As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2012

Registration No. 333-183132

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 3

to

FORM S-11

FOR REGISTRATION

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES

 

 

CyrusOne Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Governing Instruments)

 

 

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, TX 75007

(513) 397-9804

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Gary Wojtaszek

Chief Executive Officer

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, TX 75007

(513) 397-9804

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

William V. Fogg, Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 474-1000
 

Julian T.H. Kleindorfer, Esq.

Keith Benson, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

355 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90071

(213) 485-1234

 

 

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

If any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box:     ¨

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

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

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

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.     ¨

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-183132) is being filed for the purpose of filing exhibits. Other than Item 36, no changes or additions are being made to Part I or II of the Registration Statement.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 31. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and registration of the securities being registered hereunder. All amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) filing fee.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 34,380   

NASDAQ Listing Fee

     *   

FINRA Filing Fee

     45,500   

Printing and Engraving Expenses

     *   

Legal Fees (other than Blue Sky Expenses)

     *   

Blue Sky Expenses

     *   

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     *   

Transfer Tax and Title Insurances

     *   

Consulting Fees and Expenses

     *   

Other Fees and Expenses

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

 

* To be filed by amendment.

We will pay all of the costs identified above.

 

Item 32. Sales to Special Parties.

None

 

Item 33. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

As part of the formation transactions, we will issue 9.8% of the outstanding shares of our common stock and                  of the outstanding operating partnership units to CBI. We have a pre-existing relationship with CBI, and the sale of our common stock and the operating partnership units will be effected under an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Item 34. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and

 

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reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

 

   

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

 

   

the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

 

   

in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or in our right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.

In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of:

 

   

a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and

 

   

a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer did not meet the standard of conduct.

Our charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

 

   

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or

 

   

any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.

We expect to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

In addition, the partnership agreement of CyrusOne LP provides that we, our directors, officers and employees, the general partner and its trustees, officers and employees, employees of our operating partnership and any other persons whom the general partner may designate are indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Item 35. Treatment of Proceeds from Stock Being Registered.

None of the proceeds will be contributed to an account other than the appropriate capital account.

 

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Item 36. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (A) Financial Statements. See Index to Combined Financial Statements and the related notes thereto.

 

  (B) Exhibits . The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this registration statement on Form S-11:

 

Exhibit

   
  1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement among CyrusOne Inc. and the underwriters named therein
  3.1   Form of Articles of Amendment and Restatement of CyrusOne Inc.
  3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of CyrusOne Inc.
  4.1*   Indenture by and among CyrusOne LP and CyrusOne Finance Corp., as co-Issuers, the Guarantor parties thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the Issuers’ 6.375% Senior Notes due 2022
  5.1*   Opinion of Venable LLP
  8.1*   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to tax matters
10.1   Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CyrusOne LP
10.2   Form of Contribution Agreement among CyrusOne LP and Data Centers South Inc.
10.3   Form of Contribution Agreement among CyrusOne LP and Data Center Investments Inc.
10.4   Form of Registration Rights Agreement among CyrusOne Inc. and the persons named therein
10.5   Form of Indemnification Agreement between CyrusOne Inc. and its directors and executive officers
10.6*   Credit Agreement among CyrusOne Inc., as the Parent, CyrusOne LP, as the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Administrative Agent
10.7   CyrusOne 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan
10.8   CyrusOne 2013 Short Term Incentive Plan
21.1   List of Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1*   Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2*   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
23.3**   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.4**   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.5**   Consent of BKD, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.6***   Consent of International Data Corporation
24.1***   Power of Attorney (included on signature page to the Registration Statement)
99.1***  

Consent of William Sullivan to be named as a director nominee

 

* To be filed by amendment.
** Previously filed with Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11 by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2012.
*** Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-11 by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2012.

 

Item 37. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(b) Insofar as indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the

 

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

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance under Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and this offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that the registrant meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Carrollton, State of Texas, on this 15 th day of November, 2012.

 

CYRUSONE INC.

By:

 

    /s/    Gary J. Wojtaszek        

               Gary J. Wojtaszek
              President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Gary J. Wojtaszek

Gary J. Wojtaszek

  

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

  November 15, 2012

/s/    Kimberly H. Sheehy

Kimberly H. Sheehy

  

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

  November 15, 2012

*

John F. Cassidy

  

Director

  November 15, 2012
* By:   /s/    Kimberly H. Sheehy        
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

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Exhibit 1.1

[            ] Shares

CyrusOne Inc.

COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $[        ] PER SHARE

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[              ] , 2012


[              ] , 2012

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                      Incorporated

As Representatives of the several

Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto

c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     1585 Broadway

     New York, New York 10036

Ladies and Gentlemen:

CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), CyrusOne GP, a Maryland statutory trust (the “ General Partner ”), which is a subsidiary of the Company and the sole general partner of CyrusOne LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), which is a subsidiary of the Company, each confirms its agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“ Morgan Stanley ”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“ Merrill Lynch ”), as representatives (the “ Representatives ”) of the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), with respect to the proposed issuance and sale of [          ] shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (the “ Firm Shares ”). The Company also proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional [            ] shares of its common stock, par value $ [          ] per share (the “ Additional Shares ”), if and to the extent that you, as Representatives, shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such shares of common stock granted to the Underwriters in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Shares .” The shares of common stock, par value $ [          ] per share, of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the “ Common Stock .”

Concurrently with or prior to the closing of the offering of the Shares, (i) the Operating Partnership will receive a contribution of direct and indirect interests in the portfolio of properties owned by Cincinnati Bell Inc. (“ CBI ”) and certain of its subsidiaries as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, under the caption “Summary—CyrusOne Inc.—Our Portfolio” in exchange for operating partnership units; and (ii) the Company and certain of the Subsidiaries will enter into transition services, registration rights and other commercial agreements with CBI and certain of its subsidiaries as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” (the “ Transactions , ” and all agreements entered into in connection therewith, the “ Transaction Agreements ”).

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. The registration statement as amended at the time it becomes effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act of


1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), is hereinafter referred to as the “ Registration Statement ”; the prospectus in the form first used to confirm sales of Shares (or in the form first made available to the Underwriters by the Company to meet requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Prospectus .” If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “ Rule 462 Registration Statement ”), then any reference herein to the term “ Registration Statement ” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.

For purposes of this Agreement, “ free writing prospectus ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, “ Time of Sale Prospectus ” means the preliminary prospectus together with the documents and pricing information set forth in Schedule II hereto, and “ broadly available road show ” means a “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act that has been made available without restriction to any person. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement,” “preliminary prospectus,” “Time of Sale Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein as of the date hereof.

Morgan Stanley has agreed to reserve a portion of the Shares to be purchased by it under this Agreement for sale to the Company’s directors, officers, employees and business associates and other parties related to the Company (collectively, the “ Participants ”), as set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriters” (the “ Directed Share Program ”). The Shares to be sold by Morgan Stanley and its affiliates pursuant to the Directed Share Program are referred to hereinafter as the “ Directed Shares ”. Any Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participant by the end of the business day on which this Agreement is executed will be offered to the public by the Underwriters as set forth in the Prospectus.

1. Representations and Warranties . The Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with each of the Underwriters that:

 

  (a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission.

 

  (b)

(i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (iii) the Time of Sale Prospectus does not, and at the time of each sale of the Shares in connection with the offering when the Prospectus

 

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  is not yet available to prospective purchasers and at the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4), the Time of Sale Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented by the Company, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iv) each broadly available road show, if any, when considered together with the Time of Sale Prospectus, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (v) the Prospectus does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

 

  (c) The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any free writing prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Each free writing prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. Except for the free writing prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule II hereto, and electronic road shows, if any, each furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.

 

  (d)

Each of the Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries (“ Significant Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission) as set forth on Schedule III hereto (i) is either a corporation, a statutory trust, a limited partnership or a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and (ii) has full corporate, trust, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the

 

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  case may be, power to enter into, execute, deliver, perform, make and consummate, as the case may be, the Transactions to which it is a party. Each of the Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) has full corporate, trust, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, power to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged and (ii) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, a foreign statutory trust, a foreign limited partnership or a foreign limited liability company, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing (if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to so qualify or to have such power and authority could not, individually or in aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

“Material Adverse Effect” means (A) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (B) the material impairment of the ability of any of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to consummate the Transactions to which it is a party and to perform its material obligations under any of the documents related thereto.

 

  (e) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership.

 

  (f) On the Closing Date (i) the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, as amended by Amendment [One] thereto (as amended, the “ Partnership Agreement ”), will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, enforceable against each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditor’s rights generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and, as to rights of indemnification and contribution, by federal or state securities law or principles of public policy (the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”), and (ii) the Declaration of Trust of the General Partner (as amended, the “ Declaration of Trust ”) will be in full force and effect. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership.

 

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  (g) On the Closing Date, (i) the authorized stock of the Company will conform as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, and (ii) the Company will have the authorized stock as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus under the section titled “Capitalization.” Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities or interests for shares of the Company’s stock.

 

  (h) The shares of Common Stock outstanding prior to the issuance of the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

  (i) The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or other similar rights.

 

  (j) On the Closing Date, all of the issued and outstanding common units of partnership interest in the Operating Partnership (the “ OP Units ”) have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and none of the OP Units will have been issued in violation of any preemptive or other similar rights and the OP Units conform to the description thereof contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus. On the Closing Date, the aggregate percentage interests of the Company and the limited partners in the Operating Partnership will be as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that, to the extent that the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase Additional Shares, the percentage interest of the Company and such limited partners in the Operating Partnership will be adjusted accordingly. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities or interests for, OP Units or other ownership interests of the Operating Partnership.

 

  (k)

All the outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests of each subsidiary of the Company (each, a “ Subsidiary ,” and together, the “ Subsidiaries ”) other than the Operating Partnership have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except as otherwise set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, all outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests of the

 

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  Subsidiaries other than the Operating Partnership are owned by the Company either directly or through the Subsidiaries that are wholly owned by the Operating Partnership, free and clear of any perfected security interest or any other security interests, claims, mortgages, pledges, liens, encumbrances or other restrictions of any kind, except for pledges by the Company or the Subsidiaries as security for the obligations under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities or interests for capital stock or other ownership interests of any of the Subsidiaries other than the Operating Partnership.

 

  (l) Except pursuant to the terms of the indebtedness described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) the Company is not currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from making any distributions to its stockholders and (ii) no Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock or equity interests, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other of the Subsidiaries.

 

  (m) None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws (or similar organization documents), (ii) in default in any respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any obligation, term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii) in violation in any respect of any Applicable Law (as defined below) or order or decree of any Governmental Authority (as defined below) to which it or its property or assets are subject; except for any default or violation under clauses (ii) and (iii) that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (n) As of the Closing Date, each of the Transaction Agreements to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party will have been duly authorized by the Company and such Subsidiary and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties thereto, upon execution and delivery by the Company and such Subsidiary, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company and such Subsidiary, enforceable against the Company and such Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

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  (o) Other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the issuance, entering into, execution, delivery and performance by each of the Company and each Subsidiary of this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default or Company Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or such Subsidiary pursuant to any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or such Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or such Subsidiary is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or such Subsidiary is subject, (ii) result in the violation of any provisions of the charter or by-laws (or similar organization documents) of the Company or such Subsidiary or (iii) result in the violation of, or in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrances upon any property or assets of the Company or such Subsidiary pursuant to any Applicable Law or any judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such Subsidiary or any of their properties or assets, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (p) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any such Governmental Authority under any such Applicable Law, judgment, order or decree is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company and the Subsidiaries of this Agreement and Transaction Agreements to which any of the Company and the Subsidiaries is a party and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described under “Use of Proceeds” in each of the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, filings, orders, registrations or qualifications (A) which shall have been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date or (B) the failure of which to be obtained or made could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7


Applicable Law ” means all laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders of, and legally binding interpretations by, any Governmental Authority and judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, permits, orders or like governmental action of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their properties, assets or operations.

Governmental Authority ” means any of (A) the government of the United States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof, (B) any government or political subdivision of any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which properly asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, (C) any entity properly exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of any such government, (D) the NASDAQ [                    ] Market (the “ NASDAQ ”) and (E) the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”).

Company Repayment Event ” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

  (q) None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has sustained since December 31, 2011, any material loss or material interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, other than as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there has not been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company (other than as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus) or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or other), operations, business, properties or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and, except as disclosed in or contemplated by the Time of Sale Prospectus, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

 

  (r)

Other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no legal or administrative proceedings pending by or before any person to which any of the Company or the Subsidiaries is a party or of which any business, property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is the subject, or, to the knowledge of the Company, after due inquiry, by which any business property or assets of the

 

8


  Company or any of the Subsidiaries would reasonably expect to be affected, which, (i) if determined adversely to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) would reasonably be expected to question the validity or enforceability of any of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Agreements or any action taken or to be taken pursuant thereto; and to the knowledge of the Company, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated.

 

  (s) None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is, or, after giving effect to the Transactions as described in the Prospectus, will be, required to be registered as an “investment company” or a company “controlled by” an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

  (t) The Company and the Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all Environmental Laws, (ii) have received all Environmental Permits and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such Environmental Permits, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive Environmental Permits or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such Environmental Permits could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (u) There are no written notices of potential liability or written notices of noncompliance that have been received by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, nor are any claims pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their properties (including the Properties (as defined below)), in each case alleging a violation under or liability under Environmental Laws, which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (v)

Other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) there is not and has not been any presence, storage, generation, transportation, handling, treatment, disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind of Hazardous Materials (as defined below) by the Company and the Subsidiaries, or any predecessor entity for whose acts or omissions the Company and the Subsidiaries is or may be liable from, in, on, at, under, about or upon any property now or, during the period of ownership, lease or operation by the Company and the Subsidiaries, previously owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or upon any other

 

9


  property, in violation of any Environmental Law or which would, under any Environmental Law, give rise to any liability of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; and (ii) there is not and has not been any presence, disposal, discharge, emission or other release of any kind onto such property of any Hazardous Materials with respect to which the Company has knowledge.

Environmental Laws ” means all applicable foreign, federal, state or local laws, statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with all administrative orders, Environmental Permits (as defined below) of, and legally-binding agreements with, any Governmental Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and land use matters (including, without limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, the Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act).

Environmental Permits ” means all permits, licenses, registrations, consents, approvals and other authorizations of any Governmental Authority which are required with respect to any of the facilities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries for operations under any applicable Environmental Laws.

Hazardous Materials ” means (i) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls and radon gas; (ii) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous waste,” “hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous substances,” “restricted hazardous waste,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “contaminants,” or “pollutants,” or words of similar meaning and effect, under any applicable Environmental Law; and (iii) any other chemical, material or substance, the release of which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Environmental Law.

 

  (w) Except for the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November [            ], 2012 among the Company, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined therein) and Barclays Capital Inc. on behalf of the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein) and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and any person granting such person the right to require the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or to require the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

  (x)

None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has

 

10


  (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any, direct or indirect, unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; (iv) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom; or (v) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

  (y) The operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “ USA PATRIOT Act ”), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and the Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

  (z) (i) The Company represents that neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Entity ”) nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director or officer of the Entity, nor any agent, employee or affiliate of the Entity (“ Person ”) that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:

 

  (A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (collectively, “ Sanctions ”); or

 

  (B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

(ii) The Entity represents and covenants that it will not use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:

 

11


  (A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or

 

  (B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

 

  (aa) (i) The Company or a Subsidiary has fee simple title to or leasehold or subleasehold interests in the real property described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus (each a “ Property ” and collectively, the “ Properties ”), in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions, encumbrances or defects, other than those that (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus or (B) could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the use made or proposed to be made of any Property by the Company or any Subsidiary as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; (ii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries owns any material real property other than the Properties; (iii) except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (A) each lease or sublease relating to a Property under which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is the tenant or subtenant material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, is in full force and effect, (B) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any event which, with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a material default under any such lease or sublease and (C) the Company has no knowledge of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries under any such leases or subleases, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease; and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, no lessee of any of the Properties is in default under any of the leases governing the Properties and the Company has no knowledge of any event which, whether with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a material default under any such lease.

 

  (bb)

The Company has no knowledge of any violation of any municipal, state or federal law, rule or regulation concerning any Property and, to the knowledge of the Company, each of the Properties complies with all applicable

 

12


  laws, ordinances and regulations (including without limitation, building and zoning codes and laws relating to access to the Properties) and deed restrictions or other covenants, except in each case (A) as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and (B) for any such violations or such other failures to comply as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (cc) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (A) has received from any Governmental Authority any written notice of any proposed condemnation of, or zoning change affecting, the Properties or (B) knows of any such condemnation or zoning change which is threatened and, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), which, if consummated, could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (dd) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the mortgages encumbering the Properties are not and will not be: (i) convertible (in the absence of foreclosure) into an equity interest in the entity owning such Property or in the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; (ii) cross-defaulted to any indebtedness other than indebtedness of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries; or (iii) cross-collateralized to any property or assets not owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries. None of the Company or the Subsidiaries holds participating interests in such mortgages or deeds of trust.

 

  (ee) To the knowledge of the Company, water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, electricity and telephone service are all available at the property lines of each Property over duly dedicated streets or perpetual easements of record benefiting the applicable Property, and each Property has access to sufficient electrical power to conduct business as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, except in each case (A) as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and (B) for such violations or failures to comply as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (ff) All options and rights of first refusal to purchase all or part of any Property or any interest therein have been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus. There are no contracts, letters of intent, term sheets, agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the direct or indirect acquisition or disposition by the Company or the Operating Partnership of interests in assets or real property that is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus that is not already so described.

 

13


  (gg) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has sent or received any written notice regarding termination of, or the election of a tenant not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements with any of the top 20 tenants (based on contractual base rent for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 multiplied by four) of the Company, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to any such contract or agreement.

 

  (hh) The Company and each of the Subsidiaries owns or possesses adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses and have no reason to believe that the conduct of their respective businesses will conflict with, and have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others, other than any such claims which, if determined adversely to the Company or any such Subsidiary, could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (ii) Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries has insurance or adequate reserves covering its respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, which insurance or adequate reserves are in amounts as are adequate to protect the Company and the Subsidiaries and their businesses.

 

  (jj) Each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries carries or is entitled to the benefits of title insurance on the fee interests with respect to each Property with financially sound and reputable insurers, insuring that such party is vested with good and insurable fee or leasehold title, as the case may be, to each such Property.

 

  (kk) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries exists, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent that, in each case, could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

14


  (ll) Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries possesses all licenses, authorizations and permits issued by, and has made all declarations and filings with, all appropriate Governmental Authorities which are necessary for the ownership of its respective properties or the conduct of its respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus and neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received notification of any revocation or modification of any such material license, authorization or permit.

 

  (mm) Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

  (nn) To the knowledge of the Company, BKD, LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of Cyrus Networks, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

  (oo) Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) the historical financial statements (including the related notes) (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”), contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”), consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the entities purported to be covered thereby at the respective dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the respective periods indicated, subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments, in each case in accordance with GAAP, except as noted in the Financial Statements, and (ii) the other financial, accounting and statistical information and data related to the entities purported to be covered by the Financial Statements set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the information purported to be shown thereby at the respective dates and for the respective periods to which they apply, and except as disclosed therein, have been prepared on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements and the books and records of the entities as to which such information is shown.

 

15


  (pp) The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus have been prepared in accordance in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, and, in the opinion of the Company, the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions or events described therein, and the related adjustments used therein give appropriate effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein and the pro forma columns therein reflect the proper application of these adjustments to the corresponding historical financial statement amounts.

 

  (qq) The Company maintains internal accounting controls that provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for its assets, (iii) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization and (iv) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

  (rr) The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that it will be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing provisions thereof (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) that are then in effect and with which the Company is required to comply as of the initial filing or effectiveness, as the case may be, of the Registration Statement.

 

  (ss) None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of the principal of or interest on any material indebtedness of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries and no event or condition exists with respect to any indebtedness of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries that would permit (or that with notice, lapse of time or both, would permit) any person to cause such indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.

 

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  (tt) Commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2012, the Company will be organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and its proposed method of operation will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. All statements regarding the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT and descriptions of the Company’s organization and proposed method of operation (inasmuch as they relate to the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT) set forth in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus are true, complete and correct summaries of the legal or tax matters described therein in all materials respects.

 

  (uu) Each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries has timely filed all federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax returns and notices required to be filed by Applicable Law, except where the failure to file such tax returns could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and all such tax returns were in all material respects true, correct and complete. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, no audit, administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently pending with regard to any material potential federal, state, local or foreign tax of any nature, and the Company has no knowledge of any tax deficiencies which could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries has paid (within the time and in the manner prescribed by law) all federal, state and local taxes of any nature which are due (whether or not shown on any tax returns), in each case except for those not yet delinquent and those being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted for which the Company and/or each of the Subsidiaries has established on its books and records adequate reserves to pay all outstanding tax liabilities in accordance with GAAP. None of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries has requested any extension of time within which to file any material tax return, which return has not since been filed within the time period permitted by such extension. The amounts currently set up as provisions for taxes or otherwise by the Company and the Subsidiaries on their books and records are reasonably expected to be sufficient for the payment of all their unpaid federal, state and local taxes accrued through the dates as of which they speak, and for which each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries may be liable in their own right, or as a transferee of, or as successor to any other corporation, association, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

 

17


  (vv) Each of Holdings and the Issuers is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”), except for noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which either Holdings or the Issuers would have any material liability. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither Holdings nor the Issuers has incurred or expects to incur material liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan.”

 

  (ww) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any shares of Common Stock and the Operating Partnership has not sold, issued or distributed any OP Units during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.

 

  (xx) The Shares have been approved for listing, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution, on the NASDAQ.

 

  (yy) On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) the fair value and present fair saleable value of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a going concern basis will exceed the sum of its stated liabilities and identified contingent liabilities; and (ii) each of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries is not, nor will it be (A) left with unreasonably small capital with which to carry on its business as it is proposed to be conducted, (B) unable to pay its debts (contingent or otherwise) as they mature or (C) otherwise insolvent. In computing the amount of such contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represent the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

18


  (zz) Neither the Company nor any person authorized by the Company has engaged in any “test the waters” oral or written communication in connection with the offering of the Shares under Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.

 

  (aaa) When the Company initially filed the Registration Statement relating to the offering of the Shares, the Company was an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act.

 

  (bbb) On the date of this Agreement and on their respective issue dates, the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and any preliminary prospectus comply in all material respects, and any amendments or supplements thereto will comply in all material respects, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus or any preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed by Morgan Stanley, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Directed Share Program.

 

  (ccc) The Company has not offered, or caused Morgan Stanley to offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or the Operating Partnership to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or the Operating Partnership, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or the Operating Partnership or their products.

 

  (ddd) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency, other than those obtained, is required in connection with the offering of the Directed Shares in any jurisdiction where the Directed Shares are being offered.

2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective numbers of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite its name at $ [          ] a share (the “ Purchase Price ”).

On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the Underwriters shall have the right to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to [              ] Additional Shares at the Purchase Price, provided, however , that the amount paid by the Underwriters for any Additional Shares shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on such Additional Shares. You may exercise this right on behalf of the Underwriters in whole or from

 

19


time to time in part by giving written notice not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Any exercise notice shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date must be at least one business day after the written notice is given and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice. Additional Shares may be purchased as provided in Section 4 hereof solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares. On each day, if any, that Additional Shares are to be purchased (an “ Option Closing Date ”), each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date as the number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

3. Terms of Public Offering . The Company is advised by you that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Shares as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Company is further advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at $ [          ] a share (the “ Public Offering Price ”) and to certain dealers selected by you at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $ [          ] a share under the Public Offering Price, and that any Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession, not in excess of $ [          ] a share, to any Underwriter or to certain other dealers.

4. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made to the Company in federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on [              ] , 2012, or at such other time on the same or such other date, not later than [              ] , 2012, as shall be designated in writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the “ Closing Date .”

Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the corresponding notice described in Section 2 hereof or at such other time on the same or on such other date, in any event not later than [              ] , 2012, as shall be designated in writing by you.

The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid, against payment of the Purchase Price therefor.

 

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5. Conditions to the Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the Company to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the Closing Date are subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than [          ] (New York City time) on the date hereof.

The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the following further conditions:

 

  (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

 

  (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the securities of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

  (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Time of Sale Prospectus that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Time of Sale Prospectus.

 

  (b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company on its own behalf and as General Partner of the Operating Partnership, to the effect set forth in Section 5(a) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership contained in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality are true and correct as of the Closing Date and those not so qualified are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date and that the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership have complied in all material respects with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on their respective parts to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date. The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

 

  (c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion and 10b-5 letter of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the matters identified in Exhibit A hereto.

 

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  (d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, covering such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

  (e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Venable LLP, Maryland counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the matters identified in Exhibit B hereto.

 

  (f) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special tax counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the matters identified in Exhibit C hereto.

 

  (g) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of The Law Offices of Thomas W. Bosse PLLC, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the matters identified in Exhibit D hereto.

 

  (h) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters, from:

 

  (i) Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements of the Company and the Data Center Predecessor, which refers to the carve-out business that is comprised of the historical data center activities of Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “ Data Center Predecessor ”), and certain financial information with respect to the Company and the Data Center Predecessor contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than the date hereof; and

 

  (ii) BKD, LLP, independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements of Cyrus Networks LLC, and certain financial information with respect to Cyrus Networks LLC contained in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus and the Prospectus; provided that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than the date hereof.

 

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  (i) The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of (i)  Exhibit E-1 hereto between you and officers and directors of the Company, or (ii)  Exhibit E-2 hereto between you and certain shareholders of the Company, relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.

 

  (j) On the Closing Date, the Shares shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject only to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution.

 

  (k) FINRA shall have confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements relating to the offering of the Shares.

The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the applicable Option Closing Date of such documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the good standing of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, the due authorization and issuance of the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date and other matters related to the issuance of such Additional Shares.

6. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

 

  (a) To furnish to you, without charge, a signed copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and deliver to each of the Underwriters during the period mentioned in Section 6(e) or 6(f) below, as many copies of the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus and any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may reasonably request.

 

  (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement during the period mentioned in Section 6(e) or 6(f) below, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

 

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  (c) To furnish to you a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and not to use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus to which you reasonably object, in each case with respect to the Shares being issued and sold hereunder.

 

  (d) Not to take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Underwriter that the Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder, but for the action of the Company.

 

  (e) If the Time of Sale Prospectus is being used to solicit offers to buy the Shares at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, not misleading, or if any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement then on file, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to any dealer upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Prospectus so that, as applicable, the statements in the Time of Sale Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Time of Sale Prospectus is delivered to a prospective purchaser, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will no longer conflict with the Registration Statement, or so that the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

 

  (f)

If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is required by law to be delivered in connection with sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the

 

24


  Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Securities Act) is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law.

 

  (g) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request.

 

  (h) If, prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period set forth in this Section 6 (as the same may be extended pursuant hereto), the Company ceases to be an emerging growth company as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, the Company shall promptly notify the Representatives.

 

  (i) To make generally available to the Company’s security holders and to you as soon as practicable an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12 months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

  (j) To comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.

 

  (k)

Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated (other than a termination by the Underwriters where all of the conditions set forth in Section 5 hereof have been satisfied; provided that foregoing limitation shall not apply to any termination by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 10 hereof and that under no circumstances shall the Underwriters be required to reimburse the Company for any of the Company’s costs or expenses), to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing,

 

25


  including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6(g) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and qualification of the offering of the Shares by FINRA, (v) all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the Common Stock and all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares on the NASDAQ, (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, (ix) the document production charges and expenses associated with printing this Agreement, (x) all fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and (xi) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 8 entitled “Indemnity and Contribution,” Section 9 entitled “Directed Share Program Indemnification” and the last paragraph of Section 11 below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

 

26


The Company also covenants with each Underwriter that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.

The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to (i) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing, (iii) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the 180-day restricted period and no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the Company, (iv) the transfer of shares of the Company’s stock by operation of the provisions of Article VII of the Company’s charter, (v) the issuance of shares of Common Stock, the grant of rights to acquire shares of Common Stock, the reservation of shares of Common Stock for issuance, or the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the offering of shares of Common Stock, in each case, pursuant to any of the Company’s stock incentive, compensation or similar employee benefit plans described in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus or (vi) the entry into an agreement providing for the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock (or any security convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock) in connection with strategic investments (including joint ventures) or the acquisition by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the securities, business, property or other assets of another person or entity and the issuance of any such shares or securities pursuant to any such agreement; provided that the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock (or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock) that the Company may sell or issue or agree to sell or issue pursuant to clause (vi) shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided further that in the case of any issuance of shares of Common Stock (or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock) pursuant to clause (vi), any recipient of such shares or securities shall have executed and delivered to the Representatives a “lock-up” agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 attached hereto and the Company shall enter stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar on such shares or securities, which the Company agrees it will not waive or amend without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

If [          ] , in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 5(h) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at

 

27


least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

7. Covenants of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter severally covenants with the Company not to take any action that would result in the Company being required to file with the Commission under Rule 433(d) a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that otherwise would not be required to be filed by the Company thereunder, but for the action of the Underwriter.

8. Indemnity and Contribution. (a) Each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of any Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act, any Company information that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any road show as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (a “road show”), or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership, their respective directors and officers, each person, if any, who controls the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership to such Underwriter, but only with reference to information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, any issuer free writing prospectus, road show, or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) such person (the “ indemnified party ”) shall promptly notify the

 

28


person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “ indemnifying party ”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such 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 (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party 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. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such indemnified parties and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 8(a) or 8(b) is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective

 

29


proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

(e) The Company, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 8(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in Section 8(d) 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, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter 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 remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 8 and the representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any person controlling any Underwriter or any affiliate of any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership or any person controlling the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

9. Directed Share Program Indemnification. (a) Each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Morgan Stanley, each person, if any, who controls Morgan Stanley within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each affiliate of Morgan Stanley

 

30


within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act (“ Morgan Stanley Entities ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) (i) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the consent of the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership for distribution to Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, when considered in conjunction with the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus or any applicable preliminary prospectus, not misleading; (ii) caused by the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Directed Shares that the Participant had properly confirmed in its agreement to purchase; or (iii) related to, arising out of, or in connection with the Directed Share Program, other than losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of Morgan Stanley Entities.

(b) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Morgan Stanley Entity in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 9, the Morgan Stanley Entity seeking indemnity, shall promptly notify the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in writing and the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, upon request of the Morgan Stanley Entity, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Morgan Stanley Entity to represent the Morgan Stanley Entity and any others the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Morgan Stanley Entity shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Morgan Stanley Entity unless (i) the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership shall have agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership and the Morgan Stanley Entity and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. The Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of the Morgan Stanley Entities in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Morgan Stanley Entities. Any such separate firm for the Morgan Stanley Entities shall be designated in writing by Morgan Stanley. The Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify the Morgan Stanley Entities from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. The Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership shall not, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Morgan Stanley Entity is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Morgan Stanley Entity, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of the Morgan Stanley Entities from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

 

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To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 9 is unavailable to a Morgan Stanley Entity or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership in lieu of indemnifying the Morgan Stanley Entity thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Morgan Stanley Entity as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (c) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Morgan Stanley Entities, on the other hand, from the offering of the Directed Shares or (d) if the allocation provided by clause 9(c) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 9(c) above but also the relative fault of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and of the Morgan Stanley Entities, on the other hand, in connection with any statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Morgan Stanley Entities, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Directed Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Directed Shares (before deducting expenses) and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Morgan Stanley Entities for the Directed Shares, bear to the aggregate Public Offering Price of the Directed Shares. If the loss, claim, damage or liability is caused by an untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, the relative fault of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership, on the one hand, and the Morgan Stanley Entities, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership or by the Morgan Stanley Entities and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) The Company, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership and the Morgan Stanley Entities agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Morgan Stanley Entities were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in Section 9(c). The amount paid or payable by the Morgan Stanley Entities as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities 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 the Morgan Stanley Entities in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Morgan Stanley Entity shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Directed Shares distributed to the public were

 

32


offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Morgan Stanley Entity has otherwise been required to pay. 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 remedies provided for in this Section 9 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Morgan Stanley Entity at law or in equity.

(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 9 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Morgan Stanley Entity or the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Directed Shares.

10. Termination . The Underwriters may terminate this Agreement by notice given by you to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ [                    ] Market, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in your judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus or the Prospectus.

11. Effectiveness; Defaulting Underwriters . This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

If, on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, as the case may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm

 

33


Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Firm Shares to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Company for the purchase of such Firm Shares are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership. In any such case either you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration Statement, in the Time of Sale Prospectus, in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. If, on an Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased on such Option Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their obligation hereunder to purchase the Additional Shares to be sold on such Option Closing Date or (ii) purchase not less than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.

12. Research Analyst Independence . Each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership acknowledges that the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. Each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership acknowledges that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

13. Entire Agreement . (a) This Agreement, together with any contemporaneous written agreements and any prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement) that relate to the offering of the Shares, represents the entire agreement between the Company, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership and the Underwriters with respect to the preparation of any preliminary prospectus, the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Prospectus, the conduct of the offering, and the purchase and sale of the Shares.

 

34


(b) Each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Shares: (i) the Underwriters have acted at arms length, are not agents of, and owe no fiduciary duties to, the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership or any other person, (ii) the Underwriters owe the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and prior written agreements (to the extent not superseded by this Agreement), if any, and (iii) the Underwriters may have interests that differ from those of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership. Each of the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Underwriters arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Shares.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

15. Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice of law or conflicting provision or rule (whether of the State of New York, or of any other jurisdiction) that would cause the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York to be applied.

16. Headings . The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

17. Trial by Jury . Each of the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates), the General Partner (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its sole trustee and affiliates) and the Operating Partnership (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its limited partners and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters 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 Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

35


18. Notices . All communications hereunder shall be in writing and effective only upon receipt and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered, mailed or sent to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, with a copy to the Legal Department, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Syndicate Department (facsimile: (646) 855-3073), with a copy to ECM Legal (facsimile: (212) 230-8730); if to the Company, the General Partner or the Operating Partnership shall be delivered, mailed or sent to CyrusOne Inc., 1649 West Frankford Road, Carrollton, Texas 75007, Attention: Kim Sheehy, with a copy to Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, 10019, Attention: William V. Fogg, Esq.

( Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank )

 

36


Very truly yours,

 

CyrusOne Inc.

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

CyrusOne GP
By: CyrusOne Inc., as the sole trustee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

CyrusOne LP

By: CyrusOne GP, as the sole general partner

 

By: CyrusOne Inc., as the sole trustee

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]


Accepted as of the date hereof

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

 

Acting severally on behalf of themselves and the several

        Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto

By:   Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

By:   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]


SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter

   Number of Firm Shares To
Be Purchased

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

Barclays Capital Inc.

  
  

 

Total:

  
  

 

 

 

I-1


EXHIBIT E-1

[FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER FOR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY]

[             ] , 2012

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement

c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

      1585 Broadway

      New York, New York 10036

The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“ Merrill Lynch ”), as representatives (the “ Representatives ”) propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) on behalf of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I to such agreement (collectively, the “ Underwriters ”), with CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), CyrusOne GP, a Maryland statutory trust (the “ General Partner ”) and CyrusOne LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), providing for a public offering (the “ Public Offering ”) of [                  ] shares of the common stock, par value $ [          ] per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-11 (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”).

To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering to continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “ Prospectus ”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)), by the undersigned or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including, without limitation, units in the Operating Partnership) or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer shares of Common Stock (or any

 

E-1-1


securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for Common Stock) (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, provided that the donee or donees thereof shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter, (ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned or charities, provided that the trustee of the trust shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter, and provided further that any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (iii) in transactions relating to shares of Common Stock acquired by the undersigned in open market transactions after the completion of the offering contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, (iv) by operation of the provisions of Article VII of the Company’s charter, or (v) by way of a pledge or granting of a security interest in such securities for a bona fide loan or other extension of credit (including any subsequent transfer of such securities to such lender or collateral agent or other person in connection with the exercise of remedies under such loan or extension of credit, provided that any such lender or collateral agent or other person shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter); provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) no filing on Form 4 under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the restricted period referred to in the foregoing sentence. For purposes of this agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in this lock-up agreement shall not apply to the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that (a) such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the restricted period referred to in the foregoing sentence and (b) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the undersigned or the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of Common Stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period referred to in the foregoing sentence. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of [            ] on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed Shares the undersigned may purchase in the offering.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i)  [          ] agrees that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, [          ] will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

 

E-1-2


The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are relying upon this agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company, the General Partner, the Operating Partnership and the Underwriters.

If (i) the Company notifies you in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Public Offering, (ii) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Public Offering of the Common Stock is withdrawn or (iii) for any reason the Public Offering shall not have been consummated prior to [              ] , 2013, the provisions of this agreement shall be terminated and the undersigned shall be released from its obligations hereunder.

( Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank )

 

E-1-3


Very truly yours,
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

(Address)  

Exhibit 3.1

CYRUSONE INC.

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

FIRST : CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND : The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

ARTICLE I

INCORPORATOR

Thomas W. Bosse, whose address is c/o The Law Offices of Thomas W. Bosse, PLLC, 533 Centre View Boulevard, Crestview Hills, Kentucky 41017, being at least 18 years of age, formed a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland on July 31, 2012.

ARTICLE II

NAME

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is:

CyrusOne Inc.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of the charter of the Corporation (as the term charter is defined in the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time (the “MGCL”), the “Charter”), the term “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code or any successor provisions.


ARTICLE IV

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

ARTICLE V

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 5.1 Number of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation initially shall be two, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL. The names of the directors who shall serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

John F. Cassidy

Gary Wojtaszek

 

2


The Corporation elects, effective at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-802(b) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred.

Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions . Except as specifically provided in Section 5.8 (relating to removal of directors) and in the last sentence of Article VIII, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance . The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

Section 5.4 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights . Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Corporation is subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, holders of shares of stock shall be entitled to exercise rights of an objecting stockholder under Section 3-708(a) of the MGCL.

 

 

3


Section 5.5 Indemnification . The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.

 

4


Section 5.6 Determinations by Board . The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

5


Section 5.7 REIT Qualification . If the Corporation elects to qualify for U.S. federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall take such actions as it determines necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required.

Section 5.8 Removal of Directors . Subject to the rights of holders of shares of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK

Section 6.1 Authorized Shares . The Corporation has authority to issue 600,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value

 

6


per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $6,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock in accordance with this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

Section 6.2 Common Stock . Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.

Section 6.3 Preferred Stock . The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.

Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares . Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other Charter document.

 

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Section 6.5 Stockholders’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner and by any vote permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.

Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws . The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all shares of stock of the Corporation are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

 

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ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF STOCK

Section 7.1 Definitions . For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter. The value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For the purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Capital Stock by any Person, shares of Capital Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Capital Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities for the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

Beneficial Ownership . The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Business Day . The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in Texas are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock . The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.

Charitable Beneficiary . The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

 

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Common Stock Ownership Limit . The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter. The number and value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which determination shall be final and conclusive for all purposes hereof. For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Common Stock by any Person, shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities of the Corporation directly or constructively held by such Person, but not shares of Common Stock issuable with respect to the conversion, exchange or exercise of securities for the Corporation held by other Persons, shall be deemed to be outstanding prior to conversion, exchange or exercise.

Constructive Ownership . The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

Excepted Holder . The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by this Article VII or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

Excepted Holder Limit . The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.7, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.

 

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Initial Date . The term “Initial Date” shall mean the date of the closing of the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the initial underwritten public offering of the Corporation.

Market Price . The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on NASDAQ or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on NASDAQ, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

NASDAQ . The term “NASDAQ” shall mean The NASDAQ Stock Market.

Person . The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

 

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Prohibited Owner . The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of this Article VII, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

Restriction Termination Date . The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Corporation determines pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with any or all of the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required.

Transfer . The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, redemption, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire or possess Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

Trust . The term “Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.

 

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Trustee . The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner, that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.

Section 7.2 Capital Stock .

Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations . During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.4:

(a) Basic Restrictions .

(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

(iii) Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

 

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(iv) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock could result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.

(b) Transfer in Trust . If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv),

(i) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or

(ii) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv) shall be void ab initio , and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.

(iii) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 7.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of this Article VII would nonetheless be continuing (for example where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would violate the 100 stockholder requirement applicable to REITs), then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of this Article VII.

Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach . If the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided , however , that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer . Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information . From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) every owner of five percent or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and

 

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(b) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.

Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited . Subject to Section 5.7 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity . In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any definition contained in Section 7.1, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock that, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Capital Stock that, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.

 

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Section 7.2.7 Exceptions .

(a) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if the Corporation obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to determine that:

(i) no individual’s Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of such shares of Capital Stock will violate Section 7.2.1(a)(ii); and

(ii) such Person does not and will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant (for this purpose, a tenant shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation if the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue from such tenant such that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT).

Any violation or attempted violation of any such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 7.2.1 through 7.2.6) will result in such shares of Capital Stock being automatically transferred to a Trust in accordance with Sections 7.2.1(b) and 7.3.

 

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(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors of the Corporation may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter or placement agent that participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, the Common Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.

(d) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be.

Section 7.2.8 Increase or Decrease in Aggregate Stock Ownership and Common Stock Ownership Limits . Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors may from time to time increase the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and/or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for all other Persons; provided , however , that the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person whose percentage ownership in Common Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or whose percentage ownership in Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Person’s percentage of Common Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or such Person’s percentage of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, but any further acquisition of Capital Stock in excess of such percentage ownership of Common Stock and/or Capital Stock by such person will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, and, provided further, that the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.

 

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Section 7.2.9 Legend . Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, or the notice in lieu of a certificate shall bear substantially the following legend:

The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons; and (v) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that could result in the Corporation failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity”

 

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under Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts or intends to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which cause or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restriction provided in (iv) above would be violated, or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio . All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings given to them in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate or notice may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust .

Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust . Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the

 

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transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.

Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust.

Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights . The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the Trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided ,

 

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however , that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its stock transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.

Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee . Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust ( e.g. , in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net

 

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sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be retained by or immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.

Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee . Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

 

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Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries . By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section 7.2.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

Section 7.4 NASDAQ Transactions . Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of NASDAQ or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.

Section 7.5 Enforcement . The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 7.6 Non-Waiver . No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

ARTICLE IX

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

THIRD : The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.

 

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FOURTH : The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

FIFTH : The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SIXTH : The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment and restatement was 1,000, consisting of 1,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $10.00.

EIGHTH : The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter is 600,000,000, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $6,000,000.

NINTH : The undersigned acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and President and attested to by its Secretary on this _____ day of ____________, 2012.

 

  ATTEST:     CYRUSONE INC.  
 

 

    By:       (SEAL)
 

Christopher J. Wilson

Secretary

     

Gary Wojtaszek

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 3.2

CYRUSONE INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE . The principal office of the CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES . The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE . All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING . An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall hold its first annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the year 2013.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS .

(a) General . Each of the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president and Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(4) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.

(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings . (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such


agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.

(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), (ii) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder and (iii) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing or delivering the notice of the meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of such notice of the meeting.

(4) In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided , however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such

 

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meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the 90 th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90 th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30 th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder-Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.

(6) The chairman of the board, chief executive officer, president or Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after actual receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

 

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(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of Texas are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Section 4. NOTICE . Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless such stockholder objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT . Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the chairman of the board or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the chairman of the board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the vice chairman of the board, if there is one, the chief executive officer, the president, the vice presidents in their order of rank and seniority, the secretary, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary, or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

 

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Section 6. QUORUM . At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting sine die or from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . A plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast is required by statute or by the charter of the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.

 

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Section 8. PROXIES . A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS . Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, general partner, trustee or managing member thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or fiduciary may vote stock registered in the name of such person in the capacity of such director or fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.

Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt by the Corporation of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the holder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. INSPECTORS . The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

 

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Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS .

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders . (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For any nomination or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150 th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120 th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the 150 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120 th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;

(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;

 

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(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,

(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, which are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, the date on which each such Company Security was acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,

(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,

(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the last six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities, and

(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,

(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee and

 

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(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person;

(v) the name and address of any person who contacted or was contacted by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person about the Proposed Nominee or other business proposal prior to the date of such stockholder’s notice; and

(vi) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.

 

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(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this Section 11, is delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120 th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90 th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General . (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11.

 

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(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.

Section 12. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT . Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE, QUALIFICATIONS AND RESIGNATION . At any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, nor more than 15, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Nominees for director, either for election by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors, shall include such number of individuals as are entitled to be nominated pursuant to the Agreement of Limited Partnership of CyrusOne L.P. (as amended from time to time, the “CyrusOne Partnership Agreement”). Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

 

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Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS . An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.

Section 5. NOTICE . Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM . A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.

 

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The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING . The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws.

Section 8. ORGANIZATION . At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board or, in the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman of the board, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the chairman and vice chairman of the board, the chief executive officer or, in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or, in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or, in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

Section 11. VACANCIES . If for any reason any or all of the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 12. COMPENSATION . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they perform or engage in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

 

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Section 13. RELIANCE . Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 14. RATIFICATION . The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 15. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS . Any director, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.

Section 16. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS . Notwithstanding any other provision in the charter or these Bylaws, this Section 16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio; and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

 

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ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS . The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and one or more other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Each committee shall be composed as required by the CyrusOne Partnership Agreement.

Section 2. POWERS . The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS . Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS . Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

Section 6. VACANCIES . Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.

 

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ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS . The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chairman of the board, a vice chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION . Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.

Section 3. VACANCIES . A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD . The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a chairman of the board, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the chairman of the board as an executive or non-executive chairman. The chairman of the board shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The chairman of the board shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.

Section 5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the chairman of the board shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

 

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Section 6. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER . The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 8. PRESIDENT . In the absence of a chief executive officer, the president shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a chief operating officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief operating officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 9. VICE PRESIDENTS . In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president, or vice president for particular areas of responsibility.

Section 10. SECRETARY . The secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

Section 11. TREASURER . The treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

 

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The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 12. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS . The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors.

Section 13. COMPENSATION . The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS . The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by an authorized person.

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS . All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. DEPOSITS . All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. CERTIFICATES . Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, the Corporation shall, to the extent then required by the MGCL, provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.

 

 

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Section 2. TRANSFERS . All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney or agent, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of any uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall, to the extent then required by the MGCL, provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, interest in or right exercisable with respect to such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the charter of the Corporation and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE . Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE . The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

 

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When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if adjourned or postponed, except if the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting may be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. STOCK LEDGER . The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS . The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.

ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION . Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the charter of the Corporation. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the charter.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES . Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

 

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ARTICLE X

INVESTMENT POLICY

Subject to the provisions of the charter of the Corporation, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE XI

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL . The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL . Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XII

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party or a witness to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the charter of the Corporation and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of its Board of Directors, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.

