. Integration . This Agreement and the other Security Documents represent the agreement of the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Security Documents.

 

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7.13. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

7.14. Acknowledgements . Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party;

(b) neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Security Document, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Security Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Secured Parties or among the Grantors and the Secured Parties.

7.15. Additional Grantors . Each Subsidiary of the Issuer that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Indenture shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an Assumption Agreement in the form of Exhibit II hereto to the Collateral Agent.

7.16. Releases . This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and to the extent of its terms upon each Grantor and the successors and assigns thereof and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns until the Final Date. In addition, the security interests granted hereunder shall terminate and be released, in whole or in part, (i) as to Note Obligations under the Indenture, as provided in the Indenture and (ii) as to the Pari Passu Obligations under any Pari Passu Agreement, as provided in such Pari Passu Agreement; provided , however , that this Agreement and the security interest granted herein shall be reinstated if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Secured Party upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or other Grantor. At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such termination, the Collateral Agent shall deliver to such Grantor any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

7.17. Jurisdiction, Etc .

(a) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Security Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and

 

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determined in any such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties hereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Issuer at its address specified pursuant to Section 12.02 of the Indenture. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Security Documents in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Security Documents in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

7.18. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH GRANTOR AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS OR THE ACTIONS OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY OTHER SECURED PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

Grantors :
SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief
            Accounting Officer
KMART CORPORATION
KMART HOLDING CORPORATION
KMART MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
SEARS HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.,

as Grantors

By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller
CALIFORNIA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.
FLORIDA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.
KLC, INC.
KMART OF MICHIGAN, INC.
LANDS’ END DIRECT MERCHANTS, INC.
LANDS’ END, INC.
PRIVATE BRANDS, LTD.
SEARS BRANDS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
SEARS HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.
SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.
SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY
SEARS ROEBUCK ACCEPTANCE CORP.
SEARS, ROEBUCK DE PUERTO RICO, INC.
SOE, INC.
STARWEST, LLC,
as Grantors
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President


KMART.COM LLC, as Grantor
By:   Bluelight.com, Inc., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President
KMART OF WASHINGTON LLC
KMART STORES OF ILLINOIS LLC
KMART STORES OF TEXAS LLC
MYGOFER LLC, as Grantors
By:   Kmart Corporation, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller
SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY (FLORIDA), L.L.C., as Grantor
By:   Sears Protection Company, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President
A&E HOME DELIVERY, LLC
A&E LAWN & GARDEN, LLC
A&E SIGNATURE SERVICE, LLC
SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC

SEARS HOME APPLIANCE SHOWROOMS,

LLC, as Grantors

By:   Sears, Roebuck and Co., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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Collateral Agent :
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Gregory S. Clarke

  Name: Gregory S. Clarke
  Title: Vice President


Schedule 1

GRANTORS AND NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GRANTORS

 

Grantor                                                      Notice Address

Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp.

  

3711 Kennett Pike

Greenville, DE 19807

Kmart Corporation

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Holdings Corporation

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

A&E Home Delivery, LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

A&E Lawn & Garden, LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

A&E Signature Service, LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

California Builder Appliances, Inc.

  

6085 State Farm Dr., Suite 200

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Florida Builder Appliances, Inc.

  

1742 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33069

KLC, Inc.

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart Holding Corporation

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart Management Corporation

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart of Michigan, Inc.

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart of Washington LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart Stores of Illinois LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart Stores of Texas LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Kmart.com LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Lands’ End Direct Merchants, Inc.

  

820 W. 78th Street

Richfield, MN 55423


Grantor                                 Notice Address

Lands’ End, Inc.

  

1 Lands’ End Lane

Dodgeville, WI 53595

MyGofer LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Private Brands, Ltd.

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Brands Management Corporation

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Holdings Management Corporation

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc.

  

1024 Florida Central Parkway

Longwood, FL 32752

Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Protection Company

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Protection Company (Florida), L.L.C.

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

  

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears, Roebuck de Puerto Rico, Inc.

  

Montehiedra Town Center-Kmart 2nd Flr.

9410 Avenida Los Romeros

San Juan, PR 00926

SOE, Inc.

  

960 Sherman Street, Suite B

San Diego, CA 92110

StarWest, LLC

  

9025 S. Kyrene Road

Tempe, AZ 85284


Schedule 2

FILINGS

Uniform Commercial Code Filings

UCC-1 Financing Statements to be filed against the Grantors specified below with the Secretary of State of the jurisdictions set forth next to such Grantor’s name:

 

Grantor    Jurisdiction

Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp.

   Delaware

Kmart Corporation

   Michigan, Puerto Rico and Guam

Sears Holdings Corporation

   Delaware

A&E Home Delivery, LLC

   Delaware

A&E Lawn & Garden, LLC

   Delaware

A&E Signature Service, LLC

   Delaware

California Builder Appliances, Inc.

   Delaware

Florida Builder Appliances, Inc.

   Delaware

KLC, Inc.

   Texas

Kmart Holding Corporation

   Delaware

Kmart Management Corporation

   Michigan

Kmart of Michigan, Inc.

   Michigan

Kmart of Washington LLC

   Washington

Kmart Stores of Illinois LLC

   Illinois

Kmart Stores of Texas LLC

   Texas

Kmart.com LLC

   Delaware

Lands’ End Direct Merchants, Inc.

   Delaware

Lands’ End, Inc.

   Delaware

MyGofer LLC

   Delaware

Private Brands, Ltd.

   West Virginia

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC

   Delaware and Puerto Rico

Sears Brands Management Corporation

   Delaware and Puerto Rico

Sears Holdings Management Corporation

   Delaware and Puerto Rico

Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC

   Delaware

Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc.

   Pennsylvania


Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.

   Delaware and Puerto Rico

Sears Protection Company

   Illinois

Sears Protection Company (Florida), L.L.C.

   Florida

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

   New York, Puerto Rico and Guam

Sears, Roebuck de Puerto Rico, Inc.

   Delaware and Puerto Rico

SOE, Inc.

   Delaware

StarWest, LLC

   Delaware


Schedule 3

LOCATION OF JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION

 

Grantor    Jurisdiction of Organization   

Identification

Number

Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp.

   Delaware    0506120

Kmart Corporation

   Michigan    142467

Sears Holdings Corporation

   Delaware    3881360

A&E Home Delivery, LLC

   Delaware    3877029

A&E Lawn & Garden, LLC

   Delaware    3748766

A&E Signature Service, LLC

   Delaware    3748765

California Builder Appliances, Inc.

   Delaware    2862479

Florida Builder Appliances, Inc.

   Delaware    2143982

KLC, Inc.

   Texas    1276656

Kmart Holding Corporation

   Delaware    3648953

Kmart Management Corporation

   Michigan    47792C

Kmart of Michigan, Inc.

   Michigan    33800A

Kmart of Washington LLC

   Washington    602292492

Kmart Stores of Illinois LLC

   Illinois    00912026

Kmart Stores of Texas LLC

   Texas    800200422

Kmart.com LLC

   Delaware    3138594

Lands’ End Direct Merchants, Inc.

   Delaware    2863159

Lands’ End, Inc.

   Delaware    2099220

MyGofer LLC

   Delaware    4631467

Private Brands, Ltd.

   West Virginia    110640

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC

   Delaware    4516552

Sears Brands Management Corporation

   Delaware    0617118

Sears Holdings Management Corporation

   Delaware    4041132

Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC

   Delaware    4675850

Sears Home Improvement Products, Inc.

   Pennsylvania    2204417

Sears Outlet Stores, L.L.C.

   Delaware    4516559

Sears Protection Company

   Illinois    61825622

Sears Protection Company (Florida), L.L.C.

   Florida    L03000020977


Sears, Roebuck and Co.

   New York    NONE

Sears, Roebuck de Puerto Rico, Inc.

   Delaware    0561919

SOE, Inc.

   Delaware    3816328

StarWest, LLC

   Delaware    3833707


EXHIBIT I

[Form of]

PARI PASSU JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is the [agent/trustee/representative] for Persons wishing to become “Secured Parties” (the “New Secured Parties”) under the Security Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as amended and/or supplemented, the “Security Agreement” (terms used without definition herein have the meanings assigned to such terms by the Security Agreement)) among Sears Holdings Corporation, the other Grantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent (the “Collateral Agent”) and the other Security Documents.

In consideration of the foregoing, the undersigned hereby:

(i) represents that the Pari Passu Agent has been authorized by the New Secured Parties to become a party to the Security Agreement on behalf of the New Secured Parties under that [DESCRIBE OPERATIVE AGREEMENT] (the obligations thereunder and under the ancillary documents referred to therein, the “New Secured Obligations”) and to act as the Pari Passu Agent for the New Secured Parties hereunder and under the Security Agreement;

(ii) acknowledges that the New Secured Parties have received a copy of the Security Agreement;

(iii) irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Security Agreement and the other Security Documents as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms thereof, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and

(iv) accepts and acknowledges, for itself and the other New Secured Parties, the terms of the Security Agreement applicable to it and the New Secured Parties and agrees to serve as Pari Passu Agent for the New Secured Parties with respect to the New Secured Obligations and agrees on its own behalf and on behalf of the New Secured Parties to be bound by the terms of the Security Agreement and the other Security Documents applicable to holders of Secured Obligations, with all the rights and obligations of a Secured Party thereunder and bound by all the provisions thereof as fully as if it had been a Secured Party on the effective date of the Security Agreement.

The name and address of the representative for purposes of Section 7.4 of the Security Agreement are as follows:

[name and address of Pari Passu Agent]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Pari Passu Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the      day of              , 20      .

 

[NAME]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:

The Collateral Agent hereby acknowledges its acceptance of this Pari Passu Joinder Agreement and agrees to act as Collateral Agent for the New Secured Parties, subject to the terms of the [agency agreement, dated as of                      ].

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT II

FORM OF ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of [              , 20      ], made by [                                  ] (the “ Additional Grantor ”), in favor of WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as collateral agent (the “ Collateral Agent ”), for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Agreement referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Security Agreement.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Sears Holdings Corporation (“ Holdings ”), the Guarantors and the Trustee have entered into that certain Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Indenture, Holdings and certain of its Subsidiaries (other than the Additional Grantor) have entered into that certain Security Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Security Agreement ”), in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

WHEREAS, the Indenture requires the Additional Grantor to become a party to the Security Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Security Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

1. Security Agreement . By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in Section 7.15 of the Security Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Security Agreement as a Grantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor thereunder, and grants to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in all Collateral of such Additional Grantor to secure the Secured Obligations. The information set forth in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Schedules to the Security Agreement. The Additional Grantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3 of the Security Agreement is, as to such Additional Grantor, true and correct on and as of the date hereof (after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.

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

[Remainder of Page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Annex 1-A to

Assumption Agreement

Supplement to Schedule 1

Supplement to Schedule 2

Supplement to Schedule 3

Table of Contents

 

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

by and among

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

WELLS FARGO RETAIL FINANCE, LLC, and

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

as ABL Agents,

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Second Lien Agent

Dated as of October 12, 2010

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

            Page No.