 

21


Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

ARTICLE XIII

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws; provided, however, that so long as Cincinnati Bell Inc. owns ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation (assuming all outstanding operating partnership units of CyrusOne L.P. are exchanged for common stock of the Corporation) any amendment to (i) the second sentence of Section 2 of Article III or (ii) the second sentence of Section 1 of Article IV must be approved by Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.1

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

CYRUSONE LP

a Maryland limited partnership

 

 

THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES

LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,

TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH

REGISTRATION, UNLESS THE TRANSFEROR DELIVERS TO THE PARTNERSHIP

AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE PARTNERSHIP, TO THE EFFECT

THAT THE PROPOSED SALE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE

EFFECTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER

APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES OR “BLUE SKY” LAWS.

dated as of [                     ], 2012

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINED TERMS

     1   

ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

     16   
  Section 2.1    Formation      16   
  Section 2.2    Name      16   
  Section 2.3    Principal Office and Resident Agent      16   
  Section 2.4    Power of Attorney      17   
  Section 2.5    Term      17   
ARTICLE 3 PURPOSE      18   
  Section 3.1    Purpose and Business      18   
  Section 3.2    Powers      18   
  Section 3.3    Partnership Only for Purposes Specified      18   
  Section 3.4    Representations and Warranties by the Partners      18   
ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS      20   
  Section 4.1    Capital Contributions of the Partners      20   
  Section 4.2    Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests      20   
  Section 4.3    Additional Funds and Capital Contributions      21   
  Section 4.4    Stock Option Plans      22   
  Section 4.5    Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan      24   
  Section 4.6    No Interest; No Return      24   
  Section 4.7    Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Shares; Redemption of REIT Shares      24   
  Section 4.8    Other Contribution Provisions      25   
  Section 4.9    Excluded Properties      25   
ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS      25   
  Section 5.1    Requirement and Characterization of Distributions      25   
  Section 5.2    Distributions in Kind      26   
  Section 5.3    Amounts Withheld      26   
  Section 5.4    Distributions upon Liquidation      26   
  Section 5.5    Distributions to Reflect Additional Partnership Units      26   
  Section 5.6    Restricted Distributions      26   
ARTICLE 6 ALLOCATIONS      26   
  Section 6.1    Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss      26   
  Section 6.2    General Allocations      26   
  Section 6.3    Additional Allocation Provisions      27   
  Section 6.4    Tax Allocations      29   
ARTICLE 7 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS      29   
  Section 7.1    Management      29   
  Section 7.2    Certificate of Limited Partnership      30   
  Section 7.3    Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority      31   
  Section 7.4    Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner      33   
  Section 7.5    Outside Activities of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner      33   
  Section 7.6    Transactions with Affiliates      34   
  Section 7.7    Indemnification      35   
  Section 7.8    Liability of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner      36   
  Section 7.9    Title to Partnership Assets      38   
  Section 7.10    Reliance by Third Parties      38   

 

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ARTICLE 8 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

     38   
  Section 8.1    Limitation of Liability      38   
  Section 8.2    Management of Business      38   
  Section 8.3    Outside Activities of Limited Partners      39   
  Section 8.4    Return of Capital      39   
  Section 8.5    Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership      39   
  Section 8.6    Partnership Right to Call Partnership Interests      39   
  Section 8.7    No Rights as Objecting Partner      40   
  Section 8.8    No Right to Certificate Evidencing Units      40   
  Section 8.9    Board Nomination Rights      40   

ARTICLE 9 BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

     42   
  Section 9.1    Records and Accounting      42   
  Section 9.2    Partnership Year      42   
  Section 9.3    Reports      42   
ARTICLE 10 TAX MATTERS      42   
  Section 10.1    Preparation of Tax Returns      42   
  Section 10.2    Tax Elections      42   
  Section 10.3    Tax Matters Partner      43   
  Section 10.4    Withholding      44   
  Section 10.5    Organizational Expenses      44   

ARTICLE 11 PARTNER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

     44   
  Section 11.1    Transfer      44   
  Section 11.2    Transfer of General Partner’s Partnership Interest      44   
  Section 11.3    Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer      45   
  Section 11.4    Substituted Limited Partners      47   
  Section 11.5    Assignees      47   
  Section 11.6    General Provisions      47   
  Section 11.7    Restrictions on Termination Transactions      49   
ARTICLE 12 ADMISSION OF PARTNERS      50   
  Section 12.1    Admission of Successor General Partner      50   
  Section 12.2    Admission of Additional Limited Partners      50   
  Section 12.3    Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership      51   
  Section 12.4    Limit on Number of Partners      51   
  Section 12.5    Admission      51   
ARTICLE 13 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION      51   
  Section 13.1    Dissolution      51   
  Section 13.2    Winding Up      52   
  Section 13.3    Deemed Contribution and Distribution      53   
  Section 13.4    Rights of Holders      53   
  Section 13.5    Notice of Dissolution      53   
  Section 13.6    Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership      53   
  Section 13.7    Reasonable Time for Winding-Up      54   
ARTICLE 14 PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS OF PARTNERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS      54   
  Section 14.1    Actions and Consents of Partners      54   
  Section 14.2    Amendments      54   
  Section 14.3    Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Partners      54   

 

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ARTICLE 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS

     55   
  Section 15.1    Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties      55   
  Section 15.2    Addresses and Notice      60   
  Section 15.3    Titles and Captions      60   
  Section 15.4    Pronouns and Plurals      60   
  Section 15.5    Further Action      60   
  Section 15.6    Binding Effect      61   
  Section 15.7    Waiver      61   
  Section 15.8    Counterparts      61   
  Section 15.9    Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial      61   
  Section 15.10    Entire Agreement      61   
  Section 15.11    Invalidity of Provisions      62   
  Section 15.12    Limitation to Preserve REIT Status      62   
  Section 15.13    REIT Restrictions      62   
  Section 15.14    No Partition      63   
  Section 15.15    No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby      63   
  Section 15.16    No Rights as Stockholders      63   
  Exhibit A    EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR      A-1   
  Exhibit B    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION      B-1   

 

iii


AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF CYRUSONE LP

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF CYRUSONE LP, dated as of [ ], 2012, is entered into by and among CYRUSONE GP, a Maryland statutory trust, (the “ Initial General Partner ”), CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Special Limited Partner ”), Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Ohio corporation (“ CBI ”), Data Center Investments Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Investments Holdco ”), as a Limited Partner, Data Centers South Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ South Holdings ”), as a Limited Partner, and any additional partner that is admitted from time to time to the Partnership, and

WHEREAS, a Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership was accepted for record by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on July 31, 2012 (the “ Formation Date ”):

WHEREAS, the Initial General Partner and the Special Limited Partner entered into an original Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership effective as of July 31, 2012 and an Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership on September 27, 2012, and the General Partner, Data Center Investments Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Data Investments ”), Data Centers South Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Data South ”), and the Special Limited Partner entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership on [DATE], which was amended by the Amendment One thereto, among the Initial General Partner, the Special Limited Partner, Investments Holdco, South Holdings, Data Investments and Data South (as amended, the “ Current Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Initial General Partner, the Special Limited Partner, the Original Limited Partners (as defined herein) and CBI now desire to amend and restate the Current Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement to read in its entirety as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINED TERMS

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement:

Act ” means the Maryland Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, Title 10 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as it may be amended from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Actions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7 hereof.

Additional Funds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.A hereof.

Additional Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner pursuant to the Act and Section 4.2 and Section 12.2 hereof, who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership, and who has not ceased to be a Limited Partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.

Adjusted Available Cash ” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of Available Cash and REIT Available Cash.

 

1


Adjusted Capital Account Deficit ” means, with respect to any Partner, the deficit balance, if any, in such Partner’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Partnership Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(i) decrease such deficit by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore pursuant to this Agreement or by operation of law upon liquidation of such Partner’s Partnership Interest or that such Partner is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence of each of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

(ii) increase such deficit by the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).

The foregoing definition of “Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Adjustment Factor ” means 1.0; provided , however , that in the event that:

(i) the Special Limited Partner (a) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares wholly or partly in REIT Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares wholly or partly in REIT Shares, (b) splits or subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares or (c) effects a reverse stock split or otherwise combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor previously in effect by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination (assuming for such purposes that such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination has occurred as of such time) and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the actual number of REIT Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination;

(ii) the Special Limited Partner distributes any rights, options or warrants to all holders of its REIT Shares to subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire REIT Shares, or other securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issuable pursuant to a Qualified DRIP), at a price per share less than the Value of a REIT Share on the record date for such distribution (each a “ Distributed Right ”), then, as of the distribution date of such Distributed Rights or, if later, the time such Distributed Rights become exercisable, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor previously in effect by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus a fraction (1) the numerator of which is the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights, multiplied by the minimum purchase price per REIT Share under such Distributed Rights and (2) the denominator of which is the Value of a REIT Share as of the record date (or, if later, the date such Distributed Rights become exercisable); provided , however , that, if any such Distributed Rights expire or become no longer exercisable, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted, effective retroactive to the date of distribution (or, if later, the time the Distributed Rights become exercisable) of the Distributed Rights, to reflect a reduced maximum number of REIT Shares or any change in the minimum purchase price for the purposes of the above fraction; and

(iii) the Special Limited Partner shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its REIT Shares evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including securities, but excluding any dividend or distribution referred to in subsection (i) or (ii) above), which evidences of indebtedness or assets relate to assets not received by the General Partner and/or any Special Limited Partner pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Partnership, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Adjustment Factor in effect immediately prior to the close of business as of the record date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be such Value of a REIT Share on such record date and (b) the denominator of which shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of such record date less the then fair market value (as determined by the General Partner, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets so distributed applicable to one REIT Share.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments to the Adjustment Factor will be made for any class or series of Partnership Interests to the extent that the Partnership makes or effects any correlative distribution or payment to all of the Partners holding Partnership Interests of such class or series, or effects any correlative split or reverse split in respect of the Partnership Interests of such class or series. Any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor shall become effective immediately after such event, retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event. For illustrative purposes, examples of adjustments to the Adjustment Factor are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

 

2


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

Affiliated REIT ” means the Special Limited Partner and any Affiliate of the Special Limited Partner that has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code.

Agreement ” means this Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of CyrusOne LP, as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced.

Applicable Percentage ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1B hereof.

Appraisal ” means, with respect to any assets, the written opinion of an independent third party experienced in the valuation of similar assets, selected by the General Partner. Such opinion may be in the form of an opinion by such independent third party that the value for such property or asset as set by the General Partner is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership.

Assignee ” means a Person to whom a Partnership Interest has been Transferred but who has not become a Substituted Limited Partner, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5 hereof.

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any period for which such calculation is being made,

(i) the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the Partnership’s Net Income or Net Loss (as the case may be) for such period,

(2) Depreciation and all other noncash charges to the extent deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period,

(3) the amount of any reduction in reserves of the Partnership established by the General Partner (including, without limitation, reductions resulting because the General Partner determines such amounts are no longer necessary),

(4) the excess, if any, of the net cash proceeds from the sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing of Partnership property for such period over the gain (or loss, as the case may be) recognized from such sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing during such period, and

 

3


(5) all other cash received (including amounts previously accrued as Net Income and amounts of deferred income) or any net amounts borrowed by the Partnership for such period that was not included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period;

(ii) less the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) all principal debt payments made during such period by the Partnership,

(2) capital expenditures made by the Partnership during such period,

(3) investments in any entity (including loans made thereto) to the extent that such investments are not otherwise described in clause (ii)(1) or clause (ii)(2) above,

(4) all other expenditures and payments not deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period (including amounts paid in respect of expenses previously accrued),

(5) any amount included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period that was not received by the Partnership during such period,

(6) the amount of any increase in reserves (including, without limitation, working capital reserves) established by the General Partner during such period, and

(7) any amount distributed or paid in redemption of any Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or Partnership Units, including, without limitation, any Cash Amount paid.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash shall not include (a) any cash received or reductions in reserves, or take into account any disbursements made, or reserves established, after dissolution and the commencement of the liquidation and winding up of the Partnership or (b) any Capital Contributions, whenever received or any payments, expenditures or investments made with such Capital Contributions.

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Special Limited Partner.

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

Bylaws ” means the bylaws of the Special Limited Partner, as in effect from time to time.

Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Partner, the Capital Account maintained by the General Partner for such Partner on the Partnership’s books and records in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) To each Partner’s Capital Account, there shall be added such Partner’s Capital Contributions, such Partner’s distributive share of Net Income and any items in the nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any Partnership liabilities assumed by such Partner or that are secured by any property distributed to such Partner.

(b) From each Partner’s Capital Account, there shall be subtracted the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any property distributed to such Partner pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Partner’s distributive share of Net Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any liabilities of such Partner assumed by the Partnership or that are secured by any property contributed by such Partner to the Partnership (except to the extent already reflected in the amount of such Partner’s Capital Contribution).

 

4


(c) In the event any interest in the Partnership is Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Partner’s Capital Account of the transferor to the extent that it relates to the Transferred interest.

(d) In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) hereof, there shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Regulations.

(e) The provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations promulgated under Section 704 of the Code, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. The General Partner may modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts are maintained in order to comply with such Regulations, provided that the General Partner determines that such modification is not reasonably likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable to any Partner without such Person’s consent. The General Partner also may (i) make any adjustments to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Partners and the amount of Partnership capital reflected on the Partnership’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event that unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) or Section 1.704-2; provided , however , that the General Partner determines that such changes are not reasonably likely to materially reduce amounts otherwise distributable to the Partner as current cash distributions or as distributions on termination of the Partnership.

Capital Contribution ” means, with respect to any Partner, the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of any Contributed Property that such Partner contributes to the Partnership or is deemed to contribute pursuant to Article 4 hereof.

Capital Share ” means a share of any class or series of stock of the Special Limited Partner now or hereafter authorized, other than a REIT Share.

Cash Amount ” means an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the Value of a REIT Share and (ii) the REIT Shares Amount determined as of the applicable Valuation Date.

CBI ” means Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Ohio corporation.

CBI Nominee ” means (i) any person designated as a nominee to the Board of Directors by CBI in accordance with Section 8.9.A, and (ii) any person designated to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 8.9.C.

Certificate ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the SDAT, as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.

Charity ” means an entity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, or any trust all the beneficiaries of which are such entities.

Charter ” means the charter of the Special Limited Partner, within the meaning of Section 1-101(e) of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time or any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the applicable Regulations thereunder. Any reference herein to a specific Section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of future law.

 

5


Consent ” means the consent to, approval of, or vote in favor of a proposed action by a Partner given in accordance with Article 14 hereof.

Consent of the Limited Partners ” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners, which Consent shall be obtained before the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by Partners in their discretion.

Consent of the Partners ” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Partners, which Consent shall be obtained before the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by Partners in their discretion.

Contributed Property ” means each Property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Act, but excluding cash, contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership (or deemed contributed by the Partnership to a “new” partnership pursuant to Code Section 708).

Controlled Entity ” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned by such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates, (b) any trust, whether or not revocable, of which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates are the sole beneficiaries, (c) any partnership of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the managing partner and in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold partnership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such partnership’s capital and profits and (d) any limited liability company of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the manager or managing member and in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold membership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such limited liability company’s capital and profits.

Cut-Off Date ” means the fifth (5th) Business Day after the General Partner’s receipt of a Notice of Redemption.

Debt ” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (ii) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person; (iii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof; and (iv) lease obligations of such Person that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized.

Declination ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Depreciation ” means, for each Partnership Year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or period, Depreciation shall be in an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided , however , that if the Federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or period is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the General Partner.

Designated Partners ” means, collectively, (i) the Special Limited Partner and each of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries that owns Partnership Common Units, (ii) any Controlled Entities of CBI that own Partnership Common Units or (iii) CBI if it acquires and owns Partnership Common Units.

 

6


Distributed Right ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor.”

Equity Plan ” means any stock or equity purchase plan, restricted stock or equity plan or other similar equity compensation plan now or hereafter adopted by the Partnership, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Excess Units ” means Tendered Units, the issuance of REIT Shares in exchange for which would result in a violation of the Ownership Limit.

Excluded Property ” means any asset now or hereafter held directly by the Special Limited Partner or any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner (other than the equity of any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Partnership and interests in the Partnership).

Family Members ” means, as to a Person that is an individual, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters are beneficiaries.

Funding Debt ” means any Debt incurred by or on behalf of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner for the purpose of providing funds to the Partnership.

General Partner ” means the Initial General Partner or any other Person that is, from time to time, admitted to the Partnership as a general partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, and, in each case, that has not ceased to be a general partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, in such Person’s capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

General Partner Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.E hereof.

Gross Asset Value ” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for Federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

(i) The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Partner to the Partnership shall be the gross fair market value of such asset as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

(ii) The Gross Asset Values of all Partnership assets immediately prior to the occurrence of any event described below shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt, as of the following times:

(1) the acquisition of an additional interest in the Partnership (other than in connection with the execution of this Agreement but including, without limitation, acquisitions pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof or contributions or deemed contributions by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof) by a new or existing Partner in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;

(2) the distribution by the Partnership to a Partner of more than a de minimis amount of Partnership property as consideration for an interest in the Partnership if the General Partner reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Partners in the Partnership;

 

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(3) the liquidation of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);

(4) upon the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof; and

(5) at such other times as the General Partner shall reasonably determine necessary or advisable in order to comply with Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2.

(iii) The Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset distributed to a Partner shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution as determined by the General Partner using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

(iv) The Gross Asset Values of Partnership assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided , however , that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection (d) to the extent that the General Partner reasonably determines that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (b) above is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (d).

(v) If the Gross Asset Value of a Partnership asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsection (a), subsection (b) or subsection (d) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Losses.

Holder ” means either (a) a Partner or (b) an Assignee that owns a Partnership Unit.

Incapacity ” or “ Incapacitated ” means, (i) as to any Partner who is an individual, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Partner incompetent to manage his or her person or his or her estate; (ii) as to any Partner that is a corporation or limited liability company, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter; (iii) as to any Partner that is a partnership, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership; (iv) as to any Partner that is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Partnership; (v) as to any trustee of a trust that is a Partner, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee); or (vi) as to any Partner, the bankruptcy of such Partner. For purposes of this definition, bankruptcy of a Partner shall be deemed to have occurred when (a) the Partner commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief of or against such Partner under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (b) the Partner is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and nonappealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Partner, (c) the Partner executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Partner’s creditors, (d) the Partner files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Partner in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (b) above, (e) the Partner seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Partner or for all or any substantial part of the Partner’s properties, (f) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement thereof, (g) the appointment without the Partner’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within ninety (90) days of such appointment, or (h) an appointment referred to in clause (g) above is not vacated within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay.

 

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Indemnitee ” means (i) any Person made, or threatened to be made, a party to a proceeding by reason of its status as (A) the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner or (B) a trustee, officer or employee of the General Partner, a director, officer or employee of the Special Limited Partner or an employee of the Partnership and (ii) such other Persons (including Affiliates, employees or agents of the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or the Partnership) as the General Partner may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability).

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Lead Tendering Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Legal Requirements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.C hereof.

Limited Partner ” means the Special Limited Partner, Investments Holdco, South Holdings, and any other Person that is, from time to time, admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, and any Substituted Limited Partner or Additional Limited Partner, each shown as such in the books and records of the Partnership, in each case, that has not ceased to be a limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

Liquidating Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

Liquidator ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof.

Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners ” means Partners (excluding the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners (excluding the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter.

Majority in Interest of the Partners ” means Partners (including the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners (including the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter.

Net Income ” or “ Net Loss ” means, for each Partnership Year of the Partnership, an amount equal to the Partnership’s taxable income or loss for such year, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:

(i) Any income of the Partnership that is exempt from Federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss” shall be added to (or subtracted from, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss);

(ii) Any expenditure of the Partnership described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as a Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditure pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” shall be subtracted from (or added to, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss);

(iii) In the event the Gross Asset Value of any Partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) or subsection (c) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss;

 

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(iv) Gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for Federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value;

(v) In lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions that would otherwise be taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Partnership Year;

(vi) To the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and

(vii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” any item that is specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss. The amounts of the items of Partnership income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss.”

Net Proceeds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

New Securities ” means (i) any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities that entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for or purchase, convert such securities into or exchange such securities for, REIT Shares or Preferred Shares, excluding Preferred Shares and grants under the Stock Option Plans, or (ii) any Debt issued by the Special Limited Partner that provides any of the rights described in clause (i).

Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1), and the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

Notice of Redemption ” means the Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached to this Agreement.

Offered Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof

Offering Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Optionee ” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Stock Option Plan.

Original Limited Partner ” means any Person that is a Limited Partner as of the close of business on the date of the closing of the issuance of REIT Shares pursuant to the initial public offering of REIT Shares, and does not include any Assignee or other transferee, including, without limitation, any Substituted Limited Partner succeeding to all or any part of the Partnership Interest of any such Person.

Ownership Limit ” means the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock of the Special Limited Partner imposed under the Charter.

 

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Partner ” means the General Partner or a Limited Partner, and “Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partner Minimum Gain ” means an amount, with respect to each Partner Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Partnership Minimum Gain that would result if such Partner Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), and the amount of Partner Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1).

Partnership ” means CyrusOne, LP, the limited partnership formed and continued under the Act and pursuant to this Agreement, and any successor thereto.

Partnership Common Unit ” means a fractional share of the Partnership Interests of all Partners issued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof, but does not include any Partnership Junior Unit, Partnership Preferred Unit or any other Partnership Unit specified in a Partnership Unit Designation as being other than a Partnership Common Unit.

Partnership Employee ” means an employee of the Partnership or an employee of a Subsidiary of the Partnership, if any.

Partnership Equivalent Units ” means, with respect to any class or series of Capital Shares, Partnership Units with preferences, conversion and other rights (other than voting rights), restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption that are substantially the same as (or correspond to) the preferences, conversion and other rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of such Capital Shares as appropriate to reflect the relative rights and preferences of such Capital Shares as to the REIT Shares and the other classes of Capital Shares as such Partnership Equivalent Units would have as to Common Units and the other classes of Partnership Units corresponding to the other classes of Capital Shares, but not as to matters such as voting for members of the Board of Directors that are not applicable to the Partnership. For the avoidance of doubt, the voting rights, redemption rights and rights to Transfer Partnership Equivalent Units need not be similar to the rights of the corresponding class or series of Capital Shares, provided, however , with respect to redemption rights, the terms of Partnership Equivalent Units must be such so that the Partnership complies with Section 4.7.B of this Agreement.

Partnership Interest ” means an ownership interest in the Partnership held by either a Limited Partner or the General Partner and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Partnership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. There may be one or more classes or series of Partnership Interests; however, notwithstanding that the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and any other Limited Partner may have different rights and privileges as specified in this Agreement (including differences in rights and privileges with respect to their Partnership Interests), the Partnership Interest held by the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or any other Partner and designated as being of a particular class or series shall not be deemed to be a separate class or series of Partnership Interest from a Partnership Interest having the same designation as to class and series that is held by any other Partner solely because such Partnership Interest is held by the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or any other Partner having different rights and privileges as specified under this Agreement. A Partnership Interest may be expressed as a number of Partnership Common Units, Partnership Preferred Units or other Partnership Units.

Partnership Junior Unit ” means a fractional share of the Partnership Interests of a particular class or series that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are inferior or junior to the Partnership Common Units.

 

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Partnership Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), and the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, for a Partnership Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Preferred Unit ” means a fractional share of the Partnership Interests of a particular class or series that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the Partnership Common Units.

Partnership Record Date ” means the record date established by the General Partner for the purpose of determining the Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Partners or to consent to any matter, or to receive any distribution or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of Partners for any other proper purpose, which, in the case of a record date fixed for the determination of Partners entitled to receive any distribution, shall (unless otherwise determined by the General Partner) generally be the same as the record date established by the Special Limited Partner for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution.

Partnership Unit ” means a Partnership Common Unit, a Partnership Preferred Unit, a Partnership Junior Unit or any other fractional share of the Partnership Interests that the General Partner has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 hereof.

Partnership Unit Designation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.

Partnership Vote ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7.B hereof.

Partnership Year ” means the fiscal year of the Partnership, which shall be the calendar year.

Percentage Interest ” means, with respect to each Partner, as to any class or series of Partnership Interests, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Partnership Units of such class or series held by such Partner and the denominator of which is the total number of Partnership Units of such class or series held by all Partners. If not otherwise specified, “ Percentage Interest ” shall be deemed to refer to Partnership Common Units.

Permitted Lender Transferee ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Transferee.

Permitted Transfer ” means (i) a Transfer by a Limited Partner of all or part of its Partnership Interest to any Family Member, Controlled Entity or Affiliate of such Partner, or to a Charity, or (ii) a Pledge and any Transfer of a Partnership Interest to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge.

Permitted Transferee ” means (i) any lender or lenders secured by a Pledge, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom any Partnership Interest is transferred pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge and any special purpose entities owned and used by such lenders or agents for the purpose of holding any such Partnership Interest (each a “ Permitted Lender Transferee ”) and (ii) any Person, including any Third-Party Pledge Transferee designated by any lender or lenders secured by a Pledge, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom a Partnership Interest is transferred pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge, whether before or after one or more Permitted Lender Transferees take title to such Partnership Interest.

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability company or other entity.

Pledge ” means a pledge by a Limited Partner of all or any portion of its Partnership Interest to one or more banks or lending institutions, or agents acting on their behalf, which are not Affiliates of such Limited Partner, as collateral or security for a bona fide loan or other extension of credit.

 

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Preferred Share ” means a share of stock of the Special Limited Partner now or hereafter authorized or reclassified that has dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the REIT Shares.

Pricing Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Properties ” means any assets and property of the Partnership such as, but not limited to, interests in real property and personal property, including, without limitation, fee interests, interests in ground leases, easements and rights of way, interests in limited liability companies, joint ventures or partnerships, interests in mortgages, and Debt instruments as the Partnership may hold from time to time and “ Property ” means any one such asset or property.

Publicly Traded ” means having common equity securities listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. national securities exchange.

Qualified DRIP ” means a dividend reinvestment plan of the Special Limited Partner that permits participants to acquire REIT Shares using the proceeds of dividends paid by the Special Limited Partner; provided , however , that if such shares are offered at a discount, such discount must (i) be designed to pass along to the stockholders of the Special Limited Partner the savings enjoyed by the Special Limited Partner in connection with the avoidance of stock issuance costs, and (ii) not exceed 5% of the value of a REIT Share as computed under the terms of such dividend reinvestment plan.

Qualified Transferee ” means an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Qualifying Party ” means (a) a Limited Partner, (b) an Additional Limited Partner, (c) an Assignee who is the transferee of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in a Permitted Transfer, or (d) a Person, including a lending institution as the pledge of a Pledge, who is the transferee of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in a Permitted Transfer; provided , however , that a Qualifying Party shall not include the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner.

Redemption ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

Regulations ” means the income tax regulations under the Code, whether such regulations are in proposed, temporary or final form, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Regulatory Allocations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3B(viii) hereof.

REIT ” means a real estate investment trust qualifying under Code Section 856.

REIT Available Cash ” means, as of any date of determination, all amounts which would be available for distribution to the holders of REIT Shares (calculated in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the Partnership calculates Available Cash and without regard to any distributions from the Partnership to be made, or which have been made, to the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner hereunder and without regard to any restriction on distribution imposed on the General Partner by any third party).

REIT Partner ” means (a) the Special Limited Partner or any Affiliate of the Special Limited Partner to the extent such Person has in place an election to qualify as, a REIT and, (b) any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) of any such Person.

REIT Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.12 hereof.

 

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REIT Requirements ” means the requirements for qualifying as a REIT under the Code and Regulations (the “ REIT Requirements ”).

REIT Share ” means a share of common stock of the Special Limited Partner, $0.01 par value per share (but shall not include any additional series or class of the Special Limited Partner’s common stock created after the date of this Agreement).

REIT Shares Amount ” means a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of (a) the number of Tendered Units and (b) the Adjustment Factor; provided , however , that, in the event that the Special Limited Partner issues to all holders of REIT Shares as of a certain record date rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders to subscribe for or purchase REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “ Rights ”), with the record date for such Rights issuance falling within the period starting on the date of the Notice of Redemption and ending on the day immediately preceding the Specified Redemption Date, which Rights will not be distributed before the relevant Specified Redemption Date, then the REIT Shares Amount shall also include such Rights that a holder of that number of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, expressed, where relevant hereunder, in a number of REIT Shares determined by the General Partner.

Related Party ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person to whom ownership of shares of the Special Limited Partner’s stock would be attributed by the first such Person under Code Section 544 (as modified by Code Section 856(h)(1)(B)).

Rights ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “REIT Shares Amount.”

SDAT ” means the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Single Funding Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Special Redemption ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Specified Partnership Units ” means with respect to each Excluded Property, the amount of Partnership Common Units and/or Partnership Preferred Units (as the case may be) which would have been issued to the Special Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.3.B and 4.2 hereof, if the Special Limited Partner had contributed such Excluded Property on the date that such asset was acquired by the Special Limited Partner or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner, in exchange for Partnership Units equal in value to the fair market value of such Excluded Property as of such date.

Specified Redemption Date ” means the tenth (10th) Business Day after the receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption; provided , however , that no Specified Redemption Date with respect to any Partnership Common Units shall occur during the Twelve-Month Period applicable to such Partnership Common Units (except pursuant to a Special Redemption); and provided , further , that, if the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding pursuant to Section 15.1.H, such Specified Redemption Date shall be deferred until the next Business Day following the date of the closing of the Stock Offering Funding.

Stock Offering Funding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof

Stock Offering Funding Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

Stock Option Plans ” means any stock option plan now or hereafter adopted by the Partnership or the Special Limited Partner.

 

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Stockholder Vote ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7.B hereof.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

Substituted Limited Partner ” means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the Partnership pursuant to Section 11.4 hereof.

Successor Shares Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7 hereof.

Surviving Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7 hereof.

Tax Items ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.A hereof.

Tendered Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Tendering Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.

Termination Transaction ” means any direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or its interest in the General Partner in connection with, or the other occurrence of, (a) a merger, consolidation or other combination involving the Special Limited Partner or the General Partner, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other, (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Special Limited Partner not in the ordinary course of its business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, (c) a reclassification, recapitalization or change of the outstanding REIT Shares (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar subdivision), (d) the adoption of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Special Limited Partner or the General Partner, or (e) a direct or indirect Transfer of all or any portion of the Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest or its interest in the General Partner, other than a Transfer effected in accordance with Section 11.2.B.

Third-Party Pledge Transferee ” means a Qualified Transferee, other than a Permitted Lender Transferee, that acquires a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of remedies by Permitted Lender Transferees under a Pledge and that agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Transaction Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7 hereof.

Transfer ” means any sale, assignment, bequest, conveyance, devise, gift (outright or in trust), Pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange, transfer or other disposition or act of alienation, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law; provided , however , that when the term is used in Article 11 and Section 13.7 hereof, “ Transfer ” does not include (a) any Redemption of Partnership Common Units by the Partnership, or acquisition of Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof or (b) any redemption of Partnership Units pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation. The terms “Transferred” and “Transferring” have correlative meanings.

Twelve-Month Period ” means (a) as to any Partnership Interest held by an Original Limited Partner as of the close of business on the date of the closing of the issuance of REIT Shares pursuant to the initial public offering of the REIT Shares (or any successor-in-interest that is a Qualifying Party), a twelve-month period ending on the day before the first (1st) anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (b) as to any other Partnership Interest, a twelve-month period ending on the day before the first (1st) anniversary of a Qualifying Party’s first becoming a Holder of such Partnership Interest; provided , however , that the General Partner may, by written agreement with a Qualifying Party, shorten or lengthen the first Twelve-Month Period to a period that is shorter or longer than twelve (12) months with respect to a Qualifying Party other than an Original Limited Partner or successor-in-interest.

 

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Valuation Date ” means the date of receipt by the General Partner of a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1 herein, or such other date as specified herein, or, if such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.

Value ” means, on any Valuation Date with respect to a REIT Share, the average of the daily Market Prices for ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Valuation Date (except that the Market Price for the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under any Stock Option Plans shall be substituted for such average of daily market prices for purposes of Section 4.4 hereof). The term “Market Price” on any date means, with respect to any class or series of outstanding REIT Shares, the last sale price for such REIT Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such REIT Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market or, if such REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such REIT Shares are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such REIT Shares selected by the General Partner or, in the event that no trading price is available for such REIT Shares, the fair market value of the REIT Shares, as determined in good faith by the General Partner. In the event that the REIT Shares Amount includes Rights (as defined in the definition of “REIT Shares Amount”) that a holder of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, then the Value of such Rights shall be determined by the General Partner acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate. “ Vesting Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4 hereof.

Withdrawing Partners ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.

ARTICLE 2

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

Section 2.1 Formation . The Partnership is a limited partnership heretofore formed and continued pursuant to the provisions of the Act and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Act. The Partnership Interest of each Partner shall be personal property for all purposes.

Section 2.2 Name . The name of the Partnership is “CyrusOne LP.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof. The words “Limited Partnership,” “LP,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time.

Section 2.3 Principal Office and Resident Agent . The address of the principal office of the Partnership in the State of Maryland is located at c/o CSC-Lawyer’s Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 and the name and address of the resident agent of the Partnership in the State of Maryland are CSC-Lawyer’s Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, or such other principal office and resident agent as the General Partner may from time to time designate. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Maryland as the General Partner may approve.

 

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Section 2.4 Power of Attorney .

A. Each Limited Partner and Assignee hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the General Partner, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to:

(1) execute, swear to, seal, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (a) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including, without limitation, this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments, supplements or restatements thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (b) all instruments that the General Partner or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a certificate of cancellation; (d) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the General Partner or the Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the distribution or exchange of assets of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (e) all instruments relating to the admission, acceptance, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Capital Contribution of any Partner; and (f) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges relating to Partnership Interests; and

(2) execute, swear to, acknowledge and file all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments the General Partner or any Liquidator determines are necessary or desirable to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner or any Liquidator to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

B. The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a special power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Limited Partners and Assignees will be relying upon the power of the General Partner or the Liquidator to act as contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Partnership, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the Transfer of all or any portion of such Person’s Partnership Units or Partnership Interest (as the case may be) and shall extend to such Person’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner and Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator, acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner and Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator, taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner and Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the General Partner’s or the Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator (as the case may be) deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything else set forth in this Section 2.4.B, no Limited Partner shall incur any personal liability for any action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken under such power of attorney.

Section 2.5 Term . The term of the Partnership commenced on July 31, 2012, the date that the original Certificate was accepted for record by the SDAT in accordance with the Act, and shall continue indefinitely unless the Partnership is dissolved sooner pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 hereof or as otherwise provided by law.

 

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ARTICLE 3

PURPOSE

Section 3.1 Purpose and Business . The purpose and nature of the Partnership is to conduct any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Act, including, but not limited to, (i) to conduct the business of ownership, construction, reconstruction, development, redevelopment, alteration, improvement, maintenance, operation, sale, leasing, transfer, encumbrance, conveyance and exchange of the Properties, (ii) to acquire and invest in any securities and/or loans relating to the Properties, (iii) to enter into any partnership, joint venture, business trust arrangement, limited liability company or other similar arrangement to engage in any business permitted by or under the Act, or to own interests in any entity engaged in any business permitted by or under the Act, (iv) to conduct the business of providing property and asset management and brokerage services, whether directly or through one or more partnerships, joint ventures, Subsidiaries, business trusts, limited liability companies or similar arrangements, and (v) to do anything necessary or incidental to the foregoing. The Partnership shall have all powers necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes enumerated. In connection with the foregoing, the Partnership shall have full power and authority to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow and lend money and to issue evidence of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien and, directly or indirectly, to acquire and construct additional Properties necessary, useful or desirable in connection with its business.

Section 3.2 Powers . The Partnership shall have the power to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership, including, without limitation, full power and authority, directly or through its ownership interest in other entities, to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow and lend money and to issue evidence of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien, to acquire, own, manage, improve and develop real property and lease, sell, transfer and dispose of real property.

Section 3.3 Partnership Only for Purposes Specified . The Partnership is a limited partnership formed pursuant to the Act, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a company, venture or partnership between or among the Partners or any other Persons with respect to any activities whatsoever other than the activities specified in Section 3.1 hereof; however, to the extent applicable, the Partnership is a partnership “at will” (and is not a partnership formed for a definite term or a particular undertaking) within the meaning of the Maryland Revised Uniform Partnership Act. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have any authority to act for, bind, commit or assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of the Partnership, its properties or any other Partner. No Partner, in its capacity as a Partner under this Agreement, shall be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of another Partner, nor shall the Partnership be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of any Partner, incurred either before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Partner, except as to those responsibilities, liabilities, indebtedness or obligations incurred pursuant to and as limited by the terms of this Agreement and the Act.

Section 3.4 Representations and Warranties by the Partners .

A. Each Partner that is an individual (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, each other Partner that (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Partner will not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, any material agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s property is bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner is subject, (ii) such Partner is neither a “foreign person” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f) nor a “foreign partner” within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e), (iii) such Partner does not, and for so long as it is a Partner will not, own, directly or indirectly, (a) five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or five percent (5%) or more of the total number of shares of all classes of stock, of any corporation that is a tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company of which the Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member or (b) an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the assets or net profits of any tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture, or limited liability company of which the Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Partner may exceed any of the five percent limits (5%) set forth in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence; provided that the Partner obtains the written consent of the General Partner prior to exceeding any such limits; provided , further , that in no event shall the Partner own, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the stock described in clause (iii)(a) of the immediately preceding sentence or more than ten percent (10%) of the assets described in clause (iii)(b) of the immediately preceding sentence.

 

 

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B. Each Partner that is not an individual (including, without limitation, each Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, each other Partner that (i) all transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by it have been duly authorized by all necessary action, including, without limitation, that of its general partner(s), committee(s), trustee(s), beneficiaries, directors and/or stockholder(s) (as the case may be) as required, (ii) the consummation of such transactions shall not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, its partnership or operating agreement, trust agreement, charter or bylaws (as the case may be) any material agreement by which such Partner or any of such Partner’s properties or any of its partners, members, beneficiaries, trustees or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Partner or any of its partners, members, trustees, beneficiaries or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are subject, (iii) such Partner is neither a “foreign person” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f) nor a “foreign partner” within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e), (iv) such Partner does not, and for so long as it is a Partner will not, own, directly or indirectly, (a) five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or five percent (5%) or more of the total number of shares of all classes of stock, of any corporation that is a tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company of which the Special Limited Partner, any Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member or (b) an interest of five percent (5%) or more in the assets or net profits of any tenant of either (I) the Special Limited Partner, or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) with respect to the Special Limited Partner, (II) the Partnership or (III) any partnership, venture or limited liability company for which the Special Limited Partner, any Special Limited Partner, any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to the Special Limited Partner, or the Partnership is a member and (v) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Partner in accordance with its terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Partner may exceed any of the five percent limits (5%) set forth in clause (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence; provided that any Partner other than a Permitted Transferee obtains the written consent of the General Partner prior to exceeding any such limits; provided , further , that in no event shall any Partner (including any Permitted Transferee) own, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the stock described in clause (iv) (a) of the immediately preceding sentence or more than ten percent (10%) of the assets described in clause (iv) (b) of the immediately preceding sentence.

C. Each Partner (including, without limitation, each Substituted Limited Partner, as a condition to becoming a Substituted Limited Partner) represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act and represents, warrants and agrees that it has acquired and continues to hold its interest in the Partnership for its own account for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of, or with a view toward, the resale or distribution of all or any part thereof, and not with a view toward selling or otherwise distributing such interest or any part thereof at any particular time or under any predetermined circumstances. Each Partner further represents and warrants that it is a sophisticated investor, able and accustomed to handling sophisticated financial matters for itself, particularly real estate investments, and that it has a sufficiently high net worth that it does not anticipate a need for the funds that it has invested in the Partnership in what it understands to be a highly speculative and illiquid investment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties contained in the first sentence of this Section 3.4.C shall not apply to any Permitted Lender Transferee, it being understood that a Permitted Lender Transferee may be subject to a legal obligation to sell, distribute or otherwise dispose of any Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge; provided , however , that such Permitted Lender Transferee must be a Qualified Transferee.

 

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D. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C hereof shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Partner (and, in the case of an Additional Limited Partner or a Substituted Limited Partner, the admission of such Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner as a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and the dissolution, liquidation and termination of the Partnership.

E. Each Partner (including, without limitation, each Substituted Limited Partner as a condition to becoming a Substituted Limited Partner) hereby acknowledges that no representations as to potential profit, cash flows, funds from operations or yield, if any, in respect of the Partnership or the General Partner have been made by any Partner or any employee or representative or Affiliate of any Partner, and that projections and any other information, including, without limitation, financial and descriptive information and documentation, that may have been in any manner submitted to such Partner shall not constitute any representation or warranty of any kind or nature, express or implied.

F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may permit the modification of any of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C above as applicable to any Partner (including, without limitation any Additional Limited Partner or Substituted Limited Partner or any transferee of either) provided that such representations and warranties, as modified, shall be set forth in either (i) a Partnership Unit Designation applicable to the Partnership Units held by such Partner or (ii) a separate writing addressed to the Partnership and the General Partner.

ARTICLE 4

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Section 4.1 Capital Contributions of the Partners . The Original Limited Partners have heretofore made Capital Contributions to the Partnership. Except as provided by law or in Section 4.2, 4.3, or 10.4 hereof, the Partners shall have no obligation or, except with the prior written consent of the General Partner, right to make any Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership. The General Partner shall cause to be maintained in the principal business office of the Partnership, or such other place as may be determined by the General Partner, the books and records of the Partnership, which shall include, among other things, a register containing the name, address, and number of Partnership Units of each Partner, and such other information as the General Partner may deem necessary or desirable (the “Register”). The Register shall not be deemed part of this Agreement. The General Partner shall from time to time update the Register as necessary to accurately reflect the information therein, including as a result of any sales, exchanges or other Transfers, or any redemptions, issuances or similar events involving Partnership Units. Any reference in this Agreement to the Register shall be deemed a reference to the Register as in effect from time to time. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the General Partner may take any action authorized hereunder in respect of the Register without any need to obtain the consent of any other Partner. No action of any Limited Partner shall be required to amend or update the Register. Except as required by law, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to receive a copy of the information set forth in the Register relating to any Partner other than itself.

Section 4.2 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests . Subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation:

A. General . The General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership to issue additional Partnership Interests, in the form of Partnership Units, for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from time to time, to the Partners (including the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner) or to other Persons, and to admit such Persons as Additional Limited Partners, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner, all without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the General Partner is expressly authorized to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Units (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any Debt, Partnership Units, or other securities issued by the Partnership, (ii) for less than fair market value, (iii) for no consideration, (iv) in connection with any merger of any other Person into the Partnership, or (v) upon the contribution of property or assets to the Partnership. Any additional Partnership Interests may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption (including, without limitation, rights that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing Partnership Interests) as shall be determined by the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person, and set forth in a written document thereafter attached to and made an exhibit to this Agreement, which exhibit shall be an amendment to this Agreement and shall be incorporated herein by this reference (each, a “ Partnership Unit Designation ”). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the General Partner shall have authority to specify the allocations of items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Partnership Interests. Upon the issuance of any additional Partnership Interest, the General Partner shall amend t he Register and the books and records of the Partnership as appropriate to reflect such issuance.

 

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B. Issuances to the General Partner or Special Limited Partner . No additional Partnership Units shall be issued to the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner unless (i) the additional Partnership Units are issued to all Partners holding Partnership Common Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in the Partnership Common Units, (ii) (a) the additional Partnership Units are (x) Partnership Common Units issued in connection with an issuance of REIT Shares, or (y) Partnership Equivalent Units (other than Partnership Common Units) issued in connection with an issuance of Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in the Special Limited Partner (other than REIT Shares), and (b) the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner (as the case may be) contributes to the Partnership the cash proceeds or other consideration received in connection with the issuance of such REIT Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in the Special Limited Partner, (iii) the additional Partnership Units are issued upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of Debt, Partnership Units or other securities issued by the Partnership, or (iv) the additional Partnership Units are issued pursuant to Section 4.3.B, Section 4.3.E, Section 4.4, Section 4.5 or Section 4.9.

C. No Preemptive Rights . Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Partnership Unit Designation, no Person, including, without limitation, any Partner or Assignee, shall have any preemptive, preferential, participation or similar right or rights to subscribe for or acquire any Partnership Interest.

Section 4.3 Additional Funds and Capital Contributions .

A. General . The General Partner may, at any time and from time to time, determine that the Partnership requires additional funds (“ Additional Funds ”) for the acquisition or development of additional Properties, for the redemption of Partnership Units or for such other purposes as the General Partner may determine. Additional Funds may be obtained by the Partnership, at the election of the General Partner, in any manner provided in, and in accordance with, the terms of this Section 4.3 without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.

B. Additional Capital Contributions . The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by accepting Capital Contributions from any Partners or other Persons. In connection with any such Capital Contribution (of cash or property), the General Partner is hereby authorized to cause the Partnership from time to time to issue additional Partnership Units (as set forth in Section 4.2 above) in consideration therefor and the Percentage Interests of the General Partner, the Limited Partners shall be adjusted to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units.

C. Loans by Third Parties . The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt to any Person (other than, except as contemplated in, Section 4.3.D the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner) upon such terms as the General Partner determines appropriate, including making such Debt convertible, redeemable or exchangeable for Partnership Units; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if any Partner would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Partner otherwise agrees).

 

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D. General Partner and Special Limited Partner Loans . The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Partnership to incur Debt with the General Partner and/or the Special Limited Partner (each, a “ General Partner Loan ”) if (i) such Debt is, to the extent permitted by law, on substantially the same terms and conditions (including interest rate, repayment schedule, and conversion, redemption, repurchase and exchange rights) as Funding Debt incurred by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, as applicable, the net proceeds of which are loaned to the Partnership to provide such Additional Funds, or (ii) such Debt is on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership than would be available to the Partnership from any third party; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not incur any such Debt if any Limited Partner would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Partner otherwise agrees).

E. Issuance of Securities by the Special Limited Partner . The Special Limited Partner shall not issue any additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities unless the Special Limited Partner contributes the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance of such additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (as the case may be) and from the exercise of the rights contained in any such additional New Securities to the Partnership in exchange for (x) in the case of an issuance of REIT Shares, Partnership Common Units, or (y) in the case of an issuance of Preferred Shares or New Securities, Partnership Equivalent Units; provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Special Limited Partner may issue REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (a) pursuant to Section 4.4 or Section 15.1.B hereof, (b) pursuant to a dividend or distribution (including any stock split) of REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities to all of the holders of REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (as the case may be), (c) upon a conversion, redemption or exchange of Preferred Shares, (d) upon a conversion, redemption, exchange or exercise of New Securities, or (e) in connection with an acquisition of Partnership Units or a property or other asset to be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Special Limited Partner. In the event of any issuance of additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities by the Special Limited Partner, and the contribution to the Partnership, by the Special Limited Partner, of the cash proceeds or other consideration received from such issuance, the Partnership shall pay the Special Limited Partner’s expenses associated with such issuance, including any underwriting discounts or commissions. In the event that the Special Limited Partner issues any additional REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities and contributes the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance thereof to the Partnership, the Partnership is authorized to issue a number of Partnership Common Units or Partnership Equivalent Units to the Special Limited Partner equal to the number of REIT Shares, Capital Shares or New Securities so issued, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect, in accordance with this Section 4.3.E without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner or any other Persons.

Section 4.4 Stock Option Plans .

A. Options Granted to Persons other than Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, an option to purchase REIT Shares granted to a Person other than a Partnership Employee is duly exercised:

(1) The Special Limited Partner, shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in an amount equal to the exercise price paid to the Special Limited Partner by such exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option.

(2) Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to Section 4.4.A(1) hereof, the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have contributed to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution an amount equal to the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise multiplied by the number of REIT Shares then being issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option. In exchange for such Capital Contribution, the Partnership shall issue a number of Partnership Common Units to the Special Limited Partner equal to the quotient of (a) the number of REIT Shares issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

 

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B. Options Granted to Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Option Plan, an option to purchase REIT Shares granted to a Partnership Employee is duly exercised:

(1) The Special Limited Partner shall sell to the Partnership, and the Partnership shall purchase from the Special Limited Partner, the number of REIT Shares as to which such stock option is being exercised. The purchase price per REIT Share for such sale of REIT Shares to the Partnership shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise of such stock option.

(2) The Partnership shall sell to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall sell to such Partnership Subsidiary, which in turn shall sell to the Optionee), for a cash price per share equal to the Value of a REIT Share at the time of the exercise, the number of REIT Shares equal to (a) the exercise price paid to the Special Limited Partner by the exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option divided by (b) the Value of a REIT Share at the time of such exercise.

(3) The Partnership shall transfer to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall transfer to such Partnership Subsidiary, which in turn shall transfer to the Optionee) at no additional cost, as additional compensation, the number of REIT Shares equal to the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(1) hereof less the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(2) hereof.

(4) The Special Limited Partner shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Partnership of an amount equal to all proceeds received (from whatever source, but excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other withholdings) by the Special Limited Partner in connection with the exercise of such stock option. In exchange for such Capital Contribution, the Partnership shall issue a number of Partnership Common Units to the Special Limited Partner equal to the quotient of (a) the number of REIT Shares issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

C. Restricted Stock Granted to Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a stock option plan), any REIT Shares are issued to a Partnership Employee (including any REIT Shares that are subject to forfeiture in the event such Partnership Employee terminates his employment by the Partnership or a Partnership Subsidiary) in consideration for services performed for the Partnership or a Partnership Subsidiary:

(1) The Special Limited Partner shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to the Partnership Employee in accordance with the Equity Plan;

(2) The following events will be deemed to have occurred: (a) the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have sold such shares to the Partnership (or if the Partnership Employee is an employee or other service provider of a Partnership Subsidiary, to such Partnership Subsidiary) for a purchase price equal to the Value of such shares, (b) the Partnership (or such Partnership Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered the shares to the Partnership Employee, (c) the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, and (d) in the case where the Partnership Employee is an employee of a Partnership Subsidiary, the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Partnership Subsidiary; and

(3) The Partnership shall issue to the Special Limited Partner a number of Partnership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect in consideration for a deemed Capital Contribution in an amount equal to (x) the number of newly issued Partnership Common Units, multiplied by (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the Value of a REIT Share, and the denominator of which is the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

 

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D. Restricted Stock Granted to Persons other than Partnership Employees . If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a stock option plan), any REIT shares are issued to a Person other than a Partnership Employee in consideration for services performed for the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner, the Partnership or a Partnership Subsidiary:

(1) The Special Limited Partner shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to such Person in accordance with the Equity Plan; and

(2) The Special Limited Partner shall be deemed to have contributed the Value of such REIT Shares to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution, and the Partnership shall issue to the Special Limited Partner a number of newly issued Partnership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

E. Future Stock Incentive Plans . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates. The Partners acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, amendments to this Section 4.4 may become necessary or advisable and that any approval or Consent to any such amendments requested by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner shall be deemed granted.

F. Issuance of Partnership Common Units . The Partnership is expressly authorized to issue Partnership Common Units in the numbers specified in this Section 4.4 without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner or any other Persons.

Section 4.5 Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan . Except as may otherwise be provided in this Article 4, all amounts received by the Special Limited Partner in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by the Special Limited Partner to effect open market purchases of REIT Shares, or (b) if the Special Limited Partner elects instead to issue new REIT Shares with respect to such amounts, shall be contributed by the Special Limited Partner to the Partnership in exchange for additional Partnership Common Units. Upon such contribution, the Partnership will issue to the Special Limited Partner a number of Partnership Common Units equal to the product of (i) the Value as of the date of issuance of each REIT Share so issued by the Special Limited Partner multiplied by (ii) the number of REIT Shares so issued.

Section 4.6 No Interest; No Return . No Partner shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Partner’s Capital Account. Except as provided herein or by law, no Partner shall have any right to demand or receive the return of its Capital Contribution from the Partnership.

Section 4.7 Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Shares; Redemption of REIT Shares .

A. Conversion of Preferred Shares . If, at any time, any Preferred Shares are converted into REIT Shares, in whole or in part, then an equal number of Partnership Equivalent Units held by the Special Limited Partner that correspond to the class or series of Preferred Shares so converted shall automatically be converted into a number of Partnership Common Units equal to the quotient of (i) the number of REIT Shares issued upon such conversion divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.

B. Redemption of Preferred Shares . If, at any time, any Preferred Shares are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Special Limited Partner for cash, then, immediately prior to such redemption of Preferred Shares, the Partnership shall redeem an equal number of Partnership Equivalent Units held by the Special Limited Partner that correspond to the class or series of Preferred Shares so redeemed, repurchased or acquired upon the same terms and for the same price per Partnership Equivalent Unit, as such Preferred Shares are redeemed, repurchased or acquired.

 

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C. Redemption, Repurchase or Forfeiture of REIT Shares . If, at any time, any REIT Shares are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, upon forfeiture of any award granted under any Equity Plan, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by the Special Limited Partner, then, immediately prior to such redemption, repurchase or acquisition of REIT Shares, the Partnership shall redeem a number of Partnership Common Units held by the Special Limited Partner equal to the quotient of (i) the number of REIT Shares so redeemed, repurchased or acquired, divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect, such redemption, repurchase or acquisition to be upon the same terms and for the same price per Partnership Common Unit (after giving effect to application of the Adjustment Factor) as such REIT Shares are redeemed, repurchased or acquired.

Section 4.8 Other Contribution Provisions . In the event that any Partner is admitted to the Partnership and is given a Capital Account in exchange for services rendered to the Partnership, such transaction shall be treated by the Partnership and the affected Partner as if the Partnership had compensated such Partner in cash and such Partner had contributed the cash to the capital of the Partnership. In addition, with the consent of the General Partner, one or more Partners (including the Special Limited Partner) may enter into contribution agreements with the Partnership which have the effect of providing a guarantee of certain obligations of the Partnership.

Section 4.9 Excluded Properties . The Special Limited Partner shall contribute each Excluded Property (or, if applicable, the net proceeds (after payment of all transfer taxes and other transaction costs) received by the Special Limited Partner from the sale, transfer or other disposition of an Excluded Property to a Person who is not a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner) to the Partnership upon the earlier of (i) such time as it is commercially practicable to contribute such property to the Partnership without adverse tax or other economic consequence to the Special Limited Partner and (ii) any sale, transfer or other disposition of an Excluded Property to a Person who is not a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner. Upon any such contribution of an Excluded Property or the proceeds therefrom, the Special Limited Partner shall receive in exchange for such contribution, notwithstanding the actual value of such Excluded Property or the amount of such proceeds (as the case may be), the Specified Partnership Units applicable to such Excluded Property. The Partnership is expressly authorized to issue the Specified Partnership Units in the numbers specified in this Section 4.9 without any further act, approval or vote of any Partner or any other Persons.

ARTICLE 5

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 5.1 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions . Subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation that provides for a class or series of Partnership Preferred Units with a preference with respect to the payment of distributions, the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to distribute quarterly all, or such portion as the General Partner may determine, of the Available Cash generated by the Partnership during such quarter to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests of Partnership Common Units on such Partnership Record Date. Distributions payable with respect to any Partnership Units that were not outstanding during the entire quarterly period in respect of which any distribution is made (other than any Partnership Units issued to the Special Limited Partner in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares or Capital Shares by the Special Limited Partner) shall be prorated based on the portion of the period that such Partnership Units were outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, may cause the Partnership to distribute Available Cash to the Holders on a more or less frequent basis than quarterly. The General Partner shall make reasonable efforts to cause the Partnership to distribute sufficient amounts to enable the Special Limited Partner, for so long as the Special Limited Partner has determined to qualify as a REIT, to pay stockholder dividends that will (a) satisfy the REIT Requirements and (b) eliminate any U.S. federal income or excise tax liability of the Special Limited Partner.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Excluded Property (or the proceeds therefrom) has not been contributed to the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.9, the distributions provided for above shall be calculated, to the extent possible, based on Adjusted Available Cash as if each Excluded Property had been contributed to the Partnership in exchange for Partnership Common Units pursuant to Section 4.9; provided , however , that in the event any Excluded Property (or the proceeds therefrom) has not been contributed to the Partnership pursuant to Section 4.9, any distributions to be made with respect to the Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Units shall in the aggregate be reduced to the extent of any REIT Available Cash.

 

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Section 5.2 Distributions in Kind . No Holder may demand to receive property other than cash as provided in this Agreement. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to make a distribution in kind of Partnership assets to the Holders, and such assets shall be distributed in such a fashion as to ensure that the fair market value is distributed and allocated in accordance with Articles 5, 6 and 10 hereof.

Section 5.3 Amounts Withheld . All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any state or local tax law and Section 10.4 hereof with respect to any allocation, payment or distribution to any Holder shall be treated as amounts paid or distributed to such Holder pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof for all purposes under this Agreement.

Section 5.4 Distributions upon Liquidation . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 5, upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the assets of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Holders in accordance with Section 13.2 hereof.

Section 5.5 Distributions to Reflect Additional Partnership Units . In the event that the Partnership issues additional Partnership Units pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 hereof, subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner is hereby authorized to make such revisions to this Article 5 and to Article 6 as it determines are necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of such additional Partnership Units, including, without limitation, making preferential distributions to certain classes of Partnership Units.

Section 5.6 Restricted Distributions . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Partnership nor the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, shall make a distribution to any Holder if such distribution would violate the Act or other applicable law.

ARTICLE 6

ALLOCATIONS

Section 6.1 Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss . Net Income and Net Loss of the Partnership shall be determined and allocated with respect to each Partnership Year as of the end of each such year. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6, and subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, an allocation to a Holder of a share of Net Income or Net Loss shall be treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss.

Section 6.2 General Allocations .

A. In General . Subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, Net Income and Net Loss shall be allocated to each of the Holders as follows:

(i) Net Income will be allocated to Holders of Partnership Preferred Units in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Partnership Unit Designation applicable to such Partnership Preferred Units;

(ii) remaining Net Income will be allocated to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the end of each Partnership Year;

(iii) subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation, Net Loss will be allocated to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the end of each Partnership Year; and

(iv) for purposes of this Section 6.2.A, the Percentage Interests of the Holders of Partnership Common Units shall be calculated based on a denominator equal to the aggregate Partnership Common Units outstanding as of the date of determination.

 

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Section 6.3 Additional Allocation Provisions . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6:

A. Special Allocations Regarding Partnership Preferred Units . If any Partnership Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Section 4.7.B hereof (treating a full liquidation of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest or of such Special Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest for purposes of this Section 6.3.A as including a redemption of any then outstanding Partnership Preferred Units pursuant to Section 4.7.B hereof), for the Partnership Year that includes such redemption (and, if necessary, for subsequent Partnership Years) (a) gross income and gain (in such relative proportions as the General Partner shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Partnership Preferred Units to the extent that the Redemption Amounts paid or payable with respect to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the aggregate Capital Account Balances (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by the Partnership) per Partnership Preferred Unit allocable to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) and (b) deductions and losses (in such relative proportions as the General Partner shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Partnership Preferred Units to the extent that the aggregate Capital Account Balances (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by the Partnership) per Partnership Preferred Unit allocable to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the Redemption Amount paid or payable with respect to the Partnership Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed).

B. Regulatory Allocations .

(i) Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2 hereof, or any other provision of this Article 6, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership Year, each Holder shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s share of the net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.B(i) is intended to qualify as a “minimum gain chargeback” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii) Partner Minimum Gain Chargeback . Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) or in Section 6.3.B(i) hereof, if there is a net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt during any Partnership Year, each Holder who has a share of the Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s respective share of the net decrease in Partner Minimum Gain attributable to such Partner Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.B(ii) is intended to qualify as a “chargeback of partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii) Nonrecourse Deductions and Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Any Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership Year shall be specially allocated to the Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. Any Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any Partnership Year shall be specially allocated to the Holder(s) who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i).

 

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(iv) Qualified Income Offset . If any Holder unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be allocated, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), to such Holder in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by such Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Holder as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.B(iv) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.B(iv) were not in the Agreement. It is intended that this Section 6.3.B(iv) qualify and be construed as a “qualified income offset” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(v) Gross Income Allocation . In the event that any Holder has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Partnership Year that is in excess of the sum of (1) the amount (if any) that such Holder is obligated to restore to the Partnership upon complete liquidation of such Holder’s Partnership Interest (including, the Holder’s interest in outstanding Partnership Preferred Units and other Partnership Units) and (2) the amount that such Holder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Holder shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in the amount of such excess to eliminate such deficit as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.B(v) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.B(v) and Section 6.3.B(iv) hereof were not in the Agreement.

(vi) Limitation on Allocation of Net Loss . To the extent that any allocation of Net Loss would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as to any Holder, such allocation of Net Loss shall be reallocated (x) first, among the other Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, and (y) thereafter, among the Holders of other Partnership Units, as determined by the General Partner, subject to the limitations of this Section 6.3.B(vi).

(vii) Section 754 Adjustment . To the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as the result of a distribution to a Holder of Partnership Common Units in complete liquidation of its interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Holders of Partnership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Holder(s) to whom such distribution was made in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

(viii) Curative Allocations . The allocations set forth in Sections 6.3.B(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) hereof (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Holders of Partnership Common Units so that to the extent possible without violating the requirements giving rise to the Regulatory Allocations, the net amount of such allocations of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Holder of a Partnership Common Unit shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Holder if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.

 

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C. Special Allocations Upon Liquidation . Notwithstanding any provision in this Article 6 to the contrary, in the event that the Partnership disposes of all or substantially all of its assets in a transaction that will lead to a liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to Article 13 hereof, then any Net Income or Net Loss realized in connection with such transaction and thereafter (and, if necessary, constituent items of income, gain, loss and deduction) shall be specially allocated for such Partnership Year (and to the extent permitted by Section 761(c) of the Code, for the immediately preceding Partnership Year) among the Holders as required so as to cause liquidating distributions pursuant to Section 13.2.A(4) hereof to be made in the same amounts and proportions as would have resulted had such distributions instead been made pursuant to Article 5 hereof.

D. Allocation of Excess Nonrecourse Liabilities . For purposes of determining a Holder’s proportional share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Partnership within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Holder’s respective interest in Partnership profits shall be equal to such Holder’s Percentage Interest with respect to Partnership Common Units.

E. Special Allocation of Certain Employee Compensation Deductions . To the extent the Partnership is entitled to an item of loss or deduction with respect to any employee compensation funded by CBI or any of its Affiliates (including any payments made pursuant to employee incentive plans of the Special Limited Partner), such item shall be allocated only to Controlled Entities of CBI.

Section 6.4 Tax Allocations .

A. In General . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.4, for income tax purposes under the Code and the Regulations each Partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction (collectively, “ Tax Items ”) shall be allocated among the Holders in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof.

B. Section 704(c) Allocations . Notwithstanding Section 6.4.A hereof, Tax Items with respect to Property that is contributed to the Partnership with a Gross Asset Value that varies from its basis in the hands of the contributing Partner immediately preceding the date of contribution shall be allocated among the Holders for income tax purposes pursuant to Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(c) so as to take into account such variation. The Partnership shall account for such variation under any method approved under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations as chosen by the General Partner. In the event that the Gross Asset Value of any partnership asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value” (provided in Article 1 hereof), subsequent allocations of Tax Items with respect to such asset shall take account of the variation, if any, between the adjusted basis of such asset and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations and using the method chosen by the General Partner.

ARTICLE 7

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management .

A. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, including any Partnership Unit Designation, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership are and shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any right to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. No General Partner may be removed by the Partners, with or without cause, except with the consent of the General Partner. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to the other provisions hereof, including Section 7.3 and the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation, shall have full and exclusive power and authority, without the consent of any Limited Partner, to conduct or authorize the conduct of the business of the Partnership, to exercise or direct the exercise of all powers of the Partnership and the General Partner under the Act and this Agreement and to effectuate the purposes of the Partnership, including, without limitation, to cause the Partnership to enter into agreements or engage in transactions with affiliates of the Partnership or the General Partner, issue additional Partnership Interests, make distributions, sell, pledge, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of its assets, form and conduct all or any portion of its business and affairs through subsidiaries or joint ventures of any form, incur or guarantee debt for any purpose and obtain and maintain casualty, liability and other insurance on the Properties and liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder.

 

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B. Except as provided in Section 7.3 hereof and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner is authorized to execute and deliver any affidavit, agreement, certificate, consent, instrument, notice, power of attorney, waiver or other writing or document in the name and on behalf of the Partnership and to otherwise exercise any power of the General Partner under this Agreement and the Act without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or any other Persons and, in the absence of any specific trust action on the part of the General Partner to the contrary, the taking of any action or the execution of any such document or writing by an officer or trustee of the General Partner, in the name and on behalf of the General Partner, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, shall conclusively evidence (1) the approval thereof by the General Partner, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, (2) the General Partner’s determination that such action, document or writing is necessary or desirable to conduct the business and affairs of the Partnership, exercise the powers of the Partnership under the Act and this Agreement or effectuate the purposes of the Partnership, or any other determination by the General Partner required by this Agreement in connection with the taking of such action or execution of such document or writing, and (3) the authority of such trustee or officer with respect thereto.

C. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or at the direction of the General Partner consistent with the Act and this Agreement, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Partnership and every Limited Partner: the amount of assets at any time available for distribution or the redemption of Common Units or Preferred Units; the amount and timing of any distribution; any determination to redeem Tendered Units; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Partnership; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Partnership; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Partnership or required or permitted by applicable law, this Agreement or otherwise to be determined by the General Partner.

D. At all times from and after the date hereof, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to establish and maintain working capital and other reserves in such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time.

E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for the Special Limited Partner otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) for the Special Limited Partner to avoid incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981, or (iv) for any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners.

Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership . To the extent that such action is determined by the General Partner to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate and do all the things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Maryland and each other state, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 8.5.A hereof, the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Maryland and any other state, or the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction, in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property.

 

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Section 7.3 Restrictions on General Partner’s Authority .

A. The General Partner may not take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

(1) any action that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

(2) admitting a Person as a Partner, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement;

(3) performing any act that would subject a Limited Partner to liability, except as provided herein or under the Act;

(4) entering into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that expressly prohibits or restricts (a) the Special Limited Partner or the Partnership from performing its specific obligations under Section 15.1 hereof or (b) a Limited Partner from exercising its rights under Section 15.1 hereof to effect a Redemption, except, in either case, with the written consent of such Limited Partner affected by the prohibition or restriction.

B. The General Partner shall not, without the Consent of the Partners, undertake on behalf of the Partnership, or enter into any transaction that would have the effect of, any of the following actions:

(1) except as provided in Section 7.3.C hereof, amend, modify or terminate this Agreement ;

(2) except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, or in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7, Transfer any portion of the Partnership Interest of the General Partner or admit into the Partnership any additional or successor General Partner;

(3) except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, or in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7, voluntarily withdraw as a general partner of the Partnership;

(4) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or appoint or acquiesce in the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for all or any part of the assets of the Partnership;

(5) institute any proceeding for bankruptcy on behalf of the Partnership;

(6) a merger or consolidation of the Partnership with or into any other Person, or a conversion of the Partnership into any other entity, other than in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7; or

(7) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership not in the ordinary course of business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, other than in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7;

 

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provided , however , with respect to items B(1), B(2), B(3), B(6) and B(7), for so long as CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, holds at least 20% of the outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners, the Consent of CBI shall also be required.

C. Notwithstanding Section 7.3.B hereof but subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation and Section 7.3.D, the General Partner shall have the power, without the Consent of the Partners or the consent or approval of any Limited Partner, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:

(1) to add to the obligations of the General Partner or surrender any right or power granted to the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner for the benefit of the Limited Partners;

(2) to reflect the admission, substitution or withdrawal of Partners, the Transfer of any Partnership Interest or the termination of the Partnership in accordance with this Agreement, and to amend the Register in connection with such admission, substitution, withdrawal or Transfer;

(3) to reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature or does not adversely affect the Limited Partners in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of this Agreement;

(4) to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a Federal or state agency or contained in Federal or state law (collectively, “ Legal Requirements ”);

(5) to reflect such changes as are reasonably necessary for the Special Limited Partner to maintain its status as a REIT or to satisfy the REIT Requirements;

(6) to modify either or both of the manner in which items of Net Income or Net Loss are allocated pursuant to Article 6 or the manner in which Capital Accounts are adjusted, computed, or maintained (but in each case only to the extent set forth in the definition of “Capital Account” or Section 5.5 or as contemplated by the Code or the Regulations);

(7) to reflect the issuance of additional Partnership Interests in accordance with Article 4;

(8) to set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any additional Partnership Units issued pursuant to Article 4;

(9) if the Partnership is the Surviving Partnership in any Termination Transaction, to modify Section 15.1 or any related definitions to provide the holders of interests in such Surviving Partnership rights that are consistent with Section 11.7.A(ii)(v); and

(10) to reflect any other modification to this Agreement as is reasonably necessary for the business or operations of the Partnership or the Special Limited Partner and which does not violate Section 7.3.D.

D. Notwithstanding Sections 7.3.B, 7.3.C and Article 14 hereof, this Agreement shall not be amended, and no action may be taken by the General Partner, without the consent of each Partner, if any, adversely affected thereby, if such amendment or action would (i) convert a Limited Partner into a general partner of the Partnership (except as a result of the Limited Partner becoming the General Partner pursuant to Section 12.1 or 13.1. A of this Agreement), (ii) modify the limited liability of a Limited Partner, (iii) adversely alter the rights of any Partner to receive the distributions to which such Partner is entitled pursuant to Article 5 or Section 13.2.A(4) hereof, or alter the allocations specified in Article 6 hereof (except, in any case, as permitted pursuant to Sections 4.2, 5.5 and 7.3.C hereof), (iv) alter or modify in a manner that adversely affects any Partner the Redemption rights, Cash Amount or REIT Shares Amount as set forth in Section 15.1 hereof, or amend or modify any related definitions (except for amendments to this Agreement or other actions that provide rights consistent with Section 11.7.A(ii)(v)), or (v) amend this Section 7.3.D; provided , however , that the consent of any individual Partner adversely affected shall not be required for any amendment or action that affects all Partners holding the same class or series of Partnership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Partners of such class or series. Except as provided in Section 8.9.E, no amendment to Section 8.9 of this Agreement, and no amendment to this Agreement that is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 8.9, shall be made without the prior written consent of CBI. Further, no amendment may alter the restrictions on the General Partner’s authority set forth elsewhere in this Section 7.3 without the consent specified therein. Any such amendment or action consented to by any Partner shall be effective as to that Partner, notwithstanding the absence of such consent by any other Partner.

 

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E. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, for so long as CBI or any of its Controlled Entities owns any Partnership Interest, Section 8.8 of this Agreement shall not be amended or waived without the prior written consent of CBI, nor shall this Agreement be modified in any manner that would have the effect of eliminating the consent rights of this Section 7.3.E.

Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner .

A. The General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as general partner of the Partnership except as provided in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 hereof regarding distributions, payments and allocations to which it may be entitled in its capacity as the General Partner).

B. Subject to Section 7.4.C and Section 15.12, the Partnership shall be liable for, and shall reimburse the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner, as applicable, on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for all sums expended in connection with the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, (i) expenses relating to the ownership of interests in and management and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Partnership, (ii) compensation of officers and employees, including, without limitation, payments under future compensation plans of the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner, or the Partnership that may provide for stock units, or phantom stock, pursuant to which employees of the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner, or the Partnership will receive payments based upon dividends on or the value of REIT Shares, (iii) director fees and expenses and (iv) all costs and expenses of the Special Limited Partner being a public company, including costs of filings with the SEC, reports and other distributions to its stockholders; provided , however , that the amount of any reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Partnership as permitted pursuant to Section 7.5. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof.

C. To the extent practicable, Partnership expenses shall be billed directly to and paid by the Partnership and, subject to Section 15.12 hereof, reimbursements to the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or any of their respective Affiliates by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c).

Section 7.5 Outside Activities of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner . Neither the General Partner nor the Special Limited Partner shall directly or indirectly enter into or conduct any business, other than in connection with, (a) with respect to the General Partner, the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Partnership Interests, (b) with respect to the General Partner, the management of the business of the Partnership, (c) with respect to the Special Limited Partner, its operation as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, (d) with respect to the Special Limited Partner, its operations as a REIT, (e) with respect to the Special Limited Partner, the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests, (f) financing or refinancing of any type related to the Partnership or its assets or activities, and (g) such activities as are incidental thereto; provided, however, that each of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner may from time to time hold or acquire assets in its own name or otherwise other than through the Partnership so long as each of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner takes commercially reasonable measures to insure that the economic benefits and burdens of such Property are otherwise vested in the Partnership, whether by electing to treat such asset as an “Excluded Property” hereunder, through assignment, mortgage loan or otherwise or, if it is not commercially reasonable to vest such economic interests in the Partnership, the Partners shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement, including, without limitation, the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” to reflect such activities and the direct ownership of assets by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, as applicable. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit the General Partner from executing guarantees of Partnership debt for which it would otherwise be liable in its capacity as General Partner. Subject to Section 7.3.B hereof, the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and all “qualified REIT subsidiaries” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), taken as a group, shall not own any assets or take title to assets (other than temporarily in connection with an acquisition prior to contributing such assets to the Partnership) other than (i) Excluded Properties, (ii) interests in “qualified REIT subsidiaries” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), (iii) Partnership Interests as the General Partner or Special Limited Partner and (iv) such cash and cash equivalents, bank accounts or similar instruments or accounts as such group deems reasonably necessary, taking into account Section 7.1.D hereof and the requirements necessary for the Special Limited Partner to qualify as a REIT and for the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner to carry out their respective responsibilities contemplated under this Agreement and the Charter. The General Partner and any Affiliates of the General Partner may acquire Partnership Interests and shall be entitled to exercise all rights of a Limited Partner relating to such Partnership Interests.

 

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Section 7.6 Transactions with Affiliates .

A. The Partnership may lend or contribute funds or other assets to the Special Limited Partner and its Subsidiaries or other Persons in which the Special Limited Partner has an equity investment, and such Persons may borrow funds from the Partnership, on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership in the aggregate than would be available from unaffiliated third parties as determined by the General Partner. The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed by each Partner that the Special Limited Partner may (i) borrow funds from the Partnership in order to redeem, at any time or from time to time, options or warrants previously or hereafter issued by the Special Limited Partner, (ii) put to the Partnership, for cash, any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities that the Special Limited Partner may desire or be required to purchase or redeem or (iii) borrow funds from the Partnership to acquire assets that become Excluded Properties or will be contributed to the Partnership for Partnership Units. If the Special Limited Partner acquires a corporation in which the Partnership does not hold an interest, in whole or in part, with the proceeds (whether comprised of cash or other assets) of a loan from the Partnership to the Special Limited Partner, the Partnership shall issue to such corporation an interest in the Partnership that (i) entitles the holder thereof to receive distributions in amounts and at the same times as interest payments on such loan (with appropriate reductions in such distributions if any portion of the loan is repaid), (ii) entitles the holder thereof to receive, if and to the extent that any portion of such loan is repaid, a number of Partnership Units equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the principal amount of the loan repaid by the Value of REIT Shares at the date of repayment (it being understood and agreed that if the loan is repaid with funds contributed to such corporation by the Special Limited Partner from the proceeds of a sale of REIT Shares, the Value of REIT Shares at the date of repayment shall be deemed to be the net price per share at which such shares were sold), and (iii) is automatically redeemed for no consideration upon the repayment in full of such loan.

B. Except as provided in Section 7.5 hereof and subject to Section 3.1 hereof, the Partnership may transfer assets to joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, business trusts or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.

C. The General Partner, the Special Limited Partner and their respective Affiliates may sell, transfer or convey any property to the Partnership, directly or indirectly, on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Partnership in the aggregate than would be available from unaffiliated third parties as determined by the General Partner.

D. The General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, without the approval of the Partners or any of them or any other Persons, may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans funded by the Partnership for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, the Partnership, the Special Limited Partner, Subsidiaries of the Partnership or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 7.7 Indemnification .

A. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Partnership shall indemnify each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the Partnership (“ Actions ”) as set forth in this Agreement in which such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise; provided , however , that the Partnership shall not indemnify an Indemnitee (i) arising from actions or omissions by the Indemnitee that are material to the matter giving rise to the action and are established by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute fraud, intentional harm or gross negligence on the part of the Indemnitee, (ii) arising from an action or proceeding initiated by the Indemnitee (other than an action to enforce such Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advance of expenses under this Section 7.7) or (iii) with respect to any claim as to which the Indemnitee is established by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Partnership. Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guaranty or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership (including, without limitation, any indebtedness which the Partnership or any Subsidiary of the Partnership has assumed or taken subject to), and the General Partner is hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Partnership, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.7 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness. It is the intention of this Section 7.7.A that the Partnership indemnify each Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section 7.7.A. The termination of any proceeding by conviction of an Indemnitee or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent by an Indemnitee, or an entry of an order of probation against an Indemnitee prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that such Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in this Section 7.7.A with respect to the subject matter of such proceeding. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, and neither the General Partner nor any other Holder shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Partnership or otherwise provide funds to enable the Partnership to fund its obligations under this Section 7.7.

B. To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party to a proceeding or otherwise subject to or the focus of or is involved in any Action shall be paid or reimbursed by the Partnership as incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of the Action upon receipt by the Partnership of (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Partnership as authorized in Section 7.7.A has been met, and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met, provided that such undertaking need not be secured and shall be without reference to the financial ability for repayment.

C. The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Partners, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee unless otherwise provided in a written agreement with such Indemnitee or in the writing pursuant to which such Indemnitee is indemnified.

D. The Partnership may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain insurance, on behalf of any of the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

E. Any liabilities which an Indemnitee incurs as a result of acting on behalf of the Partnership, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner (whether as a fiduciary or otherwise) in connection with the operation, administration or maintenance of an employee benefit plan or any related trust or funding mechanism (whether such liabilities are in the form of excise taxes assessed by the IRS, penalties assessed by the Department of Labor, restitutions to such a plan or trust or other funding mechanism or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan, trust or other funding mechanism, or otherwise) shall be treated as liabilities or judgments or fines under this Section 7.7, unless such liabilities arise as a result of such Indemnitee’s fraud, intentional harm or gross negligence on the part of the Indemnitee.

 

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F. In no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Holders to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

G. An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

H. The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the Partnership’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

I. It is the intent of the parties that any amounts paid by the Partnership to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be treated as “guaranteed payments” within the meaning of Code Section 707(c).

Section 7.8 Liability of the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner .

A. To the maximum extent permitted under the Act, the only duties that the General Partner owes to the Partnership, any Partner or any other Person (including any creditor of any Partner or assignee of any Partnership Interest), fiduciary or otherwise, are to perform its contractual obligations as expressly set forth in this Agreement consistently with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and to act with the fiduciary duties of care and loyalty which have been, in accordance with the Act, modified as set forth in this Section 7.8. The General Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have no other duty, fiduciary or otherwise, to the Partnership, any Partner or any other Person (including any creditor of any Partner or any assignee of Partnership Interest). The provisions of this Agreement other than this Section 7.8 shall create contractual obligations of the General Partner only, and no such provision shall be interpreted to expand or modify the fiduciary duties of the General Partner under the Act.

B. The Limited Partners agree that: (i) the General Partner (and the Special Limited Partner, as the trustee of the General Partner) is acting for the benefit of the Partnership, the Limited Partners and the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders collectively; and (ii) in the event of a conflict between the interests of the Partnership or any Partner, on the one hand, and the separate interests of the Special Limited Partner or its stockholders, on the other hand, the General Partner may give priority to the separate interests of the Special Limited Partner and its stockholders (including, without limitation, with respect to the tax consequences to Limited Partners, Assignees or the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders) and, in the event of such a conflict, any action or failure to act on the part of the General Partner (or the Special Limited Partner, in its capacity as the sole trustee of the General Partner, or the Special Limited Partner’s directors, officers and agents) that gives priority to the separate interests of the Special Limited Partner or its stockholders that does not result in a violation of the contract rights of the Limited Partners under this Agreement does not violate the duty of loyalty or any other duty owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and the Partners or any duty of the Special Limited Partner.

C. In exercising its authority under this Agreement, the General Partner may, but shall be under no obligation to take into account the tax consequences to any Partner of any action taken (or not taken) by it. Except as otherwise agreed by the Partnership, the General Partner and the Partnership shall not have liability to a Limited Partner under any circumstances as a result of any income tax liability incurred by such Limited Partner as a result of an action (or inaction) by the General Partner or the Partnership pursuant to the General Partner’s authority under this Agreement.

 

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D. Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in this Agreement and applicable law, the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its employees or agents, including through the Special Limited Partner and its employees and agents. The General Partner shall not be responsible to the Partnership or any Partner for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such employee or agent appointed by it in good faith.

E. In performing its duties under this Agreement and the Act, the General Partner shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of this Agreement and on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data or the records or books of account of the Partnership or any subsidiary of the Partnership, prepared or presented by an officer, employee or agent of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, or any agent of the Partnership or any such subsidiary, or by a lawyer, certified public accountant, appraiser or other person engaged by the Partnership as to any matter within such person’s professional or expert competence, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon any such information, opinion, report or statement as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or any decision of the General Partner to refrain from acting on behalf of the Partnership, undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for the Special Limited Partner otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) to avoid the Special Limited Partner incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981 is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners or (iv) for any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), is expressly authorized under this Agreement, is deemed approved by all of the Limited Partners and does not violate any duty, fiduciary or otherwise, of the General Partner to the Partnership or any other Partner.

G. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except for fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Partnership by the General Partner pursuant to any other written instrument, the General Partner shall not have any personal liability whatsoever, to the Partnership or to the other Partners, for any action or omission taken in its capacity as the General Partner or for the debts or liabilities of the Partnership or the Partnership’s obligations hereunder except pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except for fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence, or pursuant Section 15.1 hereof or any such express indemnity, no property or assets of the General Partner, other than its interest in the Partnership, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Partner(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement.

H. No trustee, officer or agent of the General Partner (including the Special Limited Partner, in its capacity as the trustee of the General Partner), and no director, officer or agent of the Special Limited Partner shall have any duties directly to the Partnership or any Partner. No officer, trustee or agent of the General Partner or any officer, director, stockholder or agent of the Special Limited Partner shall be directly liable to the Partnership for money damages by reason of their service as such.

I. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the General Partner’s, the Special Limited Partner’s and their respective trustees’, directors’ officers’ and agents’, liability to the Partnership and the Limited Partners under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

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Section 7.9 Title to Partnership Assets . Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively with other Partners or Persons, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, the Special Limited Partner or one or more nominees, as the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner may determine, including Affiliates of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner. The General Partner and the Special Limited Partner hereby declare and warrant that any Partnership assets for which legal title is held in the name of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, as applicable, or any nominee or Affiliate of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner shall be held by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, as applicable, for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Partnership assets is held.

Section 7.10 Reliance by Third Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner has full power and authority, without the consent or approval of any other Partner, or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expediency of any act or action of the General Partner or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (iii) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

ARTICLE 8

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability . No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have any duties or liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 10.4 hereof) or under the Act. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no Limited Partner, including the Special Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have any personal liability whatsoever, to the Partnership or to the other Partners, for any action or omission taken in its capacity as a limited partner or for the debts or liabilities of the Partnership or the Partnership’s obligations hereunder except pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Partnership by such Limited Partner pursuant to any other written instrument and except for liabilities of the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except pursuant to any such express indemnity (and, in the case of the Special Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof), no property or assets of a Limited Partner, other than its interest in the Partnership, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Partner(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement.

Section 8.2 Management of Business . No Limited Partner or Assignee (other than in its separate capacity as the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, member, employee, partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in the operations, management or control (within the meaning of the Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. The transaction of any such business by the General Partner, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, member, employee, partner, agent, representative, or trustee of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.

 

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Section 8.3 Outside Activities of Limited Partners . Subject to any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or any of its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership or a Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any employment agreement), any Limited Partner and any Assignee, officer, director, employee, agent, trustee, Affiliate, member or stockholder of any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities that are in direct or indirect competition with the Partnership or that are enhanced by the activities of the Partnership. Neither the Partnership nor any Partner shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee. Subject to such agreements, none of the Limited Partners nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person (other than the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, to the extent expressly provided herein), and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement, subject to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Limited Partner or its Affiliates with the General Partner, the Partnership or a Subsidiary, to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.

Section 8.4 Return of Capital . Except pursuant to the rights of Redemption set forth in Section 15.1 hereof or in any Partnership Unit Designation, no Limited Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon dissolution of the Partnership as provided herein. Except to the extent provided in Article 5 or Article 6 hereof or otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Partnership Unit Designation, no Limited Partner or Assignee shall have priority over any other Limited Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

Section 8.5 Rights of Limited Partners Relating to the Partnership .

A. In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, the General Partner shall deliver to each Limited Partner a copy of any information mailed to all of the common stockholders of the Special Limited Partner as soon as practicable after such mailing.

B. The Partnership shall notify any Limited Partner that is a Qualifying Party, on request, of the then current Adjustment Factor or any change made to the Adjustment Factor.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5, the General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners (or any of them), for such period of time as the General Partner determines to be reasonable, any information that (i) the General Partner believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Partnership or the Special Limited Partner or (ii) the Partnership or the General Partner is required by law or by agreement to keep confidential.

Section 8.6 Partnership Right to Call Partnership Interests . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on and after the date on which the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Limited Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) are less than one percent (1%), the Partnership shall have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time and at any time to redeem any and all outstanding Partnership Common Units (other than Partnership Common Units held by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner) by treating any Limited Partner as a Tendering Party who has delivered a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof for the amount of Partnership Common Units to be specified by the General Partner by notice to such Limited Partner that the Partnership has elected to exercise its rights under this Section 8.6. Such notice given by the General Partner to a Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be treated as if it were a Notice of Redemption delivered to the General Partner by such Limited Partner. For purposes of this Section 8.6, (a) any Limited Partner (whether or not otherwise a Qualifying Party) may be treated as a Qualifying Party that is a Tendering Party and (b) the provisions of Sections 15.1.D(1), 15.1.F(1) and 15.1.F(2) hereof shall not apply, but the remainder of Section 15.1 hereof shall apply, mutatis mutandis .

 

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Section 8.7 No Rights as Objecting Partner . No Limited Partner and no Holder of a Partnership Interest shall be entitled to exercise any of the rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law or any successor statute in connection with a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership.

Section 8.8 No Right to Certificate Evidencing Units ; Article 8 Securities. Partnership Units shall not be certificated. No Limited Partner shall be entitled to a certificate evidencing the Partnership Units held by such Limited Partner. Any certificate evidencing Partnership Units issued prior to the date hereof shall no longer evidence Partnership Units. The Partnership shall not elect to treat any Partnership Unit as a “security” governed by (x) Title 8 of the Maryland Uniform Commercial Code or (y) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction.

Section 8.9 Board Nomination Rights .

A. Board Nominees .

(1) It shall be a qualification of such number of the members of the board of directors of the Special Limited Partner (the “ REIT Directors ”), calculated as contemplated in this Section 8.9.A, that they be nominated by CBI. So long as CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, owns (a) fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding REIT Shares (assuming all outstanding Partnership Common Units not held by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner or any of their Controlled Entities are tendered for Redemption and exchanged for REIT Shares, regardless of whether such Partnership Common Units are then eligible for Redemption), such number of directors to which CBI is entitled to nominate shall equal (i) if there is an even number of REIT directors, 50% of the number of REIT Directors minus one; or (ii) if there is an odd number of REIT Directors, 50% of the number of REIT Directors minus 0.5; or (b) less than fifty percent (50%) but at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding REIT Shares (assuming all outstanding Partnership Common Units not held by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner or any of their Controlled Entities are tendered for Redemption and exchanged for REIT Shares, regardless of whether such Partnership Common Units are then eligible for Redemption), such number of directors to which CBI is entitled to nominate shall equal 20% of the number of REIT Directors (rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole number); provided , however , in either the case of (a) or (b), such number of directors shall not be less than one. If CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, owns less than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding REIT Shares (assuming all outstanding Partnership Common Units not held by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner or any of their Controlled Entities are tendered for Redemption and exchanged for REIT Shares, regardless of whether such Partnership Common Units are then eligible for Redemption), it shall not be a qualification of any REIT Director that he or she be nominated by CBI. The Special Limited Partner, acting through its Board of Directors, will recommend and use all reasonable efforts to cause the election of each CBI Nominee nominated in accordance with the foregoing. The Special Limited Partner agrees to use all reasonable efforts to solicit proxies for such CBI Nominees from all holders of REIT Shares and/or other voting stock entitled to vote thereon.

(2) To facilitate the nomination rights set forth above, the Special Limited Partner will notify CBI in writing a reasonable period of time in advance of any action to be taken by the Special Limited Partner or the Board of Directors for the purpose of nominating, electing or designating directors, which, in the case of a proxy statement, information statement or registration statement in which nominees for director would be named, shall be delivered by the Special Limited Partner to CBI no later than 30 days prior to the anticipated mailing or filing date, as applicable. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the nature of the action to be taken by the Special Limited Partner or the Board of Directors, and the anticipated date thereof. Upon receipt of such notice, CBI will designate any CBI Nominees by written consent (in accordance with Article 14) of CBI as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter; provided, however, that if CBI shall have failed to designate CBI Nominees in a timely manner, CBI shall be deemed to have designated any incumbent CBI Nominees in a timely manner unless there are no remaining incumbent CBI Nominees or the incumbent CBI Nominee declines to serve, in which case the Special Limited Partner or the Board of Directors may nominate another Person.

 

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(3) CBI will provide the Special Limited Partner with such information about each CBI Nominee as is reasonably requested by the Special Limited Partner in order to comply with applicable disclosure rules, including without limitation, any information that a stockholder of the Special Limited Partner must provide to the Special Limited Partner in order to nominate a director under the Bylaws.

(4) To the extent required by law or the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading, the Special Limited Partner will take such actions as necessary to ensure that a sufficient number of those members of the Board of Directors that are not CBI Nominees or members of the Special Limited Partner’s senior management shall at all times satisfy the standard of independence necessary for a director to qualify as an “Independent Director,” as such term (or any replacement term) is used under the rules and listing standards of such principal securities exchange, as such rules and listing standards may be amended from time to time (the “ Independence Standard ”) in order to maintain such listing.

B. Committee Membership . Unless prohibited by law or the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading and so long as CBI is entitled to nominate at least one member of the Board of Directors under Section 8.9.A(1), at least one CBI Nominee then serving as a director shall be appointed to each committee of the Board of Directors (provided that such CBI Nominee meets the rules or listing standards of such securities exchange, as such rules and listing standards may be amended from time to time, for service on such committee), other than any committee formed for the purpose of evaluating or negotiating any transaction with CBI.

C. Vacancies; Removal . If a vacancy on the Board of Directors arises as a result of the death, disability or retirement, resignation or removal (with or without cause) of a CBI Nominee and such vacancy results in the number of CBI Nominees then serving on the Board of Directors being less than the number that CBI is then entitled to nominate to the Board of Directors, it will be a qualification of a director that fills such a vacancy that he or she was approved by a majority of the votes of the CBI Nominees then serving on the Board of Directors.

D. Charter and Bylaws to Be Consistent . The Special Limited Partner, acting through the Board of Directors, shall take or cause to be taken all lawful action necessary or appropriate to ensure that none of the Charter or Bylaws contain any provisions inconsistent with this Agreement or which would in any way nullify or impair the terms of this Agreement or the rights of CBI hereunder.

E. Termination of Nomination Rights . The nomination and other rights of CBI set forth in this Section 8.9 shall automatically terminate at such time as CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, ceases to own Partnership Units that represent a Percentage Interest of at least 10%. Upon any such termination, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Special Limited Partner shall be entitled to amend this Agreement to delete this Section 8.9 and correlative provisions elsewhere in this Agreement in their entirety.

F. Amendment . Except as provided in Section 8.9.E, this Section 8.9 may not be amended without the prior written Consent of CBI.

 

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ARTICLE 9

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 9.1 Records and Accounting .

A. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal business office of the Partnership those records and documents, if any, required to be maintained by the Act and other books and records deemed by the General Partner to be appropriate with respect to the Partnership’s business, including, without limitation, all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 8.5.A, Section 9.3 or Article 13 hereof. Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business may be kept on any information storage device, provided that the records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.

B. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or on such other basis as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. To the extent permitted by sound accounting practices and principles, the Partnership and the General Partner may operate with integrated or consolidated accounting records, operations and principles.

Section 9.2 Partnership Year . The Partnership Year of the Partnership shall be the calendar year.

Section 9.3 Reports .

A. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than one hundred five (105) days after the close of each Partnership Year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner of record as of the close of the Partnership Year, financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Special Limited Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the Special Limited Partner, for such Partnership Year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

B. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the close of each calendar quarter (except the last calendar quarter of each year), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed to each Limited Partner of record as of the last day of the calendar quarter, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership, or of the Special Limited Partner if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with the Special Limited Partner, for such calendar quarter, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation or as the General Partner determines to be appropriate.

C. The General Partner may satisfy its obligations under Section 9.3.A and Section 9.3.B by posting or making available the reports specified in such sections on a website maintained by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner.

ARTICLE 10

TAX MATTERS

Section 10.1 Preparation of Tax Returns . The General Partner shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns with respect to Partnership income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Partnership for Federal and state income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable effort to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by Limited Partners and for Federal and state income tax and any other tax reporting purposes. The Limited Partners shall promptly provide the General Partner with such information relating to the Contributed Properties, including tax basis and other relevant information, as may be reasonably requested by the General Partner from time to time.

Section 10.2 Tax Elections . Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code, including, but not limited to, the election under Code Section 754 and the election to use the “recurring item” method of accounting provided under Code Section 461(h) with respect to property taxes imposed on the Partnership’s Properties; provided , however , that, if the “recurring item” method of accounting is elected with respect to such property taxes, the Partnership shall pay the applicable property taxes prior to the date provided in Code Section 461(h) for purposes of determining economic performance. The General Partner shall have the right to seek to revoke any such election (including, without limitation, any election under Code Sections 461(h) and 754).

 

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Section 10.3 Tax Matters Partner .

A. The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” of the Partnership for Federal income tax purposes. The tax matters partner shall receive no compensation for its services. All third-party costs and expenses incurred by the tax matters partner in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Partnership in addition to any reimbursement pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Partnership from engaging an accounting firm to assist the tax matters partner in discharging its duties hereunder. At the request of any Limited Partner, the General Partner agrees to inform such Limited Partner regarding the preparation and filing of any returns and with respect to any subsequent audit or litigation relating to such returns; provided , however , that the General Partner shall have the exclusive power to determine whether to file, and the content of, such returns.

B. The tax matters partner is authorized, but not required:

(1) to enter into any settlement with the IRS with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Partnership items required to be taken into account by a Partner for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “ tax audit ” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “ judicial review ”), and in the settlement agreement the tax matters partner may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Partners, except that such settlement agreement shall not bind any Partner (i) who (within the time prescribed pursuant to the Code and Regulations) files a statement with the IRS providing that the tax matters partner shall not have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Partner (as the case may be) or (ii) who is a “notice partner” (as defined in Code Section 6231) or a member of a “notice group” (as defined in Code Section 6223(b)(2));

(2) in the event that a notice of a final administrative adjustment at the Partnership level of any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes (a “ final adjustment ”) is mailed to the tax matters partner, to seek judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the United States Tax Court or the United States Claims Court, or the filing of a complaint for refund with the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Partnership’s principal place of business is located;

(3) to intervene in any action brought by any other Partner for judicial review of a final adjustment;

(4) to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS at any time and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request;

(5) to enter into an agreement with the IRS to extend the period for assessing any tax that is attributable to any item required to be taken into account by a Partner for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item; and

(6) to take any other action on behalf of the Partners or any of them in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.

The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the tax matters partner in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the tax matters partner and the provisions relating to indemnification of the General Partner set forth in Section 7.7 hereof shall be fully applicable to the tax matters partner in its capacity as such.

 

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Section 10.4 Withholding . Each Limited Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership to withhold from or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Limited Partner any amount of Federal, state, local or foreign taxes that the General Partner determines that the Partnership is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Limited Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Partnership pursuant to Code Section 1441, Code Section 1442, Code Section 1445 or Code Section 1446. Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Limited Partner shall constitute a loan by the Partnership to such Limited Partner, which loan shall be repaid by such Limited Partner within fifteen (15) days after notice from the General Partner that such payment must be made unless (i) the Partnership withholds such payment from a distribution that would otherwise be made to the Limited Partner or (ii) the General Partner determines that such payment may be satisfied out of the Available Cash of the Partnership that would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Limited Partner. Each Limited Partner hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Partnership a security interest in such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest to secure such Limited Partner’s obligation to pay to the Partnership any amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 10.4. In the event that a Limited Partner fails to pay any amounts owed to the Partnership pursuant to this Section 10.4 when due, the General Partner may elect to make the payment to the Partnership on behalf of such defaulting Limited Partner, and in such event shall be deemed to have loaned such amount to such defaulting Limited Partner and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Partnership as against such defaulting Limited Partner (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions). Any amounts payable by a Limited Partner hereunder shall bear interest at the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in the Wall Street Journal , plus four (4) percentage points (but not higher than the maximum lawful rate) from the date such amount is due (i.e., fifteen (15) days after demand) until such amount is paid in full. Each Limited Partner shall take such actions as the Partnership or the General Partner shall request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder.

Section 10.5 Organizational Expenses . The General Partner may cause the Partnership to elect to deduct expenses, if any, incurred by it in organizing the Partnership ratably over a 180-month period as provided in Section 709 of the Code.

ARTICLE 11

PARTNER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS

Section 11.1 Transfer .

A. No part of the interest of a Partner shall be subject to the claims of any creditor, to any spouse for alimony or support, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered except as may be specifically provided for in this Agreement.

B. No Partnership Interest shall be Transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 11. Any Transfer or purported Transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article 11 shall be null and void ab initio .

C. No Transfer of any Partnership Interest may be made to a lender to the Partnership or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Section 1.752-4(b) of the Regulations) to any lender to the Partnership whose loan constitutes a Nonrecourse Liability, without the consent of the General Partner; provided that as a condition to such consent, the lender will be required to enter into an arrangement with the Partnership and the General Partner to redeem or exchange for the REIT Shares Amount any Partnership Units in which a security interest is held by such lender simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a partner in the Partnership for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Section 752 of the Code.

Section 11.2 Transfer of General Partner’s Partnership Interest .

A. Except as provided in Section 11.2.B, and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, the General Partner may not Transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest without the Consent of the Partners and, for so long as CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, holds more than 20% of the outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners, the Consent of CBI.

 

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B. Subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Article 11, the General Partner may Transfer all of its Partnership Interest at any time to the Special Limited Partner or any Person that is, at the time of such Transfer, a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner, including any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), without the Consent of any Partner, and may designate the transferee to become the new General Partner under Section 12.1.