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

   2

Section 1.1

   UCC Definitions    2

Section 1.2

   Other Definitions    2

Section 1.3

   Rules of Construction    9

ARTICLE 2 LIEN PRIORITY

   9

Section 2.1

   Priority of Liens    9

Section 2.2

   Waiver of Right to Contest Liens    10

Section 2.3

   Remedies Standstill    11

Section 2.4

   Release of Liens    11

Section 2.5

   No New Liens    12

Section 2.6

   Waiver of Marshalling    12

ARTICLE 3 ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES

   12

Section 3.1

   Certain Actions Permitted    12

Section 3.2

   Agent for Perfection    13

Section 3.3

   Insurance    13

Section 3.4

   No Additional Rights For the Loan Parties Hereunder    13

Section 3.5

   Payments Over    14

ARTICLE 4 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

   14

Section 4.1

   Application of Proceeds    14

Section 4.2

   Specific Performance    15

ARTICLE 5 INTERCREDITOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND WAIVERS

   15

Section 5.1

   Notice of Acceptance and Other Waivers    15

Section 5.2

   Modifications to ABL Documents and Second Lien Documents    16

Section 5.3

   Reinstatement and Continuation of Agreement    17

ARTICLE 6 INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS

   18

Section 6.1

   DIP Financing    18

Section 6.2

   Relief From Stay    19

Section 6.3

   No Contest; Adequate Protection    19

Section 6.4

   Asset Sales    19

Section 6.5

   Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification    20

Section 6.6

   Enforceability    20

Section 6.7

   ABL Obligations Unconditional    20

Section 6.8

   Second Lien Obligations Unconditional    21

ARTICLE 7 MISCELLANEOUS

   21

Section 7.1

   Rights of Subrogation    21

Section 7.2

   Further Assurances    21

Section 7.3

   Representations    22

 

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Section 7.4

   Amendments    22

Section 7.5

   Addresses for Notices    22

Section 7.6

   No Waiver; Remedies    23

Section 7.7

   Continuing Agreement, Transfer of Secured Obligations    23

Section 7.8

   Governing Law; Entire Agreement    23

Section 7.9

   Counterparts    23

Section 7.10

   No Third Party Beneficiaries    24

Section 7.11

   Headings    24

Section 7.12

   Severability    24

Section 7.13

   Attorneys’ Fees    24

Section 7.14

   VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER    24

Section 7.15

   Intercreditor Agreement    25

Section 7.16

   No Warranties or Liability    25

Section 7.17

   Conflicts    25

Section 7.18

   Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Loan Parties    25

 

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INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

THIS INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of October 12, 2010 by and among BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“ Bank of America ”), in its capacity as administrative agent and co-collateral agent, WELLS FARGO RETAIL FINANCE, LLC , in its capacity as co-collateral agent, and GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION , in its capacity as co-collateral agent (together with their respective successors and assigns in such capacities, the “ ABL Agents ”) for (i) the financial institutions party from time to time to the ABL Credit Agreement referred to below (such financial institutions, together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees, the “ ABL Lenders ”) and (ii) any ABL Bank Product Affiliates and ABL Cash Management Affiliates (each as defined below) (such ABL Bank Product Affiliates and ABL Cash Management Affiliates, together with the ABL Agents and the ABL Lenders, the “ ABL Secured Parties ”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee and collateral agent (in such capacity, and together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “ Second Lien Agent ”) for the holders of the Notes issued under that certain Indenture referred to below (such holders, together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees, the “ Noteholders ”) (such Second Lien Agent and the Noteholders, the “ Second Lien Secured Parties ”).

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 21, 2009 by and among Sears Roebuck Acceptance Corp. and Kmart Corporation, (collectively, the “ ABL Borrowers ”), Sears Holdings Corporation (“ Holdings ”), the ABL Lenders and the ABL Agents (as such agreement has been or may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, the “ ABL Credit Agreement ”), the ABL Lenders have agreed to make certain loans and provide other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries.

B. Pursuant to a certain Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of May 21, 2009 (as the same has been or may be amended, supplemented, restated and/or otherwise modified, the “ ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ”) by Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the ABL Borrowers) in favor of the ABL Agents for the benefit of the ABL Secured Parties, (1) Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, with Holdings, the “ ABL Guarantors ”) have guaranteed the payment and performance of the ABL Borrowers’ Obligations under the ABL Documents (as hereinafter defined), and (2) the ABL Borrowers and the ABL Guarantors (collectively, the “ ABL Loan Parties ”) have granted a security interest and lien in certain of their assets (including, without limitation, credit card accounts receivables, pharmacy receivables, inventory and other assets related thereto) to secure the respective obligations of each of the ABL Loan Parties under the ABL Documents.

C. Pursuant to that certain Indenture dated as of October 12, 2010 by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, (“ Holdings ” or the “ Second Lien Borrower ”), the Second Lien Guarantors (as defined below) and the Second Lien Agent (as such agreement may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, the “Indenture”), Holdings has issued the Notes (as defined in the Indenture) and the Noteholders have purchased the Notes.

 

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D. Pursuant to the Indenture and a certain Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “ Second Lien Security Agreement ) by Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties, (1) certain subsidiaries of Holdings (collectively, the “ Second Lien Guarantors ”) have guaranteed the payment and performance of Holdings’ Obligations under the Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents, and (2) Holdings and the Second Lien Guarantors (collectively, the “ Second Lien Loan Parties ”) have granted a security interest and lien in the Second Lien Collateral (as defined below) to secure the respective obligations of each of the Second Lien Loan Parties under the Indenture and the other Second Lien Documents.

E. Each of the ABL Agents (on behalf of the ABL Secured Parties) and the Second Lien Agent (on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties) desire to agree to the relative priority of Liens on the Collateral (as defined below) and certain other rights, priorities and interests as provided herein.

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 UCC Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meaning herein as in the Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 1.2 Other Definitions. Subject to Section 1.1, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

ABL Agents ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement and shall include any successors thereto as well as any Person designated as the “Agent”, “Administrative Agent”, “Collateral Agent” or “Co-Collateral Agent” under any ABL Credit Agreement.

ABL Bank Products Affiliate ” shall mean any ABL Lender or any Affiliate of any ABL Lender that has entered into a Swap Contract or other Bank Product with an ABL Loan Party with the obligations of such ABL Loan Party thereunder being secured by one or more ABL Collateral Documents, together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees.

ABL Borrowers ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement.

ABL Cash Management Affiliate shall mean any ABL Lender or any Affiliate of an ABL Lender that provides Cash Management Services to any of the ABL Loan Parties with the obligations of such ABL Loan Parties thereunder being secured by one or more ABL Collateral Documents, together with their respective successors, assigns and transferees.

 

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ABL Collateral ” shall mean all Property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower or any Guarantor in or upon which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted to the ABL Agents (and in all events includes the Second Lien Collateral) under any of the ABL Collateral Documents, together with all substitutions, additions, products and Proceeds thereof.

ABL Collateral Documents ” shall mean the ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with all other security agreements, account control agreements, freight forwarder and/or customs broker’s agreements, collateral access agreements, license agreements and other collateral documents executed and delivered in connection with the ABL Credit Agreement, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

ABL Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement and shall include any other agreement extending the maturity of, consolidating, restructuring, refunding, replacing or refinancing all or any portion of the ABL Obligations, whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

ABL Documents ” shall mean the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Collateral Documents, all Swap Contracts and other Bank Products between any ABL Loan Party and any ABL Bank Products Affiliate, all Cash Management Services agreements between any ABL Loan Party and any ABL Cash Management Affiliate, those other ancillary agreements to which any ABL Secured Party is a party or beneficiary and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any ABL Loan Party and delivered to the ABL Agents or any other ABL Secured Party, in connection with any of the foregoing or with the ABL Credit Agreement or the ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in each case, as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement and shall also include any other agreement amending or replacing such agreement, whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

ABL Guarantors ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement and shall also include any other Person who becomes a guarantor under the ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

ABL Lenders ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

ABL Loan Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement.

ABL Obligations ” shall mean all obligations of every nature of each ABL Loan Party from time to time owed to the ABL Secured Parties, or any of them, under any ABL Document, whether for principal, interest, reimbursement of amounts drawn under letters of credit, payments for early termination of Swap Contracts, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise, and all other amounts owing or due under the terms of the ABL Documents (including interest, fees, indemnification payments, expense reimbursements and other amounts which, but for the

 

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filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to such ABL Loan Party, would have accrued on or been payable with respect to any ABL Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against such ABL Loan Party for such interest, fees, indemnification payments, expense reimbursements and other amounts in the related bankruptcy proceeding), as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

ABL Recovery ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).

ABL Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Affiliate ” shall mean, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Agent(s) ” means individually the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent and collectively means both the ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Bank Products ” shall have the meaning provided in the ABL Credit Agreement.

Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code , as now or hereafter in effect or any successor thereto.

Borrower ” shall mean with respect to the ABL Obligations, the ABL Borrowers and, with respect to the Second Lien Obligations, Holdings and collectively means all of them.

Cash Management Services ” shall have the meaning provided in the ABL Credit Agreement.

Collateral ” shall mean collectively, all ABL Collateral and all Second Lien Collateral.

Control Collateral ” shall mean any Collateral consisting of any Deposit Account, Instruments and any other Collateral as to which a Lien may be perfected through possession or control by the secured party, or any agent therefor.

Credit Documents ” shall mean the ABL Documents and the Second Lien Documents.

Debtor Relief Laws ” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code as now or hereafter in effect or any successor thereto, as well as all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States federal or state law or of any applicable foreign law from time to time in effect affecting the rights of creditors generally.

DIP Financing ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).

 

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Discharge of ABL Obligations ” shall mean (a) the payment in full in cash of all outstanding ABL Obligations including, with respect to (i) amounts available to be drawn under outstanding letters of credit issued thereunder (or indemnities or other undertakings issued pursuant thereto in respect of outstanding letters of credit), the cancellation of such letters of credit or the delivery or provision of money or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in compliance with the terms of any ABL Credit Agreement (which shall not exceed an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount of such letters of credit) and (ii) outstanding ABL Obligations with respect to Bank Products and Cash Management Services (or indemnities or other undertakings issued pursuant thereto in respect of outstanding Bank Products and Cash Management Services) or the delivery or provision of cash collateral in respect thereof in compliance with the terms of any ABL Credit Agreement and (b) the termination of all commitments to extend credit under the ABL Documents.

Discharge of Second Lien Obligations ” shall mean the discharge or defeasance of all outstanding Second Lien Obligations in accordance with the Indenture.

Event of Default ” shall mean an Event of Default as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement or the Indenture, as applicable.