C. The General Partner may not voluntarily withdraw as a general partner of the Partnership without the Consent of the Limited Partners, except in connection with a Transfer of the General Partner’s entire Partnership Interest permitted in this Article 11 and the admission of the Transferee as a successor General Partner of the Partnership pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.

D. It is a condition to any Transfer of the entire Partnership Interest of a sole General Partner otherwise permitted hereunder that (i) coincident or prior to such Transfer, the transferee is admitted as a General Partner pursuant to the Act and this Agreement; (ii) the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor General Partner under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Partnership Interest; and (iii) the transferee has executed such instruments are may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement applicable to the General Partner and the admission of such transferee as a General Partner.

Section 11.3 Limited Partners’ Rights to Transfer .

A. General . Prior to the end of the Twelve-Month Period applicable to any Partnership Interest and except as provided below and in Section 11.1.C hereof, no Limited Partner shall Transfer all or any portion of such Partnership Interest to any transferee without the consent of the General Partner. After the expiration of the Twelve-Month Period applicable to any Partnership Interest, each Limited Partner, and each transferee of such Partnership Interest or Assignee pursuant to a Permitted Transfer, shall have the right to Transfer all or any portion of such Partnership Interest to any Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Limited Partner may, at any time, without the consent of the General Partner, Transfer all or any portion of its Partnership Interest pursuant to a Permitted Transfer (including, in the case of a Limited Partner that is a Permitted Lender Transferee, any Transfer of a Partnership Interest to a Third-Party Pledge Transferee). Any Transfer of a Partnership Interest by a Limited Partner or an Assignee is subject to Section 11.4 and to satisfaction of the following conditions:

(1) Special Limited Partner Right of First Refusal . The transferring Partner (or the Partner’s estate in the event of the Partner’s death) shall give written notice of the proposed Transfer to the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner, which notice shall state (i) the identity and address of the proposed transferee and (ii) the amount and type of consideration proposed to be received for the Transferred Partnership Units. The Special Limited Partner shall have ten (10) Business Days upon which to give the Transferring Partner notice of its election to acquire the Partnership Units on the terms set forth in such notice. If it so elects, it shall purchase the Partnership Units on such terms within ten (10) Business Days after giving notice of such election; provided , however , that in the event that the proposed terms involve a purchase for cash, the Special Limited Partner may at its election deliver in lieu of all or any portion of such cash a note from the Special Limited Partner payable to the Transferring Partner at a date as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one hundred eighty (180) days after such purchase, and bearing interest at an annual rate equal to the total dividends declared with respect to one (1) REIT Share for the four (4) preceding fiscal quarters of the Special Limited Partner, divided by the Value as of the closing of such purchase; provided , further , that such closing may be deferred to the extent necessary to effect compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, if applicable, and any other applicable requirements of law. If it does not so elect, the Transferring Partner may Transfer such Partnership Units to a third party, on terms no more favorable to the transferee than the proposed terms, subject to the other conditions of this Section 11.3.

 

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(2) Qualified Transferee . Any Transfer of a Partnership Interest shall be made only to a single Qualified Transferee; provided , however , that, for such purposes, all Qualified Transferees that are Affiliates, or that comprise investment accounts or funds managed by a single Qualified Transferee and its Affiliates, shall be considered together to be a single Qualified Transferee; provided , further , that each Transfer meeting the minimum Transfer restriction of Section 11.3A(4) hereof may be to a separate Qualified Transferee.

(3) Opinion of Counsel . The Transferor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the General Partner an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act and will not otherwise violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder or violate any state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Interests Transferred; provided , however , that the General Partner may waive this condition upon the request of the Transferor. If, in the opinion of such counsel, such Transfer would require the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act or would otherwise violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Units, the General Partner may prohibit any Transfer otherwise permitted under this Section 11.3 by a Limited Partner of Partnership Interests.

(4) Minimum Transfer Restriction . Any Transferring Partner must Transfer not less than the lesser of (i) five hundred (500) Partnership Units or (ii) all of the remaining Partnership Units owned by such Transferring Partner; provided , however , that, for purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing restriction, all Partnership Units owned by Affiliates of a Limited Partner shall be considered to be owned by such Limited Partner.

(5) No Further Transfers . The transferee shall not be permitted to effect any further Transfer of the Partnership Units, other than to the Special Limited Partner.

(6) Exception for Permitted Transfers . The conditions of Section 11.3A(1) and Section 11.3A(3) through Section 11.3A(5) hereof shall not apply in the case of a Permitted Transfer.

It is a condition to any Transfer otherwise permitted hereunder (whether or not such Transfer is effected during or after the applicable Twelve-Month Period) that the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor Limited Partner under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Partnership Interest, and no such Transfer (other than pursuant to a statutory merger or consolidation wherein all obligations and liabilities of the transferor Partner are assumed by a successor corporation by operation of law) shall relieve the transferor Partner of its obligations under this Agreement without the approval of the General Partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transferee of any Transferred Partnership Interest shall be subject to any and all ownership limitations (including, without limitation, the Ownership Limit) contained in the Charter that may limit or restrict such transferee’s ability to exercise its Redemption rights, including, without limitation, the Ownership Limit. Any transferee, whether or not admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, shall take subject to the obligations of the transferor hereunder. Unless admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, no transferee, whether by a voluntary Transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, shall have any rights hereunder, other than the rights of an Assignee as provided in Section 11.5 hereof.

B. Incapacity . If a Limited Partner is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Limited Partner’s estate shall have all the rights of a Limited Partner, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Limited Partners, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate, and such power as the Incapacitated Limited Partner possessed to Transfer all or any part of its interest in the Partnership. The Incapacity of a Limited Partner, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Partnership.

C. Adverse Tax Consequences . No Transfer by a Limited Partner of its Partnership Interests (including any Redemption, any other acquisition of Partnership Units by the General Partner or any acquisition of Partnership Units by the Partnership and including any Permitted Transfer) may be made to or by any Person if in the opinion of legal counsel for the Partnership, (i) such Transfer would create a material risk of the Partnership being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or would result in a termination of the Partnership under Code Section 708, or (ii) there would be a material risk that such Transfer would be treated as effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Code Section 7704.

 

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Section 11.4 Substituted Limited Partners .

A. No Limited Partner shall have the right to substitute a transferee other than a Permitted Transferee as a Limited Partner in its place. A transferee of the interest of a Limited Partner may be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner only with the consent of the General Partner; provided , however , that a Permitted Transferee may be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to a Permitted Transfer without the consent of the General Partner. The failure or refusal by the General Partner to permit a transferee of any such interests to become a Substituted Limited Partner shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Partnership or the General Partner. Subject to the foregoing, an Assignee shall not be admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner until and unless it furnishes to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, of all the terms, conditions and applicable obligations of this Agreement, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Assignee and (iii) such other documents and instruments as the General Partner may require to effect such Assignee’s admission as a Substituted Limited Partner.

B. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of a Substituted Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address and number of Partnership Units of such Substituted Limited Partner and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and number of Partnership Units of the predecessor of such Substituted Limited Partner.

C. A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Limited Partner under this Agreement.

Section 11.5 Assignees . If the General Partner’s consent is required for the admission of any transferee under Section 11.3 hereof as a Substituted Limited Partner, as described in Section 11.4 hereof, and the General Partner withholds such consent, such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement. An Assignee shall be entitled to all the rights of an assignee of a limited partnership interest under the Act, including the right to receive distributions from the Partnership and the share of Net Income, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Partnership attributable to the Partnership Units assigned to such transferee and the rights to Transfer the Partnership Units provided in this Article 11, but shall not be deemed to be a holder of Partnership Units for any other purpose under this Agreement (other than as expressly provided in Section 15.1 hereof with respect to a Qualifying Party that becomes a Tendering Party), and shall not be entitled to effect a Consent or vote with respect to such Partnership Units on any matter presented to the Limited Partners for approval (such right to Consent or vote, to the extent provided in this Agreement or under the Act, fully remaining with the transferor Limited Partner). In the event that any such transferee desires to make a further assignment of any such Partnership Units, such transferee shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article 11 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Limited Partner desiring to make an assignment of Partnership Units.

Section 11.6 General Provisions .

A. No Limited Partner may withdraw from the Partnership other than: (i) as a result of a permitted Transfer of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest in accordance with this Article 11 with respect to which the transferee becomes a Substituted Limited Partner; (ii) pursuant to a redemption (or acquisition by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner) of all of its Partnership Interest pursuant to a Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation; or (iii) as a result of the acquisition by the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner of all of such Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof.

 

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B. Any Limited Partner who shall Transfer all of its Partnership Units in a Transfer (i) permitted pursuant to this Article 11 where such transferee was admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii) pursuant to the exercise of its rights to effect a redemption of all of its Partnership Units pursuant to a Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Partnership Unit Designation or (iii) to the Special Limited Partner, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, shall cease to be a Limited Partner.

C. If any Partnership Unit is Transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Article 11, or is redeemed by the Partnership, or acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof, on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit attributable to such Partnership Unit for such Partnership Year shall be allocated to the transferor Partner or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer or assignment other than a Redemption, to the transferee Partner, by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the General Partner. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer occurs shall be allocated to the transferee Partner and none of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer or a Redemption occurs shall be allocated to the transferor Partner, or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) if such Transfer occurs on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the month, otherwise such items shall be allocated to the transferor. All distributions of Available Cash attributable to such Partnership Unit with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such Transfer, assignment or Redemption shall be made to the transferor Partner or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer other than a Redemption, all distributions of Available Cash thereafter attributable to such Partnership Unit shall be made to the transferee Partner.

D. In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer herein contained, in no event may any Transfer or assignment of a Partnership Interest by any Partner (including any Redemption, any acquisition of Partnership Units by the Special Limited Partner or any other acquisition of Partnership Units by the Partnership) be made (i) to any person or entity who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own a Partnership Interest; (ii) in violation of applicable law; (iii) of any component portion of a Partnership Interest, such as the Capital Account, or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Partnership Interest; (iv) in the event that such Transfer would cause either the Special Limited Partner to cease to comply with the REIT Requirements or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Special Limited Partner to cease to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)); (v) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner, cause a termination of the Partnership for Federal or state income tax purposes (except as a result of the Redemption (or acquisition by the Special Limited Partner) of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners); (vi) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership, cause the Partnership to cease to be classified as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the Redemption (or acquisition by the Special Limited Partner) of all Partnership Units held by all Limited Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner)); (vii) if such Transfer would cause the Partnership to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Code Section 4975(c)); (viii) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of legal counsel to the Partnership, cause any portion of the assets of the Partnership to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.2-101; (ix) if such Transfer requires the registration of such Partnership Interest pursuant to any applicable Federal or state securities laws; (x) if such Transfer would create a material risk that the Partnership would become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Code Section 469(k)(2) or Code 7704(b); (xi) if such Transfer would cause the Partnership to have more than one hundred (100) partners for tax purposes (including as partners those persons indirectly owning an interest in the Partnership through a partnership, limited liability company, subchapter S corporation or grantor trust); (xii) if such Transfer causes the Partnership to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act; or (xiii) if such Transfer subjects the Partnership to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or ERISA, each as amended.

E. Transfers pursuant to this Article 11, other than a Permitted Transfer to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge, may only be made on the first day of a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, unless the General Partner otherwise agrees.

 

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Section 11.7 Restrictions on Termination Transactions .

A. Neither the Special Limited Partner nor the General Partner shall engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction, other than (i) with the Consent of the Limited Partners, or (ii) (a) if the requirements of Section 11.7.B or 11.7.C are satisfied, if and as applicable, and (b) either:

(i) in connection with any such Termination Transaction, each holder of Partnership Common Units (other than the Special Limited Partner and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each Partnership Common Unit an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of the Adjustment Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to a holder of one REIT Share in consideration of one REIT Share pursuant to the terms of such Termination Transaction; provided, that if, in connection with such Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding REIT Shares, each holder of Partnership Common Units (other than the Special Limited Partner and its wholly owned subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property which such holder of Partnership Common Units would have received had it exercised its right to Redemption pursuant to Article 15 hereof and received REIT Shares in exchange for its Partnership Common Units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had thereupon accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer and then such Termination Transaction shall have been consummated (the fair market value, at the time of the Termination Transaction, of the amount specified herein with respect to each Partnership Common Unit is referred to as the “ Transaction Consideration ”); or

(ii) all of the following conditions are met: (i) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by the Partnership prior to the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by the Partnership or another limited partnership or limited liability company which is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Partnership (in each case, the “ Surviving Partnership ”); (ii) the Surviving Partnership is classified as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes; (iii) the Limited Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner) that held Partnership Common Units immediately prior to the consummation of such Termination Transaction own a percentage interest of the Surviving Partnership based on the relative fair market value of the net assets of the Partnership and the other net assets of the Surviving Partnership immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction; (iv) the rights of such Limited Partners with respect to the Surviving Partnership are at least as favorable as those of Limited Partners holding Partnership Common Units immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction (except to the extent that any such rights are consistent with clause (v) below) and as those applicable to any other limited partners or non-managing members of the Surviving Partnership; and (v) such rights include: (a) if the Special Limited Partner or its successor is a REIT with a single class of Publicly Traded common equity securities, the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Partnership at any time for either: (1) a number of such REIT’s Publicly Traded common equity securities with a fair market value, as of the date of consummation of such Termination Transaction, equal to the Transaction Consideration, subject to antidilution adjustments comparable to those set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor” herein (the “ Successor Shares Amount ”); or (2) cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Successor Shares Amount at the time of such redemption, determined in a manner consistent with the definition of “Value” herein; or (b) if the Special Limited Partner or its successor is not a REIT with a single class of Publicly Traded common equity securities, the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Partnership at any time for cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of such interest at the time of redemption, as determined at least once every calendar quarter by an independent appraisal firm of recognized national standing retained by the Surviving Partnership.

 

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B. If the Consent of the Limited Partners has not been obtained, and CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, holds at least 20% of the outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners, then neither the Special Limited Partner nor the General Partner may engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction in connection with which the Special Limited Partner has or will seek the approval of its common stockholders (a “ Stockholder Vote ”) unless (i) the General Partner first provides the Designated Partners with advance notice at least equal in time to the advance notice given in the case of the Stockholder Vote, (ii) in connection with such advance notice, the General Partner provides the Designated Partners (other than the Special Limited Partner and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries) with written materials describing the proposed Termination Transaction as well as the tax effect of the consummation thereof on such Designated Partners and (iii) such Termination Transaction is approved (the “ Partnership Vote ”) by a number of affirmative votes cast, or deemed to have been cast, by the Designated Partners as would be sufficient (measured as a percentage of the total number of votes cast or entitled to be cast (or deemed to be cast)) to approve the Termination Transaction if such approval was to be given by the holders of REIT Shares. For purposes of the Partnership Vote, each Designated Partner holding Partnership Common Units shall be entitled to cast a number of votes equal to the total votes such Designated Partner would have been entitled to cast at the Stockholder Meeting had such Designated Partner presented its Partnership Common Units for redemption and such Partnership Common Units had been acquired by the Special Limited Partner for the REIT Shares Amount as of the record date for the Stockholder Meeting; provided, however , that the Special Limited Partner, the General Partner and all of their Subsidiaries shall not be entitled to vote with respect to any Partnership Vote and shall instead be deemed to have cast all votes that would otherwise have been entitled to be cast by them, in the aggregate, in proportion to the manner in which all outstanding REIT Shares were voted in the Stockholder Vote (such votes to be “For,” “Against,” “Abstain” and “Not Present”).

C. As long as CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, holds at least 20% of the outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners, the Special Limited Partner shall not engage in a Termination Transaction effected as a short-form merger without a Stockholder Vote pursuant to Section 3-106 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, unless the Special Limited Partner has previously obtained either the consent of CBI or the Consent of Limited Partners with respect to such transaction.

ARTICLE 12

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 12.1 Admission of Successor General Partner . A successor to all or a portion of the General Partner’s Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 11.2.B hereof who the General Partner has designated to become a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately upon the Transfer of such Partnership Interest to it. Upon any such Transfer and the admission of any such transferee as a successor General Partner in accordance with this Section 12.1, the transferor General Partner shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement and shall cease to be a general partner of the Partnership without any separate Consent of the Partners or the consent or approval of any Partner. Any such successor shall carry on the business of the Partnership without dissolution. In each case, the admission shall be subject to the successor General Partner executing and delivering to the Partnership an acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission. In the event that the General Partner withdraws from the Partnership, or transfers its entire Partnership Interest, in violation of this Agreement, or otherwise dissolves or terminates or ceases to be the general partner of the Partnership, a Majority in Interest of the Partners may elect to continue the Partnership by selecting a successor General Partner in accordance with Section 13.1.A hereof.

Section 12.2 Admission of Additional Limited Partners .

A. After the admission to the Partnership of an Original Limited Partner, a Person (other than an existing Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for Partnership Units and in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon furnishing to the General Partner (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 hereof, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Person and (iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the General Partner in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Limited Partner. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of an Additional Limited Partner, the General Partner shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership to reflect the name, address, number and type of Partnership Units of such Additional Limited Partner.

 

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B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.2, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner. The admission of any Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent of the General Partner to such admission and the satisfaction of all the conditions set forth in Section 12.2.A.

C. If any Additional Limited Partner is admitted to the Partnership on any day other than the first day of a Partnership Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable among Holders for such Partnership Year shall be allocated among such Additional Limited Partner and all other Holders by taking into account their varying interests during the Partnership Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the General Partner. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Limited Partner occurs shall be allocated among all the Holders including such Additional Limited Partner, in accordance with the principles described in Section 11.6.C hereof. All distributions of Available Cash with respect to which the Partnership Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Partners and Assignees other than the Additional Limited Partner, and all distributions of Available Cash thereafter shall be made to all the Partners and Assignees including such Additional Limited Partner.

Section 12.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership . For the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the Register and the books and records of the Partnership and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.

Section 12.4 Limit on Number of Partners . Unless otherwise permitted by the General Partner, no Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner if the effect of such admission would be to cause the Partnership to have a number of Partners (including as Partners for this purpose those Persons indirectly owning an interest in the Partnership through another partnership, a limited liability company, a subchapter S corporation or a grantor trust) that would cause the Partnership to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act.

Section 12.5 Admission . A Person shall be admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner of the Partnership or a general partner of the Partnership only upon strict compliance, and not upon substantial compliance, with the requirements set forth in this Agreement for admission to the Partnership as a Limited Partner or a General Partner.

ARTICLE 13

DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION

Section 13.1 Dissolution . The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or Additional Limited Partners, or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, any successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership without dissolution. However, the Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the first to occur of any of the following (each a “ Liquidating Event ”):

A. an event of withdrawal, as defined in Section 10-402(2) – (9) of the Act (including, without limitation, bankruptcy), or the withdrawal in violation of this Agreement of the last remaining General Partner unless, within ninety (90) days after the withdrawal, a Majority in Interest of the Partners agree in writing to continue the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a successor General Partner;

 

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B. an election to dissolve the Partnership made by the General Partner, with or without the Consent of the Partners, and, if CBI, together with its Controlled Entities, holds at least 20% of the outstanding Partnership Common Units held by all Partners, the Consent of CBI; or

C. entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Act.

Section 13.2 Winding Up .

A. Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Partnership shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets and satisfying the claims of its creditors and the Holders. After the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, no Holder shall take any action that is inconsistent with, or not necessary to or appropriate for, the winding up of the Partnership’s business and affairs. The General Partner (or, in the event that there is no remaining General Partner or the General Partner has dissolved, become bankrupt within the meaning of the Act or ceased to operate, any Person elected by a Majority in Interest of the Partners (the General Partner or such other Person being referred to herein as the “ Liquidator ”)) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership and shall take full account of the Partnership’s liabilities and property, and the Partnership property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, include shares of stock in the Special Limited Partner) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:

(1) First, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to creditors other than the Holders (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof);

(2) Second, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof), including, but not limited to, amounts due as reimbursements under Section 7.4 hereof;

(3) Third, to the satisfaction of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities to the other Holders (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and

(4) Subject to the terms of any Partnership Unit Designation, the balance, if any, to the Holders in accordance with and in proportion to their positive Capital Account balances, after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods.

The General Partner shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article 13.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof that require liquidation of the assets of the Partnership, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Partnership, the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Partnership (including to those Holders as creditors) and/or distribute to the Holders, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof, undivided interests in such Partnership assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interest of the Holders, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

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C. In the event that the Partnership is “liquidated,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), distributions shall be made pursuant to this Article 13 to the Holders that have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2) to the extent of, and in proportion to, positive Capital Account balances. If any Holder has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Holder shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Partnership or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever. In the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Holders pursuant to this Article 13 may be:

(1) distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the General Partner and the Holders for the purpose of liquidating Partnership assets, collecting amounts owed to the Partnership, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Partnership or of the General Partner arising out of or in connection with the Partnership and/or Partnership activities. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Holders, from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, in the same proportions and amounts as would otherwise have been distributed to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement; or

(2) withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Partnership liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Partnership, provided that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the Holders in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof as soon as practicable.

Section 13.3 Deemed Contribution and Distribution . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 13, in the event that the Partnership is liquidated within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), but no Liquidating Event has occurred, the Partnership’s Property shall not be liquidated, the Partnership’s liabilities shall not be paid or discharged and the Partnership’s affairs shall not be wound up. Instead, for Federal income tax purposes the Partnership shall be deemed to have contributed all of its assets and liabilities to a new partnership in exchange for an interest in the new partnership; and immediately thereafter, distributed Partnership Units to the Partners in the new partnership in accordance with their respective Capital Accounts in liquidation of the Partnership, and the new partnership is deemed to continue the business of the Partnership. Nothing in this Section 13.3 shall be deemed to have constituted any Assignee as a Substituted Limited Partner without compliance with the provisions of Section 11.4 hereof.

Section 13.4 Rights of Holders . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Partnership Interest set forth in a Partnership Unit Designation, (a) each Holder shall look solely to the assets of the Partnership for the return of its Capital Contribution, (b) no Holder shall have the right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Partnership and (c) no Holder shall have priority over any other Holder as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations.

Section 13.5 Notice of Dissolution . In the event that a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for an election or objection by one or more Partners pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof, result in a dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner or Liquidator shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each of the Holders and, in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or the Liquidator, or as required by the Act, to all other parties with whom the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or Liquidator), and the General Partner or Liquidator may, or, if required by the Act, shall, publish notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each place in which the Partnership regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the General Partner or Liquidator).

Section 13.6 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership . Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, the Partnership shall be terminated, a certificate of cancellation shall be filed with the State of Maryland, all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership or association in jurisdictions other than the State of Maryland shall be cancelled, and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

 

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Section 13.7 Reasonable Time for Winding-Up . A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the Partnership and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2 hereof, in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect between and among the Partners during the period of liquidation.

ARTICLE 14

PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS

OF PARTNERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS

Section 14.1 Actions and Consents of Partners . The actions requiring Consent of any Partner pursuant to this Agreement, including Section 7.3 hereof, or otherwise pursuant to applicable law, are subject to the procedures set forth in this Article 14.

Section 14.2 Amendments . Except as otherwise required or permitted by this Agreement (including Section 7.3), amendments to this Agreement must be approved by the Consent of the General Partner and the Consent of the Partners, and may be proposed only by (a) the General Partner, or (b) Limited Partners holding a majority of the Partnership Common Units then held by Limited Partners (excluding the Special Limited Partner and any Controlled Entity of the Special Limited Partner). Following such proposal, the General Partner shall submit to the Partners any proposed amendment that, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, requires the Consent of the Partners. The General Partner shall seek the Consent of the Partners entitled to vote thereon on any such proposed amendment in accordance with Section 14.3 hereof. Upon obtaining any such Consent, or any other Consent required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution by any other Person, including any Limited Partner, (i) any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the General Partner, and (ii) the Limited Partners shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment of this Agreement. Within thirty days after the effectiveness of any amendment to this Agreement that does not receive the Consent of all Partners, the General Partner shall deliver a copy of such amendment to all Partners that did not Consent to such amendment. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended without the Consent of the General Partner.

Section 14.3 Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Partners .

A. Meetings of the Partners may be called only by the General Partner. The call shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Partners entitled to act at the meeting not less than ten (10) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of such meeting. Partners may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting. Unless approval by a different number or proportion of the Partners is required by this Agreement, or any Partnership Unit Designation, the affirmative vote of a Majority in Interest of the Partners shall be sufficient to approve such proposal at a meeting of the Partners. Whenever the Consent of any Partners is permitted or required under this Agreement, such Consent may be given at a meeting of Partners or in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 14.3.B hereof.

B. Any action requiring the Consent of any Partner or a group of Partners pursuant to this Agreement, or that is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Partners may be taken without a meeting if a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission setting forth the action so taken or consented to is given by Partners whose affirmative vote would be sufficient to approve such action or provide such Consent at a meeting of the Partners. Such Consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as the affirmative vote of such Partners at a meeting of the Partners. Such Consent shall be filed with the General Partner. An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date so certified. For purposes of obtaining a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission, the General Partner may require a response within a reasonable specified time, but not less than fifteen (15) days, and failure to respond in such time period shall constitute a Consent that is consistent with the General Partner’s recommendation with respect to the proposal; provided , however , that an action shall become effective at such time as requisite Consents are received even if prior to such specified time.

 

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C. Each Partner entitled to act at a meeting of Partners may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Partner is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Each proxy must be signed by the Partner or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy (or there is receipt of a proxy authorizing a later date). Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Partner executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Partnership’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Partner executing such proxy, unless such proxy states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest.

D. The General Partner may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining the Partners (i) entitled to Consent to any action, (ii) entitled to receive notice of or vote at any meeting of the Partners or (iii) in order to make a determination of Partners for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of the Partners, not less than ten (10) days, before the date on which the meeting is to be held. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Partners shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of the meeting is sent, and the record date for any other determination of Partners shall be the effective date of such Partner action, distribution or other event. When a determination of the Partners entitled to vote at any meeting of the Partners has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

E. Each meeting of Partners shall be conducted by the General Partner or such other Person as the General Partner may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the General Partner or such other Person deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. Without limitation, meetings of Partners may be conducted in the same manner as meetings of the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders and may be held at the same time as, and as part of, the meetings of the Special Limited Partner’s stockholders.

ARTICLE 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 15.1 Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties .

A. After the Twelve-Month Period applicable to such Partnership Common Units, a Qualifying Party shall have the right (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) to require the Partnership to redeem all or a portion of the Partnership Common Units held by such Tendering Party (Partnership Common Units that have in fact been tendered for redemption being hereafter referred to as “ Tendered Units ”) in exchange (a “ Redemption ”) for the Cash Amount payable on the Specified Redemption Date. The Partnership may, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, redeem Tendered Units at the request of the Holder thereof prior to the end of the applicable Twelve-Month Period (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) (a “ Special Redemption ”); provided that the General Partner first receives a legal opinion to the same effect as the legal opinion described in Section 15.1G(4) of this Agreement. Any Redemption shall be exercised pursuant to a Notice of Redemption delivered to the General Partner by the Qualifying Party when exercising the Redemption right (the “ Tendering Party ”). The Partnership’s obligation to effect a Redemption, however, shall not arise or be binding against the Partnership (i) until and unless the Special Limited Partner declines or fails to exercise its purchase rights pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof following receipt of a Notice of Redemption (a “ Declination ”) and (ii) until the Business Day following the Cut-Off Date. In the event of a Redemption, the Cash Amount shall be delivered as a certified or bank check payable to the Tendering Party or, in the General Partner’s sole and absolute discretion, in immediately available funds on or before the Specified Redemption Date.

 

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B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.A hereof, on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, the Special Limited Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to acquire some or all (such percentage being referred to as the “ Applicable Percentage ”) of the Tendered Units from the Tendering Party in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount calculated based on the portion of Tendered Units it elects to acquire in exchange for REIT Shares. If the Special Limited Partner so elects, on the Specified Redemption Date the Tendering Party shall sell such number of the Tendered Units to the Special Limited Partner in exchange for a number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage. The Tendering Party shall submit (i) such information, certification or affidavit as the Special Limited Partner may reasonably require in connection with the application of the Ownership Limit to any such acquisition and (ii) such written representations, investment letters, legal opinions or other instruments necessary, in the Special Limited Partner’s view, to effect compliance with the Securities Act. In the event of a purchase of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the Tendering Party shall no longer have the right to cause the Partnership to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Units, and, upon notice to the Tendering Party by the Special Limited Partner, given on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, that the Special Limited Partner has elected to acquire some or all of the Tendered Units pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the obligation of the Partnership to effect a Redemption of the Tendered Units as to which the Special Limited Partner’s notice relates shall not accrue or arise. A number of REIT Shares equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and the REIT Shares Amount, if applicable, shall be delivered by the Special Limited Partner as duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable REIT Shares and, if applicable, Rights, free of any pledge, lien, encumbrance or restriction, other than the Ownership Limit and other restrictions provided in the Charter, the Securities Act and relevant state securities or “blue sky” laws. Neither any Tendering Party whose Tendered Units are acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, any Partner, any Assignee nor any other interested Person shall have any right to require or cause the Special Limited Partner to register, qualify or list any REIT Shares owned or held by such Person, whether or not such REIT Shares are issued pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange; provided, however, that this limitation shall not be in derogation of any registration or similar rights granted pursuant to any other written agreement between the Special Limited Partner and any such Person. Notwithstanding any delay in such delivery, the Tendering Party shall be deemed the owner of such REIT Shares and Rights for all purposes, including, without limitation, rights to vote or consent, receive dividends, and exercise rights, as of the Specified Redemption Date. REIT Shares issued upon an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to this Section 15.1.B may contain such legends regarding restrictions under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws as the Special Limited Partner in good faith determines to be necessary or advisable in order to ensure compliance with such laws.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 15.1.A and 15.1.B hereof, (i) no Person shall be entitled to effect a Redemption for cash or an exchange for REIT Shares to the extent the ownership or right to acquire REIT Shares pursuant to such exchange on the Specified Redemption Date could cause such Person (or any other Person) to violate the restrictions on ownership and transfer of REIT Shares set forth in the Charter, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such restrictions by the Board of Directors, and (ii) no Person shall have any rights under this Agreement to acquire REIT Shares which would otherwise be prohibited under the Charter, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such restrictions by the Board of Directors. To the extent that any attempted Redemption or acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof would be in violation of this Section 15.1.C, it shall be null and void ab initio , and the Tendering Party shall not acquire any rights or economic interests in the Cash Amount otherwise payable upon such Redemption or the REIT Shares otherwise issuable by the Special Limited Partner under Section 15.1.B hereof.

D. In the event of a Declination:

(1) The Special Limited Partner shall give notice of such Declination to the Tendering Party on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date. The failure of the Special Limited Partner to give notice of such Declination by the close of business on the Cut-Off Date shall be deemed to be an election by the Special Limited Partner to acquire the Tendered Units in exchange for REIT Shares.

(2) The Partnership may elect to raise funds for the payment of the Cash Amount either (a) by requiring that the Special Limited Partner contribute to the Partnership funds from the proceeds of a registered public offering by the Special Limited Partner of REIT Shares sufficient to purchase the Tendered Units or (b) from any other sources (including, but not limited to, the sale of any Property and the incurrence of additional Debt) available to the Partnership.

(3) If the Cash Amount is not paid on or before the Specified Redemption Date, interest shall accrue with respect to the Cash Amount from the day after the Specified Redemption Date to and including the date on which the Cash Amount is paid at a rate equal to the Applicable Federal Short-Term Rate as published monthly by the IRS.

 

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E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.B hereof or Section 15.1.H hereof, if the Special Limited Partner’s acquisition of Tendered Units in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount would be prohibited under the Charter, then (i) the Special Limited Partner shall not elect to acquire such Tendered Units, and (ii) the Partnership shall not be obligated to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Units.

F. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (but subject to Section 15.1.C hereof), with respect to any Redemption (or any tender of Partnership Common Units for Redemption if the Tendered Units are acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof) pursuant to this Section 15.1:

(1) Without the consent of the General Partner, no Tendering Party may effect a Redemption for less than two thousand (2,000) Partnership Common Units or, if such Tendering Party holds less than two thousand (2,000) Partnership Common Units, all of the Partnership Common Units held by such Tendering Party.

(2) If (i) a Tendering Party surrenders Tendered Units during the period after the Partnership Record Date with respect to a distribution payable to Holders of Partnership Common Units, and before the record date established by the Special Limited Partner for a dividend to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such Partnership distribution, and (ii) the Special Limited Partner elects to acquire any of such Tendered Units in exchange for REIT Shares pursuant to Section 15.1.B, then such Tendering Party shall pay to the Special Limited Partner on the Specified Redemption Date an amount in cash equal to the Partnership distribution paid or payable in respect of such Tendered Units.

(3) The consummation of such Redemption (or an acquisition of Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, as the case may be) shall be subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

(4) The Tendering Party shall continue to own (subject, in the case of an Assignee, to the provisions of Section 11.5 hereof) all Partnership Common Units subject to any Redemption, and be treated as a Limited Partner or an Assignee, as applicable, with respect to such Partnership Common Units for all purposes of this Agreement, until the Specified Redemption Date and until such Tendered Units are either paid for by the Partnership pursuant to Section 15.1.A hereof or transferred to the Special Limited Partner and paid for, by the issuance of REIT Shares, pursuant to Section 15.1.B. Until a Specified Redemption Date and an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, the Tendering Party shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Special Limited Partner with respect to the REIT Shares issuable in connection with such acquisition.

G. In connection with an exercise of Redemption rights pursuant to this Section 15.1, unless waived by the Special Limited Partner, the Tendering Party shall submit the following to the Special Limited Partner, in addition to the Notice of Redemption:

(1) A written affidavit, dated the same date as the Notice of Redemption, (a) disclosing the actual and constructive ownership, as determined for purposes of Code Sections 856(a)(6) and 856(h), of REIT Shares by (i) such Tendering Party and (ii) to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, and (b) representing that, after giving effect to an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, will own REIT Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit;

(2) A written representation that neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, has any intention to acquire any additional REIT Shares prior to the Specified Redemption Date; and

 

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(3) An undertaking to certify, at and as a condition to the closing of (i) the Redemption or (ii) the acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof on the Specified Redemption Date, that either (a) the actual and constructive ownership of REIT Shares by the Tendering Party and, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, remain unchanged from that disclosed in the affidavit required by Section 15.1G(1), or (b) after giving effect to the Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Units by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, shall own REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit.

(4) In connection with any Special Redemption, the Special Limited Partner shall have the right to receive an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Special Redemption will not cause the Partnership, the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner to violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Special Redemption or the issuance and sale of REIT Shares to the Tendering Party pursuant to Section 15.1.B of this Agreement.

H. Stock Offering Funding Option

(1) (a) Notwithstanding Sections 15.1.A or 15.1.B hereof (but subject to Section 15.1.E hereof), if (i) a Limited Partner has delivered to the General Partner a Notice of Redemption with respect to a number of Excess Units that, together with any other Tendered Units that such Limited Partner agrees to treat as Excess Units (collectively, the “ Offering Units ”), exceeds $50,000,000 gross value, based on a Partnership Common Unit price equal to the Value of a REIT Share, and (ii) the Special Limited Partner is eligible to file a registration statement under Form S-3 (or any successor form similar thereto), then either: (x) the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner may cause the Partnership to redeem the Offering Units with the proceeds of an offering, whether registered under the Securities Act or exempt from such registration, underwritten, offered and sold directly to investors or through agents or other intermediaries, or otherwise distributed (a “ Stock Offering Funding ”) of a number of REIT Shares (“ Offered Shares ”) equal to the REIT Shares Amount with respect to the Offering Units pursuant to the terms of this Section 15.1.H; (y) the Partnership shall pay the Cash Amount with respect to the Excess Units pursuant to the terms of Section 15.1.A; or (z) the Special Limited Partner shall acquire the Excess Units in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount pursuant to the terms of Section 15.1.B, but only if the Tendering Party provides the General Partner with any representations or undertakings which the Special Limited Partner has determined, in its sole and absolute discretion, are sufficient to prevent a violation of the Charter. The General Partner and the Special Limited Partner must provide notice of their exercise of the election described in clause (x) above to purchase the Tendered Units through a Stock Offering Funding on or before the Cut-Off Date.

(b) If the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding with respect to a Notice of Redemption, the General Partner may give notice (a “ Single Funding Notice ”) of such election to all Limited Partners and require that all Limited Partners elect whether or not to effect a Redemption to be funded through such Stock Offering Funding. If a Limited Partner elects to effect such a Redemption, it shall give notice thereof and of the number of Common Units to be made subject thereto in writing to the General Partner within 10 Business Days after receipt of the Single Funding Notice, and such Limited Partner shall be treated as a Tendering Party for all purposes of this Section 15.1.H.

(2) If the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding, on the Specified Redemption Date, the Partnership shall redeem each Offering Unit that is still a Tendered Unit on such date for cash in immediately available funds in an amount (the “ Stock Offering Funding Amount ”) equal to the net proceeds per Offered Share received by the Special Limited Partner from the Stock Offering Funding, determined after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions but no other expenses of the Special Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner related thereto, including without limitation, legal and accounting fees and expenses, Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees, state blue sky and securities laws fees and expenses, printing expenses, FINRA filing fees, exchange listing fees and other out of pocket expenses (the “ Net Proceeds ”).

 

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(3) If the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect a Stock Offering Funding, the following additional terms and conditions shall apply:

(a) As soon as practicable after the General Partner and the Special Limited Partner elect to effect a Stock Offering Funding, the Special Limited Partner shall use its reasonable efforts to effect as promptly as possible a registration, qualification or compliance (including, without limitation, the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other governmental requirements or regulations) as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of the Offered Shares; provided , that , if the Special Limited Partner shall deliver a certificate to the Tendering Party stating that the Special Limited Partner has determined in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Special Limited Partner that such filing, registration or qualification would require disclosure of material non-public information, the disclosure of which would have a material adverse effect on the Special Limited Partner, then the Special Limited Partner may delay making any filing or delay the effectiveness of any registration or qualification for the shorter of (a) the period ending on the date upon which such information is disclosed to the public or ceases to be material or (b) an aggregate period of ninety (90) days in connection with any Stock Offering Funding.

(b) The Special Limited Partner shall advise each Tendering Party, regularly and promptly upon any request, of the status of the Stock Offering Funding process, including the timing of all filings, the selection of and understandings with underwriters, agents, dealers and brokers, the nature and contents of all communications with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other governmental bodies, the expenses related to the Stock Offering Funding as they are being incurred, the nature of marketing activities, and any other matters reasonably related to the timing, price and expenses relating to the Stock Offering Funding and the compliance by the Special Limited Partner with its obligations with respect thereto. The Special Limited Partner will have reasonable procedures whereby the Tendering Party with the largest number of Offered Units (the “ Lead Tendering Party ”) may represent all the Tendering Parties in connection with the Stock Offering Funding by allowing it to participate in meetings with the underwriters of the Stock Offering Funding. In addition, the Special Limited Partner and each Tendering Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, enter into understandings in writing (“ Pricing Agreements ”) whereby the Tendering Party will agree in advance as to the acceptability of a Net Proceeds amount at or below a specified amount. Furthermore, the Special Limited Partner shall establish pricing notification procedures with each such Tendering Party, such that the Tendering Partner will have the maximum opportunity practicable to determine whether to become a Withdrawing Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.H(3)(c) below.

(c) The Special Limited Partner will permit the Lead Tendering Party to participate in the pricing discussions for the Stock Offering Funding and, upon notification of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding from the managing underwriter(s), in the case of a registered public offering, or lead placement agent(s), in the event of an unregistered offering, engaged by the Special Limited Party in order to sell the Offered Shares, shall immediately use its reasonable efforts to notify each Tendering Party of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding and resulting Net Proceeds. Each Tendering Party shall have one hour from the receipt of such written notice (as such time may be extended by the Special Limited Partner) to elect to withdraw its Redemption (a Tendering Party making such an election being a “ Withdrawing Partner ”), and Partnership Common Units with a REIT Shares Amount equal to such excluded Offered Shares shall be considered to be withdrawn from the related Redemption; provided , however , that the Special Limited Partner shall keep each of the Tendering Parties reasonably informed as to the likely timing of delivery of its notice. If a Tendering Party, within such time period, does not notify the Special Limited Partner of such Tendering Party’s election not to become a Withdrawing Partner, then such Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in a Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have withdrawn from the Redemption, without liability to the Special Limited Partner. To the extent that the Special Limited Partner is unable to notify any Tendering Party, such unnotified Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in any Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have elected to become a Withdrawing Partner. Each Tendering Party whose Redemption is being funded through the Stock Offering Funding who does not become a Withdrawing Partner shall have the right, subject to the approval of the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) and restrictions of any applicable securities laws, to submit for Redemption additional Partnership Common Units in a number no greater than the number of Partnership Common Units withdrawn. If more than one Tendering Party so elects to redeem additional Partnership Common Units, then such Partnership Common Units shall be redeemed on a pro rata basis, based on the number of additional Partnership Common Units sought to be so redeemed.

 

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(d) The Special Limited Partner shall take all reasonable action in order to effectuate the sale of the Offered Shares including, but not limited to, the entering into of an underwriting or placement agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) advises the Special Limited Partner in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be offered, then the Special Limited Partner shall so advise all Tendering Parties and the number of Partnership Common Units to be sold to the Special Limited Partner pursuant to the Redemption shall be allocated among all Tendering Parties in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective number of Partnership Common Units as to which each Tendering Party elected to effect a Redemption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Special Limited Partner is also offering to sell shares for purposes other than to fund the redemption of Offering Units and to pay related expenses, then those other shares may in the Special Limited Partner’s sole discretion be given priority over any shares to be sold in the Stock Offering Funding, and any shares to be sold in the Stock Offering Funding shall be removed from the offering prior to removing shares the proceeds of which would be used for other purposes of the Special Limited Partners. No Offered Shares excluded from the underwriting by reason of the managing underwriter’s or placement agent’s marketing limitation shall be included in such offering.

Section 15.2 Addresses and Notice . Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written or electronic communication (including by telecopy, facsimile, electronic mail or commercial courier service) to the Partner, or Assignee at the address for such Partner set forth in the Register, or such other address of which the Partner shall notify the General Partner in accordance with this Section 15.2.

Section 15.3 Titles and Captions . All article or Section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof. Except as specifically provided otherwise, references to “Articles” or “Sections” are to Articles and Sections of this Agreement.

Section 15.4 Pronouns and Plurals . Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa.

Section 15.5 Further Action . The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Section 15.6 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 15.7 Waiver .

A. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

B. The restrictions, conditions and other limitations on the rights and benefits of the Limited Partners contained in this Agreement, and the duties, covenants and other requirements of performance or notice by the Limited Partners, are for the benefit of the Partnership and, except for an obligation to pay money to the Partnership, may be waived or relinquished by the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion, on behalf of the Partnership in one or more instances from time to time and at any time; provided , however , that any such waiver or relinquishment may not be made if it would have the effect of (i) creating liability for any other Limited Partner, (ii) causing the Partnership to cease to qualify as a limited partnership, (iii) reducing the amount of cash otherwise distributable to the Limited Partners (other than any such reduction that affects all of the Limited Partners holding the same class or series of Partnership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Limited Partners holding such class or series of Partnership Units), (iv) resulting in the classification of the Partnership as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation or (v) violating the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state “blue sky” or other securities laws; provided , further , that any waiver relating to compliance with the Ownership Limit or other restrictions in the Charter shall be made and shall be effective only as provided in the Charter.

Section 15.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

Section 15.9 Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial .

A. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any non-mandatory provision of the Act, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and take precedence.

B. Each Partner hereby (i) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of Maryland (collectively, the “ Maryland Courts ”), with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to the extent such courts would have subject matter jurisdiction with respect to such dispute, (ii) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of any of the Maryland Courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum, or that the venue of the action is improper, (iii) agrees that notice or the service of process in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be properly served or delivered if delivered to such Partner at such Partner’s last known address as set forth in the Partnership’s books and records, and (iv) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 15.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains all of the understandings and agreements between and among the Partners with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations of the Partners with respect to the Partnership. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any Partnership Unit Designation to the contrary, including any provisions relating to amending this Agreement, the Partners hereby acknowledge and agree that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may enter into side letters or similar written agreements with Limited Partners that are not

Affiliates of the General Partner or the Special Limited Partner, executed contemporaneously with the admission of such Limited Partner to the Partnership, which may have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing the terms of, this Agreement or any Partnership Unit Designation, as negotiated with such Limited Partner and which the General Partner in its sole discretion deems necessary, desirable or appropriate. The parties hereto agree that any terms, conditions or provisions contained in such side letters or similar written agreements with a Limited Partner shall govern with respect to such Limited Partner notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Section 15.11 Invalidity of Provisions . If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.

Section 15.12 Limitation to Preserve REIT Status . Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, with respect to any period in which the Special Limited Partner has elected to be treated as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes, to the extent that the amount paid, credited, distributed or reimbursed by the Partnership to any REIT Partner or its officers, directors, employees or agents, whether as a reimbursement, fee, expense or indemnity (a “ REIT Payment ”), would constitute gross income to the REIT Partner for purposes of Code Section 856(c)(2) or Code Section 856(c)(3), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of such REIT Payments, as selected by the General Partner in its discretion from among items of potential distribution, reimbursement, fees, expenses and indemnities, shall be reduced for any Partnership Year so that the REIT Payments, as so reduced, for or with respect to such REIT Partner shall not exceed the lesser of:

(i) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) four and nine-tenths percent (4.9%) of the REIT Partner’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Partnership Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(2)) derived by the REIT Partner from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments); or

(ii) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) twenty-four percent (24%) of the REIT Partner’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Partnership Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(3)) derived by the REIT Partner from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments);

provided , however , that REIT Payments in excess of the amounts set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above may be made if the General Partner, as a condition precedent, obtains an opinion of tax counsel that the receipt of such excess amounts should not adversely affect the REIT Partner’s ability to qualify as a REIT. To the extent that REIT Payments may not be made in a Partnership Year as a consequence of the limitations set forth in this Section 15.12, such REIT Payments shall carry over and shall be treated as arising in the following Partnership Year if such carry over does not adversely affect the REIT Partner’s ability to qualify as a REIT, provided, however, that any such REIT Payment shall not be carried over more than three Partnership Years, and any such remaining payments shall no longer be due and payable. The purpose of the limitations contained in this Section 15.12 is to prevent any REIT Partner from failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code by reason of such REIT Partner’s share of items, including distributions, reimbursements, fees, expenses or indemnities, receivable directly or indirectly from the Partnership, and this Section 15.12 shall be interpreted and applied to effectuate such purpose.

Section 15.13 REIT Restrictions . Each Affiliated REIT is a REIT and is subject to the provisions of Sections 856 through and including 860 of the Code. So long as an Affiliated REIT owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in the Partnership, then notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:

(i) any services that would otherwise cause any rents from a lease to be excluded from treatment as rents from real property pursuant to Section 856(d)(2)(C) of the Code shall be provided by either (1) an independent contractor (as described in Section 856(d)(3) of the Code) with respect to such Affiliated REIT and from whom neither the Partnership nor such Affiliated REIT derives or receives any income or (2) a taxable REIT subsidiary of such Affiliated REIT as described in Section 856(l) of the Code;

 

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(ii) except for a taxable REIT subsidiary of an Affiliated REIT, the Partnership shall not own, directly or indirectly or by attribution (in accordance with attribution rules referred to in Section 856(d)(5) of the Code), in the aggregate more than 10% of the total value of all classes of stock or more than 10% of the total voting power (or, with respect to any such person which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of such person) of a lessee or sublessee of all or any part of the Property or of any other assets of the Partnership except in each case with the specific written approval of each Affiliated REIT;

(iii) except for securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary of an Affiliated REIT, the Partnership shall not own or acquire, directly or indirectly or by attribution, more than 10% of the total value or the total voting power of the outstanding securities of any issuer or own any other asset (including a security) which would cause the Affiliated REIT to fail the asset test of Section 856(c)(4)(B) of the Code; and

(iv) leases entered into by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiary partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies shall provide for rents that qualify as “rents from real property” within the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code with respect to each Affiliated REIT.

Section 15.14 No Partition . No Partner nor any successor-in-interest to a Partner shall have the right while this Agreement remains in effect to have any property of the Partnership partitioned, or to file a complaint or institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have such property of the Partnership partitioned, and each Partner, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns hereby waives any such right. It is the intention of the Partners that the rights of the parties hereto and their successors-in-interest to Partnership property, as among themselves, shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement, and that the rights of the Partners and their respective successors-in-interest shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.