Exercise (of) Any Secured Creditor Remedies ” or “ Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies ” shall mean, except as otherwise provided in the final sentence of this definition:

(a) the taking by any Secured Party of any action to enforce or realize upon any Lien, including the institution of any foreclosure proceedings or the noticing of any public or private sale pursuant to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law;

(b) the exercise by any Secured Party of any right or remedy provided to a secured creditor on account of a Lien under any of the Credit Documents, under applicable law, in an Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, including the election to retain any of the ABL Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, in satisfaction of a Lien;

(c) the taking of any action by any Secured Party or the exercise of any right or remedy by any Secured Party in respect of the collection on, set off against, marshaling of, injunction respecting or foreclosure on the ABL Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, or the Proceeds thereof;

(d) the appointment on the application of a Secured Party, of a receiver, receiver and manager or interim receiver of all or part of the ABL Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable;

(e) the sale, lease, license, or other disposition of all or any portion of the ABL Collateral or Second Lien Collateral by private or public sale conducted by a Secured Party or any other means at the direction of a Secured Party permissible under applicable law; and

 

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(f) the exercise of any other right of a secured creditor under Part 6 of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code or under provisions of similar effect other applicable law.

For the avoidance of doubt, none of the following shall be deemed to constitute an Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies: (i) the filing of a proof of claim in any Insolvency Proceeding or seeking adequate protection (subject to Section 6.3 below), (ii) the exercise of rights by the ABL Agents during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement), including, without limitation, the notification of account debtors, depository institutions or any other Person to deliver proceeds of the ABL Collateral to the ABL Agents, (iii) the consent by the ABL Agents to a store closing sale, going out of business sale or other disposition by any Loan Party of any of the ABL Collateral, (iv) the reduction of advance rates or sub-limits by the ABL Agents, or (v) the imposition of Availability Reserves or Inventory Reserves (in each case as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) by the ABL Agents.

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Guarantor ” shall mean any of the ABL Guarantors or Second Lien Guarantors.

Holdings ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Indebtedness ” shall mean (i) all obligations of a Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (ii) the maximum amount of all letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds, performance bonds and similar instruments issued or created by or for the account of such Person; (iii) obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract; (iv) indebtedness secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse, and (v) any guarantees of the foregoing.

Indenture ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement and shall include any other agreement extending the maturity of, consolidating, restructuring, refunding, replacing or refinancing all or any portion of the Second Lien Obligations.

Insolvency Proceeding ” shall mean (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshalling of assets for creditors or other similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; in each case covered by clauses (a) and (b) undertaken under any Debtor Relief Laws.

 

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Lender(s) ” means individually, the ABL Lenders or the Noteholders and collectively means all of the ABL Lenders and the Noteholders.

Lien ” shall mean, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, collateral assignment, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset.

Lien Priority ” shall mean with respect to any Lien of the ABL Secured Parties or the Second Lien Secured Parties in the Collateral, the order of priority of such Lien as specified in Section 2.1.

Loan Parties ” shall mean the ABL Loan Parties and the Second Lien Loan Parties.

Noteholders ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Notes ” shall have the meaning provided in the Indenture.

Party ” shall mean the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent, and “Parties” shall mean both the ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent.

Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

Proceeds ” shall mean (a) all “proceeds,” as defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, with respect to the Collateral, and (b) whatever is recoverable or recovered when any Collateral is sold, exchanged, collected, or disposed of, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.

Property ” shall mean any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

Second Lien Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement and shall include any successor thereto.

Second Lien Collateral ” shall mean all “Collateral”, as defined in the Second Lien Security Agreement, and any other asset which becomes subject to a Lien securing the Second Lien Obligations.

Second Lien Collateral Documents ” shall mean the Second Lien Security Agreement, together with all other security agreements, account control agreements, freight forwarder and/or customs broker’s agreements, collateral access agreements, license agreements and other collateral documents executed and delivered in connection with the Indenture, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Second Lien Documents ” shall mean the Indenture, the Second Lien Collateral Documents, and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Second Lien Loan Party or any of its respective Affiliates, and delivered to the Second Lien Agent, in connection with the Indenture, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

Second Lien Guarantors ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement and shall also include any other Person who becomes a guarantor under the Indenture.

Second Lien Loan Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Second Lien Obligations ” shall mean all obligations of every nature of each Second Lien Loan Party from time to time owed to the Second Lien Secured Parties or any of them, under any Second Lien Document, whether for principal, interest (including interest which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to such Second Lien Loan Party, would have accrued on any Second Lien Obligation to the extent a claim is allowed against such Second Lien Loan Party for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding), fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise, and all other amounts owing or due under the terms of the Second Lien Documents, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

Second Lien Recovery ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b).

Second Lien Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

Second Lien Security Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Secured Parties ” shall mean the ABL Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties.

Subsidiary shall mean with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, or other entity (a) of which equity interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Swap Contract ” shall have the meaning provided in the ABL Credit Agreement.

Uniform Commercial Code ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be in effect in the State of New York; provided that to the extent that the Uniform Commercial Code is used to define any term in any security document and such term is defined differently in differing Articles of the Uniform Commercial Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 shall govern; provided further that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection, publication or priority of,

 

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or remedies with respect to, Liens of any Party is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code or foreign personal property security laws as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “Uniform Commercial Code” will mean the Uniform Commercial Code or such foreign personal property security laws as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority or remedies and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

Section 1.3 Rules of Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the term “including” is not limiting and shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation,” and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, restatements, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, restatements, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns. Any reference herein to the repayment in full of an obligation shall mean the payment in full in cash of such obligation, or in such other manner as may be approved in writing by the requisite holders or representatives in respect of such obligation. Any reference herein to a time of day means Eastern time.

ARTICLE 2

LIEN PRIORITY

Section 2.1 Priority of Liens.

(a) Notwithstanding (i) the date, time, method, manner, or order of grant, attachment, or perfection of any Liens granted to the ABL Secured Parties in respect of all or any portion of the ABL Collateral or of any Liens granted to the Second Lien Secured Parties in respect of all or any portion of the Second Lien Collateral and regardless of how any such Lien was acquired (whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise), (ii) the order or time of filing or recordation of any document or instrument for perfecting the Liens in favor of the ABL Agents for the benefit of the ABL Secured Parties in any ABL Collateral or the Second Lien Agent for the benefit of the Second Lien Secured Parties in any Second Lien Collateral, (iii) any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code, Debtor Relief Laws or any other applicable law, or of the ABL Documents or the Second Lien Documents, (iv) whether the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent, in each case, either directly or through agents, holds possession of, or has control over, all or any part of the Collateral, (v) the date on which the ABL Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations are advanced or made available to the Loan Parties, or (vi) any failure of the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent to perfect its Lien in the ABL Collateral or the Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, the subordination of any Lien on the ABL Collateral securing any ABL Obligations or on any Second Lien Collateral securing any Second Lien Obligations, as applicable, to any Lien securing any other obligation of any Borrower or

 

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Guarantor, or the avoidance, invalidation or lapse of any Lien on the ABL Collateral securing any ABL Obligations or on any Second Lien Collateral securing any Second Lien Obligations, the ABL Agents, on behalf of themselves and the ABL Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby agree that the following priorities apply to the Collateral:

(A) First, to the ABL Agents and the ABL Lenders to the extent of the ABL Obligations;

(B) Second, to the Second Lien Agent and the Noteholders to the extent of the Second Lien Obligations.

(b) The ABL Agents, for and on behalf of themselves and the ABL Secured Parties, acknowledge and agree that, concurrently herewith, the Second Lien Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, has been, or may be, granted Liens upon the Second Lien Collateral and the ABL Agents hereby consent thereto. The subordination of Lien by the Second Lien Agent in favor of the ABL Agents as set forth herein shall not be deemed to subordinate the Second Lien Agent’s Liens to the Liens of any other Person.

Section 2.2 Waiver of Right to Contest Liens.

(a) The Second Lien Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that it and they shall not (and hereby waives any right to) take any action to contest or challenge (or assist or support any other Person in contesting or challenging), directly or indirectly, whether or not in any proceeding (including in any Insolvency Proceeding), the validity, priority, enforceability, or perfection of the Liens of the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral or the provisions of this Agreement. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that none of the Second Lien Agent or the Second Lien Secured Parties will take any action that would interfere with any Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies undertaken by the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party under the ABL Documents with respect to the Collateral. The Second Lien Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby waives any and all rights it or the Second Lien Secured Parties may have as a junior lien creditor or otherwise to contest, protest, object to, or interfere with the manner in which the ABL Agents or any ABL Lender seeks to enforce its Liens in any Collateral. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit the Second Lien Agent from enforcing the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise acting in accordance with this Agreement.

(b) The ABL Agents, for and on behalf of themselves and the ABL Secured Parties, agrees that it and they shall not (and hereby waives any right to) take any action to contest or challenge (or assist or support any other Person in contesting or challenging), directly or indirectly, whether or not in any proceeding (including in any Insolvency Proceeding), the validity, priority, enforceability, or perfection of the Liens of the Second Lien Agent or the Second Lien Secured Parties in respect of the Second Lien Collateral or the provisions of this Agreement. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit the ABL Agents from enforcing the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise acting in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Section 2.3 Remedies Standstill.

(a) The Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that, from the date hereof until the date upon which the Discharge of ABL Obligations shall have occurred, neither the Second Lien Agent nor any Second Lien Secured Party will Exercise Any Secured Creditor Remedies with respect to any of the Collateral, and will not take, receive or accept any Proceeds of Collateral. From and after the date upon which the Discharge of ABL Obligations shall have occurred, the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party may Exercise Any Secured Creditor Remedies under the Second Lien Documents or applicable law as to any Second Lien Collateral.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.3(a) or any other provision of this Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent any Agent or any Secured Party from (i) filing a claim or statement of interest with respect to the ABL Obligations or Second Lien Obligations owed to it in any Insolvency Proceeding commenced by or against any Loan Party, (ii) taking any action (not adverse to the Lien Priority of the Liens of the ABL Agents or ABL Secured Parties on the Collateral or the rights of the ABL Agent or any of the ABL Secured Parties to Exercise Any Secured Creditor Remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its Lien on any ABL Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, (iii) filing any necessary or responsive pleadings in opposition to any motion, adversary proceeding or other pleading filed by any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking disallowance of the claim or Lien of such Agent or Secured Party, (iv) voting on any plan of reorganization or filing any proof of claim in any Insolvency Proceeding of any Loan Party, or (v) objecting to the proposed retention of the Collateral by the ABL Agents or any other ABL Secured Party in full or partial satisfaction of any ABL Obligations, in each case (i) through (v) above to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) Each of the Second Lien Agent, each Second Lien Secured Party, the ABL Agents and each ABL Secured Party agrees (i) that it will not institute any suit or other proceeding or assert in any suit, Insolvency Proceeding or other proceeding any claim, in the case of the Second Lien Agent and each Second Lien Secured Party, against either the ABL Agents or any other ABL Secured Party, and in the case of the ABL Agents and each other ABL Secured Party, against either the Second Lien Agent or any other Second Lien Secured Party, seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise, with respect to, any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Person with respect to the ABL Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, which is consistent with the terms of this Agreement, and none of such Parties shall be liable for any such action taken or omitted to be taken, or (ii) it will not be a petitioning creditor or otherwise assist in the filing of an involuntary Insolvency Proceeding.