Section 15.15 No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby . The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the purpose of defining the interests of the Holders, inter se ; and no other person, firm or entity ( i.e. , a party who is not a signatory hereto or a permitted successor to such signatory hereto) shall have any right, power, title or interest by way of subrogation or otherwise, in and to the rights, powers, title and provisions of this Agreement. For clarity, CBI, although not a Partner as of the date hereof, is a party to this Agreement and shall have the right, power, title and interest in and to all rights, powers, title and provisions of this Agreement. No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Partnership (other than as expressly set forth herein with respect to Indemnitees) shall have the right to enforce the right or obligation of any Partner to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity. None of the rights or obligations of the Partners herein set forth to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership shall be deemed an asset of the Partnership for any purpose by any creditor or other third party, nor may any such rights or obligations be sold, Transferred or assigned by the Partnership or pledged or encumbered by the Partnership to secure any debt or other obligation of the Partnership or any of the Partners.

Section 15.16 No Rights as Stockholders . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders of Partnership Units any rights whatsoever as stockholders of the Special Limited Partner, including without limitation any right to receive dividends or other distributions made to stockholders of the Special Limited Partner or to vote or to consent or receive notice as stockholders in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of the Special Limited Partner or any other matter.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

CYRUSONE GP

By:   CYRUSONE INC., trustee
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

SPECIAL LIMITED PARTNER:

 

CYRUSONE INC.

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

CBI:

 

Cincinnati Bell Inc.,

an Ohio corporation

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

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LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

Data Center Investments Holdco LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

Data Center South Holdings LLC,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

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EXHIBIT A: EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR

For purposes of the following examples, it is assumed that (a) the Adjustment Factor in effect on December 31, 2012 is 1.0 and (b) on January 1, 2013 (the “ Partnership Record Date ” for purposes of these examples), prior to the events described in the examples, there are 100 REIT Shares issued and outstanding.

Example 1

On the Partnership Record Date, the Special Limited Partner declares a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares. The amount of the dividend is one REIT Share paid in respect of each REIT Share owned. Pursuant to Paragraph (i) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Partnership Record Date, effective immediately after the stock dividend is declared, as follows:

1.0 * 200/100 = 2.0

Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the stock dividend is declared is 2.0.

Example 2

On the Partnership Record Date, the Special Limited Partner distributes options to purchase REIT Shares to all holders of its REIT Shares. The amount of the distribution is one option to acquire one REIT Share in respect of each REIT Share owned. The strike price is $4.00 a share. The Value of a REIT Share on the Partnership Record Date is $5.00 per share. Pursuant to Paragraph (ii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Partnership Record Date, effective immediately after the options are distributed, as follows:

1.0 * (100 + 100)/(100 + [100 * $4.00/$5.00]) = 1.1111

Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the options are distributed is 1.1111. If the options expire or become no longer exercisable, then the retroactive adjustment specified in Paragraph (ii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor” shall apply.

Example 3

On the Partnership Record Date, the Special Limited Partner distributes assets to all holders of its REIT Shares. The amount of the distribution is one asset with a fair market value (as determined by the General Partner) of $1.00 in respect of each REIT Share owned. It is also assumed that the assets do not relate to assets received by the General Partner pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Partnership. The Value of a REIT Share on the Partnership Record Date is $5.00 a share. Pursuant to Paragraph (iii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Partnership Record Date, effective immediately after the assets are distributed, as follows:

1.0 * $5.00/($5.00 – $1.00) = 1.25

Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the assets are distributed is 1.25.

 

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EXHIBIT B: NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

CyrusOne GP

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, Texas 75007

The undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee hereby irrevocably tenders for Redemption Partnership Common Units in CyrusOne, LP in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CyrusOne, LP, dated as of              , 2012 as amended (the “ Agreement ”), and the Redemption rights referred to therein. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. The undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee:

(a) undertakes (i) to surrender such Partnership Common Units at the closing of the Redemption and (ii) to furnish to the Special Limited Partner, prior to the Specified Redemption Date, the documentation, instruments and information required under Section 15.1.G of the Agreement;

(b) directs that the certified check representing the Cash Amount, or the REIT Shares Amount, as applicable, deliverable upon the closing of such Redemption be delivered to the address specified below;

(c) represents, warrants, certifies and agrees that: (i) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee is a Qualifying Party; (ii) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee has, and at the closing of the Redemption will have, good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Partnership Common Units, free and clear of the rights or interests of any other person or entity; (iii) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee has, and at the closing of the Redemption will have, the full right, power and authority to tender and surrender such Common Units as provided herein; (iv) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee, and the tender and surrender of such Common Units for Redemption as provided herein complies with all conditions and requirements for redemption of Partnership Common Units set forth in the Agreement; and (v) the undersigned Limited Partner or Assignee has obtained the consent or approval of all persons and entities, if any, having the right to consent to or approve such tender and surrender; and

(d) acknowledges that the undersigned will continue to own such Partnership Common Units unless and until either (1) such Partnership Common Units are acquired by the Special Limited Partner pursuant to Section 15.1.B of the Agreement or (2) such redemption transaction closes.

Dated:                             

 

Name of Limited Partner or Assignee:

 

 

Signature of Limited Partner or Assignee

 

 

Street Address

 

 

City, State and Zip Code

 

 

Social security or identifying number

 

 

Signature Medallion Guaranteed by:

 

 

 

Issue Check Payable to (or shares in the name of):

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 10.2

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER [    ], 2012

BY AND BETWEEN

CYRUSONE LP,

a Maryland limited partnership

AND

DATA CENTERS SOUTH INC.,

a Delaware corporation


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I   
CONTRIBUTION   

Section 1.01.

 

CONTRIBUTION OF CONTRIBUTED ASSETS

     2   

Section 1.02.

 

ASSUMPTION OF THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES

     2   

Section 1.03.

 

TRANSFER OF THE OP UNITS

     3   

Section 1.04.

 

FURTHER ACTION

     3   

Section 1.05.

 

TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTION

     3   
ARTICLE II   
CLOSING   

Section 2.01.

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     4   

Section 2.02.

 

TIME AND PLACE

     5   

Section 2.03.

 

DELIVERY OF OP UNITS

     5   

Section 2.04.

 

CLOSING DELIVERIES

     5   

Section 2.05.

 

TERM OF THE AGREEMENT

     6   

Section 2.06.

 

EFFECT OF TERMINATION

     6   

Section 2.07.

 

TAX WITHHOLDING

     6   
ARTICLE III   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP   

Section 3.01.

 

ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY

     6   

Section 3.02.

 

DUE AUTHORIZATION

     7   

Section 3.03.

 

CONSENTS AND APPROVALS

     7   

Section 3.04.

 

NO VIOLATION

     7   

Section 3.05.

 

VALIDITY OF OP UNITS

     7   

Section 3.06.

 

LITIGATION

     8   

Section 3.07.

 

OP AGREEMENT

     8   

Section 3.08.

 

LIMITED ACTIVITIES

     8   

Section 3.09.

 

NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

     8   
ARTICLE IV   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR   

Section 4.01.

 

ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY

     8   

Section 4.02.

 

DUE AUTHORIZATION

     8   

Section 4.03.

 

OWNERSHIP OF THE OTHER CONTRIBUTED ASSETS

     9   

Section 4.04.

 

OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTIES

     9   

 

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Section 4.05.

 

CONSENTS AND APPROVALS

     9   

Section 4.06.

 

NO VIOLATION

     10   

Section 4.07.

 

NON-FOREIGN PERSON

     10   

Section 4.08.

 

TAXES

     10   

Section 4.09.

 

SOLVENCY

     10   

Section 4.10.

 

LITIGATION

     10   

Section 4.11.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

     10   

Section 4.12.

 

EMINENT DOMAIN

     10   

Section 4.13.

 

LICENSES AND PERMITS

     11   

Section 4.14.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

     11   

Section 4.15.

 

CUSTOMER LEASES

     11   

Section 4.16.

 

ZONING

     11   

Section 4.17.

 

INVESTMENT

     12   

Section 4.18.

 

NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

     12   
ARTICLE V   
INDEMNIFICATION   

Section 5.01.

 

GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION

     13   

Section 5.02.

 

NOTICE OF CLAIMS

     13   

Section 5.03.

 

THIRD PARTY CLAIMS

     13   

Section 5.04.

 

EXPIRATION

     14   

Section 5.05.

 

LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS

     14   

Section 5.06.

 

EXCLUSIVE REMEDY

     15   

Section 5.07.

 

TAX TREATMENT

     15   
ARTICLE VI   
COVENANTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS   

Section 6.01.

 

COVENANTS OF THE CONTRIBUTOR

     15   

Section 6.02.

 

COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS BY THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AND THE CONTRIBUTOR

     15   

Section 6.03.

 

TAX AGREEMENT

     15   
ARTICLE VII   
WAIVERS AND CONSENTS   
ARTICLE VIII   
GENERAL PROVISIONS   

Section 8.01.

 

NOTICES

     16   

Section 8.02.

 

DEFINITIONS

     17   

Section 8.03.

 

COUNTERPARTS

     20   

 

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Section 8.04.

 

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES

     20   

Section 8.05.

 

GOVERNING LAW

     20   

Section 8.06.

 

ASSIGNMENT

     20   

Section 8.07.

 

JURISDICTION

     20   

Section 8.08.

 

SEVERABILITY

     21   

Section 8.09.

 

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

     21   

Section 8.10.

 

EQUITABLE REMEDIES

     22   

Section 8.11.

 

DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS

     22   

Section 8.12.

 

NO PERSONAL LIABILITY CONFERRED

     22   

Section 8.13.

 

AMENDMENT; WAIVER

     22   

 

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Defined Terms

 

TERM

  SECTION  

Affiliate

    Section 8.02   

Agreement

    Introduction   

Assumed Agreements

    Section 1.01   

Assumed Liabilities

    Section 1.02   

Business Day

    Section 8.02   

CBI

    Recitals   

CBTS

    Recitals   

Claim

    Article V   

Claim Notice

    Article V   

Closing

    Section 2.02   

Closing Date

    Section 2.02   

Code

    Section 8.02   

Contributed Assets

    Section 1.01   

Contributor

    Introduction   

Customer Leases

    Section 4.15   

CyrusOne Credit Agreement

    Section 8.02   

CyrusOne GP

    Recitals   

Debt Issuance

    Recitals   

Environmental Law

    Section 8.02   

Environmental Liabilities

    Section 8.02   

Environmental Permits

    Section 8.02   

Expiration Date

    Article V   

Fixtures and Personal Property

    Section 8.02   

Formation Transactions

    Recitals   

Governmental Authority

    Section 8.02   

Governmental Authorization

    Section 8.02   

Hazardous Material

    Section 8.02   

Indemnified Party

    Article V   

Indemnifying Party

    Article V   

Intercompany Debt

    Recitals   

Law

    Section 8.02   

Liability

    Section 8.02   

Liens

    Section 8.02   

Losses

    Article V   

Material Adverse Effect

    Section 8.02   

OP Units

    Recitals   

OP Value

    Section 5.05   

Operating Partnership

    Introduction   

Operating Partnership Agreement

    Section 1.05   

Operating Partnership Subsidiaries

    Section 3.01   

Order

    Section 8.02   

Other Contributed Assets

    Section 1.01   

Outside Date

    Section 2.05   

Permitted Lien

    Section 8.02   

Person

    Section 8.02   

Proceeding

    Section 8.02   

Properties

    Recitals   

Property Interests

    Recitals   

 

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TERM

  SECTION  

REIT

    Introduction   

REIT Common Stock

    Section 8.02   

Release

    Section 8.02   

Securities Act

    Section 8.02   

Service Contracts

    Section 8.02   

Subsidiary

    Section 8.02   

Tax

    Section 8.02   

Tax Return

    Section 8.02   

Third Party Claims

    Article V   

Total Consideration

    Recitals   

 

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CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of November [    ], 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), by and between CyrusOne LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), which is a Subsidiary of CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ REIT ”), and Data Centers South Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Contributor ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the REIT desires to consolidate the ownership of a portfolio of properties listed on Exhibit A (the “ Properties ”) through a series of transactions whereby the Operating Partnership will acquire interests in the Properties;

WHEREAS, the Contributor owns or holds fee simple or leasehold interests in the Properties (the “ Property Interests ”);

WHEREAS, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and certain other internal restructuring transactions to be completed prior to or on the Closing Date as set forth on Exhibit B-1 (collectively, the “ Formation Transactions ”) are related to the proposed issuance of 6.375% senior notes due 2022 of the Operating Partnership and CyrusOne Finance Corp., a Maryland corporation, as co-issuers (the “ Debt Issuance ”);

WHEREAS, the Contributor desires to, and the Operating Partnership desires the Contributor to, contribute to the Operating Partnership, all of the Contributor’s right, title and interest in and to the Property Interests and the Other Contributed Assets (as defined), free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, in exchange for units of limited partnership interest (“ OP Units ”) in the Operating Partnership (with each OP Unit being equal in value to one share of REIT Common Stock) and the assumption by the Operating Partnership of the Assumed Liabilities (as defined) (the transfer of such OP units to the Contributor and assumption of such Assumed Liabilities by the Operating Partnership, collectively, the “ Total Consideration ”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Contributor owes $462 million aggregate amount of intercompany debt to Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Ohio corporation (“ CBI ”), and Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ CBTS ”) (the “ Intercompany Debt ”);

WHEREAS, $400 million of the Intercompany Debt was incurred on June 11, 2010 by CBTS in order to fund its acquisition of the entity that held certain Contributed Assets (as defined) at the time of such acquisition;

WHEREAS, $62 million of the Intercompany Debt has been incurred by CyrusOne Inc., a Delaware corporation, in order to fund acquisitions of, and improvements to, certain Contributed Assets;

WHEREAS, each portion of the Intercompany Debt has been assumed by a series of entities in connection with a series of contributions of the Contributed Assets (or, in certain cases, the entity that owned such assets) to which such debt relates; and


WHEREAS, all necessary approvals have been obtained by the parties to this Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and the other Formation Transactions.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and other terms contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

CONTRIBUTION

Section 1.01. CONTRIBUTION OF CONTRIBUTED ASSETS. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, for the Total Consideration, at the Closing, the Contributor shall convey, assign and transfer to the Operating Partnership, and the Operating Partnership agrees to acquire and accept from the Contributor, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, the Contributed Assets. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Contributed Assets ” shall mean all of the Contributor’s right, title and interest in and to the following:

(a) its Property Interests;

(b) those assets listed on Exhibit C-1 , and all right, title and interest held directly or indirectly by the Contributor in (i) all Fixtures and Personal Property related to the Properties and (ii) all intangible personal property now or hereafter used in connection with the ownership, operation, maintenance, management or occupancy of the Properties;

(c) those certain agreements listed on Exhibit C-2 , and all agreements and arrangements related to the Properties, if any, to which the Contributor is a party, directly or indirectly, including all tenant leases and Service Contracts (collectively, the “ Assumed Agreements ”); and

(d) all other properties, assets and rights of any kind, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal, held directly or indirectly by the Contributor (the Contributed Assets described in Section 1.01(b), (c) and (d), collectively, the “ Other Contributed Assets ”).

Section 1.02. ASSUMPTION OF THE ASSUMED LIABILITIES. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall assume from the Contributor and thereafter pay, perform or discharge in accordance with their terms any and all Liabilities of the Contributor, whether arising before, on or after the Closing Date, including the following Liabilities (collectively, the “ Assumed Liabilities ”):

(a) all accounts payable outstanding as of or arising after the Closing Date;

(b) all Liabilities in connection with the Intercompany Debt;

 

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(c) all Liabilities to the extent arising out of, or related to, any Contributed Asset, or arising out of, related to or measured by the ownership by the Contributor and its Affiliates of any Contributed Asset or associated with the realization of the benefits of any Contributed Asset (including all Liabilities arising out of, or related to, any termination or announcement or notification of an intent to terminate any Assumed Agreement);

(d) all Environmental Liabilities to the extent relating to any Contributed Asset;

(e) all Liabilities in respect of any Proceeding to the extent arising out of or related to any Contributed Asset (including any such Liabilities to the extent relating to any product liability, consumer protection, consumer fraud, breach of warranty or similar claim for injury or death to person or damage to or destruction of property);

(f) all Tax Liabilities arising out of, related to or measured by the ownership of the Contributed Assets for any taxable period or portion thereof beginning after the Closing Date; and

(g) all other Liabilities of whatever kind and nature, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, whether accrued or fixed, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable of the Contributor.

Section 1.03. TRANSFER OF THE OP UNITS. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall transfer to the Contributor [    ] OP Units. The transfer of OP Units to the Contributor shall be evidenced by an amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement in such form as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Contributor.

Section 1.04. FURTHER ACTION. If, at any time after the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall determine or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or other actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Operating Partnership the right, title or interest in or to the Contributed Assets or Assumed Liabilities contributed by the Contributor, the Contributor shall execute and deliver all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and take and do all such other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and interest in or to such Contributed Assets or Assumed Liabilities, or otherwise to carry out this Agreement; provided , that the Contributor shall not be obligated to take any action or execute any document if the additional actions or documents impose additional liabilities, obligations, covenants, responsibilities, representations or warranties on the Contributor that are not contemplated by this Agreement or reasonably inferable by the terms herein.

Section 1.05. TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTION.

(a) Any transfer, assignment and exchange by the Contributor effectuated pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a “Capital Contribution” by the Contributor to the Operating Partnership as defined in Article I of the Operating Partnership Agreement (as defined) and is intended to be governed by Section 721(a) of the Code.

(b) The Contributor and the Operating Partnership agree to the tax treatment described in Section 1.05(a), and the Contributor and the Operating Partnership shall file their respective Tax Returns consistent with such treatment, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

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ARTICLE II

CLOSING

Section 2.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

(a) Condition to Each Party’s Obligations . The respective obligation of each party to effect the contributions contemplated by this Agreement and to consummate the other transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

(i) Debt Issuance Proceeds . All conditions to the Debt Issuance shall have been satisfied and the initial purchasers under the purchase agreement relating to the Debt Issuance shall be prepared to fund the Debt Issuance. This condition may not be waived by any party.

(ii) No Injunction . No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent), in any case which is in effect and which prevents or prohibits consummation of any of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or any of the other Formation Transactions nor shall any of the same brought by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction be pending that seeks the foregoing.

(iii) Formation Transactions . The Formation Transactions set forth on Exhibit B-2 shall have been consummated not later than concurrently herewith. This condition may not be waived by any party.

(b) Conditions to Obligations of the Operating Partnership . The obligations of the Operating Partnership are further subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Operating Partnership in whole or in part):

(i) Representations and Warranties . Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the representations and warranties of the Contributor contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of such earlier date).

(ii) Performance by the Contributor . The Contributor shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

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(iii) Consents, Etc . All necessary consents and approvals of Governmental Authorities or third parties (including lenders) for the Contributor to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (except for those the absence of which would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Contributor to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and the other Formation Transactions shall have been obtained.

(iv) No Material Adverse Change . There shall not have occurred between the date hereof and the Closing Date any material adverse change in the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Contributor.

(c) Conditions to Obligations of the Contributor . The obligations of the Contributor are further subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Contributor in whole or in part):

(i) Representations and Warranties . Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the representations and warranties of the Operating Partnership contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of such earlier date).

(ii) Performance by the Operating Partnership . The Operating Partnership shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

Section 2.02. TIME AND PLACE. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 2.05, and subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions in Section 2.01, the closing of the transfers contemplated by Sections 1.01, 1.02 and 1.03 and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) shall occur immediately prior to the time the Operating Partnership receives the proceeds from the Debt Issuance on November [    ], 2012 (the “ Closing Date ”). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019 or such other place as mutually determined by the parties hereto. The transfers described in Sections 1.01, 1.02 and 1.03 and all closing deliveries shall be deemed concurrent for all purposes.

Section 2.03. DELIVERY OF OP UNITS. The issuance of the OP Units to the Contributor shall be evidenced by an amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement in such form as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Contributor.

Section 2.04. CLOSING DELIVERIES. At the Closing, the parties shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, acknowledged and delivered, any other documents reasonably requested by the Operating Partnership or the Contributor or reasonably necessary or desirable to assign, transfer, convey, contribute and deliver the Contributed Assets or Assumed Liabilities, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 2.05. TERM OF THE AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall terminate automatically if the contributions contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been consummated on or prior to the second Business Day following the date hereof (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “ Outside Date ”), unless extended in writing by the parties to this Agreement.

Section 2.06. EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, all obligations on the part of the Operating Partnership and the Contributor under this Agreement shall terminate, except that the obligations set forth in Article VIII shall survive; it being understood and agreed, however, for the avoidance of doubt, that if this Agreement is terminated because one or more of the conditions to a non-breaching party’s obligations under this Agreement is not satisfied by the Outside Date as a result of the other party’s material breach of a covenant, representation, warranty or other obligation under this Agreement, the non-breaching party’s right to pursue all legal remedies with respect to such breach will survive such termination unimpaired.

Section 2.07. TAX WITHHOLDING. The Operating Partnership shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, from the consideration payable pursuant to this Agreement to the Contributor, such amounts as the Operating Partnership is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Operating Partnership, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Contributor in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Operating Partnership.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP

The Operating Partnership hereby represents and warrants to and covenants with the Contributor as follows:

Section 3.01. ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY.

(a) The Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Law of the State of Maryland. The Operating Partnership has all requisite power and authority to enter this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the

 

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Operating Partnership and the Subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership (the “ Operating Partnership Subsidiaries ” and, each individually, an “ Operating Partnership Subsidiary ”), taken as a whole.

(b) Exhibit D sets forth as of the date hereof, (i) each Operating Partnership Subsidiary, (ii) the ownership interest therein of the Operating Partnership and (iii) if not wholly owned by the Operating Partnership, the identity and ownership interest of each of the other owners of such Operating Partnership Subsidiary. Each Operating Partnership Subsidiary has been duly organized or formed and is validly existing under the Law of its jurisdiction of organization or formation, as applicable, has all power and authority to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 3.02. DUE AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby by the Operating Partnership has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of the Operating Partnership. This Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Agreement constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Operating Partnership, each enforceable against the Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

Section 3.03. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except in connection with the Debt Issuance or as set forth on Schedule 3.03 , no material consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law is required to be obtained by the Operating Partnership in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the other Formation Transactions.

Section 3.04. NO VIOLATION. None of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or any agreement contemplated hereby between the parties to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the other Formation Transactions) does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under (a) the organizational documents of the Operating Partnership, (b) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction, or decree binding on the Operating Partnership or (c) any other agreement to which the Operating Partnership is a party thereto.

Section 3.05. VALIDITY OF OP UNITS. The OP Units to be issued to the Contributor pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Operating Partnership and, when issued against the consideration therefor, will be validly issued by the Operating Partnership, free and clear of all Liens created by the Operating Partnership (other than Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement).

 

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Section 3.06. LITIGATION. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the Operating Partnership’s knowledge, threatened against the Operating Partnership or any Operating Partnership Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Operating Partnership to execute or deliver, or perform its obligations under, this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument executed by it pursuant to this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

Section 3.07. OP AGREEMENT. Attached as Exhibit E hereto is a true and complete copy of the Operating Partnership Agreement.

Section 3.08. LIMITED ACTIVITIES. Except for activities in connection with the Debt Issuance or the Formation Transactions, the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries have not engaged in any material business or incurred any material obligations.

Section 3.09. NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article III, the Operating Partnership shall not be deemed to have made any other representation or warranty in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR

The Contributor hereby represents, warrants and agrees that as of the Closing Date:

Section 4.01. ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY. The Contributor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Law of the State of Delaware. The Contributor has all requisite power and authority to enter this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Contributor.

Section 4.02. DUE AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby by the Contributor has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of the Contributor. This Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Contributor pursuant to this Agreement constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Contributor, each enforceable against the Contributor in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

 

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Section 4.03. OWNERSHIP OF THE OTHER CONTRIBUTED ASSETS. The Contributor is the record owner of, or otherwise has good and valid title to, the Other Contributed Assets and has the power and authority to transfer, sell, assign and convey to the Operating Partnership such Other Contributed Assets free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and, upon delivery of the consideration for such Other Contributed Assets as provided herein, the Operating Partnership will acquire good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens and Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement.

Section 4.04. OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTIES.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.04(a) , the Contributor has good and marketable title in fee simple to all Properties designated as owned real property in Exhibit A hereto and has the power and authority to transfer, sell, assign and convey to the Operating Partnership such owned real property free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and, upon delivery of the consideration for such owned real property as provided herein, the Operating Partnership will acquire good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens and Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.04(b) , the Contributor has a valid leasehold interest in, and enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession (consistent with historical use) of all Properties designated as leased real property in Exhibit A hereto, and has the power and authority to transfer, sell, assign and convey to the Operating Partnership such leased real property free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens, and, upon delivery of the consideration for such leased real property as provided herein, the Operating Partnership will acquire a valid leasehold interest thereto, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens and Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement. The Contributor has not received any written notice of any material uncured default under any of the real property leases pursuant to which it leases such Properties, and to the Contributor’s knowledge there is no material uncured default by any landlord thereunder, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.05. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except as shall have been satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date, no consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law is required to be obtained by the Contributor in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or the other Formation Transactions, except for those consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or filings, the failure of which to obtain or to file would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.06. NO VIOLATION. None of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or any agreement contemplated hereby between the parties to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the other Formation Transactions) does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under or give to others any right of termination, acceleration, cancelation or other right under, (a) the organizational documents of the Contributor, (b) any agreement, document or instrument to which the Contributor is a party or by which the Contributor is bound or (c) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree binding on the Contributor (or its assets or properties), except, in the case of (b) and (c) any such breaches or defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.07. NON-FOREIGN PERSON. The Contributor is a United States person (as defined in the Code) and is, therefore, not subject to the provisions of the Code relating to the withholding of sales or exchange proceeds to foreign persons.

Section 4.08. TAXES. To the Contributor’s knowledge, and except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) all Tax Returns and reports required to be filed with respect to the Contributed Assets have been timely filed (after giving effect to any filing extension properly granted by a Governmental Authority having authority to do so) and all such returns and reports are accurate and complete in all material respects, and all Taxes required to be paid with respect to the Contributed Assets have been paid and (b) no deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed with respect to the Contributed Assets, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes are pending.

Section 4.09. SOLVENCY. The Contributor has been and will be solvent at all times prior to and for the 90-day period following the transfer of the Contributed Assets and Assumed Liabilities to the Operating Partnership.

Section 4.10. LITIGATION. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the Contributor’s knowledge, threatened against the Contributor which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Contributor to execute or deliver, or perform its obligations under, this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument executed by it pursuant to this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the other Formation Transactions.

Section 4.11. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 , the Properties have been maintained, and the Contributor has not received written notice that any such Property is not, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, codes, orders and statutes (including, without limitation, those currently relating to fire safety, conservation, parking, Americans with Disabilities Act, zoning and building laws) whether federal, state or local, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Compliance with Environmental Laws is not addressed by this Section 4.11, but rather solely by Section 4.14.

Section 4.12. EMINENT DOMAIN. There is no existing or, to the Contributor’s knowledge, proposed or threatened condemnation, eminent domain or similar proceeding, or private purchase in lieu of such a proceeding, in respect of all or any material portion of the Properties.

 

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Section 4.13. LICENSES AND PERMITS. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13 , to the Contributor’s knowledge, all licenses, permits or other governmental approvals (including certificates of occupancy) required to be obtained by the owner of any Property in connection with the construction, use, occupancy, management, leasing and operation of such Properties have been obtained and are in full force and effect and in good standing, except for those licenses, permits and other governmental approvals, the failure of which to obtain or maintain in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.14. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14 , the Contributor is currently in compliance with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Contributor has not received any written notice from the United States Environmental Protection Agency or any other federal, state, county or municipal entity or agency that regulates Hazardous Materials or public health risks or other environmental matters or any other private party or Person claiming any current violation of, or requiring current compliance with, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or demanding payment or contribution for any Release or other environmental damage in, on, under, or upon any of the Properties. No litigation in which the Contributor is a named party is pending with respect to Hazardous Materials located in, on, under or upon any of the Properties, and, to such Contributor’s knowledge, no investigation in such respect is pending and no such litigation or investigation has been threatened in writing in the last twelve months by any Governmental Entity or any third party. To the Contributor’s knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.14 , there are no environmental conditions existing at, on, under, upon or affecting the Properties any portion thereof that would reasonably be likely to result in any claim, liability or obligation under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permit or any claim by any third party that would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.15. CUSTOMER LEASES. To the Contributor’s knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 , (i) all leases, licenses, subleases, tenancies, possession agreements and occupancy agreements with tenants, subtenants or licensees related to the Properties (the “ Customer Leases ”) are in full force and effect, (ii) no monetary or material non-monetary default (beyond applicable notice and cure periods) by any party exists under any such Customer Lease and (iii) no tenant under any of such Customer Leases is presently the subject of any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.16. ZONING. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16 , the Contributor has not received (i) any written notice (which remains uncured) from any Governmental Authority stating that any of the Properties is currently violating any zoning, land use or other similar rules or ordinances in any material respect, or (ii) any written notice of any pending or threatened proceedings for the rezoning (i.e., as opposed to the current zoning) of any of the Properties or any portion thereof except, in each case as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.17. INVESTMENT. The Contributor acknowledges that the offering and issuance of the OP Units to be acquired pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and that the Operating Partnership’s reliance on such exemptions is predicated in part on the accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Contributor contained herein. In furtherance thereof, the Contributor represents and warrants to the Operating Partnership as follows:

(a) The Contributor is an “accredited investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act).

(b) The Contributor is acquiring the OP Units solely for its own account for the purpose of investment and not as a nominee or agent for any other Person and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution of any thereof in violation of the securities Law.

(c) The Contributor is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in business and financial matters; the Contributor has previously invested in securities similar to the OP Units and fully understands the limitations on transfer imposed by the federal securities Law. The Contributor is able to bear the economic risk of holding the OP Units for an indefinite period and is able to afford the complete loss of its investment in the OP Units; the Contributor has received and reviewed all information and documents about or pertaining to the Operating Partnership and the business and prospects of the Operating Partnership and the issuance of the OP Units as the Contributor deems necessary or desirable, and has been given the opportunity to obtain any additional information or documents and to ask questions and receive answers about such information and documents, the Operating Partnership and the business and prospects of the Operating Partnership which the Contributor deems necessary or desirable to evaluate the merits and risks related to its investment in the OP Units; and the Contributor understands and has taken cognizance of all risk factors related to the purchase of the OP Units. The Contributor is relying upon its own independent analysis and assessment (including with respect to taxes), and the advice of the Contributor’s advisors (including tax advisors), and not upon that of the Operating Partnership or any of the Operating Partnership’s Affiliates, for purposes of evaluating, entering into, and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d) The Contributor acknowledges that the OP Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, may not be sold unless registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.

Section 4.18. NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article IV, the Contributor shall not be deemed to have made any other representation or warranty in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 5.01. GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION. From and after the Closing Date, each party hereto (each of which is an “ Indemnifying Party ”) shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party and its Affiliates (each of which is an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all charges, complaints, claims, actions, causes of action, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses of any nature whatsoever, including amounts paid in settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of investigation, costs of investigative judicial or administrative proceedings or appeals therefrom and costs of attachment or similar bonds (collectively, “ Losses ”) arising out of or relating to, asserted against, imposed upon or incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any breach of a representation, warranty or covenant of the Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement or in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or affidavit or any other agreement, document or instrument delivered by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement; provided , however , that: (i) the Operating Partnership shall not have any obligation under this Article to indemnify any Indemnified Party against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of (A) any diminution in value of the OP Units, (B) the Contributor’s breach of this Agreement, gross negligence, wilful misconduct or fraud or (C) CyrusOne LLC’s operation of its business or the ownership and operation of its assets outside of the ordinary course of business prior to the Closing Date; and (ii) the Contributor shall not have any obligation under this Article to indemnify any Indemnified Party against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of (A) any diminution in value of the Properties, (B) the Operating Partnership’s breach of this Agreement, gross negligence, wilful misconduct or fraud or (C) the Operating Partnership’s operation of its business or the ownership and operation of its assets outside of the ordinary course of business prior to the Closing Date; and

Section 5.02. NOTICE OF CLAIMS. At the time when any Indemnified Party learns of any potential claim that is subject to indemnification pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (a “ Claim ”) against the Indemnifying Party it will promptly give written notice (a “ Claim Notice ”) to the Indemnifying Party; provided that failure to do so shall not prevent recovery under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced by such failure. Each Claim Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the facts known to such Indemnified Party giving rise to such Claim, and the amount or good faith estimate of the amount of Losses arising therefrom. Unless prohibited by Law, such Indemnified Party shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly after such Indemnified Party’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by such Indemnified Party relating to claims asserted by third parties (“ Third Party Claims ”). Any Indemnified Party may at its option demand indemnity under this Article V as soon as a Claim has been threatened by a third party, regardless of whether an actual Loss has been suffered, so long as such Indemnified Party shall in good faith determine that such claim is not frivolous and that such Indemnified Party may be liable for, or otherwise incur, a Loss as a result thereof.

        Section 5.03. THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its own expense, to assume and control the defense of any Claims based on Third Party Claims, through counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably acceptable to such Indemnified Party (or any person authorized by such Indemnified Party to act on its behalf), if it gives written notice of its

 

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intention to do so to such Indemnified Party within 30 days of the receipt of the applicable Claim Notice; provided , however , that such Indemnified Party may at all times participate in such defense at its expense. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Indemnifying Party exercises the right to undertake any such defense against a Third Party Claim, such Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party (unless prohibited by Law), at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent records, materials and information in such Indemnified Party’s possession or under such Indemnified Party’s control relating thereto as is reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party. No compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim may be effected by either such Indemnified Party, on the one hand, or the Indemnifying Party, on the other hand, without the other’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such other party and (ii) each Indemnified Party that is party to such claim is released from all liability with respect to such claim.

Section 5.04. EXPIRATION.

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, all representations, warranties, covenants and agreements (including those relating to indemnification in Section 5.01) made herein shall survive the Closing.

(b) Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all representations, warranties and covenants of the Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement shall survive until twelve months after the Closing Date (the “ Expiration Date ”). If written notice of a claim in accordance with the provisions of this Article V has been given prior to the Expiration Date, then the relevant representation, warranty and covenant shall survive, but only with respect to such specific claim, until such claim has been finally resolved. Any claim for indemnification not so asserted in writing by the Expiration Date may not thereafter be asserted and shall forever be waived.

Section 5.05. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS.

(a) Except as provided in subparagraph (b) below, the Contributor shall not have any liability under Section 5.01 for any Losses hereunder (i) unless and until the aggregate total amount of all such Losses for which the Contributor would, but for this provision, be liable exceeds, on a cumulative basis, one percent (1%) of the aggregate fair market value as of the Closing Date of the OP Units issued to the Contributor on the Closing Date (the “ OP Value ”), and then only to the extent of such excess, (ii) in excess of, on a cumulative basis, ten percent (10%) of the fair market value as of the Closing Date of the OP Units issued to the Contributor in respect of any Property, to the extent such Losses are directly related to or arise out of such Property and (iii) in excess of, on a cumulative basis, ten percent (10%) of the OP Value.

(b) The limitations in subparagraph (a) above shall not apply to any Losses resulting from breach of Section 4.04 with respect to a specific Property unless and until such time as the Operating Partnership (or a Subsidiary of the Operating

 

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Partnership) obtains an endorsement providing the Operating Partnership with the benefit of the existing title insurance policy held by CBI or one of its Subsidiaries with respect to such Property, if any, or a new title insurance policy for the benefit of the Operating Partnership (or a Subsidiary of the Operating Partnership) in the same amount as the lenders’ title insurance policy required to be obtained under the CyrusOne Credit Agreement.

Section 5.06. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Indemnified Party hereby waives, as of the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action (other than claims of, or causes of action arising from, fraud) it may have against the Indemnifying Party arising under or based upon any federal, state, local or foreign Law, other than the right to seek indemnity pursuant to this Article V. The foregoing sentence shall not limit the Indemnified Party’s right to specific performance or injunctive relief in connection with the breach by the Indemnifying Party of the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 5.07. TAX TREATMENT. All indemnity payments made hereunder shall be treated as adjustments to the consideration paid hereunder for United States federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

Section 6.01. COVENANTS OF THE CONTRIBUTOR. From the date hereof through the Closing, except as otherwise provided for or as contemplated by this Agreement or the other agreements, documents and instruments contemplated hereby, the Contributor shall not:

(a) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Contributed Assets; or

(b) mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, encumber (or permit to become encumbered) all or any portion of the Contributed Assets.

Section 6.02. COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS BY THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AND THE CONTRIBUTOR. Each of the Operating Partnership and the Contributor shall use commercially reasonable efforts and cooperate with each other in (a) promptly determining whether any filings are required to be made or consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations are required to be obtained (under any applicable Law or regulation or from any Governmental Authority or third party) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Formation Transactions and (b) promptly making any such filings, in furnishing information required in connection therewith and in timely seeking to obtain any such consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations.

Section 6.03. TAX AGREEMENT. The Operating Partnership shall account for any variation between the tax basis of any Contributed Asset and its fair market value at the time of its contribution to the Operating Partnership under any method approved under Section 704(c) of the Code and the applicable regulations as chosen by the general partner of the Operating Partnership.

 

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ARTICLE VII

WAIVERS AND CONSENTS

Effective upon the Closing of the contribution of the Contributed Assets and the exchange of OP Units pursuant to Article I herein, the Contributor waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits otherwise afforded to the Contributor under any agreement, including, any rights of appraisal or rights of first offer or first refusal, and any and all notice provisions related thereto.

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 8.01. NOTICES. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) five Business Days after being mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, (c) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) when transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a), (b) or (c) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by notice from such party):

if to the Operating Partnership to:

c/o CyrusOne Inc.

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, Texas 75007

Facsimile: [                    ]

Email: [                    ]

Attention: General Counsel

if to the Contributor, to:

c/o Cincinnati Bell Inc.

221 East Fourth Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Facsimile: [                    ]

Email: [                    ]

Attention: General Counsel

 

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Section 8.02. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

(b) “ Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York.

(c) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated or issued thereunder.

(d) “ CyrusOne Credit Agreement ” means the credit agreement by and among the Operating Partnership, as borrower, Deutsche Bank, as administrative agent, certain subsidiaries of the REIT, as guarantors, and the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, to be entered into prior to or on the Closing Date.

(e) “ Environmental Law ” means Laws or Orders of any Governmental Authority relating to pollution or protection of the environment or natural resources (including the generation, use, storage, management, treatment, transportation, disposal, presence, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material) or occupational health and safety, such as the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq. ; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq. and the Water Quality Act of 1987; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 136 et seq. ; the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1401 et seq. ; the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4321 et seq. ; the Noise Control Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4901 et seq. ; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq. ; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq. , as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq. ; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“ CERCLA ”), 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq. , as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, and Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq. ; the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 2011 et seq. , and the Nuclear Waste Policy act of 1982, 42 U.S.C. Section 10101 et seq .

(f) “ Environmental Permits ” means any and all licenses, certificates, permits, directives, requirements, registrations, government approvals, agreements, authorizations, and consents that are required under or are issued pursuant to any Environmental Laws.

(g) “ Environmental Liability ” means any Liability, loss, demand, claim or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for judgments, orders, damages, costs of investigation, remediation or monitoring, medical monitoring, natural resources damages, fines, penalties, professional fees or settlements), and relating to, arising under or resulting from (i) any actual or alleged (x) compliance or noncompliance with any Environmental Law or Governmental Authorization issued thereunder, (y) generation, use, storage, management, treatment, transportation, or disposal of any Hazardous Material or (z) presence, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or (ii) any contract, Proceeding or Order pursuant to which Liability, loss, demand, claim or cost is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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(h) “ Fixtures and Personal Property ” means all fixtures, furniture, furnishings, apparatus and fittings, equipment, machinery, appliances, building supplies, tools, and other items of personal property used in connection with the operation or maintenance of the Properties; excluding , however , all fixtures, furniture, furnishings, apparatus and fittings, equipment, machinery, appliances, building supplies, tools, and other items of personal property owned by tenants, subtenants, guests, invitees, employees, easement holders, service contractors and other Persons who own any such property located on the Properties.

(i) “ Governmental Authority ” means any government or agency, bureau, board, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal or other instrumentality of any government, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign.

(j) “ Governmental Authorizations ” means all licenses, permits, consents, certificates, exemptions, registrations, waivers and other authorizations and approvals required to carry on the Business as conducted as of the date of this Agreement, under applicable Laws of any Governmental Authority.

(k) “ Hazardous Material ” means any material, substance or waste defined or regulated in relevant form, quantity or concentration as hazardous or toxic or as a pollutant or contaminant (or words of similar import) pursuant to any Environmental Law, including any petroleum, waste oil or petroleum constituents or by-products.

(l) “ Law ” means laws, statutes, rules, regulations, codes, orders, ordinances, judgments, injunctions, decrees and policies of any Governmental Authority.

(m) “ Liabilities ” means any and all debts, liabilities and obligations, of whatever kind or nature, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, whether accrued or fixed, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable.

(n) “ Liens ” means all pledges, claims, liens, charges, restrictions, controls, easements, rights of way, exceptions, reservations, leases, licenses, grants, covenants and conditions, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever.

(o) “ Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the REIT and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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(p) “ Operating Partnership Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership dated as of November [    ], 2012.

(q) “ Order ” means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, ruling, assessment, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any court or other Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

(r) “ Permitted Lien ” means:

(i) Liens securing Taxes, the payment of which is not delinquent or the payment of which is actively being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued;

(ii) Zoning laws and ordinances applicable to the Properties that are not violated by the existing structures or present uses thereof or the transfer of the Properties;

(iii) Liens imposed by laws, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ liens, and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business that secure payment of obligations arising in the ordinary course of business not more than 60 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued;

(iv) non-exclusive easements for public utilities and other operational purposes that do not materially interfere with the current use of the Properties; and

(v) any other liens that do not materially interfere with the current use or operation of the Properties.

(s) “ Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

(t) “ Proceeding ” means any action, arbitration, audit, claim, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit (whether civil, commercial, administrative, criminal, investigative or informal) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

(u) “ REIT Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the REIT.

(v) “ Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, pumping, placing, discarding, abandoning, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata).

 

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(w) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(x) “ Service Contracts ” means the service, equipment, franchise, operating, management, parking, supply, utility and maintenance agreements relating to any Property.

(y) “ Subsidiary ” of any Person means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other legal entity of which such Person owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of such Person) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 10% or more of the voting power of the voting capital stock or other equity interests or (B) 10% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other legal entity.

(z) “ Tax ” means all federal, state, local and foreign income, property, withholding, sales, franchise, employment, excise and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any nature whatsoever, including estimated taxes, together with penalties, interest or additions to Tax with respect thereto.

(aa) “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement related to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

Section 8.03. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party.

Section 8.04. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement, including the exhibits and schedules hereto constitute the entire agreement and supersede each prior agreement and understanding, whether written or oral, among the parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies on any Person other than the parties hereto.

Section 8.05. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Law of the State of New York, regardless of any Law that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

Section 8.06. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided , however , that this Agreement may not be assigned (except by operation of Law) by any party without the prior written consent of the other party, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void and of no force and effect, except that each of the Operating Partnership and the Contributor may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate.

Section 8.07. JURISDICTION. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) any New York State court sitting in the County of New York and (b) the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, for the purposes of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby (and each agrees that no such action, suit or proceeding relating to this Agreement shall be brought by it or any of its Affiliates except in such courts). Each of the parties hereto further agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such person’s respective address set forth in Section 8.01 shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in New York with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (and agrees not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) any New York State court sitting in the County of New York or (ii) the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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Section 8.08. SEVERABILITY. Each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted so as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been included herein.

Section 8.09. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

(a) The parties hereto agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any Law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

(b) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, paragraph, exhibit and schedule references are to the articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings contained herein when used in agreement, document or instrument made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such terms. Unless explicitly stated otherwise herein, any agreement, document, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement, document or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, document, instrument or statute as from time to time, amended, qualified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements, documents and instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.

 

21


Section 8.10. EQUITABLE REMEDIES. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by the other party hereto and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in New York, this being in addition to any other remedy to which the parties are entitled under this Agreement or otherwise at law or in equity.

Section 8.11. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings herein are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 8.12. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY CONFERRED. This Agreement shall not create or permit any personal liability or obligation on the part of any officer, director, partner, employee or shareholder of the Operating Partnership or the Contributor.

Section 8.13. AMENDMENT; WAIVER. Any amendment hereto shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

[ remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives, all as of the date first written above.

 

CYRUSONE LP
By:   CyrusOne GP
  Sole General Partner
By:   CyrusOne Inc.
  Sole Trustee of CyrusOne GP
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
CONTRIBUTOR
DATA CENTERS SOUTH INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 10.3

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER [    ], 2012

BY AND AMONG

CYRUSONE LP,

a Maryland limited partnership

AND

DATA CENTER INVESTMENTS INC.,

a Delaware corporation


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I   
CONTRIBUTION  
Section 1.01.    CONTRIBUTION TRANSACTION      2  
Section 1.02.    CONSIDERATION      2  
Section 1.03.    FURTHER ACTION      2  
Section 1.04.    TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTION      2  
ARTICLE II   
CLOSING  
Section 2.01.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT      3  
Section 2.02.    TIME AND PLACE      4  
Section 2.03.    DELIVERY OF OP UNITS      4  
Section 2.04.    CLOSING DELIVERIES      4  
Section 2.05.    TERM OF THE AGREEMENT      4  
Section 2.06.    EFFECT OF TERMINATION      5  
Section 2.07.    TAX WITHHOLDING      5  
ARTICLE III   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP  
Section 3.01.    ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY      5  
Section 3.02.    DUE AUTHORIZATION      6  
Section 3.03.    CONSENTS AND APPROVALS      6  
Section 3.04.    NO VIOLATION      6  
Section 3.05.    VALIDITY OF OP UNITS      6  
Section 3.06.    LITIGATION      6  
Section 3.07.    OP AGREEMENT      7  
Section 3.08.    LIMITED ACTIVITIES      7  
Section 3.09.    NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES      7  
ARTICLE IV   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR  
Section 4.01.    ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY      7  
Section 4.02.    DUE AUTHORIZATION      8  
Section 4.03.    OWNERSHIP OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS      8  
Section 4.04.    OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTIES      8  
Section 4.05.    CONSENTS AND APPROVALS      8  

 

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Section 4.06.    NO VIOLATION      9  
Section 4.07.    NON-FOREIGN PERSON      9  
Section 4.08.    TAXES      9  
Section 4.09.    SOLVENCY      9  
Section 4.10.    LITIGATION      9  
Section 4.11.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS      9  
Section 4.12.    EMINENT DOMAIN      10  
Section 4.13.    LICENSES AND PERMITS      10  
Section 4.14.    ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE      10  
Section 4.15.    CUSTOMER LEASES      10  
Section 4.16.    TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY      11  
Section 4.17.    ZONING      11  
Section 4.18.    INVESTMENT      11  
Section 4.19.    NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES      12  
ARTICLE V   
INDEMNIFICATION  
Section 5.01.    GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION      12  
Section 5.02.    NOTICE OF CLAIMS      12  
Section 5.03.    THIRD PARTY CLAIMS      13  
Section 5.04.    EXPIRATION      13  
Section 5.05.    LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS      13  
Section 5.06.    EXCLUSIVE REMEDY      14  
Section 5.07.    TAX TREATMENT      14  
ARTICLE VI   
COVENANTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS  
Section 6.01.    COVENANTS OF THE CONTRIBUTOR      14  
Section 6.02.   

COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS BY THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AND THE CONTRIBUTOR

     15  
Section 6.03.    TAX AGREEMENT      15  
ARTICLE VII   
WAIVERS AND CONSENTS  
ARTICLE VIII   
GENERAL PROVISIONS  
Section 8.01.    NOTICES      15  
Section 8.02.    DEFINITIONS      16  
Section 8.03.    COUNTERPARTS      19  

 

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Section 8.04.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT; THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES      19  
Section 8.05.    GOVERNING LAW      19  
Section 8.06.    ASSIGNMENT      19  
Section 8.07.    JURISDICTION      19  
Section 8.08.    SEVERABILITY      19  
Section 8.09.    RULES OF CONSTRUCTION      20  
Section 8.10.    EQUITABLE REMEDIES      20  
Section 8.11.    DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS      20  
Section 8.12.    NO PERSONAL LIABILITY CONFERRED      20  
Section 8.13.    AMENDMENT; WAIVER      20   

 

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Defined Terms

 

TERM

   SECTION  
Affiliate      Section 8.02   
Agreement      Introduction   
Business Day      Section 8.02   
CBI      Section 8.02   
Claim      Section 3.10   
Claim Notice      Section 3.10   
Closing      Section 2.02   
Closing Date      Section 2.02   
Code      Section 8.02   
Contributor      Introduction   
Customer Leases      Section 4.15   
CyrusOne Credit Agreement      Section 8.02   
CyrusOne GP      Recitals   
CyrusOne LLC      Recitals   
CyrusOne LLC Assets      Section 4.07   
Debt Issuance      Recitals   
Environmental Laws      Section 8.02   
Environmental Permits      Section 8.02   
Expiration Date      Article V   
Formation Transactions      Recitals   
Governmental Authority      Section 8.02   
Hazardous Materials      Section 8.02   
Indemnified Party      Article V   
Indemnifying Party      Article V   
Law      Section 8.02   
Liens      Section 8.02   
LLC Agreement      Section 8.02   
Losses      Article V   
Material Adverse Effect      Section 8.02   
OP Units      Recitals   
OP Value      Section 5.05   
Operating Partnership      Introduction   
Operating Partnership Agreement      Section 1.05   
Operating Partnership Subsidiaries      Section 3.01   
Order      Section 8.02   
Outside Date      Section 2.06   
Ownership Interests      Recitals   
Permitted Lien      Section 8.02   
Person      Section 8.02   
Properties      Recitals   
REIT      Introduction   
REIT Common Stock      Section 8.02   
Release      Section 8.02   
Securities Act      Section 8.02   
Subsidiary      Section 8.02   
Tax      Section 8.02   
Tax Return      Section 8.02   
Third Party Claims      Article V   
Total Consideration      Section 1.02   

 

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CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of November [    ], 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), by and between CyrusOne LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), which is a Subsidiary of CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ REIT ”), and Data Center Investments Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Contributor ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the REIT desires to consolidate the ownership of a portfolio of properties listed on Exhibit A (the “ Properties ”) through a series of transactions whereby the Operating Partnership will acquire all of the interests in CyrusOne LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ CyrusOne LLC ”), which owns or holds, directly or indirectly, fee simple or leasehold interests in the Properties;

WHEREAS, the Contributor owns all of the interests in CyrusOne LLC;

WHEREAS, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and certain other internal restructuring transactions to be completed prior to or on the Closing Date as set forth on Exhibit B-1 (collectively, the “ Formation Transactions ”) are related to the proposed issuance of 6.375% senior notes due 2022 of the Operating Partnership and CyrusOne Finance Corp., a Maryland corporation, as co-issuers (the “ Debt Issuance ”);

WHEREAS, the Contributor will transfer its interests in CyrusOne LLC (which includes all of CyrusOne LLC’s interests in CyrusOne Foreign Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CyrusOne UK Holdco LLP, a U.K. limited liability partnership and CyrusOne UK Limited, a U.K. limited company, each a Subsidiary of CyrusOne LLC) to the Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership interest (“ OP Units ”) in the Operating Partnership, with each OP Unit being equal in value to one share of REIT Common Stock;

WHEREAS, the Contributor desires to, and the Operating Partnership desires the Contributor to, contribute to the Operating Partnership, all of the Contributor’s right, title and interest, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, including, without limitation, all of its voting rights and interests in the capital, profits and losses of CyrusOne LLC or any property distributable therefrom, constituting all of its interests in and to CyrusOne LLC (such rights, title and interests in and to CyrusOne LLC are collectively referred to as the “ Ownership Interests ”), in exchange for OP Units, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, all necessary approvals have been obtained by the parties to this Agreement to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and the other Formation Transactions.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and other terms contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

CONTRIBUTION

Section 1.01. CONTRIBUTION TRANSACTION. At the Closing and subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Contributor hereby assigns, sets over, and transfers to the Operating Partnership, absolutely and unconditionally and free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, all of the Contributor’s right, title and interest in and to the Ownership Interests, in exchange for the consideration set forth in Section 1.02.

Section 1.02. CONSIDERATION. The Operating Partnership shall, in exchange for the Ownership Interests, transfer to the Contributor [    ] OP Units (the “ Total Consideration ”). The transfer of OP Units to the Contributor shall be evidenced by an amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement in such form as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Contributor.

Section 1.03. FURTHER ACTION. If, at any time after the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall determine or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or other actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Operating Partnership the right, title or interest in or to the Ownership Interests contributed by the Contributor, the Contributor shall execute and deliver all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and take and do all such other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and interest in or to the Ownership Interests or otherwise to carry out this Agreement; provided , that the Contributor shall not be obligated to take any action or execute any document if the additional actions or documents impose additional liabilities, obligations, covenants, responsibilities, representations or warranties on the Contributor that are not contemplated by this Agreement or reasonably inferable by the terms herein.

Section 1.04. TREATMENT AS CONTRIBUTION.

(a) Any transfer, assignment and exchange by the Contributor effectuated pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a “Capital Contribution” by the Contributor to the Operating Partnership as defined in Article I of the Operating Partnership Agreement (as defined) and is intended to be governed by Section 721(a) of the Code.

(b) The Contributor and the Operating Partnership agree to the tax treatment described in Section 1.04(a), and the Contributor and the Operating Partnership shall file their respective Tax Returns consistent with such treatment, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

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ARTICLE II

CLOSING

Section 2.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

(a) Condition to Each Party’s Obligations . The respective obligation of each party to effect the contributions contemplated by this Agreement and to consummate the other transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

(i) Debt Issuance Proceeds . All conditions to the Debt Issuance shall have been satisfied and the initial purchasers under the purchase agreement relating to the Debt Issuance shall be prepared to fund the Debt Issuance. This condition may not be waived by any party.

(ii) No Injunction . No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent), in any case which is in effect and which prevents or prohibits consummation of any of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or any of the other Formation Transactions nor shall any of the same brought by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction be pending that seeks the foregoing.

(iii) Formation Transactions . The Formation Transactions set forth on Exhibit B-2 shall have been consummated not later than concurrently herewith. This condition may not be waived by any party.

(b) Conditions to Obligations of the Operating Partnership . The obligations of the Operating Partnership are further subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Operating Partnership in whole or in part):

(i) Representations and Warranties . Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the representations and warranties of the Contributor contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of such earlier date).

(ii) Performance by the Contributor . The Contributor shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

(iii) Consents, Etc . All necessary consents and approvals of Governmental Authorities or third parties (including lenders) for the Contributor to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (except for those the absence of which would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Contributor to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and the other Formation Transactions shall have been obtained.

(iv) No Material Adverse Change . There shall not have occurred between the date hereof and the Closing Date any material adverse change in the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of CyrusOne LLC.

 

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(c) Conditions to Obligations of the Contributor . The obligations of the Contributor are further subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Contributor in whole or in part):

(i) Representations and Warranties . Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the representations and warranties of the Operating Partnership contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing (except to the extent that any such representation or warranty speaks as of an earlier date, in which case it must be true and correct only as of such earlier date).

(ii) Performance by the Operating Partnership . The Operating Partnership shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

Section 2.02. TIME AND PLACE. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 2.05, and subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions in Section 2.01, the closing of the transfers contemplated by Sections 1.01 and 1.02 and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) shall occur immediately prior to the time the Operating Partnership receives the proceeds from the Debt Issuance on November [    ], 2012 (the “ Closing Date ”). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019 or such other place as mutually determined by the parties hereto. The transfers described in Sections 1.01 and 1.02 and all closing deliveries shall be deemed concurrent for all purposes.

Section 2.03. DELIVERY OF OP UNITS. The issuance of the OP Units to the Contributor shall be evidenced by an amendment to the Operating Partnership Agreement in such form as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Contributor.

Section 2.04. CLOSING DELIVERIES. At the Closing, the parties shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be made, executed, acknowledged and delivered, any other documents reasonably requested by the Operating Partnership or the Contributor or reasonably necessary or desirable to assign, transfer, convey, contribute and deliver the Ownership Interests, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 2.05. TERM OF THE AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall terminate automatically if the contributions contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been consummated on or prior to the second Business Day following the date hereof (such date is hereinafter referred to as the “ Outside Date ”), unless extended in writing by the parties to this Agreement.

 

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Section 2.06. EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, all obligations on the part of the Operating Partnership and the Contributor under this Agreement shall terminate, except that the obligations set forth in Article VIII shall survive; it being understood and agreed, however, for the avoidance of doubt, that if this Agreement is terminated because one or more of the conditions to a non-breaching party’s obligations under this Agreement is not satisfied by the Outside Date as a result of the other party’s material breach of a covenant, representation, warranty or other obligation under this Agreement, the non-breaching party’s right to pursue all legal remedies with respect to such breach will survive such termination unimpaired.

Section 2.07. TAX WITHHOLDING. The Operating Partnership shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, from the consideration payable pursuant to this Agreement to the Contributor, such amounts as the Operating Partnership is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Operating Partnership, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Contributor in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Operating Partnership.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP

The Operating Partnership hereby represents and warrants to and covenants with the Contributor as follows:

Section 3.01. ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY.

(a) The Operating Partnership is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Law of the State of Maryland. The Operating Partnership has all requisite power and authority to enter this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership (the “ Operating Partnership Subsidiaries ” and, each individually, an “ Operating Partnership Subsidiary ”), taken as a whole.

(b) Exhibit C sets forth as of the date hereof, (i) each Operating Partnership Subsidiary, (ii) the ownership interest therein of the Operating Partnership and (iii) if not wholly owned by the Operating Partnership, the identity and ownership interest of each of the other owners of such Operating Partnership Subsidiary. Each Operating Partnership Subsidiary has been duly organized or formed and is validly existing under the Law of its jurisdiction of organization or formation, as applicable, has all power and authority to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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Section 3.02. DUE AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby by the Operating Partnership has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of the Operating Partnership. This Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Operating Partnership pursuant to this Agreement constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Operating Partnership, each enforceable against the Operating Partnership in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

Section 3.03. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except in connection with the Debt Issuance or as set forth on Schedule 3.03 , no material consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law is required to be obtained by the Operating Partnership in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the other Formation Transactions.

Section 3.04. NO VIOLATION. None of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, or any agreement contemplated hereby between the parties to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the other Formation Transactions) does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under (a) the organizational documents of the Operating Partnership, (b) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction, or decree binding on the Operating Partnership or (c) any other agreement to which the Operating Partnership is a party thereto.

Section 3.05. VALIDITY OF OP UNITS. The OP Units to be issued to the Contributor pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Operating Partnership and, when issued against the consideration therefor, will be validly issued by the Operating Partnership, free and clear of all Liens created by the Operating Partnership (other than Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement).

Section 3.06. LITIGATION. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the Operating Partnership’s knowledge, threatened against the Operating Partnership or any Operating Partnership Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Operating Partnership to execute or deliver, or perform its obligations under, this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument executed by it pursuant to this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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Section 3.07. OP AGREEMENT. Attached as Exhibit D hereto is a true and complete copy of the Operating Partnership Agreement.

Section 3.08. LIMITED ACTIVITIES. Except for activities in connection with the Debt Issuance or the Formation Transactions, the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries have not engaged in any material business or incurred any material obligations.

Section 3.09. NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article III, the Operating Partnership shall not be deemed to have made any other representation or warranty in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTRIBUTOR

The Contributor hereby represents, warrants and agrees that as of the Closing Date:

Section 4.01. ORGANIZATION; AUTHORITY.

(a) The Contributor is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Law of the State of Delaware. The Contributor has all requisite power and authority to enter this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the Contributor.

(b) CyrusOne LLC is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Law of the State of Delaware. CyrusOne LLC has all power and authority to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of CyrusOne LLC.

 

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Section 4.02. DUE AUTHORIZATION. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby by the Contributor has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of the Contributor. This Agreement and each agreement, document and instrument executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Contributor pursuant to this Agreement constitutes, or when executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Contributor, each enforceable against the Contributor in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

Section 4.03. OWNERSHIP OF OWNERSHIP INTERESTS. The Contributor is the record owner of the Ownership Interests and has the power and authority to transfer, sell, assign and convey to the Operating Partnership such Ownership Interests free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and, upon delivery of the consideration for such Ownership Interests as provided herein, the Operating Partnership will acquire good and valid title thereto, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens and Liens created by the Operating Partnership Agreement. Except as provided for or contemplated by this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument contemplated hereby, there are no rights, subscriptions, warrants, options, conversion rights, preemptive rights, agreements, instruments or understandings of any kind outstanding (a) relating to the Ownership Interests or (b) to purchase, transfer or to otherwise acquire, or to in any way encumber, any of the interests which comprise such Ownership Interests or any securities or obligations of any kind convertible into any of the interests which comprise such Ownership Interests or other equity interests or profit participation of any kind in CyrusOne LLC. All of the issued and outstanding Ownership Interests have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Section 4.04. OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTIES.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.04(a) , CyrusOne LLC or any Subsidiary of CyrusOne LLC that owns any of the Property that is designated as owned real property in Exhibit A hereto has good and marketable title in fee simple to such Property free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.04(b) , CyrusOne LLC or any Subsidiary of CyrusOne LLC that leases any of the Property that is designated as leased real property in Exhibit A hereto has a valid leasehold interest in, and enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession (consistent with historical use) of such Property, in each case free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. Neither CyrusOne LLC nor any Subsidiary of CyrusOne LLC has received any written notice of any material uncured default under any of the real property leases pursuant to which it leases such Properties, and to the Contributor’s knowledge there is no material uncured default by any landlord thereunder, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.05. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except as shall have been satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date, no consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any Person or Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law is required to be obtained by the Contributor in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or the other Formation Transactions, except for those consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or filings, the failure of which to obtain or to file would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.06. NO VIOLATION. None of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any agreement contemplated hereby between the parties to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the other Formation Transactions) does or will, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, violate, conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under or give to others any right of termination, acceleration, cancelation or other right under, (a) the organizational documents of the Contributor (b) any agreement, document or instrument to which the Contributor is a party or by which the Contributor is bound or (c) any term or provision of any judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree binding on the Contributor (or its assets or properties), except, in the case of (b) and (c), any such breaches or defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.07. NON-FOREIGN PERSON. The Contributor is a United States person (as defined in the Code) and is, therefore, not subject to the provisions of the Code relating to the withholding of sales or exchange proceeds to foreign persons.

Section 4.08. TAXES. To the Contributor’s knowledge, and except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) all Tax Returns and reports required to be filed with respect to the Properties and all other assets owned by CyrusOne LLC immediately prior to the transactions contemplated by this agreement (collectively, the “ CyrusOne LLC Assets ”) have been timely filed (after giving effect to any filing extension properly granted by a Governmental Authority having authority to do so) and all such returns and reports are accurate and complete in all material respects, (b) all Taxes required to be paid with respect to the CyrusOne LLC Assets have been paid and (c) no deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed with respect to the CyrusOne LLC Assets, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes are pending.

Section 4.09. SOLVENCY. The Contributor has been and will be solvent at all times prior to and for the 90-day period following the transfer of the Ownership Interests to the Operating Partnership.

Section 4.10. LITIGATION. There is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the Contributor’s knowledge, threatened against the Contributor which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Contributor to execute or deliver, or perform its obligations under, this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument executed by it pursuant to this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the other Formation Transactions.

Section 4.11. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. In connection with the operation of CyrusOne LLC , except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 , to the Contributor’s knowledge, the Properties have been maintained, and the Contributor has not received written notice that any such Property is not, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, codes, orders and statutes (including, without limitation, those currently relating to fire safety, conservation, parking, Americans with Disabilities Act, zoning and building laws) whether federal, state or local, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Compliance with Environmental Laws is not addressed by this Section 4.11, but rather solely by Section 4.14.

 

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Section 4.12. EMINENT DOMAIN. There is no existing or, to the Contributor’s knowledge, proposed or threatened condemnation, eminent domain or similar proceeding, or private purchase in lieu of such a proceeding, in respect of all or any material portion of the Properties.

Section 4.13. LICENSES AND PERMITS. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13 , to the Contributor’s knowledge, all licenses, permits or other governmental approvals (including certificates of occupancy) required to be obtained by the owner of any Property in connection with the construction, use, occupancy, management, leasing and operation of such Properties have been obtained and are in full force and effect and in good standing, except for those licenses, permits and other governmental approvals, the failure of which to obtain or maintain in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.14. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14 , to the Contributor’s knowledge, CyrusOne LLC and its Subsidiaries are currently in compliance with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Contributor has not received any written notice from the United States Environmental Protection Agency or any other federal, state, county or municipal entity or agency that regulates Hazardous Materials or public health risks or other environmental matters or any other private party or Person claiming any current violation of, or requiring current compliance with, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or demanding payment or contribution for any Release or other environmental damage in, on, under, or upon any of the Properties. No litigation in which the Contributor, CyrusOne LLC or any Subsidiary of CyrusOne LLC is a named party is pending with respect to Hazardous Materials located in, on, under or upon any of the Properties, and, to such Contributor’s knowledge, no investigation in such respect is pending and no such litigation or investigation has been threatened in writing in the last twelve months by any Governmental Entity or any third party. To the Contributor’s knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.14 , there are no environmental conditions existing at, on, under, upon or affecting the Properties any portion thereof that would reasonably be likely to result in any claim, liability or obligation under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permit or any claim by any third party that would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.15. CUSTOMER LEASES. To the Contributor’s knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 , (i) all leases, licenses, subleases, tenancies, possession agreements and occupancy agreements with tenants, subtenants or licensees related to the Properties (the “ Customer Leases ”) are in full force and effect, (ii) no monetary or material non-monetary default (beyond applicable notice and cure periods) by any party exists under any such Customer Lease and (iii) no tenant under any of such Customer Leases is presently the subject of any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.16. TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY. To the Contributor’s knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule 4.16 , or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, each of CyrusOne LLC and its Subsidiaries’ interests in any fixtures or personal property that are reflected on the financial statements of such entity as owned by such entity, are owned free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.

Section 4.17. ZONING. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17 , the Contributor has not received (i) any written notice (which remains uncured) from any Governmental Authority stating that any of the Properties is currently violating any zoning, land use or other similar rules or ordinances in any material respect, or (ii) any written notice of any pending or threatened proceedings for the rezoning (i.e., as opposed to the current zoning) of any of the Properties or any portion thereof except, in each case as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.18. INVESTMENT. The Contributor acknowledges that the offering and issuance of the OP Units to be acquired pursuant to this Agreement are intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and that the Operating Partnership’s reliance on such exemptions is predicated in part on the accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties of the Contributor contained herein. In furtherance thereof, the Contributor represents and warrants to the Operating Partnership as follows:

(a) The Contributor is an “accredited investor” (as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act).

(b) The Contributor is acquiring the OP Units solely for its own account for the purpose of investment and not as a nominee or agent for any other Person and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution of any thereof in violation of the securities Law.

(c) The Contributor is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in business and financial matters; the Contributor has previously invested in securities similar to the OP Units and fully understands the limitations on transfer imposed by the federal securities Law. The Contributor is able to bear the economic risk of holding the OP Units for an indefinite period and is able to afford the complete loss of its investment in the OP Units; the Contributor has received and reviewed all information and documents about or pertaining to the Operating Partnership and the business and prospects of the Operating Partnership and the issuance of the OP Units as the Contributor deems necessary or desirable, and has been given the opportunity to obtain any additional information or documents and to ask questions and receive answers about such information and documents, the Operating Partnership and the business and prospects of the Operating Partnership which the Contributor deems necessary or desirable to evaluate the merits and risks related to its investment in the OP Units; and the Contributor understands and has taken cognizance of all risk factors related to the purchase of the OP Units. The Contributor is relying upon its own independent analysis and assessment (including with respect to taxes), and the advice of the Contributor’s advisors (including tax advisors), and not upon that of the Operating Partnership or any of the Operating Partnership’s Affiliates, for purposes of evaluating, entering into, and consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d) The Contributor acknowledges that the OP Units have not been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, may not be sold unless registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.

 

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Section 4.19. NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. Other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article IV, the Contributor shall not be deemed to have made any other representation or warranty in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 5.01. GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION. From and after the Closing Date, each party hereto (each of which is an “ Indemnifying Party ”) shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party and its Affiliates (each of which is an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all charges, complaints, claims, actions, causes of action, losses, damages, liabilities and expenses of any nature whatsoever, including amounts paid in settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of investigation, costs of investigative judicial or administrative proceedings or appeals therefrom and costs of attachment or similar bonds (collectively, “ Losses ”) arising out of or relating to, asserted against, imposed upon or incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with or as a result of any breach of a representation, warranty or covenant of the Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement or in any schedule, exhibit, certificate or affidavit or any other agreement, document or instrument delivered by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement; provided , however , that: (i) the Operating Partnership shall not have any obligation under this Article to indemnify any Indemnified Party against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of (A) any diminution in value of the OP Units, (B) the Contributor’s breach of this Agreement, gross negligence, wilful misconduct or fraud or (C) CyrusOne LLC’s operation of its business or the ownership and operation of its assets outside of the ordinary course of business prior to the Closing Date; and (ii) the Contributor shall not have any obligation under this Article to indemnify any Indemnified Party against any Losses to the extent that such Losses arise by virtue of (A) any diminution in value of the Properties, (B) the Operating Partnership’s breach of this Agreement, gross negligence, wilful misconduct or fraud or (C) the Operating Partnership’s operation of its business or the ownership and operation of its assets outside of the ordinary course of business prior to the Closing Date; and

Section 5.02. NOTICE OF CLAIMS. At the time when any Indemnified Party learns of any potential claim that is subject to indemnification pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (a “ Claim ”) against the Indemnifying Party it will promptly give written notice (a “ Claim Notice ”) to the Indemnifying Party; provided that failure to do so shall not prevent recovery under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced by such failure. Each Claim Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the facts known to such Indemnified Party giving rise to such Claim, and the amount or good faith estimate of the amount of Losses arising therefrom. Unless prohibited by Law, such Indemnified Party shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly after such Indemnified Party’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by such Indemnified Party relating to claims asserted by third parties (“ Third Party Claims ”). Any

 

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Indemnified Party may at its option demand indemnity under this Article V as soon as a Claim has been threatened by a third party, regardless of whether an actual Loss has been suffered, so long as such Indemnified Party shall in good faith determine that such claim is not frivolous and that such Indemnified Party may be liable for, or otherwise incur, a Loss as a result thereof.

Section 5.03. THIRD PARTY CLAIMS. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its own expense, to assume and control the defense of any Claims based on Third Party Claims, through counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably acceptable to such Indemnified Party (or any person authorized by such Indemnified Party to act on its behalf), if it gives written notice of its intention to do so to such Indemnified Party within 30 days of the receipt of the applicable Claim Notice; provided , however , that such Indemnified Party may at all times participate in such defense at its expense. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Indemnifying Party exercises the right to undertake any such defense against a Third Party Claim, such Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available to the Indemnifying Party (unless prohibited by Law), at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, all witnesses, pertinent records, materials and information in such Indemnified Party’s possession or under such Indemnified Party’s control relating thereto as is reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party. No compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim may be effected by either such Indemnified Party, on the one hand, or the Indemnifying Party, on the other hand, without the other’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such other party and (ii) each Indemnified Party that is party to such claim is released from all liability with respect to such claim.

Section 5.04. EXPIRATION.

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, all representations, warranties, covenants and agreements (including those relating to indemnification in Section 5.01) made herein shall survive the Closing.

(b) Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all representations, warranties and covenants of the Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement shall survive until twelve months after the Closing Date (the “ Expiration Date ”). If written notice of a claim in accordance with the provisions of this Article V has been given prior to the Expiration Date, then the relevant representation, warranty and covenant shall survive, but only with respect to such specific claim, until such claim has been finally resolved. Any claim for indemnification not so asserted in writing by the Expiration Date may not thereafter be asserted and shall forever be waived.

Section 5.05. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNTS.

(a) Except as provided in subparagraph (b) below, the Contributor shall not have any liability under Section 5.01 for any Losses hereunder (i) unless and until the aggregate total amount of all such Losses for which the Contributor would, but for this provision, be liable exceeds, on a cumulative basis, one percent (1%) of the aggregate fair market value as of the Closing Date of the OP Units issued to the Contributor on the Closing Date (the “ OP Value ”), and then only to the extent of such excess, (ii) in excess of, on a cumulative basis, ten percent (10%) of the fair market value as of the Closing Date of the OP Units issued to the Contributor in respect of any Property, to the extent such Losses are directly related to or arise out of such Property and (iii) in excess of, on a cumulative basis, ten percent (10%) of the OP Value.

 

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(b) The limitations in subparagraph (a) above shall not apply to any Losses resulting from breach of Section 4.04 with respect to a specific Property unless and until such time as the Operating Partnership (or a Subsidiary of the Operating Partnership) obtains an endorsement providing the Operating Partnership with the benefit of the existing title insurance policy held by CBI or one of its Subsidiaries with respect to such Property, if any, or a new title insurance policy for the benefit of the Operating Partnership (or a Subsidiary of the Operating Partnership) in the same amount as the lenders’ title insurance policy required to be obtained under the CyrusOne Credit Agreement.

Section 5.06. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Indemnified Party hereby waives, as of the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action (other than claims of, or causes of action arising from, fraud) it may have against the Indemnifying Party arising under or based upon any federal, state, local or foreign Law, other than the right to seek indemnity pursuant to this Article V. The foregoing sentence shall not limit the Indemnified Party’s right to specific performance or injunctive relief in connection with the breach by the Indemnifying Party of the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 5.07. TAX TREATMENT. All indemnity payments made hereunder shall be treated as adjustments to the consideration paid hereunder for United States federal income tax purposes.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

Section 6.01. COVENANTS OF THE CONTRIBUTOR. From the date hereof through the Closing, except as otherwise provided for or as contemplated by this Agreement or the other agreements, documents and instruments contemplated hereby, the Contributor shall not:

(a) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of the Ownership Interests;

(b) mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, encumber (or permit to become encumbered) all or any portion of the Ownership Interests;

(c) amend the LLC Agreement; or

(d) adopt a plan of liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or reorganization with respect to CyrusOne LLC.

 

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Section 6.02. COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS BY THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP AND THE CONTRIBUTOR. Each of the Operating Partnership and the Contributor shall use commercially reasonable efforts and cooperate with each other in (a) promptly determining whether any filings are required to be made or consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations are required to be obtained (under any applicable Law or regulation or from any Governmental Authority or third party) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Formation Transactions and (b) promptly making any such filings, in furnishing information required in connection therewith and in timely seeking to obtain any such consents, approvals, waivers, permits or authorizations.

Section 6.03. TAX AGREEMENT. The Operating Partnership shall account for any variation between the tax basis of any Contributed Asset and its fair market value at the time of its contribution to the Operating Partnership under any method approved under Section 704(c) of the Code and the applicable regulations as chosen by the general partner of the Operating Partnership.

ARTICLE VII

WAIVERS AND CONSENTS

Effective upon the Closing of the contribution of Ownership Interests and the exchange of OP Units pursuant to Article I herein, the Contributor waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits otherwise afforded to the Contributor under any agreement, including any rights of appraisal or rights of first offer or first refusal, and any and all notice provisions related thereto.

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 8.01. NOTICES. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) five Business Days after being mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, (c) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) when transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail if confirmed within 24 hours thereafter by a signed original sent in the manner provided in clause (a), (b) or (c) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by notice from such party):

if to the Operating Partnership to:

c/o CyrusOne Inc.

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, Texas 75007

Facsimile: [                    ]

Email: [                    ]

Attention: General Counsel

 

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if to the Contributor, to:

c/o Cincinnati Bell Inc.

221 East Fourth Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Facsimile: [                    ]

Email: [                    ]

Attention: General Counsel

Section 8.02. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

(b) “ Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York.

(c) “ CBI ” means Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Ohio corporation.

(d) “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated or issued thereunder.

(e) “ CyrusOne Credit Agreement ” means the credit agreement by and among the Operating Partnership, as borrower, Deutsche Bank, as administrative agent, certain subsidiaries of the REIT as guarantors, and the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, to be entered into prior to or on the Closing Date.

(f) “ Environmental Law ” means Laws or Orders of any Governmental Authority relating to pollution or protection of the environment or natural resources (including the generation, use, storage, management, treatment, transportation, disposal, presence, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material) or occupational health and safety, such as the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq. ; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq. and the Water Quality Act of 1987; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 136 et seq. ; the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1401 et seq. ; the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4321 et seq. ; the Noise Control Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4901 et seq. ; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq. ; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq. , as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq. ; the Comprehensive

 

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Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“ CERCLA ”), 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq. , as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to- Know Act, and Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq. ; the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 2011 et seq. , and the Nuclear Waste Policy act of 1982, 42 U.S.C. Section 10101 et seq .

(g) “ Environmental Permits ” means any and all licenses, certificates, permits, directives, requirements, registrations, government approvals, agreements, authorizations, and consents that are required under or are issued pursuant to any Environmental Laws.

(h) “ Governmental Authority ” means any government or agency, bureau, board, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal or other instrumentality of any government, whether federal, state or local, domestic or foreign.

(i) “ Hazardous Material ” means any material, substance or waste defined or regulated in relevant form, quantity or concentration as hazardous or toxic or as a pollutant or contaminant (or words of similar import) pursuant to any Environmental Law, including any petroleum, waste oil or petroleum constituents or by-products.

(j) “ Law ” means laws, statutes, rules, regulations, codes, orders, ordinances, judgments, injunctions, decrees and policies of any Governmental Authority.

(k) “ Liens ” means all pledges, claims, liens, charges, restrictions, controls, easements, rights of way, exceptions, reservations, leases, licenses, grants, covenants and conditions, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever.

(l) “ LLC Agreement ” means the limited liability company agreement of CyrusOne LLC (including all amendments and restatements thereof).

(m) “ Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, properties or results of operations of the REIT and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(n) “ Operating Partnership Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership dated as of November [    ], 2012.

(o) “ Order ” means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, ruling, assessment, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any court or other Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

(p) “ Permitted Lien ” means:

(i) Liens securing Taxes, the payment of which is not delinquent or the payment of which is actively being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued;

 

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(ii) zoning laws and ordinances applicable to the Properties that are not violated by the existing structures or present uses thereof or the transfer of the Properties;

(iii) Liens imposed by laws, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ liens, and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business that secure payment of obligations arising in the ordinary course of business not more than 60 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued;

(iv) non-exclusive easements for public utilities and other operational purposes that do not materially interfere with the current use of the Properties; and

(v) any other liens that do not materially interfere with the current use or operation of the Properties.

(q) “ Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

(r) “ REIT Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the REIT.

(s) “ Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, pumping, placing, discarding, abandoning, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata).

(t) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(u) “ Subsidiary ” of any Person means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other legal entity of which such Person owns (either directly or through or together with another Subsidiary of such Person) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 10% or more of the voting power of the voting capital stock or other equity interests or (B) 10% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other legal entity.

(v) “ Tax ” means all federal, state, local and foreign income, property, withholding, sales, franchise, employment, excise and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any nature whatsoever, including estimated taxes, together with penalties, interest or additions to Tax with respect thereto.

(w) “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement related to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

 

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Section 8.03. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party.

Section 8.04. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement, including the exhibits and schedules hereto constitute the entire agreement and supersede each prior agreement and understanding, whether written or oral, among the parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies on any Person other than the parties hereto.

Section 8.05. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Law of the State of New York, regardless of any Law that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

Section 8.06. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall be enforceable by and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided , however , that this Agreement may not be assigned (except by operation of Law) by any party without the prior written consent of the other party, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void and of no force and effect, except that each of the Operating Partnership and the Contributor may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate.

Section 8.07. JURISDICTION. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of (a) any New York State court sitting in the County of New York and (b) the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, for the purposes of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby (and each agrees that no such action, suit or proceeding relating to this Agreement shall be brought by it or any of its Affiliates except in such courts). Each of the parties hereto further agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such person’s respective address set forth in Section 8.01 shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in New York with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth above in the immediately preceding sentence. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Law. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives (and agrees not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in (i) any New York State court sitting in the County of New York or (ii) the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 8.08. SEVERABILITY. Each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted so as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been included herein.

 

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Section 8.09. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

(a) The parties hereto agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any Law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

(b) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and article, section, paragraph, exhibit and schedule references are to the articles, sections, paragraphs, exhibits and schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings contained herein when used in agreement, document or instrument made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such terms. Unless explicitly stated otherwise herein, any agreement, document, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement, document or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, document, instrument or statute as from time to time, amended, qualified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements, documents and instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.

Section 8.10. EQUITABLE REMEDIES. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement by the other party hereto and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any federal or state court located in New York, this being in addition to any other remedy to which the parties are entitled under this Agreement or otherwise at law or in equity.

Section 8.11. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings herein are inserted for convenience only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 8.12. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY CONFERRED. This Agreement shall not create or permit any personal liability or obligation on the part of any officer, director, partner, employee or shareholder of the Operating Partnership or the Contributor.

Section 8.13. AMENDMENT; WAIVER. Any amendment hereto shall be in writing and signed by all parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives, all as of the date first written above.

 

CYRUSONE LP
By:   CyrusOne GP
  Sole General Partner
By:   CyrusOne Inc.
  Sole Trustee of CyrusOne GP
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

DATA CENTER INVESTMENTS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 10.4

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of [            ], 2012, is entered into by and among CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), CyrusOne GP, a Maryland statutory trust (the “ General Partner ”), CyrusOne LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), Data Center Investments Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ DCI Holdco ”), and Data Centers South Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with DCI Holdco, the “ Unit Holders ” and, each individually, a “ Unit Holder ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, in connection with the initial public offering of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), the Company, the General Partner and the Operating Partnership will concurrently engage in certain formation transactions (the “ Formation Transactions ”) whereby the Unit Holders (or certain related parties) will concurrently receive, in exchange for their (or certain related parties’) direct or indirect ownership interests (the “ Interests ”) in certain properties (the “ Properties ”), units of limited partnership interests (“ OP Units ”) in the Operating Partnership and will be admitted as limited partners of the Operating Partnership;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Formation Transactions, DCI Holdco will acquire shares of Common Stock representing 9.8% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding upon the consummation of the Initial Public Offering (as defined below) by redemption of certain OP Units (the “ Concurrent Stock Redemption ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Partnership Agreement (as defined below) OP Units will be redeemable for cash or, at the Company’s option, exchangeable for shares of Common Stock upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein; and

WHEREAS, as a condition to receiving the consent of the Unit Holders to the Formation Transactions and in connection with the Concurrent Stock Redemption, the Company has agreed to grant to the Unit Holders and their permitted assignees and transferees the registration rights set forth in Article II hereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Definitions . In addition to the definitions set forth above, the following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person, means the


possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agreement ” means this Registration Rights Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Articles of Amendment ” means the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on [            ], 2012, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized by law to close.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Demand Registration ” means a Demand Registration as defined in Section 2.2.

End of Suspension Notice ” means an End of Suspension Notice as defined in Section 2.5.

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

Exchangeable OP Units ” means OP Units which may be redeemable for cash or, at the Company’s option, exchangeable for shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 15.1 of the Partnership Agreement (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of such exchange right as a result of the Ownership Limit Provisions).

Holder ” means any Unit Holder who is the record or beneficial owner of any Registrable Security or any assignee or transferee of such Registrable Security (including assignments or transfers of Registrable Securities to such assignees or transferees as a result of the foreclosure on any loans secured by such Registrable Securities) to the extent (a) permitted under the Partnership Agreement or the Articles of Amendment, as applicable, and (b) such assignee or transferee agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions hereof, unless such Registrable Security is acquired in a public distribution pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act where securities sold in such transaction may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act.

Initial Public Offering ” means the offering of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the Form S-11 Registration Statement (No. 333-183132) filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act.

 

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Indemnified Party ” means an Indemnified Party as defined in Section 2.10.

Indemnifying Party ” means an Indemnifying Party as defined in Section 2.10.

Inspector ” means an Inspector as defined in Section 2.6.

Market Value ” means, with respect to the Common Stock, the average of the daily market price for the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of a written request for registration pursuant to Section 2.2(a). The market price for each such trading day shall be: (a) if the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (“ NASDAQ ”), the closing price, regular way, on such day, or if no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system, (b) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange or the NASDAQ, the last reported sale price on such day or, if no sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the Company or (c) if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange or the NASDAQ and no such last reported sale price or closing bid and asked prices are available, the average of the reported high bid and low asked prices on such day, as reported by a reliable quotation source designated by the Company, or if there shall be no bid and asked prices on such day, the average of the high bid and low asked prices, as so reported, on the most recent day (not more than 10 days prior to the date in question) for which prices have been so reported; provided that if there are no bid and asked prices reported during the 10 days prior to the date in question, the Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined by the board of directors of the Company acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.

Notice and Questionnaire ” means a written notice, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A , delivered by a Holder to the Company (i) notifying the Company of such Holder’s desire to include Registrable Securities held by it in a Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) containing all information about such Holder required to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with applicable law, including Item 507 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto, and (iii) pursuant to such Holder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof.

Ownership Limit Provisions ” mean the various provisions of the Articles of Amendment set forth in ARTICLE VII thereof restricting the transfer and ownership of Common Stock by Persons to specified percentages of the outstanding Common Stock.

 

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Partnership Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership dated as of [            ], 2012, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

Piggy-Back Registration ” means a Piggy-Back Registration as defined in Section 2.3.

Records ” means Records as defined in Section 2.6.

Registrable Securities ” means shares of Common Stock at any time owned, either of record or beneficially, by any Holder and (a) received by such Holder in connection with the Formation Transactions (including, without limitation, the shares acquired in the Concurrent Stock Redemption) or (b) issued upon exchange of Exchangeable OP Units received by such Holder in the Formation Transactions (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock issuable upon exchange of Exchangeable OP Units) and, in the case of (a) and (b), any additional Common Stock issued as a dividend, distribution or exchange for, or in respect of such shares until (i) a registration statement covering such shares has been declared effective by the Commission and such shares have been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (ii) such shares have been publicly sold under Rule 144, (iii) all such shares may be sold in one transaction pursuant to Rule 144 or (iv) such shares have been otherwise transferred in a transaction that constitutes a sale thereof under the Securities Act, the Company has delivered to the Holder’s transferee a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for such shares not bearing the Securities Act restricted stock legend and such shares may be resold or otherwise transferred by such transferee without subsequent registration under the Securities Act.

Registration Expenses ” means Registration Expenses as defined in Section 2.7.

Requested Shares ” means Requested Shares as defined in Section 2.1.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto that may be promulgated by the Commission.

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

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Shelf Registration Statement as defined in Section 2.1.

 

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Suspension Event ” means a Suspension Event as defined in Section 2.5.

Suspension Notice ” means a Suspension Notice as defined in Section 2.5.

Underwriter ” means a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

SECTION 2.1. Shelf Registration .

(a) Preparation and Filing of Shelf Registration Statement . Not later than the date which is 14 months after the consummation date of the Initial Public Offering, the Company shall prepare and file a “shelf” registration statement with respect to the resale of all of the Registrable Securities on an appropriate form for the offering and subsequent resale thereof, to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective on or as soon as practicable thereafter and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending when all shares of Common Stock covered by the Shelf Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Securities.

At the time the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder that has delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to the date 10 Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. If required by applicable law, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, after effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall file a supplement to such prospectus or amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement not less frequently than once a quarter as necessary to name as selling securityholders therein any Holders that provide to the Company a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire and shall use reasonable efforts to cause any post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement filed for such purpose to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof.

(b) Underwritten Shelf Registration . If the Holders of a majority of shares of the Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement so elect by written notice to the Company, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement shall be in the form of an underwritten offering; provided that the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in such underwritten offering (the “ Requested Shares ”) shall either (i) have a Market Value of at least $20,000,000 on the date of such request or (ii) represent all remaining Registrable Securities held by such Holders. The Holders of a majority of the Requested Shares shall select the Underwriter or Underwriters to serve as book-running manager or managers in

 

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connection with any such offering; provided that such managing Underwriter or Underwriters must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Holders of a majority of the Requested Shares may select any additional investment banks and managers to be used in connection with the offering; provided that such additional investment bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

(c) Filing of Additional Registration Statements . The Company shall prepare and file such additional registration statements as necessary every three years and use its reasonable efforts to cause such registration statements to be declared effective by the Commission so that the registration statement remains continuously effective with respect to resales of Registrable Securities as of and for the periods required under Section 2.1(a) hereof, such subsequent registration statements to constitute a Shelf Registration Statement hereunder.

SECTION 2.2. Demand Registration .

(a) Request for Registration . In the event that the Company fails to file, or if filed fails to maintain the effectiveness of, a Shelf Registration Statement, Holders of Registrable Securities may make a written request for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities (a “ Demand Registration ”); provided , that if and so long as a Shelf Registration Statement is on file and effective, then the Company shall have no obligation to effect a Demand Registration; and provided further , that the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Holders making such written request for a Demand Registration shall either (i) have a Market Value of at least $20,000,000 on the date of such request or (ii) shall represent all remaining Registrable Securities held by such Holders. The number of Demand Registrations which may be made pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) shall be unlimited; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to effect more than three Demand Registrations in any 12-month period. Any request for a Demand Registration will specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold and will also specify the intended method of disposition thereof. Within 10 days after receipt of such request, the Company will give written notice of such registration request to all other Holders of the Registrable Securities and include in such registration all such Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within 20 Business Days after the receipt by the applicable Holder of the Company’s notice. Each such request will also specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be registered and the intended method of disposition thereof. Unless the Holder or Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered in such Demand Registration shall consent in writing, no other party, including the Company (but excluding another Holder of a Registrable Security), shall be permitted to offer securities under any such Demand Registration.

(b) Effective Registration . A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until it has become effective.

 

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(c) Selling Holders Become Party to Agreement . Each Holder acknowledges that by asserting or participating in its registration rights pursuant to this Agreement, such Holder may become a Selling Holder and thereby will be deemed a party to this Agreement and will be bound by each of its terms.

(d) Underwritten Demand Registrations . If the Holders of a majority of shares of the Registrable Securities to be registered in a Demand Registration so elect by written notice to the Company, the offering of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. The Holders of a majority of the shares of Registrable Securities participating in the Demand Registration shall select the Underwriter or Underwriters to serve as book-running manager or managers in connection with any such Demand Registration; provided that such managing Underwriter or Underwriters must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. The Holders of a majority of the shares of the Registrable Securities participating in the Demand Registration may select any additional investment banks and managers to be used in connection with the offering; provided that such additional investment bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. To the extent 10% or more of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in any such Demand Registration are excluded from the offering in accordance with Section 2.4, the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have the right to one additional Demand Registration under this Section in such 12-month period with respect to such Registrable Securities.

SECTION 2.3. Piggy-Back Registration . If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an underwritten equity offering of Common Stock by the Company for its own account or for the account of any of its respective securityholders (other than (a) any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act relating to an offering of Common Stock for its own account as a result of the exercise of the exchange rights set forth in Section 15.1 of the Partnership Agreement, (b) any registration statement filed in connection with a demand registration other than a Demand Registration under this Agreement or (c) a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or any substitute form that may be adopted by the Commission) or filed in connection with an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing securityholders), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable (but in no event less than 10 days before the anticipated filing date), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to register such number of shares of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request (a “ Piggy-Back Registration ”). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included therein.

SECTION 2.4. Reduction of Offering . Notwithstanding anything contained herein, if the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of an offering described in Sections 2.1(b), 2.2(d) or 2.3 advise in writing to the Company and the Holders of the

 

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Registrable Securities included in such offering that (a) the size of the offering that the Holders, the Company and such other persons intend to make or (b) in the case of a Piggy-Back Registration only, the kind of securities that the Holders, the Company and/or any other persons or entities intend to include in such offering are such that the success of the offering would be materially and adversely affected by inclusion of the Registrable Securities requested to be included, then (i) if the size of the offering is the basis of such Underwriter’s determination, the amount of securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be reduced pro rata (according to the Registrable Securities proposed for registration) to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included in such offering to the amount recommended by such managing Underwriter or Underwriters; provided that, in the case of a Piggy-Back Registration, if securities of a different class are being offered for the account of other persons or entities as well as the Company, then with respect to the Registrable Securities intended to be offered by Holders, the proportion by which the amount of such class of securities intended to be offered by Holders is reduced shall not exceed the proportion by which the amount of such class of securities intended to be offered by such other persons or entities is reduced; and (ii) if the kind of securities to be offered is the basis of such Underwriter’s determination, (A) the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering shall be reduced as described in clause (i) above (subject to the proviso in clause (i)) or, (B) if the actions described in clause (A) would, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the managing Underwriter, be insufficient to substantially eliminate the adverse effect that inclusion of the Registrable Securities requested to be included would have on such offering, such Registrable Securities will be excluded from such offering.

SECTION 2.5. Black-Out Periods

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.1(a), 2.1(b), 2.2(a), and 2.2(d), the Company shall be permitted to postpone the filing of any Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1 or any registration statement filed in connection with a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and from time to time to require the Holders not to sell Registrable Securities under any such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, for such times as the Company reasonably may determine is necessary and advisable (but in no event shall the Company be entitled to exercise such right more than two times or for more than an aggregate of 90 days in any rolling 12-month period commencing on the date of this Agreement), if any of the following events shall occur (each such circumstance a “ Suspension Event ”): (i) a majority of the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith that (A) the offer or sale of any Registrable Securities would materially impede, delay or interfere with any proposed financing, offer or sale of securities, acquisition, corporate reorganization or other material transaction involving the Company, (B) upon the advice of counsel, the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement would require disclosure of non-public material information not otherwise required to be disclosed under applicable law or (C)(x) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving the confidentiality of a material transaction, (y) disclosure would have a material adverse effect on the Company or the Company’s ability to consummate such a material transaction or (z) such a material transaction renders the Company unable to comply with Commission

 

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requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable, based on the advice of counsel, to cause the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (or such filings) to become effective or to promptly amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement on a post-effective basis, as applicable; or (ii) a majority of the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith, upon the advice of counsel, that it is in the Company’s best interest or it is required by law, rule or regulation to supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or file a post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement in order to ensure that the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (1) contains the information required by the form on which such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement was filed or (2) discloses any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (or of the most recent post-effective amendment) that, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth therein. Upon the occurrence of any such suspension, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement to become effective or to amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement on a post-effective basis or to take such action as is necessary to permit resumed use of the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement or filing thereof as soon as reasonably possible following the conclusion of the applicable Suspension Event and its effect.

The Company will provide written notice (a “ Suspension Notice ”) to the Holders of the occurrence of any Suspension Event. Upon receipt of a Suspension Notice, each Holder agrees that it will (i) immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement and (ii) maintain the confidentiality of any information included in the Suspension Notice unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. The Holders may recommence effecting offers and sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement (or such filings) following further written notice to such effect (an “ End of Suspension Notice ”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice shall be given by the Company to the Holders promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect; provided that the Holders agree that they will only effect such offers and sales pursuant to any supplemental or amended prospectus that has been provided to them by the Company pursuant to Section 2.5(b).

(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company shall give a Suspension Notice with respect to any Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement pursuant to Section 2.5(a), the Company agrees that it shall extend the period of time during which such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 2.6(a) hereof) by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the End of Suspension Notice and promptly provide copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume offers and sales, with respect to each Suspension Event; provided , that such period of time shall not be extended beyond the date that the shares of Common Stock covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement are no longer Registrable Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.6. Registration Procedures; Filings; Information . Subject to Section 2.5 hereof, in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement under Section 2.1 or any Demand Registration under Section 2.2 hereof, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as quickly as practicable, and in connection with any such request:

(a) The Company will as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such filed registration statement to become and remain effective (i) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, for the period described in Section 2.1 and (ii) in the case of a Demand Registration, for a period of not less than 270 days from the effective date of such registration statement.

(b) The Company will, if requested, prior to filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish to each Selling Holder and each Underwriter, if any, of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter furnish to such Selling Holder and Underwriter, if any, such number of conformed copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (and upon request, all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such Selling Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder.

(c) After the filing of the registration statement, the Company will promptly notify each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement of any stop order issued or threatened by the Commission and take all reasonable actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered.

(d) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (where an exemption does not apply) as any Selling Holder or managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, reasonably (in light of such Selling Holder’s intended plan of distribution) requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Selling Holder to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder; provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (d), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

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(e) The Company will immediately notify each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the Company’s receipt of any notification of the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement for sale in any jurisdiction or (ii) the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and promptly make available to each Selling Holder any such supplement or amendment.

(f) The Company will enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement, if any, in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

(g) The Company will make available for inspection by any Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, if such Selling Holder has a due diligence defense under the Securities Act, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any such Selling Holder or Underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any Inspector in connection with such registration statement, subject to entry by each such Inspector into a customary confidentiality agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company.

(h) The Company will furnish to each Selling Holder, if it has a due diligence defense under the Securities Act, and to each Underwriter, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such Selling Holder or Underwriter, of (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel to the Company and (ii) if eligible under SAS 72, a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by opinions or comfort letters, as the case may be, as the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such offering or the managing Underwriter or Underwriters therefor reasonably requests.

(i) The Company will otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its securityholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of 12 months, beginning within three months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder (or any successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission).

 

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(j) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed.

The Company may require each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding such Selling Holder, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of distribution of the Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required in connection with such registration.

Each Selling Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.6(e) hereof, such Selling Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of written notice from the Company that such disposition may be made and, in the case of clause (ii) of Section 2.6(e) hereof, copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by clause (ii) of Section 2.6(e) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. Each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that it will immediately notify the Company at any time when a prospectus relating to the registration of such Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of an event as a result of which information previously furnished by such Selling Holder to the Company in writing for inclusion in such prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made. In the event the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 2.6(a) hereof) by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of notice pursuant to Section 2.6(e) hereof to the date when the Company shall provide written notice that such dispositions may be made and, in the case of clause (ii) of Section 2.6(e) hereof, make available to the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement a prospectus supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section 2.6(e) hereof.

SECTION 2.7. Registration Expenses . In connection with any registration statement required to be filed hereunder, the Company shall pay the following registration expenses incurred in connection with the registration hereunder (the “ Registration Expenses ”), regardless of whether such registration statement is declared effective by the Commission: (a) all registration and filing

 

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fees, (b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (c) printing expenses, (d) internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (e) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities, (f) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any comfort letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent certified public accountants of a comfort letter or comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 2.6(h) hereof), (g) the reasonable fees and disbursement of one counsel for all the Holders and (h) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration. The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or any transfer taxes relating to the registration or sale of the Registrable Securities.

SECTION 2.8. Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents, and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities , or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or that arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of or are based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for inclusion therein. The Company also agrees to indemnify any Underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Selling Holders provided in this Section 2.8; provided that the foregoing indemnity with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter of the Registrable Securities from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased the Registrable Securities which are the subject thereof if such person did not receive a copy of the prospectus (or the prospectus as supplemented) at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Securities to such person in any case where such delivery is required by the Securities Act and the untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in such preliminary prospectus was corrected in the prospectus (or the prospectus as supplemented).

 

13


SECTION 2.9. Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each Selling Holder agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Selling Holder pursuant to Section 2.8, but only with respect to information relating to such Selling Holder included in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for use in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company or its officers, directors or agents or any such controlling person, in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Selling Holder, such Selling Holder shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company or its officers, directors or agents or such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to such Selling Holder, by Section 2.8. Each Selling Holder also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Company provided in this Section 2.9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the liability of a Selling Holder under this Section 2.9 or Section 2.11 or otherwise hereunder exceed the net proceeds actually received by such Selling Holder.

SECTION 2.10. Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 2.8 or 2.9, such person (an “ Indemnified Party ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) in writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses; provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice will not relieve such Indemnifying Party of its obligations under Section 2.8 or 2.9, as applicable, except to the extent such Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. In any such 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 (a) the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (b) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, 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 all such Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by (i) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, the Selling Holders which owned a majority of the Registrable

 

14


Securities sold under the applicable registration statement and (ii) in the case of Persons indemnified pursuant to Section 2.9, the Company. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Parties from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of with any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such proceeding without any admission of liability by such Indemnified Party.

SECTION 2.11. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 2.8 or 2.9 hereof is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then each such 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 or liabilities (a) as between the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the securities, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations and (b) between the Company on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and of each Selling Holder in connection with such statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (net of underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Holders bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the prospectus. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Holders on the one hand and of the Underwriters 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 and the Selling Holders or by the Underwriters. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of each Selling 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 such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

15


The Company and the Selling Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.11 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters 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 or liabilities 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 2.11, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, and no Selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the securities of such Selling Holder were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Selling 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 Selling Holder’s obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 2.11 are several in such proportion that the proceeds of the offering received by such Selling Holder bears to the total proceeds of the offering received by all the Selling Holders, and not joint. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 2.11 applies in the case of a “shelf” registration and an underwritten offering.

SECTION 2.12. Participation in Underwritten Offerings . No Person may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s 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 questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and the registration rights provided for in this Article II.

SECTION 2.13. Rule 144 . The Company covenants that it will timely file any reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and that it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

16


SECTION 2.14. Holdback Agreements .

(a) Restrictions on Public Sale by Holder of Registrable Securities . To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, each Holder whose securities are included in a registration statement agrees not to effect any sale or distribution of the issue being registered or a similar security of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144, during the 14 days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of such registration statement (except as part of such registration), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters and consented to by the Company, which consent may be given or withheld in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, in the case of an underwritten public offering (such agreement to be in the form of lock-up agreement provided by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters).

(b) Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others . The Company agrees that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues or agrees to issue any privately placed securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any sale or distribution of any securities similar to those being registered in accordance with Section 2.1, 2.2 or 2.3 hereof, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the 14 days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement (except as part of such registration statement where the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in such registration statement consent or as part of registration statements filed as set forth in Section 2.3(a) or (c)), if and to the extent requested in writing by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering or if and to the extent requested in writing by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters and consented to by the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, in the case of an underwritten public offering (such agreement to be in the form of lock-up agreement provided by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters), in each case including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (except as part of any such registration, if permitted); provided , however, that the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall not prevent the conversion or exchange of any securities pursuant to their terms into or for other securities.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 3.1. NASDAQ Listing . In the event that the Company shall issue any Common Stock in exchange for OP Units pursuant to Section 15.1 of the Partnership Agreement, then in any such case the Company agrees to cause any such shares of Common Stock to be listed on the NASDAQ or such other exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed prior to or concurrently with the issuance thereof by the Company.

 

17


SECTION 3.2. Remedies . In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein and granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Holders shall be entitled to specific performance of the rights under this Agreement. The Company 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 agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, specific performance shall not be available with respect to the rights and obligations of the parties pursuant to Section 2.14(a) and (b).

SECTION 3.3. Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, in each case without the written consent of the Company and the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities. No failure or delay by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon any breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

SECTION 3.4. Notices . All notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-class mail, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(a) if to the Holders, initially c/o Cincinnati Bell Inc. initially at 221 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile: (513) 397-9900), or to such other address and to such other Persons as any Holder may hereafter specify in writing; and

(b) if to the Company, initially at 1649 West Frankford Road, Carrollton, TX 75007 (Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile: [                    ]), or to such other address as the Company may hereafter specify in writing.

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when received if deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

SECTION 3.5. Successors and Assigns . Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Holders under this Agreement shall not be assignable by any Holder to any Person that is not a Holder. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 3.6. 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. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.

 

18


SECTION 3.7. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of law provisions thereof.

SECTION 3.8. 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.

SECTION 3.9. 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 Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

SECTION 3.10. Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

SECTION 3.11. No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing express or implied herein is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and all Indemnified Parties, any rights, remedies or other benefits under or by reason of this Agreement.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY
CYRUSONE INC. a Maryland corporation
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
GENERAL PARTNER
CYRUSONE GP, a Maryland statutory trust
By:   CyrusOne Inc.
  Sole Trustee
  By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
CYRUSONE LP, a Maryland limited partnership
By:   CyrusOne GP
  Sole General Partner
  By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
UNIT HOLDERS
DATA CENTER INVESTMENTS HOLDCO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Data Center Investments Inc.
  By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

S-1

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 


DATA CENTERS SOUTH HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Data Centers South Inc.
  By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

S-2

  

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


EXHIBIT A

CYRUSONE INC.

FORM OF NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE

The undersigned beneficial holder of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of CyrusOne Inc. (the “Company”) and/or units of limited partnership interests (“OP Units” and, together with the Common Stock, the “Registrable Securities”) of CyrusOne LP (the “Operating Partnership”), understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) one or more registration statements (collectively, the “Shelf Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), dated [            ], 2012, among the Company, CyrusOne GP, a Maryland statutory trust, the Operating Partnership and the holders party thereto. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities is entitled to the benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement. In order to sell or otherwise dispose of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, a beneficial owner of Registrable Securities generally will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus, deliver a prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities and be bound by those provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement applicable to such beneficial owner (including certain indemnification provisions as described below). To be included in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice and Questionnaire must be completed, executed and delivered to the Company at the address set forth herein on or prior to the tenth business day before the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement. We will give notice of the filing and effectiveness of the initial Shelf Registration Statement by issuing a press release and by mailing a notice to the holders at their addresses set forth in the register of the registrar.

Beneficial owners that do not complete this Notice and Questionnaire and deliver it to the Company as provided below will not be named as selling security holders in the prospectus and therefore will not be permitted to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. Beneficial owners are encouraged to complete and deliver this Notice and Questionnaire prior to the effectiveness of the initial Shelf Registration Statement so that such beneficial owners may be named as selling security holders in the related prospectus at the time of effectiveness. Upon receipt of a completed Notice and Questionnaire from a beneficial owner following the effectiveness of the initial Shelf Registration Statement, in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will file such amendments to the initial Shelf Registration Statement or additional shelf registration statements or supplements to the related prospectus as are necessary to permit such holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities.


Certain legal consequences arise from being named as selling security holders in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling security holder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

NOTICE

The undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling Security Holder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include in the prospectus forming a part of the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under Item 3). The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, understands that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the undersigned has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against certain losses arising in connection with statements concerning the undersigned made in the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus in reliance upon the information provided in this Notice and Questionnaire.

The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants to the Company that such information is accurate and complete:

QUESTIONNAIRE

 

1. (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Security Holder:

 

(b) Full Legal Name of registered holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below are held:

 

(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as (b) above) through which Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below are held:

 

(d) List below the individual or individuals who exercise voting and/or dispositive powers with respect to the Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) below:


2. Address for Notices to Selling Security Holder:

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail address:

Contact Person:

3. Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities:

Type of Registrable Securities beneficially owned, and number of shares of Common Stock and/or OP Units, as the case may be, beneficially owned:

 

4. Beneficial Ownership of Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Security Holder:

Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company, other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3).

Type and amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Security Holder:

5. Relationship with the Company

Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or more) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.

State any exceptions here:

6. Plan of Distribution

Except as set forth below, the undersigned (including its donees or pledgees) intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement only as follows and will not be offering any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with a broker or dealer prior to the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement. Such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to time directly by the undersigned or, alternatively, through underwriters or broker-dealers or agents. If the Registrable Securities are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the Selling Security Holder will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. Such Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve crosses or block transactions)


(i) on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registrable Securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

(ii) in the over-the-counter market;

(iii) in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or

(iv) through the writing of options.

In connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or otherwise, the undersigned may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such securities.

State any exceptions here:

Note: In no event may such method(s) of distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior written agreement of the Company.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The undersigned acknowledges that it understands its obligation to comply with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules thereunder relating to stock manipulation, particularly Regulation M thereunder (or any successor rules or regulations), in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The undersigned agrees that neither it nor any person acting on its behalf will engage in any transaction in violation of such provisions.

The Selling Security Holder hereby acknowledges its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to indemnify and hold harmless certain persons set forth therein. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed under certain circumstances to indemnify the Selling Security Holders against certain liabilities.

In accordance with the undersigned’s obligation under the Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains effective. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing at the address set forth below.


In the event that the undersigned transfers all or any portion of the Registrable Securities listed in Item 3 above after the date on which such information is provided to the Company, the undersigned agrees to notify the transferee(s) at the time of transfer of its rights and obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights Agreement.

By signing this Notice and Questionnaire, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Security Holder and received by the Company, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire and the representations and warranties contained herein shall be binding on, shall insure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives and assigns of the Company and the Selling Security Holder with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Selling Security Holder and listed in Item 3 above.

This Notice and Questionnaire shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

Beneficial Owner
By  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

Please return the completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to:

CyrusOne Inc.

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, TX 75007

Tel: [                    ]

Fax: [                    ]

Attention: [                    ]

Exhibit 10.5

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the      day of             , 20    , by and between CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and                      (“Indemnitee”).

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such service; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses and to supersede any prior agreement to which the Company and Indemnitee are parties regarding the same;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for clarity, the redemption of partnership interests in CyrusOne LP, a Maryland limited partnership (the “OP”) held by Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Ohio corporation (“CBI”), or its Controlled Entities (as defined in the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the OP) or the sale by CBI or its Controlled Entities of such partnership interests or shares of stock of the Company received in exchange for such partnership interest shall not be a Change in Control, unless (i) such sale results in a Person owning 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (ii) occurred without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office.


(b) “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (1) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (2) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company and (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Company or any of its affiliated entities, Indemnitee is subject to duties by, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as deemed fiduciary thereof.

(c) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.

(d) “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

(e) “Expenses” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.

 

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(f) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(g) “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.

Section 2. Services by Indemnitee . Indemnitee will serve in the capacity or capacities setforth in the first WHEREAS clause above. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.

Section 3. General . The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”).

Section 4. Standard for Indemnification . If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

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Section 5. Certain Limits on Indemnification . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:

(a) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable to the Company;

(b) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of the Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status; or

(c) indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.

Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:

(a) if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

(b) if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper without regard to any limitation on such court-ordered indemnification contemplated by Section 2-418(d)(2)(ii) of the MGCL.

Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

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Section 8. Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee . If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. The Company shall make such advance or advances within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding and may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of the Indemnitee (but without duplication) (a) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance of funds to Indemnitee in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses or (c) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.

Section 9. Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. In connection with any such advance of Expenses, the Company may require Indemnitee to provide an undertaking and affirmation substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Section 10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification .

(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

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(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control has not occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors or, by the majority vote of a group of Disinterested Directors designated by the Disinterested Directors to make the determination, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company, provided, however, that shares held by directors or officers who are parties to the Proceeding shall not be voted. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall make payment to Indemnitee within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

(c) The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.

Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .

(a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of overcoming that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

 

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(c) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee .

(a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, or arbitration, conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advance of Expenses. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification that was not introduced into evidence in connection with the determination.

 

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(d) In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.

(e) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the tenth day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60 th day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.

Section 13. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding .

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

Section 14. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation .

(a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of the Company’s Charter, the Company’s Bylaws, this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

Section 15. Insurance .

(a) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee for claims made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any other person with a similar title or role with Company.

 

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(b) Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee which would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 15(a). The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.

(c) The Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Company or any insurance carrier of the Company with respect to any investigation or Proceeding.

Section 16. Coordination of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

Section 17. Contribution . If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu or indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

Section 18. Reports to Stockholders . To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.

 

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Section 19. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect .

(a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).

(b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

(c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

(d) The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.

 

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Section 20. Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 21. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts (delivery of which may be by facsimile, or via email as a portable document format (.pdf), each of which will be deemed an original, and it will not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or the terms of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one (1) of such counterparts.

Section 22. Headings . The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

Section 23. Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 24. Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

(a) If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

(b) If to the Company, to:

CyrusOne Inc.

1649 West Frankford Road

Carrollton, TX 75007

Attn: General Counsel

 

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or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

Section 25. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:
CyrusOne Inc.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
INDEMNITEE:

 

Name:  
Address:

 

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EXHIBIT A

AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

To: The Board of Directors of CyrusOne Inc.

Re: Affirmation and Undertaking

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated the      day of             , 20    , by and between CyrusOne Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director] [an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

In consideration of the advance by the Company for Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this      day of             , 20    .

Name:                                                  

Exhibit 10.7

CYRUSONE

2012 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Introduction to Plan.

1.1 Name and Sponsor of Plan . The name of this Plan is the CyrusOne 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan, and its sponsor is CyrusOne, Inc.

1.2 Purposes of Plan . The purposes of the Plan are (i) to further the long term growth of the Company by offering competitive incentive compensation related to long term performance goals to those Employees and directors of the Company who will be responsible for planning and directing such growth, (ii) to reinforce a commonality of interest between CyrusOne’s shareholders and the Company’s Employees, directors and consultants who participate in the Plan, and (iii) to aid the Company in attracting and retaining Employees, directors and consultants of outstanding abilities and specialized skills.

1.3 Effective Date and Duration of Plan .

(a) The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date.

(b) The Plan shall remain in effect thereafter until the earliest of (i) the date on which the Plan is terminated in accordance with section 20 hereof, (ii) the date on which the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued or paid under or with respect to all of the awards granted under the Plan during the Plan’s entire existence (as determined under the other provisions of the Plan) have been issued or paid, or (iii) [November 15], 2022. Upon the termination of the Plan, no awards may be granted under the Plan after the date of such termination but any award granted under the Plan on or prior to the date of such termination shall remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the terms of the award.

2. General Definitions. For all purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below when used in the Plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

2.1 “Applicable Exchange” means any national stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares may be listed or quoted.

2.2 “Board” means the Board of Directors of CyrusOne.

2.3 “Cyrus One” means CyrusOne, Inc. (and, except for purposes of determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, any legal successor to CyrusOne, Inc. that results from a merger or similar transaction).

2.4 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the events described in subsection 17.4 hereof.

2.5 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it may thereafter be amended. A reference to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed to be a reference both (i) to the provisions of such section as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded (by future legislation) and (ii) to the provisions of any government regulation that is issued under such section as of the Effective Date or as of a later date.


2.6 “Committee” means the committee appointed to administer the Plan under the provisions of subsection 3.1 hereof.

2.7 “Common Shares” means common shares, par value $0.01 per share, of CyrusOne.

2.8 “Company” means, collectively, (i) CyrusOne, (ii) each other corporation that is part of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Code, but determined without regard to Code Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C)) that includes CyrusOne, and (iii) each other organization (a partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.) that is under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) with CyrusOne, including the Operating Partnership and CyrusOne GP.

2.9 “Director” means a non-employee member of the Board.

2.10 “Effective Date” means [November 15,] 2012, the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board of Directors of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

2.11 “Employee” means any person who is employed and classified as an employee by the Company.

2.12 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it may thereafter be amended. A reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to be a reference both (i) to the provisions of such section as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded (by future legislation) and (ii) to the provisions of any government regulation or rule that is issued under such section as of the Effective Date or as of a later date.

2.13 “ISO” means a stock option that qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.14 “Nonshare-Based Award” means any award granted under the Plan that by its terms provides for compensation (upon, if applicable, its exercise or the meeting of certain performance goals or other criteria or conditions) based on a dollar amount, regardless of whether the award’s compensation may be payable in cash, Common Shares or other property, or a combination thereof. The nonshare-based performance unit form of award provided under the Plan and any other Nonshare-Based Award ( e.g. , a cash incentive award), but no other form of award that is listed in section 5 hereof, constitute a Nonshare-Based Award.

2.15 “Operating Partnership” means CyrusOne LP.

2.16 “Participant” means any Employee, director or consultant (including any prospective Employee, director or consultant) of the Company who is granted an award under the Plan.

2.17 “Plan” means this document, named the “CyrusOne 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan,” as set forth herein and as it may be amended.

2.18 “Regulation 1.83-3(i)” means Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-3(i) issued by the Department of the Treasury under Section 83 of the Code, as such regulation exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded.

 

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2.19 “Regulation 1.409A-3” means Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3 issued by the Department of the Treasury under Section 409A of the Code, as such regulation exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded. A reference to a specific paragraph of Regulation 1.409A-3 shall be deemed to be a reference to the provisions of such paragraph as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded.

2.20 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as such rule exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded.

2.21 “Share-Based Award” means any award granted under the Plan that by its terms provides for issuance or payments (upon, if applicable, its exercise or the meeting of certain performance goals or other criteria or conditions) of fixed numbers of Common Shares or of amounts determined with reference to the fair market value (or the change in fair market value over a period of time) of fixed numbers of Common Shares. Each form of award that is listed in section 5 hereof, except for a nonshare-based performance unit form of award and other Nonshare-Based Awards, constitutes a Share-Based Award.

3. Administration of Plan.

3.1 Committee To Administer Plan . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board, unless and until the Board appoints a different committee to administer the Plan. The Committee shall in any event consist of at least three members of the Board (i) who are neither officers nor employees of the Company, (ii) who are non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3, and (iii) who are outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

3.2 Committee’s Authority . Subject to the limitations and other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and complete authority:

(a) To select, from all of the Employees, directors and consultants of the Company those individuals who shall participate in the Plan;

(b) To make awards to Employees, directors and consultants of the Company at such times, in such forms, and in such amounts as it shall determine and to cancel, suspend, or amend any such awards;

(c) To impose such limitations, restrictions, and conditions upon awards as it shall deem appropriate;

(d) To interpret the Plan and to adopt, amend, and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to the Plan;

(e) To appoint certain Employees to act on its behalf as its representatives (including for purposes of signing agreements which reflect awards granted under the Plan); and

 

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(f) To make all other determinations and to take all other actions it deems necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan.

Except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law, the Committee’s determinations on any matter within its authority shall be conclusive and binding on the Company, all Participants, and all other parties.

3.3 Flexibility in Granting Awards . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan which may be read to the contrary, the Committee may set different terms and conditions applicable to each and any award granted under the Plan, even for awards of the same type and even when issued to the same Participant. In addition, and also notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan which may be read to the contrary, the Committee may grant to any Participant for any period any specific type of award available under the Plan without being required to grant to the Participant for such period any other type of award that may be available under the Plan.

3.4 Delegation of Committee’s Authority for Certain Awards .

(a) The Committee may delegate to one or more of CyrusOne’s executive officers its right to make awards to Employees, directors and consultants of the Company who (i) are not otherwise considered by the Committee to be subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and (ii) are not expected by the Committee to become covered employees within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.

(b) To the extent the Committee’s right to make awards to any Employees, directors or consultants of the Company is delegated to any one of CyrusOne’s executive officers under the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection 3.4, any reference to the Committee in the other provisions of the Plan that concern the making of awards to such individuals, the terms of such awards, and the verification that all conditions applicable to the payment under or the exercise of such awards have been met shall be read to refer to such executive officer as if such person was the Committee.

3.5 Awards to Directors . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant awards to Directors or administer the Plan with respect to such awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.

4. Class of Employees Eligible for Plan. Awards may be granted under the Plan to Employees, directors or consultants (including any prospective director, employee or consultant) of the Company. As is indicated in section 3 hereof, the specific Employees, directors, and consultants to whom awards will be granted under the Plan, and who thereby will be Participants under the Plan, shall be chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5. Awards and Their Forms.

(a) Awards under the Plan may be granted at any time while the Plan is in effect by the Committee to any Employee, director or consultant of the Company.

 

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(b) Any awards granted under the Plan may be made in any one or more of the following forms, each of which shall be deemed to a separate and distinct form of award for all purposes of the Plan: (i) stock options, (ii) stock appreciation rights, (iii) restricted stock, (iv) restricted stock units, (v) performance shares, (vi) share-based performance units, (vii) nonshare-based performance units, (viii) non-restricted stock and (ix) other nonshare-based awards. Nonshare-based performance units and other Nonshare-Based Awards constitute the only forms of awards under the Plan that are Nonshare-Based Awards, and each of the other award forms identified in the immediately preceding sentence constitutes a Share-Based Award form. The subsequent provisions of the Plan provide certain rules and conditions that apply to each of such award forms.

(c) Any Common Shares that are to be issued or paid under any award granted under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of Common Shares that are authorized but unissued or Common Shares that are treasury shares.

6. Limits on Shares Subject To and Compensation Payable Under Plan Awards.

6.1 Limits on Number of Common Shares Available for Issuance Under Plan .

(a) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 6.1 and the provisions of subsections 6.3 and 19.1 hereof, the following limits set forth in subparagraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection 6.1 (which generally involve the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued or paid under the Plan and its various types of awards during the Plan’s entire existence) shall apply to the grant of awards under the Plan. No award may be granted under the Plan to the extent it would cause any of the following limits to be violated.

(1) The maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued or paid under or with respect to all of the awards (considered in the aggregate) granted under the Plan during the Plan’s entire existence shall be equal to 4,000,000 Common Shares.

(2) The maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued or paid under or with respect to all stock options and stock appreciation rights (considered in the aggregate but separately from all other forms of awards listed in section 5 hereof) granted under the Plan during the Plan’s entire existence shall be equal to 4,000,000 Common Shares.

(3) The maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued or paid under or with respect to all ISOs (considered in the aggregate but separately from all other types of stock options and other forms of awards listed in section 5 hereof) granted under the Plan during the Plan’s entire existence shall be equal to 4,000,000 Common Shares.

(b) If any portion of a stock appreciation right is settled (paid) upon the exercise of such stock appreciation right portion by the issuance or payment of Common Shares, the total number of Common Shares on which such stock appreciation right portion was based shall be counted as Common Shares issued or paid under the Plan for purposes of any of the limits set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection 6.1, regardless of the number of Common Shares actually issued or paid to settle such stock appreciation right portion upon its exercise.

 

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(c) If any award or portion thereof granted under the Plan is forfeited, expires, or in any other manner terminates without the payment of Common Shares or any other amount or consideration, or is settled other than wholly by delivery of Common Shares (including cash settlement), the maximum number of Common Shares on which such award or portion of an award was based or which could have been paid under the award (i) shall again be available to be issued or paid under the Plan and to be the basis on which other awards may be granted under the Plan and (ii) thus shall not be counted as Common Shares that were issued or paid under the Plan in determining whether any of the limits set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection 6.1 are met.

(d) Any Common Shares that would be issued or paid under an award granted under the Plan but are withheld in payment of any exercise price, purchase price, or tax withholding requirements (in accordance with the provisions of section 19 hereof) (i) shall not again be deemed to be available to be issued or paid under the Plan or to be the basis on which other awards may be granted under the Plan and (ii) thus shall be counted as Common Shares that were issued or paid under the Plan in determining whether any of the limits set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection 6.1 are met.

6.2 Annual Common Share and Other Compensation Limits Under Awards Granted Any Participant .

(a) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 6.2 and the provisions of subsections 6.3 and 18.1 hereof, the following limits (which generally involve the maximum number of Common Shares and other compensation on which awards granted to any Participant during a calendar year may be based) (x) set forth in subparagraph (1) of this subsection 6.2 shall apply to the grant of awards under the Plan that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and (y) set forth in subparagraph (2) of this subsection 6.2 shall apply to the grant of awards under the Plan to any Directors of the Company.

(1) (A)The maximum number of Common Shares on which all Share-Based Awards (considered in the aggregate) granted under the Plan to any Participant during each and any calendar year may be based, and the maximum number of Common Shares on which all Share-Based Awards of a specific form listed in section 5 hereof (considered separately from all other forms of Stock-Based Awards listed in section 5 hereof) granted under the Plan to any Participant during each and any calendar year may be based, shall be 500,000 Common Shares.

  (B) The maximum dollar value of all Nonshare-Based Awards granted under the Plan to any Participant during each and any calendar year shall be $5,000,000.

(2) (A) The maximum number of Common Shares on which all Share-Based Awards (considered in the aggregate) granted under the Plan to any Participant who is a Director during each and any calendar year may be based,

 

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and the maximum number of Common Shares on which all Share-Based Awards of a specific form listed in section 5 hereof (considered separately from all other forms of Stock-Based Awards listed in section 5 hereof) granted under the Plan to any Participant who is a Director during each and any calendar year may be based, shall be 100,000 Common Shares, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any awards approved by the Committee or the board of directors of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and granted to a Director at the time of CyrusOne’s initial public offering shall not count against the limit included in this paragraph (a)(2)(A).

(B) The maximum dollar value of all Nonshare-Based Awards granted under the Plan to any Participant who is a Director during each and any calendar year shall be $200,000, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any awards approved by the Committee or the board of directors of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and granted to a Director at the time of the CyrusOne’s initial public offering shall not count against the limit included in this paragraph (a)(2)(B).

(b) For purposes of applying the Share-Based Award limits set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(A) of this subsection 6.2 and for all other purposes of the Plan, the maximum number of Common Shares on which any Share-Based Award granted to a Participant under the Plan or any portion thereof shall be deemed to be based shall be the maximum number of Common Shares that ultimately could, in the event any and all performance goals and other criteria or conditions applicable to the award are met, either be issued or paid under the award or have their fair market value (or the change in their fair market value over a period of time) used to determine the amounts payable under the award, regardless of (i) whether or not the actual payment under such award ends up being based on a lesser number of Common Shares or equal to a percentage above or below 100% of the fair market value (or the change in the fair market value over a period of time) of such maximum number of Common Shares, (ii) whether or not any payment made under such award or portion thereof is made in cash or property other than Common Shares, or (iii) whether or not the award or portion thereof is forfeited, expires, or in any other manner terminates without the payment of Common Shares or other compensation.

(c) For purposes of applying the Nonshare-Based Award limits set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(B) and (a)(2)(B) of this subsection 6.2 and for all other purposes of the Plan, the maximum dollar value of any Nonshare-Based Award granted to a Participant under the Plan or any portion thereof shall be deemed to be the maximum dollar amount of cash (and/or fair market value, determined at the time of payment, of Common Shares or other property) that ultimately could, in the event any and all performance goals and other criteria or conditions applicable to the award are met, be paid to the Participant under the award, regardless of (i) whether or not the actual payment under such award ends up being a lesser dollar amount of cash (and/or fair market value, determined at the time of payment, of Common Shares or other property) or (ii) whether or not the award or portion thereof is forfeited, expires, or in any other manner terminates without the payment of any compensation.

 

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6.3 Effect of Assumption of Awards in Acquisition . If any corporation is acquired by the Company and the Company assumes certain stock-based awards previously granted by such acquired corporation or issues new awards in substitution for such previously granted awards of the acquired corporation, then, except to the extent expressly provided by action of the Board, the awards so assumed or issued by the Company shall not be deemed to be granted under the Plan and any Common Shares that are the basis of such assumed or substituted awards shall not affect the number of Common Shares that can be issued or paid under the Plan or the number of Common Shares on which Share-Based Awards granted under the Plan can be based.

7. Stock Option Awards. Any awards granted under the Plan in the form of stock options shall be subject to the following terms and conditions of this section 7.

7.1 Nature of Stock Option . A stock option means an option to purchase any number of Common Shares, up to a fixed maximum number of Common Shares, in the future at a fixed price (for purposes of this section 7, the “Exercise Price”) that applies to the Common Shares to which the purchase relates. Stock options granted under the Plan to any Participant may be ISOs, stock options that are not ISOs, or both ISOs and stock options that are not ISOs.

7.2 Terms and Conditions of Stock Option To Be Determined by Committee . Subject to the other provisions of this section 7 and the other sections of the Plan, the terms and conditions of any stock option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee. The grant of a stock option shall be evidenced by a written agreement signed by the Committee or a representative thereof, which agreement shall contain the terms and conditions of the stock option (as set by the Committee). Any such written agreement shall indicate whether or not the applicable stock option is intended to be an ISO (or, if it does not so indicate, the stock option reflected by such written agreement shall be deemed to be a stock option that is not an ISO).

7.3 Exercise Price of Stock Option . Unless otherwise prescribed by the Committee to be higher, the Exercise Price with respect to any number of Common Shares that are subject to a stock option granted under the Plan shall be 100% (and may not in any event be less than 100%) of the fair market value of such number of Common Shares (disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in Regulation 1.83-3(i)) on the date the stock option is granted.

7.4 Expiration of Option . A stock option granted under the Plan shall not in any event be exercisable after the expiration of ten years after the date on which it is granted (or after any earlier expiration date that is otherwise prescribed for the stock option by the Committee).

7.5 Procedures for Exercise of Option .

(a) With respect to each exercise of a stock option granted under the Plan, written notice of the exercise must be given and the purchase price for the Common Shares being purchased upon the exercise and any taxes required to be withheld upon the exercise must be paid in full at the time of the exercise. The procedures for meeting such requirements shall be established under the provisions of section 19 hereof.

(b) As soon as administratively practical after the receipt of the written notice and full payment applicable to the exercise of any stock option granted under the Plan in accordance with the procedures established under the provisions of section 19 hereof, CyrusOne shall deliver to the applicable Participant (or such other person who is exercising the stock option) a certificate or book-entry credit representing each acquired Common Share.

 

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7.6 Special Limit on Value of ISOs . If the aggregate fair market value of all Common Shares with respect to which stock options that are intended to be ISOs and that are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company) exceeds $100,000 (or, if such limit amount is amended under Section 422 of the Code, such amended limit amount), such stock options (to the extent of such excess) shall be treated as if they were not ISOs. The rule set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied by taking stock options into account in the order in which they were granted. Also, for purposes of the rules of this subsection 7.6, the fair market value of any Common Shares which are subject to a stock option shall be determined as of the date the option is granted.

7.7 Ineligibility of Certain Employees for ISOs . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no person shall be eligible for or granted a stock option under the Plan that is intended to be an ISO if, at the time the stock option is otherwise to be granted, the person owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company. For purposes hereof, a person shall be considered as owning the stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for his or her brothers or sisters (whether by the whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors, and lineal descendants, and stock owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate, or trust shall be considered as being owned proportionately by or for its shareholders, partners, or beneficiaries.

8. Stock Appreciation Right Awards. Any awards granted under the Plan in the form of stock appreciation rights (for purposes of this section 8, “SARs”) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions of this section 8.

8.1 Nature of SAR . A SAR means the right, upon any exercise of the SAR, to receive payment of a sum not to exceed the amount, if any, by which the fair market value (determined as of the date on which the SAR is exercised and disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in Regulation 1.83-3(i)) of a number of Common Shares, up to a fixed maximum number of Common Shares, exceeds a fixed price (for purposes of this section 8, the “Exercise Price”) of the Common Shares to which the exercise relates. A SAR may be granted free-standing, in relation to a new stock option being granted at the same time as the SAR is granted, or in relation to a stock option both which is not an ISO and which has been granted prior to the grant of the SAR.

8.2 Terms and Conditions of SAR To Be Determined by Committee . Subject to the other provisions of this section 8 and the other sections of the Plan, all of the terms and conditions of a SAR shall be determined by the Committee. A SAR granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement signed by the Committee or a representative thereof, which agreement shall contain the terms and conditions of the SAR (as set by the Committee).

8.3 Exercise Price of SAR . Unless otherwise prescribed by the Committee to be higher, the Exercise Price with respect to any number of Common Shares that are subject to a SAR granted under the Plan shall be 100% (and may not in any event be less than 100%) of the fair market value of such number of Common Shares (disregarding lapse restrictions as defined in Regulation 1.83-3(i)) on the date the SAR is granted.

 

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8.4 Expiration of SAR . A SAR granted under the Plan shall not in any event be exercisable after the expiration of ten years after the date on which it is granted (or after any earlier expiration date that is otherwise prescribed for the SAR by the Committee).

8.5 Coordination of SAR and Option . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any stock option as to which a SAR is related shall no longer be exercisable to the extent the SAR has been exercised and the exercise of a stock option shall cancel any related SAR to the extent of such exercise.

8.6 Procedures for Exercise of SAR .

(a) With respect to each exercise of a SAR granted under the Plan, written notice of the exercise must be given and any taxes required to be withheld upon the exercise must be paid in full at the time of the exercise. The procedures for meeting such requirements shall be established under the provisions of section 19 hereof.

(b) As soon as administratively practical after the receipt of the written notice and full payment of taxes applicable to the exercise of any SAR granted under the Plan in accordance with the procedures established under the provisions of section 19 hereof, CyrusOne shall pay the amount to which the applicable Participant (or such other person who is exercising the SAR) is entitled upon the exercise of the SAR in cash, Common Shares or other property, or a combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine and provide in the terms of the award. To the extent that payment is made in Common Shares or other property, the Common Shares or other property shall be valued at its fair market value on the date of exercise of the SAR.

9. Restricted Stock Awards. Any awards granted under the Plan in the form of restricted stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions of this section 9.

9.1 Nature of Restricted Stock.

(a) Restricted stock shall constitute Common Shares that may not be disposed of by the Participant to whom the restricted stock is granted until certain restrictions established by the Committee lapse. Such restrictions may include but not necessarily be limited to restrictions related to service requirements and to the meeting of certain performance goals in all or just certain cases (such as in all cases other than when there occurs a Change in Control or the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company because of his or her death or disability), as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Any restrictions that are imposed under a restricted stock award shall also similarly restrict the ability of the applicable Participant to dispose of other rights issued with respect to such restricted stock.

(b) Any restricted stock award granted under the Plan may provide that the satisfaction of certain but not all (or a certain level but not the highest level) of any of the service restrictions, performance goal restrictions, and/or other restrictions applicable to such restricted stock will permit the lapse of the applicable restrictions that restrict the right to dispose of such restricted stock as to a percentage (that is reasonably related to the percentage of all or the highest level of the applicable restrictions imposed under the entire restricted stock award that have been satisfied), but not the maximum number, of the Common Shares reflected by such restricted stock.

 

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9.2 Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock To Be Determined by Committee . Subject to the other provisions of this section 9 and the other sections of the Plan, all of the restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to any restricted stock awarded under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee. The grant of any restricted stock under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement signed by the Committee or a representative thereof, which agreement shall contain the restrictions and other terms and conditions of the restricted stock (as set by the Committee) and shall be referenced on the certificates representing the Common Shares that constitute such restricted stock.

9.3 Procedures for Payment of Taxes Upon Vesting of Restricted Stock . Any taxes required to be withheld upon the lapse of any restrictions applicable to any restricted stock granted under the Plan (and, if applicable, any minimum purchase price for the restricted stock that may be required by applicable law) must be paid in full at the time such restrictions lapse. The procedures for meeting such requirements shall be established under the provisions of section 19 hereof.

9.4 Right of Participant Under Restricted Stock . Any Participant who has been granted restricted stock under the Plan shall have, during the period in which restrictions on his or her ability to dispose of such stock apply, all of the rights of a shareholder of CyrusOne with respect to the Common Shares awarded as restricted stock (other than the right to dispose of such shares), including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any cash or stock dividends, unless the Committee shall otherwise provide in the terms of the applicable restricted stock award and except as may otherwise be provided in subsection 9.5 hereof.

9.5 Restrictions for Additional Common Shares Issued under Stock Split or Dividend . Any Common Shares issued with respect to restricted stock as a result of a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction shall be restricted to the same extent as the applicable restricted stock, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the terms of the applicable restricted stock award.

9.6 Forfeiture of Restricted Stock . If any restrictions or conditions on a Participant’s ability to dispose of any restricted stock granted to him or her are not satisfied in accordance with the terms of such restricted stock, such restricted stock shall be forfeited (subject to such exceptions, if any, as are authorized by the Committee). For instance, if a Participant to whom restricted stock has been granted under the Plan terminates his or her employment or service with the Company during the period in which restrictions on his or her ability to dispose of such stock apply (and prior to the satisfaction of the requirements applicable to such restrictions), such restricted stock shall be forfeited (subject to such exceptions, if any, as are authorized by the Committee as to a termination of employment or service that reflects a retirement, disability, death, or other special circumstances).

10. Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Any awards granted under the Plan in the form of restricted stock units (for purposes of this section 10, “RSUs”) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions of this section 10.

 

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10.1 Nature of RSUs. RSUs are granted with respect to a specified number of Common Shares (or a number of Common Shares determined pursuant to a specified formula) or shall have a value equal to the fair market value of a specified number of Common Shares (or a number of Common Shares determined pursuant to a specified formula). Each RSU represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Common Shares, cash, other securities, other awards or other property upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable thereto. Such restrictions may include but not necessarily be limited to service requirements and the meeting of certain performance goals in all or just certain cases (such as in all cases other than when there occurs a Change in Control or the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company because of his or her death or disability), as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

10.2 Terms and Conditions of RSUs To Be Determined by Committee . Subject to the other provisions of this section 10 and the other sections of the Plan, all of the restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to any RSU awarded under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee. The grant of any RSU under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement signed by the Committee or a representative thereof, which agreement shall contain the restrictions and other terms and conditions of the RSU (as set by the Committee).

11. Performance Share and Unit Awards. Any awards granted under the Plan in the form of performance shares, share-based performance units, and/or nonshare-based performance units (collectively and for purposes of this section 11, “Performance Awards”) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions of this section 11.

11.1 Nature of Performance Award .

(a) Any performance share (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes but is not limited to restricted stock the vesting of which is subject to meeting certain performance goals) that is granted to a Participant constitutes a right that the Participant will receive a number of Common Shares, up to a fixed maximum number of Common Shares, if and when certain conditions are met. Such conditions may include but not necessarily be limited to: (i) conditions that require that the Participant must either be an employee of, or providing services to, the Company for a specified continuous period of time or terminate employment or service with the Company in special circumstances (including, without limitation, the Participant’s retirement, disability, or death); and (ii) conditions related to the meeting of certain performance goals, except that the Committee may provide in the terms of the applicable performance share award that the performance goal conditions otherwise imposed under the award are waived in whole or in part in special circumstances (including, without limitation, when there occurs a Change in Control or the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company because of his or her death or disability).

(b) Any share-based performance unit share (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes but is not limited to restricted stock units the vesting of which is subject to meeting certain performance goals) that is granted to a Participant constitutes a right that the Participant will receive an amount that is equal to a percent of the fair market value of a number of Common Shares, up to a fixed maximum number of Common Shares, on the date such amount becomes payable under the terms of the unit (or is equal to a percent of the increase in the fair market value of a number of Common Shares, up to a fixed maximum number of Common Shares, from the date of the grant of the unit to the date

 

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such amount becomes payable under the terms of the unit) if and when certain conditions are met. Such conditions may include but not necessarily be limited to: (i) conditions that require that the Participant must either be an employee of, or providing services to, the Company for a specified continuous period of time or terminate employment or service with the Company in special circumstances (including, without limitation, the Participant’s retirement, disability, or death); and (ii) conditions related to the meeting of certain performance goals, except that the Committee may provide in the terms of the applicable share-based performance unit award that the performance goal conditions otherwise imposed under the award are waived in whole or in part in special circumstances (including, without limitation, when there occurs a Change in Control or the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company because of his or her death or disability).

(c) Any nonshare-based performance unit that is granted to a Participant constitutes a right that the Participant will receive an amount that is equal to a dollar value, not more than a maximum dollar value, if and when certain conditions are met. Such conditions may include but not necessarily be limited to: (i) conditions that require that the Participant must either be an employee of, or providing services to, the Company for a specified continuous period of time or terminate employment or service with the Company in special circumstances (including, without limitation, the Participant’s retirement, disability, or death); and (ii) conditions related to the meeting of certain performance goals, except that the Committee may provide in the terms of the applicable nonshare-based performance unit award that the performance goal conditions otherwise imposed under the award are waived in whole or in part in special circumstances (including, without limitation, when there occurs a Change in Control or the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company because of his or her death or disability).

(d) Any performance share, share-based performance unit, and/or nonshare-based performance unit award may provide that the satisfaction of certain but not all (or a certain level but not the highest level) of any of the service conditions, performance goal conditions, and/or other conditions applicable to such award will permit the Participant to receive a percentage (that is reasonably related to the percentage of all or the highest level of the applicable conditions imposed under the entire award that have been satisfied), but not the maximum amount, of the Common Shares or the dollar-denominated amounts that would be payable under such award if all (or the highest level) of the conditions applicable to such award had been met.

11.2 Terms and Conditions of Performance Award To Be Determined by Committee . Subject to the other provisions of this section 11 and the other sections of the Plan, all of the restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to any Performance Award issued under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee. The grant of any Performance Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement signed by the Committee or a representative thereof, which agreement shall contain the restrictions and other terms and conditions of the Performance Award (as set by the Committee).

 

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11.3 Procedures for Payment of Performance Award and of Applicable Taxes .

(a) Any taxes required to be withheld upon a Participant becoming entitled to the payment of any Performance Award granted under the Plan (by reason of any of the award’s performance goals and/or other conditions being met) must be paid in full at the time such performance goals and/or other conditions are met. The procedures for meeting such requirements shall be established under the provisions of section 19 hereof.

(b) As soon as administratively practical after the full payment of taxes applicable to the Performance Award granted under the Plan in accordance with the procedures established under the provisions of section 19 hereof, CyrusOne shall pay the amount to which the applicable Participant (or such other person who is entitled to the benefits of the award) is entitled upon the meeting of such performance goals and/or other conditions and as the Committee shall provide in the terms of the award: (i) in a lump sum or in installments; (ii) to the extent a share-based performance unit or a nonshare-based performance unit is involved, in cash, Common Shares or other property, or a combination thereof; and (iii) to the extent a performance share is involved, in Common Shares. To the extent that payment is made in Common Shares or other property, the Common Shares or other property shall be valued at its fair market value on the date as of which the payment is made.

12. Non-Restricted Stock Awards. Any awards granted under the Plan in the form of non-restricted stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions of this section 12.

12.1 Nature of Non-Restricted Stock and Condition of Grant . Non-restricted stock shall constitute Common Shares that may, upon grant, be immediately disposed of by the Participant to whom the non-restricted stock is granted (without any special restrictions and conditions).

12.2 Terms and Conditions of Non-Restricted Stock To Be Determined by Committee . Subject to the other provisions of this section 12 and the other sections of the Plan, all of the terms and conditions that apply to any non-restricted stock awarded under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee. The grant of any non-restricted stock under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement signed by the Committee or a representative thereof, which agreement shall contain the terms and conditions of the non-restricted stock award (as set by the Committee).

12.3 Procedures for Payment of Taxes Upon Grant of Non-Restricted Stock . Any taxes required to be withheld upon the grant of any non-restricted stock award under the Plan (and, if applicable, any minimum purchase price for the stock that may be required by applicable law) must be paid in full at the time of such grant. The procedures for meeting such requirements shall be established under the provisions of section 19 hereof.

13. Other Awards . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to grant other equity based or equity-related awards and Nonshare-Based Awards (whether, in each case, payable in cash, equity or otherwise) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, provided that any such awards must comply, to the extent deemed desirable by the Committee, with Rule 16b-3 and applicable law.

14. Fair Market Value of Common Shares. For purposes of the Plan, the fair market value of a Common Share on any date (for purposes of this section 14, the “subject date”) shall be deemed to be the closing price of a Common Share on the Applicable

 

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Exchange on the subject date (or, if no trading in any stocks occurred at all on such exchange on the subject date, on the next subsequent date on which trading of stocks occurred on such exchange). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Common Shares are not listed or traded at all on the Applicable Exchange on the date as of which a Common Share’s fair market value for the subject date is to be determined under the terms of the immediately preceding sentence, then the fair market value of a Common Share on the subject date shall be determined by the Committee in good faith pursuant to methods and procedures established by the Committee.

15. Performance Goals.

15.1 Criteria for Performance Goals . To the extent the meeting of performance goals set by the Committee may be a condition to the exercise of or payment under any award granted under the Plan, the performance goals applicable to such award shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion, provided that if such award is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall base such performance goals on, and only on, one or more of the following criteria applicable to the Company:

(a) free cash flow (defined as cash generated by operating activities, minus capital expenditures and other investing activities, dividend payments and proceeds from the issuance of equity securities, and proceeds from the sale of assets);

(b) operating cash flow;

(c) cash available for distribution;

(d) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization;

(e) earnings per share;

(f) funds from operations;

(g) adjusted funds from operations;

(h) operating efficiency;

(i) operating income;

(j) total shareholder returns;

(k) profit targets;

(l) revenue targets;

(m) profitability targets as measured by return ratios;

(n) working capital;

(o) market share (in the aggregate or by segment);

 

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(p) portfolio and regional occupancy rates;

(q) net income;

(r) return on investment or capital;

(s) return on assets;

(t) return on equity;

(u) return on sales;

(v) return on development;

(w) level or amount of acquisitions.

15.2 Method By Which Performance Criteria Can Be Measured .

(a) Any performance criteria identified in subsection 15.1 hereof that is used to determine the performance goals applicable to an award granted under the Plan shall be measured or determined on the basis of a period of such duration (for purposes of this section 15, a “performance period”), which period may be of any length, but not less than one year or in excess of ten years, as is set by the Committee either prior to the start of such period or within its first 90 days (provided that the performance criteria is not in any event set after 25% or more of the applicable performance period has elapsed) and shall be criteria that will be able to be objectively determined by the Committee.

(b) Further, the Committee may provide in the terms of an award granted under the Plan that any factor used to help determine any performance criteria identified in subsection 15.1 hereof shall be taken into account only to the extent it exceeds or, conversely, is less than a certain amount. The Committee may also provide in the terms of an award granted under the Plan that, in determining whether any performance criteria identified in subsection 15.1 hereof has been attained, certain special or technical factors shall be ignored or, conversely, taken into account, in whole or in part, including but not limited to any one or more of the following factors:

(1) a gain, loss, income, or expense resulting from changes in generally accepted accounting principles that become effective during the applicable performance period or any previous period;

(2) a gain, loss, income, or expense that is extraordinary in nature;

(3) an impact of other specified nonrecurring events;

(4) a gain or loss resulting from, and the direct expense incurred in connection with, the disposition of a business, in whole or in part, the sale of investments or non-core assets, or discontinued operations, categories, or segments of businesses;

(5) a gain or loss from claims and/or litigation and insurance recoveries relating to claims or litigation;

 

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(6) an impact of impairment of tangible or intangible assets;

(7) an impact of restructuring activities, including, without limitation, reductions in force;

(8) an impact of investments or acquisitions made during the applicable performance period or any prior period;

(9) a loss from political and legal changes that impact operations, as a consequence of war, insurrection, riot, terrorism, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, deprivation, seizure, business interruption, or regulatory requirements;

(10) retained and uninsured losses from natural catastrophes;

(11) currency fluctuations;

(12) an expense relating to the issuance of stock options and/or other stock-based compensation;

(13) an expense relating to the early retirement of debt; and/or

(14) an impact of the conversion of convertible debt securities.