Section 2.4 Release of Liens.

In the event of (A) any private or public sale of all or any portion of the Collateral in connection with any Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies by the ABL Agents or by the ABL Loan Parties with the consent of the ABL Agents, or (B) any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or any portion of the Collateral, so long as such sale, transfer or other disposition is then permitted by the ABL Documents or consented to by the requisite ABL Lenders, the Second

 

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Lien Agent agrees, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties that such sale, transfer or other disposition will be free and clear of the Liens, if any, on such Collateral securing the Second Lien Obligations, and the Second Lien Agent’s and the Second Lien Secured Parties’ Liens, if any, with respect to the Collateral so sold, transferred, or disposed shall terminate and be automatically released without further action concurrently with, and to the same extent as, the release of the ABL Secured Parties’ Liens on such Collateral. In furtherance of, and subject to, the foregoing, the Second Lien Agent agrees that it will promptly execute any and all Lien releases or other documents reasonably requested in writing and provided by the ABL Agents in connection therewith. The Second Lien Agent hereby appoints the ABL Agents and any officer or duly authorized person of the ABL Agents, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power of attorney in the place and stead of the Second Lien Agent and in the name of the Second Lien Agent or in the ABL Agents’ own name, from time to time, in the ABL Agents’ sole discretion, for the purposes of carrying out the terms of this paragraph, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute and deliver or file any and all documents and instruments as may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this paragraph, including any financing statements, endorsements, assignments, releases or other documents or instruments of transfer (which appointment, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable).

Section 2.5 No New Liens. Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations shall have occurred, the parties hereto agree that no Second Lien Secured Party shall acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Loan Party securing any Second Lien Obligation which assets are not also subject to the Lien of the ABL Agents under the ABL Documents. If any Second Lien Secured Party shall nonetheless acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Loan Party securing any Second Lien Obligation which assets are not also subject to the Lien of the ABL Agents under the ABL Documents, then the Second Lien Agent (or the relevant Second Lien Secured Party) shall, without the need for any further consent of any other Second Lien Secured Party, any Second Lien Borrower or any Second Lien Guarantor and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other Second Lien Document, be deemed to also hold and have held such Lien as agent or bailee for the benefit of the ABL Agents as security for the ABL Obligations (subject to the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement) and shall promptly notify the ABL Agents in writing of the existence of such Lien.

Section 2.6 Waiver of Marshalling.

Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations, the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees not to assert and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or otherwise claim the benefit of, any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may otherwise be available under applicable law with respect to the Collateral or any other similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law.

ARTICLE 3

ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES

Section 3.1 Certain Actions Permitted. The Second Lien Agent and the ABL Agents may make such demands or file such claims in respect of the Second Lien Obligations or the ABL Obligations, as applicable, as are necessary to prevent the waiver or bar of such claims under applicable statutes of limitations or other statutes, court orders, or rules of procedure at any time.

 

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Section 3.2 Agent for Perfection. (a) The ABL Agents, for and on behalf of themselves and each ABL Secured Party, agree to hold all Second Lien Collateral in their possession, custody, or control (or in the possession, custody, or control of agents or bailees for either) as agent for the Second Lien Secured Parties solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted to the Second Lien Agent in such Second Lien Collateral, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 3.2.

(b) The Second Lien Agent, for and on behalf of itself and each Second Lien Secured Party, agree to hold all Collateral in their possession, custody, or control (or in the possession, custody, or control of agents or bailees for either) as agent for the ABL Secured Parties solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted to the ABL Agents in such Collateral, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 3.2.

(c) None of the ABL Agents, the ABL Secured Parties, the Second Lien Agent, or the Second Lien Secured Parties, as applicable, shall have any obligation whatsoever to the others to assure that the Collateral is genuine or owned by any Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person or to preserve rights or benefits of any Person. The duties or responsibilities of the ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent under this Section 3.2 are and shall be limited solely to holding or maintaining control of the Collateral or Second Lien Collateral, as applicable, as agent for the other Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by the Second Lien Agent or the ABL Agents, as applicable. The ABL Agents are not and shall not be deemed to be a fiduciary of any kind for the Second Lien Secured Parties or any other Person. The Second Lien Agent is not and shall not be deemed to be a fiduciary of any kind for the ABL Secured Parties, or any other Person.

Section 3.3 Insurance. Proceeds of Collateral include insurance proceeds and, therefore, the Lien Priority shall govern the ultimate disposition of casualty insurance proceeds. The ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent shall each be named as additional insured or loss payee, as applicable, with respect to all insurance policies maintained by the Borrowers or Guarantors relating to the ABL Collateral and Second Lien Collateral, respectively. Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations, the ABL Agents shall have the sole and exclusive right, as against the Second Lien Agent, to adjust settlement of insurance claims in the event of any covered loss, theft or destruction of any Collateral and take other such actions with respect to insurance covering the Collateral as set forth in the ABL Credit Agreement. All proceeds of such insurance shall be remitted to the ABL Agents, and the Second Lien Agent shall cooperate (if necessary) in a reasonable manner in effecting the payment of insurance proceeds in accordance with Section 4.1 hereof. The ABL Agents are hereby authorized to make any endorsements as agent for the Second Lien Agent or any such other Second Lien Secured Parties in accordance with the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 above.

Section 3.4 No Additional Rights For the Loan Parties Hereunder. If any ABL Secured Party or Second Lien Secured Party shall enforce its rights or remedies in violation of the terms of this Agreement, the Loan Parties shall not be entitled to use such violation as a defense to any action by any ABL Secured Party or Second Lien Secured Party, nor to assert such violation as a counterclaim or basis for set off or recoupment against any ABL Secured Party or Second Lien Secured Party.

 

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Section 3.5 Payments Over.

So long as the Discharge of ABL Obligations has not occurred, any Collateral or Proceeds thereof received by the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Parties in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including set off) relating to the Collateral in contravention of this Agreement shall be segregated and held in trust and forthwith paid over to the ABL Agents for the benefit of the ABL Secured Parties in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The ABL Agents are hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for the Second Lien Agent or any such Second Lien Secured Parties. This authorization is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable until such time as this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE 4

APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

Section 4.1 Application of Proceeds.

(a) Revolving Nature of ABL Obligations . The Second Lien Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) the ABL Credit Agreement includes a revolving commitment, that in the ordinary course of business the ABL Agents and the ABL Lenders will apply payments and make advances thereunder, and that no application of any Collateral or the release of any Lien by the ABL Agents upon any portion of the Collateral in connection with a permitted disposition by the ABL Loan Parties under any ABL Credit Agreement shall constitute the Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies under this Agreement; (ii) the amount of the ABL Obligations that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, and that the terms of the ABL Obligations may be modified, extended or amended from time to time, and that the aggregate amount of the ABL Obligations may be increased, replaced or refinanced, in each event, without notice to or consent by the Second Lien Secured Parties and without affecting the provisions hereof; and (iii) all Collateral received by the ABL Agents may be applied, reversed, reapplied or credited, in whole or in part, to the ABL Obligations at any time. The Lien Priority shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension, repayment, reborrowing, increase, replacement, renewal, restatement or refinancing of either the ABL Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations, or any portion thereof.

(b) Application of Proceeds of Collateral . The ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent hereby agree that all Collateral and all other Proceeds thereof, received by either of them in connection with any Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies with respect to the Collateral shall be applied,

first , to the payment of costs and expenses of the ABL Agents in connection with such Exercise of Secured Creditor Remedies to the extent provided in the ABL Documents,

 

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second , to the payment of the ABL Obligations in accordance with the ABL Documents until the Discharge of ABL Obligations shall have occurred,

third , to the payment of the Second Lien Obligations in accordance with the Second Lien Documents until the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations shall have occurred, and

fourth , the balance, if any, to the Loan Parties or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

(c) Limited Obligation or Liability . In exercising remedies, whether as a secured creditor or otherwise, the ABL Agents shall have no obligation or liability to the Second Lien Agent or to any Second Lien Secured Party regarding the adequacy of any Proceeds or for any action or omission, except solely for an action or omission that breaches the express obligations undertaken by each Party under the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, none of the Parties hereto waives any claim that it may have against a Secured Party on the grounds that any sale, transfer or other disposition by the Secured Party was not commercially reasonable in every respect as required by the Uniform Commercial Code.

(d) Turnover of Collateral . Upon the Discharge of ABL Obligations, the ABL Agents shall deliver to the Second Lien Agent or shall execute such documents as the Second Lien Agent may reasonably request (at the expense of the Second Lien Borrower) to enable the Second Lien Agent to have control over any Control Collateral constituting Second Lien Collateral still in the ABL Agents’ possession, custody, or control in the same form as received with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, subject to the reinstatement provisions of Section 5.3 below.

Section 4.2 Specific Performance. Each of the ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent is hereby authorized to demand specific performance of this Agreement, whether or not any Borrower or any Guarantor shall have complied with any of the provisions of any of the Credit Documents, at any time when the other Party shall have failed to comply with any of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to it. Each of the ABL Agents, for and on behalf of itself and the ABL Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law that might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of specific performance.

ARTICLE 5

INTERCREDITOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 5.1 Notice of Acceptance and Other Waivers.

(a) All ABL Obligations at any time made or incurred by any Borrower or any Guarantor shall be deemed to have been made or incurred in reliance upon this Agreement, and the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby waives notice of acceptance, or proof of reliance by the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party of this Agreement and notice of the existence, increase, renewal, extension, accrual, creation, or non-payment of all or any part of the ABL Obligations.

 

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(b) None of the ABL Agents, any ABL Secured Party, or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect, or realize upon any of the Collateral or any Proceeds, or for any delay in doing so, or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral or Proceeds thereof or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part or Proceeds thereof. If the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party honors (or fails to honor) a request by any Borrower for an extension of credit pursuant to any ABL Credit Agreement or any of the other ABL Documents, whether the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party have knowledge that the honoring of (or failure to honor) any such request would constitute a default under the terms of any Indenture or any other Second Lien Document or an act, condition, or event that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute such a default, or if the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party otherwise should exercise any of its contractual rights or remedies under any ABL Documents (subject to the express terms and conditions hereof), neither the ABL Agents nor any ABL Secured Party shall have any liability whatsoever to the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party as a result of such action, omission, or exercise (so long as any such exercise does not breach the express terms and provisions of this Agreement). The ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties shall be entitled to manage and supervise their loans and extensions of credit under any ABL Credit Agreement and any of the other ABL Documents as they may, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, and may manage their loans and extensions of credit without regard to any rights or interests that the Second Lien Agent or any of the Second Lien Secured Parties have in the Collateral, except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement. The Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that neither the ABL Agents nor any ABL Secured Party shall incur any liability as a result of a sale, lease, license, application, or other disposition of all or any portion of the Collateral or Proceeds thereof, pursuant to the ABL Documents, so long as such disposition is conducted in accordance with mandatory provisions of applicable law and does not breach the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 5.2 Modifications to ABL Documents and Second Lien Documents.

(a) The Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, hereby agrees that, without affecting the obligations of the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Secured Parties hereunder, the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties may, at any time and from time to time, in their sole discretion without the consent of or notice to the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party, and without incurring any liability to the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party or impairing or releasing the Lien Priority provided for herein, amend, restate, supplement, replace, refinance, extend, consolidate, restructure, or otherwise modify any of the ABL Documents in any manner whatsoever.

(b) The ABL Agents, on behalf of themselves and the ABL Secured Parties, hereby agree that, without affecting the obligations of the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties hereunder, the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Secured Parties may, at any time and from time to time, in their sole discretion without the consent of or notice to the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party, and without incurring any liability to the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party or impairing or releasing the Lien Priority provided for herein, amend, restate, supplement, replace, refinance, extend, consolidate, restructure, or otherwise modify any of the Second Lien Documents in any manner whatsoever except that the following shall require the prior written consent of the ABL Agents:

(1) except as provided in Section 2.5, retain or obtain a Lien on any Property of any Person to secure any of the Second Lien Obligations; or

 

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(2) amend the Second Lien Documents in any manner which would have the effect of contravening the terms of this Agreement or the ABL Documents.

(c) The ABL Obligations and the Second Lien Obligations may be refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is required pursuant to Section 5.2(b) above or to permit the refinancing transaction under any ABL Document or any Second Lien Document) of the ABL Agents, the ABL Secured Parties, the Second Lien Agent or the Second Lien Secured Parties, as the case may be, all without affecting the Lien Priority provided for herein or the other provisions hereof, provided , however , that the holders of such refinancing Indebtedness (or an authorized agent or trustee on their behalf) bind themselves in writing to the terms of this Agreement pursuant to such documents or agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Agreement) as the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent, as the case may be, shall reasonably request and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent, as the case may be, and any such refinancing transaction shall be in accordance with any applicable provisions of both the ABL Documents and the Second Lien Documents (to the extent such documents survive the refinancing).

Section 5.3 Reinstatement and Continuation of Agreement.

(a) If the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party is required in any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of any Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person any payment made in satisfaction of all or any portion of the ABL Obligations (an “ ABL Recovery ”), then the ABL Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such ABL Recovery. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such ABL Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect in the event of such ABL Recovery, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair, or otherwise affect the obligations of the Parties from such date of reinstatement. All rights, interests, agreements, and obligations of the ABL Agents, the Second Lien Agent, the ABL Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Secured Parties under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall continue irrespective of the commencement of, or any discharge, confirmation, conversion, or dismissal of, any Insolvency Proceeding by or against any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other circumstance which otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of any Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of the ABL Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations. No priority or right of the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party shall at any time be prejudiced or impaired in any way by any act or failure to act on the part of any Borrower or any Guarantor or by the noncompliance by any Person with the terms, provisions, or covenants of any of the ABL Documents, regardless of any knowledge thereof which the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party may have.

 

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(b) If the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party is required in any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of any Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person any payment made in satisfaction of all or any portion of the Second Lien Obligations (a “ Second Lien Recovery ”), then the Second Lien Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Second Lien Recovery. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Second Lien Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect in the event of such Second Lien Recovery, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair, or otherwise affect the obligations of the Parties from such date of reinstatement. All rights, interests, agreements, and obligations of the ABL Agents, the Second Lien Agent, the ABL Secured Parties, and the Second Lien Secured Parties under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall continue irrespective of the commencement of, or any discharge, confirmation, conversion, or dismissal of, any Insolvency Proceeding by or against any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other circumstance which otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of any Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of the ABL Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations. No priority or right of the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party shall at any time be prejudiced or impaired in any way by any act or failure to act on the part of any Borrower or any Guarantor or by the noncompliance by any Person with the Second Liens, provisions, or covenants of any of the Second Lien Documents, regardless of any knowledge thereof which the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party may have.

ARTICLE 6

INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS

Section 6.1 DIP Financing.

(a) If any Borrower or any Guarantor shall be subject to any Insolvency Proceeding at any time prior to the Discharge of ABL Obligations, and the ABL Agents or any of the ABL Secured Parties shall seek to provide any Borrower or any Guarantor with, or consent to a third party providing, any financing under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or consent to any order for the use of cash collateral constituting Collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any foreign Debtor Relief Laws or under a court order in respect of measures granted with similar effect under any foreign Debtor Relief Laws) (each, a “ DIP Financing ”), with such DIP Financing to be secured by all or any portion of the Collateral (including assets that, but for the application of Section 552 of the Bankruptcy Code would be Collateral), then the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that it will raise no objection and will not support any objection to such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral or to the Liens securing the same on any basis, including, without limitation, on the grounds of a failure to provide “adequate protection” for the Liens of the Second Lien Agent securing the Second Lien Obligations (and will not request any adequate protection solely as a result of such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, and will not offer or support any debtor-in-possession financing which would compete with such DIP Financing); provided that (i) the Second Lien Agent retains its Lien on the Collateral to secure the Second Lien Obligations (in each case, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of the case under the any Debtor Relief Laws), subject to the terms of this Agreement, to the Liens in favor of the ABL Secured Parties existing prior to the commencement of such Insolvency Proceeding, to any adequate protection Liens granted in favor of the ABL Obligations, and to the

 

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senior priority of the DIP Financing, (ii) all Liens on the Collateral securing any such DIP Financing shall be senior to or on a parity with the Liens of the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties securing the ABL Obligations on the Collateral and (iii) the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1(a) shall not prevent the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Secured Parties from objecting to any provision in any DIP Financing relating to any provision or content of a plan of reorganization or other plan of similar effect under any Debtor Relief Laws.

(b) All Liens granted to the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent in any Insolvency Proceeding, whether as adequate protection or otherwise, are intended by the Parties to be and shall be deemed to be subject to the Lien Priority and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 6.2 Relief From Stay. Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees not to seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency Proceeding in respect of any portion of the Collateral without the ABL Agents’ express written consent.

Section 6.3 No Contest; Adequate Protection. (a) The Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that, prior to the Discharge of ABL Obligations, none of them shall contest (or support any other Person contesting) (i) any request by the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party for adequate protection of its interest in the Collateral, (ii) subject to Section 6.1(a) above, any proposed provision of DIP Financing by the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties (or any other Person proposing to provide DIP Financing with the consent of the ABL Agents) or (iii) any objection by the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party to any motion, relief, action, or proceeding based on a claim by the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party that its interests in the Collateral are not adequately protected (or any other similar request under any law applicable to an Insolvency Proceeding), so long as any Liens granted to the ABL Agents as adequate protection of its interests are subject to this Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions in this Section 6.3, in any Insolvency Proceeding, if the ABL Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection with respect to the Collateral in the form of additional collateral (even if such collateral is not of a type which would otherwise have constituted Collateral), then the ABL Agents, on behalf of themselves and the ABL Secured Parties, agrees that the Second Lien Agent, on behalf of itself or any of the Second Lien Secured Parties, may seek or request (and the ABL Secured Parties will not oppose such request) adequate protection with respect to its interests in such Collateral in the form of a Lien on the same additional collateral, which Lien will be subordinated to the Liens securing the ABL Obligations on the same basis as the other Liens of the Second Lien Agent on Collateral.

Section 6.4 Asset Sales. The Second Lien Agent agrees, on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, that it will not oppose any sale consented to by the ABL Agents of any Collateral pursuant to Section 363(f) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under the law applicable to any Insolvency Proceeding or under a court order in respect of measures granted with similar effect under any foreign Debtor Relief Laws) so long as the Liens of the Parties attach to the proceeds of such sale consistent with the Lien Priority set forth herein on the assets sold and such proceeds are otherwise applied in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.5 Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification. Each Second Lien Secured Party and each ABL Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) the grants of Liens pursuant to the ABL Security Documents and the Second Lien Security Documents constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (ii) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Collateral, the Second Lien Obligations are fundamentally different from the ABL Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization (or other plan of similar effect under any Debtor Relief Laws) proposed or adopted in an Insolvency Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the ABL Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then the Second Lien Secured Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that all distributions shall be made as if there were separate classes of ABL Obligation claims and Second Lien Obligation claims against the Loan Parties, with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the other Secured Parties), the ABL Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition interest that is available from the Collateral before any distribution is made in respect of the claims held by the Second Lien Secured Parties from such Collateral, with the Second Lien Secured Parties hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to ABL Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the aggregate recoveries.

Section 6.6 Enforceability. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be and shall be enforceable under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.

Section 6.7 ABL Obligations Unconditional. All rights of the ABL Agents hereunder, and all agreements and obligations of the Second Lien Agent and the Loan Parties (to the extent applicable) hereunder, shall, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any ABL Document;

(ii) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any portion of the ABL Obligations, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of any ABL Document;

(iii) any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non perfection of any security interest in any Collateral or any other collateral, or any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding, restatement or increase of all or any portion of the ABL Obligations or any guarantee or guaranty thereof; or

(iv) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party in respect of the ABL Obligations, or of any of the Second Lien Agent or any Loan Party, to the extent applicable, in respect of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.8 Second Lien Obligations Unconditional. All rights of the Second Lien Agent hereunder, all agreements and obligations of the ABL Agents and the Loan Parties (to the extent applicable) hereunder, shall, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Second Lien Document;

(ii) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other Second Lien of, all or any portion of the Second Lien Obligations, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding or restatement of any Second Lien Document (but solely to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 5.2(b) above);

(iii) any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non perfection of any security interest in any Collateral, or any other collateral, or any release, amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, or any refinancing, replacement, refunding, restatement or increase of all or any portion of the Second Lien Obligations or any guarantee or guaranty thereof; or

(iv) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party in respect of the Second Lien Obligations, or of any of the ABL Agents or any Loan Party, to the extent applicable, in respect of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 Rights of Subrogation. The Second Lien Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties, agrees that no payment to the ABL Agents or any ABL Secured Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle the Second Lien Agent or any Second Lien Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the Discharge of ABL Obligations.

Section 7.2 Further Assurances. The Parties will, at their own expense and at any time and from time to time, promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that either Party may reasonably request, in order to protect any right or interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent to exercise and enforce their rights and remedies hereunder; provided , however , that no Party shall be required to pay over any payment or distribution, execute any instruments or documents, or take any other action referred to in this Section 7.2, to the extent that such action would contravene any law, order or other legal requirement or any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, and in the event of a controversy or dispute, such Party may interplead any payment or distribution in any court of competent jurisdiction, without further responsibility in respect of such payment or distribution under this Section 7.2.