Each of the adjustments described in this paragraph (b) shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards, unless another objective method of measurement is designated by the Committee.

(c) In addition, any performance criteria identified in subsection 15.1 hereof, and any adjustment in the factors identified in paragraph (b) of this subsection 15.2 that are used to determine any such performance criteria, (i) may be measured or determined for CyrusOne, for any organization other than CyrusOne that is part of the Company, for the entire Company in the aggregate, or for any group of corporations or organizations that are included in the Company and (ii) may be measured and determined in an absolute sense and/or in comparison to the analogous performance criteria of other publicly traded companies (that are selected for such comparison purposes by the Committee).

15.3 Verification That Performance Goals and Other Conditions Are Met . To the extent any payment under, or any exercise of, an award granted under the Plan requires the meeting of any performance goals and/or any other conditions that have been set by the Committee, the Committee shall verify that such performance goals and/or such other conditions have been met before such payment or exercise is permitted.

15.4 Discretion. Except as otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, in no event shall any discretionary authority granted to the Committee by the Plan be used to, with respect to any Performance Award that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, (1) grant or provide payment in respect of a Performance Award for a performance period if the performance criteria identified in subsection 15.1 hereof that is used to determine the performance goals for such performance period have not been attained and (2) increase a Performance Award for any Participant at any time after the first 90 days of the performance period (or, if shorter, the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) or (3) increase the amount of a Performance Award above the maximum amount payable under subsection 6.2(a) hereof.

 

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16. Nonassignability of Awards. Except as may be required by applicable law, no award granted under the Plan to a Participant may be assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered by the Participant otherwise than by will, by designation of a beneficiary to take effect after the Participant’s death, or by the laws of descent and distribution. Each award shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant (or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative).

17. Provisions Upon Change in Control .

17.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards . In the event a Change in Control occurs on or after the Effective Date, then, unless otherwise prescribed by the Committee in the terms of an applicable award, and unless provision is made in connection with the Change in Control for (a) assumption of awards previously granted under the Plan or (b) substitution of such awards for new awards covering stock of a successor corporation or its “parent corporation” (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and the exercise prices, if applicable, (i) all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan to a Participant shall immediately become exercisable in full upon the date of the Change in Control, (ii) the restrictions still then in force and applicable to any Common Shares awarded as restricted stock under the Plan to a Participant or to any other Nonshare-Based Award shall immediately lapse upon the date of the Change in Control, (iii) all outstanding restricted stock units shall be deemed to have vested upon the date of the Change in Control, and the Common Shares (or cash, as applicable) subject thereto shall be delivered no later than 10 days following the Change in Control and (iv) any performance share, share-based performance unit and nonshare-based performance unit granted under the Plan to a Participant shall become payable, at the maximum payment amount that was attainable under such award if all performance goals and other criteria or conditions applicable to the award were satisfied, on the date of the Change in Control and as if the date of the Change in Control were the last day of the applicable performance period.

17.2 Cashout of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights . In addition, unless the Committee shall otherwise prescribe in the terms of a stock option or stock appreciation right that was awarded under the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control the Committee shall have discretion to cause a cash payment to be made to the person who then holds such stock option or stock appreciation right, in lieu of the right to exercise such stock option or stock appreciation right or any portion thereof, provided (i) that such stock option or stock appreciation right is still outstanding as of the Change in Control and (ii) that the aggregate fair market value (on the date of the Change in Control) of the Common Shares that are subject to such stock option or stock appreciation right exceeds the aggregate exercise price of such Common Shares under such stock option or stock appreciation right. In the event the Committee exercises its discretion to cause such cash payment to be made, the amount of such cash payment shall be equal to the amount by which (i) the aggregate fair market value (on the date of the Change in Control) of the Common Shares that are subject to such stock option or stock appreciation right exceeds (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Common Shares under such stock option or stock appreciation right.

 

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17.3 Cashout of Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Share-Based Performance Units, Nonshare-Based Performance Units and other Nonshare-Based Awards . Further, unless the Committee shall otherwise prescribe in the terms of an applicable restricted stock unit, performance share, share-based performance unit, nonshare-based performance unit or other Nonshare-Based Award that was awarded under the Plan and that would otherwise be payable in Common Shares, in the event of a Change in Control the Committee shall have discretion to cause the payment of such restricted stock unit, performance share, share-based performance unit, nonshare-based performance unit or other Nonshare-Based Award to be made in cash instead of Common Shares. In the event the Committee exercises its discretion to cause such cash payment to be made, the amount of such cash payment shall be equal to the aggregate fair market value, on the date of the Change in Control, of the Common Shares that would otherwise then be payable under such restricted stock unit, performance share, share-based performance unit, nonshare-based performance unit or other Nonshare-Based Award.

17.4 Definition of Change in Control . For purposes of the Plan, a “Change in Control” shall, with respect to any award granted under the Plan, have the meaning set forth in the terms of the award (provided, however, that, except in the case of a transaction similar to the transaction described in paragraph (d) of this subsection 17.4, any such specified Change in Control shall not occur until the consummation or effectiveness of the event or transaction that is identified in the award as a Change in Control, rather than upon the announcement, commencement, shareholder approval, or other potential occurrence of the event or transaction that, if completed, would result in the Change in Control); except that, if there is no definition of a Change in Control set forth in the terms of the award, then “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the events described in the following paragraphs of this subsection 17.4.

(a) A majority of the Board as of any date not being composed of Incumbent Directors. For purposes of this subsection 17.4, as of any date, the term “Incumbent Director” means any individual who is a director of CyrusOne as of such date and either: (i) who was a director of CyrusOne at the beginning of the 24-consecutive-month period ending on such date; or (ii) who became a CyrusOne director subsequent to the beginning of such 24-consecutive-month period and whose appointment, election, or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the CyrusOne directors who were, as of the date of such vote, Incumbent Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of CyrusOne in which such person is named as a nominee for director). It is provided, however, that no individual initially appointed, elected, or nominated as a director of CyrusOne as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board or Cincinnati Bell Inc. or any of its affiliates shall ever be deemed to be an Incumbent Director.

(b) Any “person,” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, being or becoming “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of CyrusOne representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of CyrusOne’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (for purposes of this subsection 17.4, the “CyrusOne Voting Securities”).

 

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It is provided, however, that the event described in this paragraph (b) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control if such event results from any of the following: (i) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by the Company, (ii) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company, (iii) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in paragraph (c) of this subsection 17.4), (v) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of CyrusOne in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the CyrusOne Voting Securities or (vi) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by Cincinnati Bell Inc. or any of its affiliates.

(c) The consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (for purposes of this paragraph (c), a “Reorganization”) or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an entity that is not an affiliate of the Company (for purposes of this paragraph (c), a “Sale”), that in each case requires the approval of CyrusOne’s shareholders under the law of CyrusOne’s jurisdiction of organization, whether for such Reorganization or Sale (or the issuance of securities of CyrusOne in such Reorganization or Sale), unless immediately following such Reorganization or Sale:

(1) more than 60% of the total voting power (in respect of the election of directors, or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of (i) the entity resulting from such Reorganization or the entity which has acquired all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (for purposes of this paragraph (c) and in either case, the “Surviving Entity”), or (ii) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power (in respect of the election of directors, or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Entity (for purposes of this paragraph (c), the “Parent Entity”), is represented by CyrusOne Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such CyrusOne Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such CyrusOne Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Reorganization or Sale;

(2) no person (other than (i) any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Entity or the Parent Entity or the related trust of any such plan or (ii) Cincinnati Bell Inc. or any of its affiliates) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the total voting power (in respect of the election of directors, or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity); and

(3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity) following the consummation of the

 

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Reorganization or Sale were, at the time of the approval by the Board of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization or Sale, Incumbent Directors (any Reorganization or Sale which satisfies all of the criteria specified in subparagraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this paragraph (c) being deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction” for purposes of this subsection 17.4).

(d) The shareholders of CyrusOne approving a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of CyrusOne unless such liquidation or dissolution is a Non-Qualifying Transaction.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 20% of the CyrusOne Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of CyrusOne Voting Securities by CyrusOne which reduces the number of CyrusOne Voting Securities outstanding; provided that, if after such acquisition by CyrusOne such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional CyrusOne Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding CyrusOne Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then occur.

18. Adjustments.

18.1 Adjustments for Certain Dividends, Stock Splits, and Other Corporate Transactions .

(a) In the event of any change affecting the Common Shares by reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, or other corporate change, or any distributions to common shareholders, including extraordinary cash dividends, then, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection 18.1, the Committee shall make such substitution or adjustment in the aggregate number or class of shares which may be distributed under the Plan and in the number, class, and exercise price or other price of shares on which the outstanding awards granted under the Plan are based as it determines to be necessary or appropriate in order to prevent the enlargement or dilution of rights under the Plan or under awards granted under the Plan.

(b) The Committee shall not take any action under the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection 18.1 with respect to any specific award granted under the Plan to the extent it determines that such action would otherwise cause such award to become subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A when such award would not be subject to such requirements in the absence of such adjustment.

18.2 Adjustments To Correct Errors or Omissions . The Committee shall be authorized to correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any award granted under the Plan in the manner and to the extent it shall determine is needed to reflect the intended provisions of the Plan or that award or to meet any law that is applicable to the Plan (or the provisions of any law which must be met in order for the normal tax consequences of the award to apply).

 

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19. Procedures For Satisfying Payment and Withholding Requirements.

19.1 Committee May Develop Payment/Withholding Procedures . The Committee may, in its discretion, establish procedures governing the exercise of, lapse of restrictions under, and/or payment of any award granted under the Plan and to compel under such procedures that, to the extent applicable under such award, any purchase price for Common Shares being obtained under such award and/or taxes required to be withheld by the terms of such award or under applicable law (with any such purchase price and/or tax withholding requirements being referred to in this section 19 as the “payment/withholding requirements”) be paid in full. The Committee may provide for different rules as to the satisfying of the payment/withholding requirements with respect to each type of award granted under the Plan and even among awards of the same type that are granted under the Plan. The Committee’s procedures applicable to the satisfaction of any payment/withholding requirements that apply to an award granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, include commonly accepted electronic or telephonic notices given via the internet or an interactive voice response system to a third-party broker which is designated by the Committee to facilitate and/or administer the exercise or payment of any awards granted under the Plan.

19.2 Default Payment/Withholding Procedures . Unless the Committee otherwise prescribes in the written agreement by which an award is granted under the Plan, any Participant to whom an award under the Plan is granted (or, if applicable, such other person who is exercising or receiving a payment under the award) may, in his or her sole discretion, satisfy the payment/withholding requirements that apply to such award by using any one or more of the following methods or any combination of the following methods:

(a) by making a payment to the Company of an amount in cash (which, for purposes of the Plan, shall be deemed to include payment in U.S. currency or by certified check, bank draft, cashier’s check, or money order) equal to the amount of such payment/withholding requirements;

(b) by making a payment to the Company in Common Shares which are previously owned by the Participant (or such other person) and have a fair market value on the date of payment equal to the amount of such payment/withholding requirements;

(c) by having CyrusOne retain Common Shares which are otherwise being purchased or paid under the award and have a fair market value on the date of payment equal to the amount of such payment/withholding requirements; and/or

(d) by having CyrusOne retain an amount of cash that is payable under the award and equal to the amount of such payment/withholding requirements.

19.3 Limitation on Common Shares Used to Meet Payment/Withholding Requirements . Notwithstanding any other provisions of subsections 19.1 and 19.2 hereof, Common Shares may not be used in payment by the Participant for satisfying any payment/withholding requirements that apply to an award granted under the Plan either (i) if the Common Shares being used in payment are being purchased upon exercise of the applicable award and the award is an ISO or (ii) if the Common Shares being used in payment both were previously acquired by the Participant through the exercise of a prior ISO and have been held by the Participant for less than two years from the date of grant of the prior ISO or less than one year from the date of the prior transfer of such Common Shares to him or her.

 

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19.4 Right of Company To Retain Amount To Meet Payment/Withholding Requirements If Requirements Are Not Otherwise Met . If any Participant (or other person) who is responsible for satisfying any payment/withholding requirements that apply to an award granted under the Plan otherwise fails to satisfy such payment/withholding requirements under the procedures or other rules set forth in the foregoing provisions of this section 19, the Company shall have the right to retain from such award or the payment thereof (or from any other amount that is payable as compensation to the Participant or such other person), as appropriate, a sufficient number of Common Shares or cash otherwise applicable to the award (or otherwise applicable to such other compensation amount) in order to satisfy such payment/withholding requirements.

20. Amendment or Termination of Plan and Amendment of Awards.

20.1 Right of Board To Amend or Terminate Plan . Subject to the provisions of subsection 1.3(b) hereof but notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the Board may amend or terminate the Plan or any portion or provision thereof at any time, provided that no such action shall materially impair the rights of a Participant with respect to a previously granted Plan award without the Participant’s consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may not in any event, without the approval of CyrusOne’s shareholders, adopt an amendment to the Plan which shall: (i) increase the total number of Common Shares which may be issued during the existence of the Plan; (ii) increase the total number of Common Shares which may be subject to or issued under ISOs granted during the existence of the Plan; (iii) change the class of persons eligible to become Participants under the Plan; or (iv) make any other change in the Plan that is required by applicable law, the rules of the Applicable Exchange or Section 162(m) of the Code if the plan is intended to be a stockholder-approved Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, to be approved by CyrusOne’s shareholders in order to be effective.

20.2 Rules When Shareholder Approval for Amendment Is Required . If approval of CyrusOne’s shareholders is required to a Plan amendment pursuant to the provisions of subsection 20.1 hereof, then such approval must comply with all applicable provisions of CyrusOne’s corporate charter, bylaws and regulations, and any applicable state law prescribing a method and degree of shareholder approval required for issuance of Common Shares. If the applicable state law fails to prescribe a method and degree in such cases, then such approval must be made by a method and degree that would be treated as adequate under applicable state law in the case of an action requiring shareholder approval of an amendment to the Plan.

20.3 Right of Committee To Amend Awards . The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any award granted under the Plan, prospectively or retroactively; provided that, except as set forth in the Plan, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the terms of such award, no such action shall materially impair the rights of any Participant with respect to a previously granted Plan award without the Participant’s consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may any award granted under the Plan (i) be amended to decrease the exercise price or other similar price applicable thereto, (ii) be cancelled at a time when its exercise price or other similar price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying Common Shares in exchange for another award under any other equity-compensation plan or any cash payment or (iii) be

 

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subject to any action that would be treated, for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such award, unless such amendment, cancellation or action is approved by the Company’s shareholders (with such approval meeting the same conditions described in subsection 20.2 hereof as to the approval of a Plan amendment). For the avoidance of doubt, an adjustment to the exercise price or other similar price applicable to an award granted under the Plan that is made in accordance with section 17 hereof or paragraph (a) of subsection 18.1 hereof shall not be considered a reduction in exercise price or other similar price or “repricing” of such award.

21. Miscellaneous.

21.1 Section 83(b) Election . A Participant may, with respect to any award granted to him or her under the Plan with respect to which an election could be made under Section 83(b) of the Code (generally to include in his or her gross income for Federal income tax purposes in the year the award is transferred to him or her the amounts specified in such Code section), make such election provided that (i) the terms and conditions of such award fail to prohibit the Participant making such election and (ii) the Participant provides written notice to the Committee of such election, and satisfies any tax withholding requirements that are then applicable to the award because of his or her election under Code Section 83(b), within ten days after he or she has filed a written notice of such election with the Internal Revenue Service (as well as meeting all other notice and additional requirements for such election that are required by Section 83(b) of the Code).

21.2 Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code. If any Participant shall make any disposition of Common Shares delivered pursuant to the exercise of an ISO under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions) or any successor provision of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days of such disposition.

21.3 Deferrals of Award Payments . The Committee may, in its discretion and if performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of an award granted under the Plan or under any plan maintained by CyrusOne, permit Participants to elect to defer the payment otherwise required under all or part of any award granted under the Plan. Such deferral shall not be permitted by the Committee unless such deferral meets all of the conditions of Section 409A of the Code.

21.4 No Right To Employment . Nothing contained in the Plan or any award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant any right to be continued in the employment of, or service with, the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time and in the same manner as though the Plan and any awards granted under the Plan were not in effect.

21.5 No Advance Funding of Plan Benefits . All payments required to be made under awards granted under the Plan shall be made by the Company out of its general assets. In this regard, the Plan shall not be funded and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets to reflect any awards granted under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any award granted under the Plan shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations that apply to such award, and no such liability shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of or other lien or encumbrance on any property of the Company.

 

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21.6 Plan Benefits Generally Not Part of Compensation for Other Company Benefit Plans . Any payments or other benefits provided to a Participant with respect to an award granted under the Plan shall not be deemed a part of the Participant’s compensation for purposes of any termination or severance pay plan, or any other pension, profit sharing, or other benefit plan, of the Company unless such plan expressly or clearly indicates that the payments or other benefits provided under an award granted under the Plan shall be considered part of the Participant’s compensation for purposes of such plan or unless applicable law otherwise requires.

21.7 No Issuance of Common Shares Unless Securities Laws Permit Issuance . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall CyrusOne be obligated to issue or deliver any Common Shares under the Plan in connection with an award granted under the Plan unless and until CyrusOne determines that such issuance or delivery will not constitute a violation of the provisions of any applicable law (or regulation issued under such law) or the rules of any securities exchange on which Common Shares are listed and will not be subject to restrictions not generally applicable to Common Shares. In addition, with respect to any Participant who is subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of the Plan or an award granted under the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, it shall be deemed to be null and void to the extent permitted by law or deemed advisable by the Committee.

21.8 Awards To Employees of CyrusOne Affiliate May Be Made In Shares of Subsidiary . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any award granted under the Plan to an Employee, director or consultant who is, at the time of the grant of the award, an employee, director or consultant of a corporation (other than CyrusOne) that is part of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Code, but determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) of the Code) that includes CyrusOne may be based on common shares of such other corporation. In such case, all of the provisions of the Plan, including the Common Share limits set forth in section 6 hereof, shall apply to such award in the same manner as if such other corporation’s common shares were Common Shares.

21.9 Recoupment of Awards. Any written agreement containing the terms and conditions of awards made under the Plan may (i) provide for recoupment by the Company of all or any portion of an award if the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated due to noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the Federal securities laws or (ii) include restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-disparagement and confidentiality conditions or restrictions, that the Participant must comply with during employment or service by the Company or for a specified period thereafter as a condition to the Participant’s receipt or retention of all or any portion of an award. This subsection 21.9 shall not be the Company’s exclusive remedy with respect to such matters.

21.10 No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of options, restricted stock, shares, other types of equity-based awards (subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required) and cash incentive awards, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

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21.11 Section 409A.

(a) It is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.

(b) No Participant or the creditors or beneficiaries of a Participant shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under the Plan to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to any Participant or for the benefit of any Participant under the Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by any such Participant to the Company or any of its affiliates.

(c) If, at the time of a Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (A) such Participant shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (B) the Company shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable pursuant to an award constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead pay it on the first business day after such six-month period. Such amount shall be paid without interest, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or as otherwise provided in any applicable employment agreement between the Company and the relevant Participant.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company reserves the right to make amendments to any award as the Company deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. In any case, a Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on such Participant or for such Participant’s account in connection with an award (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.

21.12 Applicable Law . Except to the extent preempted by any applicable Federal law, the Plan shall be subject to and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

21.13 Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or award, or would disqualify the Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable by the

 

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Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or award and the remainder of the Plan and any such award shall remain in full force and effect.

21.14 Counterparts and Headings. The Plan may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. The counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any one thereof. Headings used throughout the Plan are for convenience only and shall not be given legal significance.

 

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Exhibit 10.8

CYRUSONE

2013 SHORT TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

(As adopted effective as of November 15, 2012)


CYRUSONE

2013 SHORT TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

(As adopted effective as of [November 15], 2012)

1. Introduction to Plan .

1.1 Name and Sponsor of Plan . The name of this Plan is the CyrusOne 2013 Short Term Incentive Plan, and its sponsor is CyrusOne.

1.2 Purposes of Plan . The purposes of this Plan are (i) to further the growth of the Company by offering Key Employees of the Company competitive incentive compensation related to annual company and individual performance goals and (ii) to aid the Company in attracting and retaining Key Employees of outstanding abilities.

1.3 Effective Date and Duration of Plan .

(a) The Plan is effective as of the Effective Date.

(b) The Plan shall remain in effect thereafter until the date on which the Plan is terminated in accordance with section 13 hereof. Upon the termination of the Plan, no awards may be granted under the Plan after the date of such termination but any award granted under the Plan on or prior to the date of such termination shall remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the terms of the award.

2. General Definitions . For all purposes of the Plan and in addition to other definitions of terms that are contained in other sections of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below when used in the Plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

2.1 “Board” means the Board of Directors of CyrusOne.

2.2 “CEO” means, as of any point in time, the person then designated by CyrusOne as its Chief Executive Officer.

2.3 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the events described in subsection 10.2 hereof.

2.4 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it may thereafter be amended. A reference to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed to be a reference both (i) to the provisions of such section as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded (by future legislation) and (ii) to the provisions of any government regulation that is issued under such section as of the Effective Date or as of a later date.

2.5 “Committee” means the committee appointed to administer the Plan under the provisions of subsection 3.1 hereof.

2.6 “Company” means, collectively, (i) CyrusOne, (ii) each other corporation that is part of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Code, but determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) of the Code) that

 

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includes CyrusOne, and (iii) each other organization (a partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.) that is under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) with CyrusOne.

2.7 “CyrusOne” means CyrusOne, Inc. (and, except for purposes of determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, any legal successor to CyrusOne, Inc. that results from a merger or similar transaction).

2.8 “CyrusOne Tax Year” means any tax year of CyrusOne for Federal income tax purposes. As of the Effective Date and until changed by CyrusOne, a CyrusOne Tax Year is a calendar year.

2.9 “Effective Date” means [November 15], 2012, the date of adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

2.10 “Key Employee” means any person who is both (i) employed and classified as an employee by the Company and (ii) an officer of the Company subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

2.11 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it may thereafter be amended. A reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to be a reference both (i) to the provisions of such section as it exists as of the Effective Date and as it is subsequently amended, renumbered, or superseded (by future legislation) and (ii) to the provisions of any government regulation or rule that is issued under such section as of the Effective Date or as of a later date.

2.12 “Participant” means a person who, as a Key Employee, was granted an award under the Plan.

2.13 “Plan” means this document, named the “CyrusOne 2013 Short Term Incentive Plan,” as set forth herein and as it may be amended.

3. Administration of Plan .

3.1 Committee To Administer Plan . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board, unless and until the Board appoints a different committee to administer the Plan. The Committee shall in any event consist of at least three members of the Board (i) who are neither officers nor employees of the Company and (ii) who are outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C)(i) of the Code.

3.2 Committee’s Authority . Subject to the limitations and other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and complete authority:

(a) to select, from all of the Key Employees, those Key Employees who shall participate in the Plan;

(b) to make awards to Key Employees at such times, in such forms, and in such amounts as it shall determine and to cancel, suspend, or amend any such awards;

 

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(c) to impose such limitations, restrictions, and conditions upon awards as it shall deem appropriate;

(d) to interpret the Plan and to adopt, amend, and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to the Plan;

(e) to appoint certain employees of the Company to act on its behalf as its representatives (including for purposes of signing agreements which reflect awards granted under the Plan); and

(f) to make all other determinations and to take all other actions it deems necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan.

Except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law, the Committee’s determinations on any matter within its authority shall be conclusive and binding on the Company, all Participants, and all other parties.

3.3 Flexibility in Granting Awards . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan that may be read to the contrary, the Committee may set different terms and conditions applicable to each and any award granted under the Plan, even when issued to the same Participant, and there is no obligation that the awards made with respect to any CyrusOne Tax Year must contain the same terms and conditions for all Participants or any group of Participants.

3.4 Board Approval Needed for CEO Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section 3, any award set by the Committee for issuance to the Key Employee who is the CEO must be approved by the Board in order to become effective.

4. Class of Key Employees Eligible for Plan . Awards may be granted under the Plan to, and only to, Key Employees. As is indicated in section 3 hereof, the specific Key Employees to whom awards will be granted under the Plan, and who thereby will be Participants under the Plan, shall be chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5. Awards .

5.1 CyrusOne Tax Year Awards . Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time while the Plan is in effect by the Committee to any Key Employee or Key Employees (with any person who, as a Key Employee, is granted an award under the Plan being referred to herein as a Participant). Any award granted under the Plan to a Participant shall be made with respect to a specific CyrusOne Tax Year (for all purposes of the Plan, the award’s “Award Year”) and shall be composed of one or more parts. The grant of any award under the Plan to a Participant with respect to any CyrusOne Tax Year shall not entitle the Participant to an award for any subsequent CyrusOne Tax Year.

5.2 Award Parts and Payment of Award Amount .

(a) As is indicated in subsection 5.1 hereof, any award granted under the Plan to a Participant shall be composed of one or more parts. Each part of an award granted under the Plan to a Participant shall be referred to herein, for all purposes of the Plan, as an “award part” and shall, subject to the following subsections of this section 5 and the provisions of section 8 hereof, provide for an

 

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amount to be paid to the Participant if and only if either Company performance goals or individual performance goals are determined to have been met in accordance with rules described in the following subsections of this section 5 and in sections 6 and 7 hereof.

(b) Further, subject to the following subsections of this section 5 and the provisions of section 7 and subsection 14.1 hereof, the total amount to be paid by reason of any award granted to a Participant under the Plan shall equal the sum of the amounts, if any, payable under each award part of the award and shall be paid in a lump sum, in cash or in equity-based awards, as determined by the Committee, to the Participant after the end of the award’s Award Year but no later than the 15 th day of the third month of the CyrusOne Tax Year that next follows the award’s Award Year. Any equity-based awards granted to the Participant in payment of any award granted under the Plan shall be subject to the terms of the CyrusOne 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (or any successor plan) and any applicable award agreement evidencing such equity-based awards. With respect to any award granted under the plan that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the equivalent value of any equity-based awards shall be determined in accordance with a methodology specified by the Committee within the first 90 days of the relevant Award Year (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code).

5.3 Determination of Amount Payable under Award .

(a) Any award granted under the Plan to a Participant shall indicate a target payment amount (for all purposes of the Plan, the award’s “Target”) and assign a percent of the award’s Target to each award part of the award (with the percent of the award’s Target so assigned to any such award part being referred to herein, for all purposes of the Plan, as such award part’s “Target Share”).

(b) Subject to the other provisions of this section 5, the amount payable under an award that relates to any award part of the award shall be equal to such award part’s Target Share if certain (or a certain level) of the Company performance goals or the individual performance goals (as the case may be) applicable to the award part are determined to be met and may also specify a payment amount more or less than such Target Share if additional or fewer (or if a higher or lower level) of the performance goals applicable to the award part are determined to be met.

5.4 Discretion To Reduce Award Amount .

(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing subsections of this section 5 and with respect to any award granted under the Plan to a Participant, the Committee (or, when the award was granted to the CEO, the Board) may, prior to any payment being made under the award and in its sole and unrestricted discretion and for any reason (including its determination of the Participant’s performance of his or her duties for the Company), reduce the amount that is otherwise payable under the award by reason of any award part of the award that determines an amount payable based on satisfaction of Company performance goals.

(b) The Committee (or, when the applicable award is granted to the CEO, the Board) may set, in the terms of an award granted under the Plan to a Participant, a limit on the reduction that can be made under this subsection 5.4 to the amount otherwise

 

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payable under the award by reason of any award part that determines an amount payable based on satisfaction of Company performance goals.

(c) Except as otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, the discretion granted the Committee (or, if applicable, the Board) under this subsection 5.4 shall not in any manner allow it to, with respect to any award or award part that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, (i) grant or provide payment in respect of any award part that determines an amount payable based on satisfaction of Company performance goals if the performance criteria identified in subsection 6.1 hereof that is used to determine the performance goals for such performance period have not been attained, (ii) increase the amount that would otherwise be payable under any award granted under the Plan by reason of any award part that determines an amount payable based on satisfaction of Company performance goals after the first 90 days of the performance period (or, if shorter, the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) or (iii) increase the amount of any award part that determines an amount payable based on satisfaction of Company performance goals above the maximum amount payable under subsection 5.7 hereof.

5.5 Effect on Award Amount of Mid-Year Eligibility, Retirement, Death, Disability, or Leave of Absence . Notwithstanding the foregoing subsections of this section 5, if a situation that is described in any of the following paragraphs of this subsection 5.5 applies to a Participant to whom an award is granted under the Plan, then the amount that is payable under the award shall be deemed to be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the amount that would otherwise be payable under the award based on all of the foregoing subsections of this section 5 (without regard to the provisions of this subsection 5.5) by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the difference between the total number of days in the award’s Award Year and the number of days that are to be excluded from such fraction’s numerator pursuant to whichever of the following paragraphs of this subsection 5.5 are applicable to the Participant and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such Award Year.

(a) If the Participant becomes a Key Employee during but after the first day of the award’s Award Year, and/or if the Participant ceases to be a Key Employee during but prior to the last day of the award’s Award Year because of his or her retirement or death, then the numerator of the fraction referred to above shall exclude the number of the days in such Award Year on which the Participant is not a Key Employee. For all purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s “retirement” shall be deemed to have occurred only if the Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company after either (i) both attaining age 60 and completing at least ten years of continuous service as an employee with the Company or (ii) completing at least 30 years of continuous service as an employee with the Company.

(b) If the Participant receives disability benefits under the Company’s Sickness and Accident Disability Benefits Plan or any similar type of disability plan for more than three months of the award’s Award Year, the numerator of the fraction referred to above shall exclude the number of the days in the period of such Award Year for which disability benefits are payable to the Participant under such plan.

(c) If the Participant is on a leave of absence (approved by the Company) for more than three months of the award’s Award Year, the numerator of the fraction referred to above shall exclude the number of the days in such Award Year on which the Participant is on such leave of absence.

 

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5.6 Employment Requirements for Receipt of Award Amount . Notwithstanding the foregoing subsections of this section 5, a Participant to whom an award has been granted under the Plan shall not in any event be entitled to receive any amount by reason of the award unless he or she both:

(a) either (i) is an employee of the Company on the last day of the award’s Award Year or (ii) had his or her employment with the Company end during such Award Year because of his or her disability (for which the Participant will be entitled to receive or has received disability benefits under the Company’s Sickness and Accident Disability Benefits Plan or any similar type of disability plan), his or her retirement (as defined in subsection 5.5(a) hereof), or his or her death; and

(b) has had at least three months of active service for the Company during the award’s Award Year (not including any time the Participant was absent from active service during such Award Year by reason of any leave of absence or for any other reason, including an absence on account of disability).

5.7 Maximum Amount of Award . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the amount payable to a Participant by reason of any award (including all of its award parts) that is granted to the Participant under the Plan with respect to any CyrusOne Tax Year shall not in any event exceed $3,000,000.

5.8 Award Agreements . Each award granted under the Plan to a Participant (and the terms of such award) may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee determines, including but not limited to written resolutions of the Committee or an agreement, notice, or similar document that is provided in any manner to the Participant.

6. Company Performance Goals .

6.1 Criteria for Company Performance Goals . To the extent the meeting of “Company performance goals” set by the Committee may be a condition to an amount being determined with respect to an award part of an award granted under the Plan, the performance goals applicable to such award shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion, provided that if such award or award part is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall base such Company performance goals on, and only on, one or more of the following criteria applicable to the Company:

(a) free cash flow (defined as cash generated by operating activities, minus capital expenditures and other investing activities, dividend payments and proceeds from the issuance of equity securities, and proceeds from the sale of assets);

(b) operating cash flow;

(c) cash available for distribution;

 

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(d) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization;

(e) earnings per share;

(f) funds from operations;

(g) adjusted funds from operations;

(h) operating efficiency;

(i) operating income;

(j) total shareholder returns;

(k) profit targets;

(l) revenue targets;

(m) profitability targets as measured by return ratios;

(n) working capital;

(o) market share (in the aggregate or by segment);

(p) portfolio and regional occupancy rates;

(q) net income;

(r) return on investment or capital;

(s) return on assets;

(t) return on equity;

(u) return on sales;

(v) return on development;

(w) level or amount of acquisitions.

6.2 Method By Which Performance Criteria Can Be Measured .

(a) Any performance criteria identified in subsection 6.1 hereof that is used to determine the Company performance goals applicable to an award part of an award granted under the Plan shall be measured or determined on the basis of the award’s Award Year, shall be set by the Committee either prior to the start of such year or within its first 90 days (provided that the performance criteria is not in any event set after 25% or more of the applicable Award Year has elapsed) and shall be criteria that will be able to be objectively determined by the Committee.

(b) Further, the Committee may provide in the terms of an award granted under the Plan that any factor used to help determine any performance criteria identified in subsection 6.1 hereof shall be taken into account only to the extent it exceeds or, conversely, is less than a certain amount. The Committee may also provide in the terms of an award granted under the Plan that, in

 

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determining whether any performance criteria identified in subsection 6.1 hereof has been attained, certain special or technical factors shall be ignored or, conversely, taken into account, in whole or in part, including but not limited to any one or more of the following factors:

(1) a gain, loss, income, or expense resulting from changes in generally accepted accounting principles that become effective during the award’s Award Year;

(2) a gain, loss, income, or expense that is extraordinary in nature;

(3) an impact of other specified nonrecurring events;

(4) a gain or loss resulting from, and the direct expense incurred in connection with, the disposition of a business, in whole or in part, the sale of investments or non-core assets, or discontinued operations, categories, or segments of businesses;

(5) a gain or loss from claims and/or litigation and insurance recoveries relating to claims or litigation;

(6) an impact of impairment of tangible or intangible assets;

(7) an impact of restructuring activities, including, without limitation, reductions in force;

(8) an impact of investments or acquisitions made during the applicable Award Year;

(9) a loss from political and legal changes that impact operations, as a consequence of war, insurrection, riot, terrorism, confiscation, expropriation, nationalization, deprivation, seizure, business interruption, or regulatory requirements;

(10) retained and uninsured losses from natural catastrophes;

(11) currency fluctuations;

(12) an expense relating to the issuance of stock options and/or other stock-based compensation;

(13) an expense relating to the early retirement of debt; and/or

(14) an impact of the conversion of convertible debt securities.

Each of the adjustments described in this paragraph (b) shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards, unless another objective method of measurement is designated by the Committee.

(c) In addition, any performance criteria identified in subsection 6.1 hereof, and any adjustment in the factors identified in paragraph (b) of this subsection 6.2 that are used to determine any such performance criteria, may: (i) be measured or determined for CyrusOne, for any organization other than CyrusOne that is part of the Company, for the entire Company in the aggregate, or for any

 

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group of corporations or organizations that are included in the Company; and (ii) be measured and determined in an absolute sense and/or in comparison to the analogous performance criteria of other publicly traded companies (that are selected for such comparison purposes by the Committee).

6.3 Verification That Company Performance Goals Are Met . In order for any amount to become payable under the Plan when such amount is attributable to an award part of an award granted under the Plan that required the meeting of any Company performance goals, the Committee shall and must verify that such Company performance goals have been met by the latest date by which such amount must be paid under the other provisions of the Plan.

6.4 Award Parts Intended To Constitute Performance-Based Compensation . To the extent any amount that becomes payable under an award granted under the Plan is attributable to an award part of such award the payment of which is subject solely to the achievement of Company performance goals and that otherwise meets the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(c) of the Code and the applicable regulations thereunder, such amount is intended to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation,” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(c) as issued under Code Section 162(m), and thereby, to be able to be deductible by the Company for Federal income tax purposes without regard to the deduction limits of Section 162(m)(1) of the Code.

7. Individual Performance Goals . To the extent the meeting of “individual performance goals” may be a condition to an amount being determined with respect to an award part of an award granted under the Plan to a Participant, the Committee may base such individual performance goals on any criteria it determines is appropriate for judging the performance of the Participant in fulfilling his or her duties for the Company. Such individual performance goals may be set at any time by the Committee, including after the end of the Award Year applicable to the award, and can be criteria that is either objectively or subjectively determinable by the Committee. When the applicable award is issued to the CEO, the Board shall have final approval as to the determination of whether the CEO has met any such individual performance goals. For the avoidance of doubt, any award part, the payment of which is subject to the meeting of individual performance goals, is not intended to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

8. Beneficiary Rules .

8.1 Payment to Beneficiary . Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of the Plan, if a Participant is entitled to receive a payment under any award granted to him or her under the Plan by reason of the foregoing provisions of the Plan, but he or she dies before such payment is made to him or her, then such payment shall be made to the Participant’s beneficiary (as determined under the provisions of subsection 8.2 hereof) at the same time as such payment would be made if the Participant had not died. No beneficiary of a Participant shall be entitled to any amount under the Plan that is greater than the amount to which the Participant is entitled under the foregoing provisions of the Plan.

8.2 Beneficiary Designation . For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s “beneficiary” shall mean the person(s), trust(s), and/or other entity(ies) whom or which the Participant designates as his or her beneficiary for the purposes of the Plan in any writing or form

 

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which is signed by the Participant and acceptable to the Committee, provided that such writing or form is filed with the Committee prior to the Participant’s death. The determination of a Participant’s beneficiary under the Plan shall also be subject to the following paragraphs of this subsection 8.2.

(a) If the Participant names more than one person, trust, and/or other entity as part of his or her beneficiary with respect to the Plan, each person, trust, and other entity designated as part of the Participant’s beneficiary shall be entitled to an equal share of any amount payable to the Participant’s beneficiary under any award granted under the Plan (unless the Participant otherwise designates in the writing or form by which he or she names his or her beneficiary for purposes of the Plan).

(b) The Participant may revoke or change his or her beneficiary designation by signing and filing with the Committee at any time prior to his or her death a new writing or form acceptable to the Committee.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 8.2, if no beneficiary designation of the Participant has been filed with the Committee prior to his or her death, or if the Committee in good faith determines either that any beneficiary designation made by the Participant prior to his or her death is for any reason not valid or enforceable under applicable law or that there is a valid question as to the legal right of the designated beneficiary to receive the applicable payment, then the applicable payment shall be paid to the estate of the Participant (in which case none of the Company, the Committee, or any of their personnel, agents, or representatives shall have any further liability to anyone with respect to such payment).

9. Nonassignability of Awards . Except as may be required by applicable law, no award granted under the Plan or any part thereof may be assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by designation of a beneficiary under the provisions of section 8 hereof.

10. Provisions Upon Change in Control .

10.1 Effect of Change in Control on Awards . In the event a Change in Control occurs on or after the Effective Date, then, unless otherwise prescribed by the Committee in the terms of an applicable award, the following paragraphs of this subsection 10.1 shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary.

(a) The amount payable under any award that was granted under the Plan with respect to the CyrusOne Tax Year that immediately precedes the CyrusOne Tax Year in which the Change in Control occurs shall, if such amount has not yet been paid (or if such amount has not been determined) by the date of the Change in Control, be paid within five business days after the date of such Change in Control (and, if the amount of such award has not yet been determined by the date of the Change in Control, its amount shall be deemed to be equal to the award’s Target).

(b) A pro rata portion of any award granted under the Plan with respect to the CyrusOne Tax Year in which the Change in Control occurs shall be paid within five business days after the date of the Change in Control, with the pro rata portion of such award

 

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being deemed to be equal to such award’s Target multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall equal the number of full and partial months (including the month in which the Change in Control occurs) since the first day of the CyrusOne Tax Year in which the Change in Control occurs and the denominator of which shall equal the number of months in such CyrusOne Tax Year.

10.2 Definition of Change in Control . For purposes of the Plan, a “Change in Control” shall, with respect to any award granted under the Plan, have the meaning set forth in the terms of the award (provided, however, that, except in the case of a transaction similar to the transaction described in paragraph (d) of this subsection 10.2, any such specified Change in Control shall not occur until the consummation or effectiveness of the event or transaction that is identified in the award as a Change in Control, rather than upon the announcement, commencement, shareholder approval, or other potential occurrence of the event or transaction that, if completed, would result in the Change in Control); except that, if there is no definition of a Change in Control set forth in the terms of the award, then “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any one of the events described in the following paragraphs of this subsection 10.2.

(a) A majority of the Board as of any date not being composed of Incumbent Directors. For purposes of this subsection 10.2, as of any date, the term “Incumbent Director” means any individual who is a director of CyrusOne as of such date and either: (i) who was a director of CyrusOne at the beginning of the 24-consecutive-month period ending on such date; or (ii) who became a CyrusOne director subsequent to the beginning of such 24-consecutive-month period and whose appointment, election, or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the CyrusOne directors who were, as of the date of such vote, Incumbent Directors (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of CyrusOne in which such person is named as a nominee for director). It is provided, however, that no individual initially appointed, elected, or nominated as a director of CyrusOne as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board or Cincinnati Bell Inc. or any of its affiliates shall ever be deemed to be an Incumbent Director.

(b) Any “person,” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, being or becoming “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of CyrusOne representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of CyrusOne’s then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (for purposes of this subsection 10.2, the “CyrusOne Voting Securities”). It is provided, however, that the event described in this paragraph (b) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control if such event results from any of the following: (i) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by the Company, (ii) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company, (iii) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by any underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iv) a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in paragraph (c) of this subsection 10.2), (v) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of CyrusOne in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the CyrusOne Voting Securities or (vi) the acquisition of any CyrusOne Voting Securities by Cincinnati Bell Inc. or any of its affiliates.

 

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(c) The consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (for purposes of this paragraph (c), a “Reorganization”) or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to an entity that is not an affiliate of the Company (for purposes of this paragraph (c), a “Sale”), that in each case requires the approval of CyrusOne’s shareholders under the law of CyrusOne’s jurisdiction of organization, whether for such Reorganization or Sale (or the issuance of securities of CyrusOne in such Reorganization or Sale), unless immediately following such Reorganization or Sale:

(1) more than 60% of the total voting power (in respect of the election of directors, or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of (i) the entity resulting from such Reorganization or the entity which has acquired all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (for purposes of this paragraph (c) and in either case, the “Surviving Entity”), or (ii) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power (in respect of the election of directors, or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Entity (for purposes of this paragraph (c), the “Parent Entity”), is represented by CyrusOne Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which such CyrusOne Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Reorganization or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of such CyrusOne Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Reorganization or Sale;

(2) no person (other than (i) any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Entity or the Parent Entity or the related trust of any such plan or (ii) Cincinnati Bell Inc. or any of its affiliates) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the total voting power (in respect of the election of directors, or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the outstanding voting securities of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity); and

(3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar officials in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity) following the consummation of the Reorganization or Sale were, at the time of the approval by the Board of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Reorganization or Sale, Incumbent Directors (any Reorganization or Sale which satisfies all of the criteria specified in subparagraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this paragraph (c) being deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying Transaction” for purposes of this subsection 10.2).

(d) The shareholders of CyrusOne approving a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of CyrusOne unless such liquidation or dissolution is a Non-Qualifying Transaction.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 20% of the CyrusOne Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of CyrusOne Voting Securities by CyrusOne which reduces the number of CyrusOne Voting Securities outstanding; provided that, if after such acquisition by CyrusOne such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional CyrusOne Voting Securities that increases the percentage of outstanding CyrusOne Voting Securities beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then occur.

11. Adjustments . The Committee shall be authorized to correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any award granted under the Plan in the manner and to the extent it shall determine is needed to reflect the intended provisions of the Plan or that award or to meet any law that is applicable to the Plan (or the provisions of any law which must be met in order for the normal tax consequences of the award to apply).

12. Withholding . The Company shall retain from the payment of any award granted under the Plan a sufficient amount of cash applicable to the award to satisfy all withholding tax obligations that apply to the payment.

13. Amendment or Termination of Plan .

13.1 Right of Board To Amend or Terminate Plan . Subject to the provisions of subsection 1.3(b) hereof but notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the Board may amend or terminate the Plan or any portion or provision thereof at any time, provided that no such action shall materially impair the rights of a Participant with respect to a previously granted Plan award without the Participant’s consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may not in any event, without the approval of CyrusOne’s shareholders, adopt an amendment to the Plan which shall make any change in the Plan that is required by applicable law to be approved by CyrusOne’s shareholders in order to be effective.

13.2 Rules When Shareholder Approval for Amendment Is Required . If approval of CyrusOne’s shareholders is required to a Plan amendment pursuant to the provisions of subsection 13.1 hereof, then such approval must comply with all applicable provisions of CyrusOne’s corporate charter, bylaws and regulations and any applicable state law. If the applicable state law fails to prescribe a method and degree in such cases, then such approval must be made by a method and degree that would be treated as adequate under applicable state law in the case of an action requiring shareholder approval of an amendment to the Plan.

13.3 Right of Committee to Amend Awards . The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any award granted under the Plan, prospectively or retroactively; provided that, except as set forth in the Plan, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the terms of such award, no such action shall materially impair the rights of any Participant with respect to a previously granted Plan award without the Participant’s consent.

14. Miscellaneous .

14.1 Deferrals of Award Payments . The Committee may, in its discretion and if performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of an award granted under the Plan or of any plan maintained by CyrusOne, permit Participants to elect to defer the payment otherwise required under all or part of any award granted under the Plan. Such deferral shall not be permitted by the Committee unless such deferral terms and conditions meet all of the conditions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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14.2 No Right To Employment . Nothing contained in the Plan or any award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant any right to be continued in the employment of the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time and in the same manner as though the Plan and any awards granted under the Plan were not in effect.

14.3 No Advance Funding of Plan Benefits . All payments required to be made under awards granted under the Plan shall be made by the Company out of its general assets. In this regard, the Plan shall not be funded and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets to reflect any awards granted under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any award granted under the Plan shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations that apply to such award, and no such liability shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of or other lien or encumbrance on any property of the Company.

14.4 Plan Benefits Generally Not Part of Compensation for Other Company Benefit Plans . Any payments or other benefits provided to a Participant with respect to an award granted under the Plan shall not be deemed a part of the Participant’s compensation for purposes of any termination or severance pay plan, or any other pension, profit sharing, or other benefit plan, of the Company unless such plan expressly or clearly indicates that the payments or other benefits provided under an award granted under the Plan shall be considered part of the Participant’s compensation for purposes of such plan or unless applicable law otherwise requires.

14.5 Recoupment of Awards . Any written agreement containing the terms and conditions of awards made under the Plan may (i) provide for recoupment by the Company of all or any portion of an award if the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated due to noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the Federal securities laws or (ii) include restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-disparagement and confidentiality conditions or restrictions, that the Participant must comply with during employment or service by the Company or for a specified period thereafter as a condition to the Participant’s receipt or retention of all or any portion of an award. This subsection 14.5 shall not be the Company’s exclusive remedy with respect to such matters.

14.6 Section 409A .

(a) It is intended that the provisions of the Plan comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.

(b) No Participant or the creditors or beneficiaries of a Participant shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under the Plan to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to any Participant or for the benefit of any Participant under the Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by any such Participant to the Company or any of its affiliates.

 

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(c) If, at the time of a Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (A) such Participant shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (B) the Company shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable pursuant to an Award constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead pay it on the first business day after such six-month period. Such amount shall be paid without interest, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or as otherwise provided in any applicable employment agreement between the Company and the relevant Participant.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company reserves the right to make amendments to any award as the Company deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. In any case, a Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on such Participant or for such Participant’s account in connection with an award (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.

14.7 Applicable Law . Except to the extent preempted by any applicable Federal law, the Plan shall be subject to and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

14.8 Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or award, or would disqualify the Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or award and the remainder of the Plan and any such award shall remain in full force and effect.

14.9 Counterparts and Headings . The Plan may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. The counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument, which shall be sufficiently evidenced by any one thereof. Headings used throughout the Plan are for convenience only and shall not be given legal significance.

 

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EXHIBIT 21.1

Subsidiaries of CyrusOne Inc.

 

Name                                                                     State or Country of Incorporation or Formation
CyrusOne GP    Maryland
CyrusOne LP    Maryland
CyrusOne Finance Corp.    Maryland
CyrusOne LLC    Delaware
CyrusOne TRS Inc.    Delaware
Cyrus One Foreign Holdings LLC    Delaware
Cyrus One UK Holdco LLP    United Kingdom
Cyrus One UK Limited    United Kingdom
CyrusOne Centro De Dados Do Brasil LTDA    Brazil