 

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Section 7.3 Representations . The Second Lien Agent represents and warrants to the ABL Agents, that it has entered into this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the directions of the Second Lien Loan Parties and Noteholders as stated therein, that it has the requisite power and authority under the Second Lien Documents to enter into, execute, deliver, and carry out the terms of this Agreement on behalf of itself and the Second Lien Secured Parties and that this Agreement shall be binding obligations of the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Secured Parties, enforceable against the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Secured Parties in accordance with its terms (it being understood that such representation as it relates to the Noteholders is made based solely on the representation made by the Noteholders pursuant to the express terms of the Indenture). The ABL Agents represent and warrant to the Second Lien Agent that they have the requisite power and authority under the ABL Documents to enter into, execute, deliver, and carry out the terms of this Agreement on behalf of themselves and the ABL Secured Parties and that this Agreement shall be binding obligations of the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties, enforceable against the ABL Agents and the ABL Secured Parties in accordance with its terms.

Section 7.4 Amendments . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor consent to any departure by any Party hereto shall be effective unless it is in a written agreement executed by the Second Lien Agent and the ABL Agents and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

Section 7.5 Addresses for Notices . Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally served, telecopied, or sent by overnight express courier service or United States mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a telecopy or three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail (certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed). For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto (until notice of a change thereof is delivered as provided in this Section) shall be as set forth below or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties.

 

ABL Agents:   Bank of America, N.A.
  100 Federal Street
  Boston, Massachusetts 02109
  Attention: Stephen J. Garvin
  With a copy to:
  Riemer & Braunstein, LLP
  Three Center Plaza
  Boston, MA 02108
  Attention: David S. Berman, Esquire
  Fax: (617) 880-3456
Second Lien Agent:   Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
  230 West Monroe Street, Suite 2900
  Chicago, Illinois 60606
  Facsimile: (312) 726-2158
  Attention: Corporate Trust Services

 

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Section 7.6 No Waiver; Remedies . No failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

Section 7.7 Continuing Agreement, Transfer of Secured Obligations . This Agreement is a continuing agreement and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the earlier of the Discharge of ABL Obligations (subject to Section 4.1(d)) or the Discharge of Second Lien Obligations, (b) be binding upon the Parties and their successors and assigns, and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors, transferees and assigns. Nothing herein is intended, or shall be construed to give, any other Person any right, remedy or claim under, to or in respect of this Agreement or any Collateral. All references to any Loan Party shall include any Loan Party as debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Loan Party in any Insolvency Proceeding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), the ABL Agents, any ABL Secured Party, the Second Lien Agent, or any Second Lien Secured Party may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of the ABL Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations, as applicable, to any other Person (other than any Borrower, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Borrower or any Guarantor and any Subsidiary of any Borrower or any Guarantor), and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the rights and obligations in respect thereof granted to the ABL Agents, the Second Lien Agent, any ABL Secured Party, or any Second Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, herein or otherwise. The ABL Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the other parties hereto, to extend credit and other financial accommodations, lend monies and provide Indebtedness to, or for the benefit of, any Loan Party on the faith hereof.

Section 7.8 Governing Law; Entire Agreement . The validity, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the applicable of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

Section 7.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and it is not necessary that the signatures of all Parties be contained on any one counterpart hereof, each counterpart will be deemed to be an original, and all together shall constitute one and the same document.

 

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Section 7.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the ABL Agents, ABL Secured Parties, Second Lien Agent and Second Lien Secured Parties. No other Person (including any Borrower, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of any Borrower or any Guarantor, or any Subsidiary of any Borrower or any Guarantor) shall be deemed to be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

Section 7.11 Headings . The headings of the articles and sections of this Agreement are inserted for purposes of convenience only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

Section 7.12 Severability . If any of the provisions in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement and shall not invalidate the Lien Priority or the application of Proceeds and other priorities set forth in this Agreement.

Section 7.13 Attorneys’ Fees . The Parties agree that if any dispute, arbitration, litigation, or other proceeding is brought with respect to the enforcement of this Agreement or any provision hereof, the prevailing party in such dispute, arbitration, litigation, or other proceeding shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and all other costs and expenses incurred in the enforcement of this Agreement, irrespective of whether suit is brought.

Section 7.14 VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER .

(a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY ABL SECURED PARTY OR ANY SECOND LIEN SECURED PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY SECOND LIEN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY ABL DOCUMENTS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(b) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

(c) EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 7.5. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

Section 7.15 Intercreditor Agreement . This Agreement is the Intercreditor Agreement referred to in the ABL Credit Agreement and the Indenture. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to subordinate the obligations due to (i) any ABL Secured Party to the obligations due to any Second Lien Secured Party or (ii) any Second Lien Secured Party to the obligations due to any ABL Secured Party (in each case, whether before or after the occurrence of an Insolvency Proceeding), it being the intent of the Parties that this Agreement shall effectuate a subordination of Liens but not a subordination of Indebtedness.

Section 7.16 No Warranties or Liability . The Second Lien Agent and the ABL Agents acknowledge and agree that neither has made any representation or warranty with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any other ABL Document or any Second Lien Document. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Second Lien Agent and the ABL Agents will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective extensions of credit to any Loan Party in accordance with law and their usual practices, modified from time to time as they deem appropriate.

Section 7.17 Conflicts . In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any ABL Document or any Second Lien Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

Section 7.18 Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Loan Parties . (a) Each of the Second Lien Agent and the ABL Agents hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of the Loan Parties and all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the ABL Obligations or the Second Lien Obligations. The Second Lien Agent and the ABL Agents hereby agree that no party shall have any duty to advise any other party of information known to it regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event the Second Lien Agent or the ABL Agents, in their sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any information to any other party to this Agreement, (a) they shall be under no obligation (i) to provide any such information to such other party or any other party on any subsequent occasion, (ii) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, or (iii) to disclose any other information, (b) they make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of any such information and shall not be liable for any information contained therein, and (c) the Party receiving such information hereby agrees

 

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to hold the other providing Party harmless from any action the receiving Party may take or conclusion the receiving Party may reach or draw from any such information, as well as from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses to which such receiving Party may become subject arising out of or in connection with the use of such information.

(b) The Loan Parties agree that any information provided to the ABL Agents, the Second Lien Agent, any ABL Secured Party or any Second Lien Secured Party may be shared by such Person with any ABL Secured Party, any Second Lien Secured Party, the ABL Agents or the Second Lien Agent notwithstanding a request or demand by such Loan Party that such information be kept confidential; provided that such information shall otherwise be subject to the respective confidentiality provisions in the ABL Credit Agreement and the Indenture, as applicable.

Section 7.19 Concerning the Second Lien Agent .

Notwithstanding any term herein to the contrary, it is hereby expressly agreed and acknowledged that the agreements set forth herein by the Second Lien Agent are made solely in its capacity as collateral agent under the Indenture and related Second Lien Documents pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture and the directions of the Second Lien Loan Parties and Noteholders as stated therein, and not in its individual capacity. The Second Lien Agent shall not have any duties, obligations, or responsibilities under this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein, and shall have the benefit of all exculpatory provisions, presumptions, indemnities, protections, benefits, immunities or reliance rights contained in the Indenture in the acceptance, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement as though fully set forth herein.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the ABL Agents, for and on behalf of themselves and the ABL Lenders, and the Second Lien Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Noteholders, have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as an ABL Agent
By:  

/s/ Christine M. Scott

  Name: Christine M. Scott
  Title: SVP - Director
WELLS FARGO RETAIL FINANCE, LLC, in its capacity as an ABL Agent
By:  

/s/ Joseph Burt

  Name: Joseph Burt
  Title: Director
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, in its capacity as an ABL Agent
By:  

/s/ Kristina M. Miller

  Name: Kristina M. Miller
  Title: Duly Authorized Signatory
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as the Second Lien Agent
By:  

/s/ Gregory S. Clarke

  Name: Gregory S. Clarke
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement


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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Each Borrower and each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that it has received a copy of this Agreement and consents thereto, agrees to recognize all rights granted thereby to the ABL Agents and the Second Lien Agent, and will not do any act or perform any obligation which is not in accordance with the agreements set forth in this Agreement. Each Borrower and each Guarantor further acknowledges and agrees that it is not an intended beneficiary or third party beneficiary under this Agreement and (i) as between the ABL Secured Parties and the ABL Loan Parties, the ABL Documents remain in full force and effect as written and are in no way modified hereby, and (ii) as between the Second Lien Secured Parties, the Second Lien Borrower and Second Lien Guarantors, the Second Lien Documents remain in full force and effect as written and are in no way modified hereby.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

Acknowledgement — Intercreditor Agreement


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SEARS ROEBUCK ACCEPTANCE CORP., as ABL Borrower and Guarantor
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President
KMART CORPORATION, as ABL Borrower and Guarantor
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller
SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION , as Second Lien Borrower and Guarantor
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President, Controller and          Chief Accounting Officer

KMART HOLDING CORPORATION

KMART MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., as Guarantors
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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CALIFORNIA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

FLORIDA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

KLC, INC.

KMART OF MICHIGAN, INC.

LANDS’ END DIRECT MERCHANTS, INC.

LANDS’ END, INC.

PRIVATE BRANDS, LTD.

SEARS BRANDS MANAGEMENT

CORPORATION

SEARS HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.

SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY

SEARS, ROEBUCK DE PUERTO RICO, INC.

SOE, INC.

STARWEST, LLC, as Guarantors
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President
KMART.COM LLC , as Guarantor
By: Bluelight.com, Inc., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

KMART OF WASHINGTON LLC

KMART STORES OF ILLINOIS LLC

KMART STORES OF TEXAS LLC

MYGOFER LLC, as Guarantors
By: Kmart Corporation, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY (FLORIDA), L.L.C., as Guarantor
By: Sears Protection Company, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

A&E HOME DELIVERY, LLC

A&E LAWN & GARDEN, LLC

A&E SIGNATURE SERVICE, LLC

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC

SEARS HOME APPLIANCE SHOWROOMS, LLC, as Guarantors

By: Sears, Roebuck and Co., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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Exhibit 4.4

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

Sears Holdings Corporation

and the Guarantors party hereto

and

Banc of America Securities LLC

Dated as of October 12, 2010


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 12, 2010, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors party hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”), and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Representative (the “Representative”) of the several Initial Purchasers listed on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), who have agreed to purchase the Company’s 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “Initial Notes”) fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below). The Initial Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “Initial Securities.”

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2010 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (i) for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Initial Securities, including the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial Securities, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 5(g) of the Purchase Agreement.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest Payment Date : With respect to the Initial Securities, each Interest Payment Date.

Broker-Dealer : Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day : Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Closing Date : The date of this Agreement.

Commission : The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Consummate : A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.


Exchange Act : The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Offer : The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of the Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement : The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

Exchange Securities : The 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2018, of the same series under the Indenture as the Initial Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto, to be issued to Holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

FINRA : The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Holders : As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

Indemnified Holder : As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.

Indenture : The Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2010, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Initial Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Notes : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Initial Placement : The issuance and sale by the Company of the Initial Securities to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Initial Purchasers : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Initial Securities : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Interest Payment Date : As defined in the Indenture and the Initial Securities.

Person : An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus : The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Purchase Agreement : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Registration Default : As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 

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Registration Statement : Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

Securities Act : The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Effectiveness Deadline : As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement : As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Transfer Restricted Securities : Each Initial Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Security is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act (or, in the case of a Holder that is not described in Section 4(a)(iii), the date an Exchange Offer is consummated in accordance with this Agreement which such Holder was not prohibited from participating in), (b) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date on which such Initial Security is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act or by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).

Trust Indenture Act : The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering : A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement .

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities . The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities . A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “Holder”) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

SECTION 3. Registered Exchange Offer .

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed with the Commission within 300 days after the Closing Date (or if such 300th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer,

 

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(ii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iii) upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Initial Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided , however , that in no event shall such period be less than 20 days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 365 days after the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Initial Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Initial Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Initial Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof (subject to the proviso to the second paragraph of Section 4(a) hereof) to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 45 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.

 

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The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 45-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

SECTION 4. Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration . If (i) the Company is not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy, (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not Consummated within 365 days after the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), or (iii) with respect to any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (A) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, then, upon such Holder’s written request, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either event, the “Shelf Registration Statement”) and cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission (or deemed automatically effective) on or prior to the earliest to occur of (1) the later of (x) the 90th day after the date on which the Company determines that it is not required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and (y) the 365th day after the Closing Date, (2) the later of (x) the 90th day after the date on which the Company receives notice from a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities as contemplated by Clause (iii) above and (y) the 365th day after the Closing Date and (3) in the event the Exchange Offer is not Consummated, the 365th day after the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (such date being the “Shelf Effectiveness Deadline”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities (other than any such securities that were eligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer at the time of the Exchange Offer) the Holders of which shall have timely provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities by the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least one year following the Closing Date (or shorter period that will terminate when all the Initial Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement); provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing or the requirements of the second paragraph of Section

 

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3(c) or any provision in Sections 6(b) or 6(c) hereof if the filing of any such supplement or amendment would (A) require the Company to make a public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company (1) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement so that such Registration Statement would not be materially misleading and (2) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such Registration Statement, or (B) would in the good faith and judgment of the board of directors of the Company be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business or on the Company’s ability to effect a planned or proposed acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction, then the Company may upon giving notice to the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders delay the filing of any such supplement or amendment for a period of up to 60 days in any three month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year.

(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement . No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 10 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein or amendment or supplement thereto. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

SECTION 5. Additional Interest . If (i) the Shelf Registration Statement is required by this Agreement but has not been declared effective by the Commission (or deemed automatically effective) on or prior to the Shelf Effectiveness Deadline, (ii) the Exchange Offer is required by this Agreement but has not been Consummated within 365 days after the Closing Date or (iii) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “Registration Default”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any Registration Default and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of the subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such increases in the aggregate exceed 0.50% per annum. Following the earlier of (x) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities and (y) the date that is two years after the Closing Date, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided , however , that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of additional interest payable shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending and (ii) a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities that is not entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration

 

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Statement (because, e.g., such Holder has not elected to include information or has not timely delivered such information to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof) shall not be entitled to additional interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Shelf Registration Statement.

All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.

The Company shall deliver notice to the Trustee as promptly as practicable after a Registration Default occurs specifying the nature of the Registration Default and the date such Additional Interest will begin to accrue. The Company shall also deliver a notice to the Trustee as promptly as practicable after a Registration Default has been cured specifying the date such Additional Interest shall cease to accrue.

SECTION 6. Registration Procedures .

(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement . In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the applicable provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof. As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc . (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters, and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

(b) Shelf Registration Statement . If required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 4 hereof, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such

 

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registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto each of the Company and the Guarantors will as expeditiously as is commercially reasonable prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

(c) General Provisions . In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Initial Securities by Broker-Dealers), each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, and provide all required financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable);

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not

 

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misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest practicable time;

(iv) furnish without charge to each of the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement that has requested such copies, if any, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than any documents that will be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement or Prospectus), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus to which an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of an Initial Purchaser or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

(v) make the Company’s and the Guarantors’ representatives available to the Initial Purchaser for customary due diligence matters, subject to customary confidentiality agreements;

(vi) make available, subject to customary confidentiality agreements, at reasonable times for inspection by the Initial Purchasers, the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such Initial Purchasers or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Company and the Guarantors and cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information, in each case as shall be reasonably necessary to enable any such Initial Purchaser, underwriter, attorney or accountant to exercise any applicable responsibilities in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any;

(vii) if requested by any selling Holders listed as selling securityholders in any Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such appropriate information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation,

 

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information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(viii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;

(ix) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference), unless, in each case, publicly available;

(x) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(xi) in connection with an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other commercially reasonable actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities. In furtherance of the foregoing, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(A) furnish to the Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:

(1) certificates, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Company, confirming customary matters;

(2) opinions of counsel relating to matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings; and

 

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(3) a comfort letter from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings;

(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(xi)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 6(c)(xi), if any.

If at any time after a Shelf Registration Statement has been filed, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contemplated in Section 6(c)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company or the Guarantors shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided , however , that none of the Company or the Guarantors shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement and only in connection with any valid sale of Initial Securities by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement (and provided that such Holder delivers such certificates or opinions reasonably requested by the Company in connection with such sale), Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Initial Securities held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiv) subject to the terms of the Indenture, cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book-entry receipts, as applicable, representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities,

 

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or book-entry receipts, as applicable, to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xii) hereof;

(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading;

(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with one or more global notes for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

(xviii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FINRA;

(xix) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 of the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;

(xx) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

 

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(xxi) if not publicly available, provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof or any notice described in the proviso to the second paragraph of Section 4(a) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof or any notice described in the proviso to the second paragraph of Section 4(a) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided , however , that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof.

SECTION 7. Registration Expenses .

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the FINRA); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors and; solely under the circumstances described in Section 7(b) hereof, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

Each of the Company and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.

 

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(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of its legal counsel.

SECTION 8. Indemnification .

(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree, subject to the provisions set forth in this Section 8, to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “controlling person”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, and employees of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “Indemnified Holder”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Holder), joint or several, to the extent based upon or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by or arise out of an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any of the Guarantors may otherwise have.

In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company and the Guarantors in writing; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve any of the Company or the Guarantors of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement to the extent it is not prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) as a result of such failure. In connection with any such action or proceeding, the Company will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Holder to represent the Indemnified Holder and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 8 that the Company may designate in such action or proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such action or proceeding, as incurred. In any such action or proceeding, any Indemnified Holder shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Holder unless the named parties in any such proceeding include both

 

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the Company and the Indemnified Holder and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them; provided that the Company and the Guarantors shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company and the Guarantors shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding only if effected with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, and each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder that is or could have been a party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder, unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of each such Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding.

(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors and their respective directors and officers who sign a Registration Statement, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company or any of the Guarantors, and the respective officers, directors, and employees, of each such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) to the extent based on or arising out of information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company, the Guarantors or their respective directors or officers or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the Company and the Guarantors, and the Company, the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.

(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the

 

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Holders, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company and the Guarantors from the Initial Placement), the amount of Additional Interest which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments actions or expenses, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discount received by such Holder with respect to the Initial Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Initial Securities held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.

SECTION 9. Rule 144A . At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, the Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act if required to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, unless such Transfer Restricted Securities are eligible to be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

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SECTION 10. Participation in Underwritten Registrations . No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 11. Selection of Underwriters . If requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in one Underwritten Offering. The investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. In no event shall the Company be required to reimburse any Holder for any underwriting commissions or discounts.

SECTION 12. Miscellaneous .

(a) Remedies . Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements . Each of the Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Adjustments Affecting the Securities . The Company will not voluntarily take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.

(d) Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered;

 

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provided , however , that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or departure is to be effective.

(e) Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and

(ii) if to the Company:

Sears Holdings Corporation

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

Telecopier No.: (847) 286-1699

Attention: Treasurer

With a copy to:

Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Telecopier No.: (212) 403-2000

Attention: James Cole, Jr.

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.

(f) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided , however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

(g) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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(h) Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(i) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

(j) Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(k) Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION, as Issuer
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
 

Title: Senior Vice President, Controller and

Chief Accounting Officer

KMART CORPORATION

KMART HOLDING CORPORATION

KMART MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT

CORPORATION

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.,

as Guarantors

By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

CALIFORNIA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

FLORIDA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

KLC, INC.

KMART OF MICHIGAN, INC.
LANDS’ END DIRECT MERCHANTS, INC.

LANDS’ END, INC.

PRIVATE BRANDS, LTD.

SEARS BRANDS MANAGEMENT

CORPORATION

SEARS HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.

SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY

SEARS ROEBUCK ACCEPTANCE CORP.

SEARS, ROEBUCK DE PUERTO RICO, INC.

SOE, INC.

STARWEST, LLC, as Guarantors
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

 

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KMART.COM LLC, as Guarantor
By:   Bluelight.com, Inc., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

KMART OF WASHINGTON LLC

KMART STORES OF ILLINOIS LLC

KMART STORES OF TEXAS LLC

MYGOFER LLC, as Guarantors
By:   Kmart Corporation, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY (FLORIDA),

L.L.C., as Guarantor

By:   Sears Protection Company, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

A&E HOME DELIVERY, LLC

A&E LAWN & GARDEN, LLC

A&E SIGNATURE SERVICE, LLC

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC

SEARS HOME APPLIANCE SHOWROOMS,

LLC, as Guarantors

By:   Sears, Roebuck and Co., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

 

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
 

Acting on behalf of itself and

as Representative of the

several Initial Purchasers

By:   Banc of America Securities LLC
By:  

/s/ Aaron Peyton

  Aaron Peyton
  Managing Director

 

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Exhibit 4.5

Execution Version

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

Sears Holdings Corporation

and the Guarantors party hereto,

Sears Holdings Corporation Investment Committee

on behalf of the Sears Holdings Pension Plan

and

Sears Holdings Pension Trust

Dated as of October 12, 2010


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 12, 2010, by and among Sears Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors party hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”), the Sears Holdings Corporation Investment Committee on behalf of the Sears Holdings Pension Plan (“Committee”) and the Sears Holdings Pension Trust (the “Trust”), which serves as the primary funding medium for the Sears Holdings Pension Plan (collectively referred to herein as the “Plan”), who has agreed to purchase the Company’s 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”) fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below). The Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “Securities.”

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated September 30, 2010 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors, the Directed Trustee on behalf of the Trust (including any successor trustee), and the Committee. In order to induce the Plan to purchase the Securities, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest Payment Date : With respect to the Securities, each Interest Payment Date.

Business Day : Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

Closing Date : The date of this Agreement.

Commission : The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exchange Act : The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Offer : The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of the Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such holders.


Exchange Securities : The 6  5 / 8 % Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2018, of the same series under the Indenture as the Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto, to be issued to holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

FINRA : The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Indenture : The Indenture, dated as of October 12, 2010, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Notes : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Interest Payment Date : As defined in the Indenture and the Securities.

Person : An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus : The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Purchase Agreement : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Registration Default : As defined in Section 4 hereof.

Registration Statement : A shelf registration statement of the Company relating to the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

Securities Act : The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Effectiveness Deadline : As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.

Transfer Restricted Securities : Each Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Registration Statement and (b) the date on which such Security is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

Trust Indenture Act : The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering : A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement . The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Plan.

SECTION 3. Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration . The Company and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed a Registration Statement and cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission (or deemed automatically effective) on or prior to the earliest to occur of (1) the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, (2) the date on which the Securities, if held by a non-affiliate of the Company, would be freely tradable pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act, and (3) in the event the Exchange Offer is not consummated, the 365th day after the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (such date being the “Shelf Effectiveness Deadline”), which Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Plan.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 5(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Securities by the Plan, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, until all the Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision in Sections 5(b) or 5(c) hereof if the filing of any such supplement or amendment would (A) require the Company to make a public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company (1) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement so that such Registration Statement would not be materially misleading and (2) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such Registration Statement, or (B) would in the good faith and judgment of the board of directors of the Company be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business or on the Company’s ability to effect a planned or proposed acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction, then the Company may upon giving notice to the underwriter(s), if any, and the Plan delay the filing of any such supplement or amendment for a period of up to 60 days in any three month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year.

(b) Provision by the Plan of Certain Information in Connection with the Registration Statement . The Committee on behalf of the Plan shall furnish to the Company in writing, within 10 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein or amendment or supplement thereto. The Committee on behalf of the Plan agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by the Committee on behalf of the Plan not materially misleading.

 

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SECTION 4. Additional Interest . If (i) the Registration Statement is required by this Agreement but has not been declared effective by the Commission (or deemed automatically effective) on or prior to the Shelf Effectiveness Deadline, (ii) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within 365 days after the Closing Date or (iii) the Registration Statement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “Registration Default”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any Registration Default and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of the subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such increases in the aggregate exceed 0.50% per annum. Following the earlier of (x) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities and (y) the date that is two years after the Closing Date, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided , however , that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of additional interest payable shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending and (ii) if the Plan has not elected to include information or has not timely delivered such information to the Company pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, the Plan shall not be entitled to additional interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Registration Statement.

All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.

The Company shall deliver notice to the Trustee as promptly as practicable after a Registration Default occurs specifying the nature of the Registration Default and the date such Additional Interest will begin to accrue. The Company shall also deliver a notice to the Trustee as promptly as practicable after a Registration Default has been cured specifying the date such Additional Interest shall cease to accrue.

SECTION 5. Registration Procedures .

(a) Registration Statement . In connection with the filing of a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3 hereof, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 5(b) hereof and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto each of the Company and the Guarantors will as expeditiously as is commercially reasonable prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

 

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(b) General Provisions . In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the period set forth in Section 3 hereof and provide all required financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors for the period specified in Section 3 hereof);

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the period set forth in Section 3 hereof, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and the Plan promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest practicable time;

 

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(iv) furnish without charge to the Plan and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than any documents that will be incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement or Prospectus), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of the Plan and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus to which the Plan or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of the Plan or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

(v) make the Company’s and the Guarantors’ representatives available to the Plan for customary due diligence matters, subject to customary confidentiality agreements;

(vi) make available, subject to customary confidentiality agreements, at reasonable times for inspection by the Plan, the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by the Plan or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Company and the Guarantors and cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information, in each case as shall be reasonably necessary to enable the Plan or any such underwriter, attorney or accountant to exercise any applicable responsibilities in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any;

(vii) if requested by the Plan or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such appropriate information as the Plan and such underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(viii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, if so requested by the Plan or the underwriter(s), if any;

 

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(ix) furnish to the Plan and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference), unless, in each case, publicly available;

(x) deliver to the Plan and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by the Plan and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(xi) in connection with an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Registration Statement, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other commercially reasonable actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities. In furtherance of the foregoing, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(A) furnish to the Plan and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may reasonably request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement:

(1) certificates, dated the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Company, confirming customary matters;

(2) opinions of counsel relating to matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings; and

(3) a comfort letter from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings;

(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 7 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 5(b)(xi)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 5(b)(xi), if any.

 

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If at any time after a Registration Statement has been filed, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contemplated in Section 5(b)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company or the Guarantors shall so advise the Plan and the underwriter(s), if any, and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Plan, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Plan or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided , however , that none of the Company or the Guarantors shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of the Plan and only in connection with any valid sale of Securities by the Plan pursuant to such Registration Statement (and provided that the Plan delivers such certificates or opinions reasonably requested by the Company in connection with such sale), Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Securities being sold by the Plan; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Securities held by the Plan shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiv) subject to the terms of the Indenture, cooperate with the Plan and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book-entry receipts, as applicable, representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities, or book-entry receipts, as applicable, to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Plan or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by the Plan or underwriter(s);

(xv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Plan or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 5(b)(xii) hereof;

(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

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(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with one or more global notes for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

(xviii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FINRA;

(xix) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 of the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;

(xx) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Plan to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

(xxi) if not publicly available, provide promptly to the Plan upon request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

The Plan agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof or any notice described in the proviso to the second paragraph of Section 3(a) hereof, the Plan will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until the Plan’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, the Plan will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in the Plan’s possession, of the

 

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Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 hereof shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof or any notice described in the proviso to the second paragraph of Section 3(a) hereof to and including the date when the Plan shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xvi) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided , however , that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 4 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 4 hereof.

SECTION 6. Registration Expenses .

(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by the Plan with the FINRA); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors and; solely under the circumstances described in Section 6(b) hereof, the Plan; (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

Each of the Company and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Plan for the reasonable fees and disbursements of its legal counsel.

SECTION 7. Indemnification .

(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree, subject to the provisions set forth in this Section 7, to indemnify and hold harmless the Plan and its employees, trustees, fiduciaries, affiliates, agents and representatives (the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Party), joint or several, to the extent based upon or arising out of any untrue

 

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statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by or arise out of an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Plan furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Plan expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any of the Guarantors may otherwise have.

In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Parties with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Company and the Guarantors in writing; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve any of the Company or the Guarantors of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement to the extent it is not prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) as a result of such failure. In connection with any such action or proceeding, the Company will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 that the Company may designate in such action or proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such action or proceeding, as incurred. In any such action or proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless the named parties in any such proceeding include both the Company and the Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them; provided that the Company and the Guarantors shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Parties, which firm shall be designated by the Indemnified Parties. The Company and the Guarantors shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding only if effected with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, and each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Party from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Party that is or could have been a party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder, unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of each such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding.

(b) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party under Section 7(a) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then the Company and the Guarantors, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified

 

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Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties, on the other hand, from the sale of the Securities to the Plan pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (which in the case of the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company and the Guarantors from such sale), the amount of Additional Interest which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments actions or expenses, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties , on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Parties on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Plan, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 7(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

The Company, the Guarantors and the Plan agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(b) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

SECTION 8. Rule 144A . At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, the Company hereby agrees with the Plan, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to the Plan in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from the Plan, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act if required to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, unless such Transfer Restricted Securities are eligible to be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

SECTION 9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations . The Plan may not participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless the Plan (a) agrees to sell the Plan’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

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SECTION 10. Selection of Underwriters . If requested by the Plan, the Plan may sell Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Plan in one Underwritten Offering. The investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Plan; provided, however, that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. In no event shall the Company be required to reimburse the Plan for any underwriting commissions or discounts.

SECTION 11. Miscellaneous .

(a) Remedies . Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements . Each of the Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Plan hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of the Plan.

(d) Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(i) if to the Trust:

Senior Vice President

The Northern Trust Company

50 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Telecopier No.: (312) 630-6062

Attention: Philip W. Ollman

(ii) if to the Committee:

Sears Holdings Corporation Investment Committee

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

Telecopier No.: (847) 747-1662

Attention: Carol Hines Wacaser, Secretary to the Committee

 

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(iii) if to the Company:

Sears Holdings Corporation

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

Telecopier No.: (847) 286-1699

Attention: Treasurer

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.

(e) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided , however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of the Plan unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from the Plan; provided , further , that, with respect to any such assignee that is not an affiliate of the Company, the provisions of that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 12, 2010, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Banc of America Securities LLC shall apply to such assignee as if such assignee were a “Holder” as defined thereunder and the provisions of this Agreement shall not apply.

(f) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile, email or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

(g) Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

(i) Severability . In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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(j) Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
KMART CORPORATION

KMART HOLDING CORPORATION

KMART MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.,

as Guarantors

By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan _

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller
CALIFORNIA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

FLORIDA BUILDER APPLIANCES, INC.

KLC, INC.

KMART OF MICHIGAN, INC.

LANDS’ END DIRECT MERCHANTS, INC.

LANDS’ END, INC.

PRIVATE BRANDS, LTD.

SEARS BRANDS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

SEARS HOME IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.

SEARS OUTLET STORES, L.L.C.

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY

SEARS ROEBUCK ACCEPTANCE CORP.

SEARS, ROEBUCK DE PUERTO RICO, INC.

SOE, INC.

STARWEST, LLC,

as Guarantors

By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

 

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KMART.COM LLC, as Guarantor
By:   Bluelight.com, Inc., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Vice President

KMART OF WASHINGTON LLC

KMART STORES OF ILLINOIS LLC

KMART STORES OF TEXAS LLC

MYGOFER LLC, as Guarantors
By: Kmart Corporation, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

 

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

SEARS PROTECTION COMPANY

(FLORIDA), L.L.C., as Guarantor

By: Sears Protection Company, its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

 

Name: William K. Phelan

Title: Vice President

A&E HOME DELIVERY, LLC

A&E LAWN & GARDEN, LLC

A&E SIGNATURE SERVICE, LLC

SEARS AUTHORIZED HOMETOWN STORES, LLC

SEARS HOME APPLIANCE SHOWROOMS,

LLC, as Guarantors

By: Sears, Roebuck and Co., its Member
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  Name: William K. Phelan
  Title: Senior Vice President and Controller

 

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The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

SEARS HOLDINGS PENSION TRUST

by Northern Trust Company, solely in its capacity as the Plan’s trustee

 

By:  

/s/ Philip W. Ollman

  Name: Philip W. Ollman
  Title: Senior Vice President

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

 

By:  

/s/ J. David Works, Jr.

  Name: J. David Works, Jr.
  Title: Member

 

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