UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of August 2013

Commission File Number: 000-51469

 

 

BAIDU, INC.

 

 

Baidu Campus

No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street

Haidian District, Beijing 100085

The People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F   x             Form  40-F   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):   ¨

 

 

 


This report on Form 6-K shall be incorporated by reference into the registration statement on Form F-3, as amended (File No. 333-184757), and be a part thereof from the date on which this report is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit 4.5 –   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 6, 2013, between Baidu, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon
Exhibit 4.6 –   Form of 3.250% Notes due 2018 (included as Exhibit A in Exhibit 4.5)
Exhibit 5.1 –   Opinion of Maples and Calder
Exhibit 5.2 –   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Exhibit 23.1 –   Consent of Maples and Calder (included as part of Exhibit 5.1)
Exhibit 23.2 –   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meager & Flom LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.2)


SIGNATURES

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

 

BAIDU, INC.
By:   /s/ Robin Yanhong Li

Name:

  Robin Yanhong Li

Title:

  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 6, 2013

Exhibit 4.5

 

 

 

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of

August 6 , 201 3

Between

BAIDU, INC.

as Company

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

as Trustee

 

 

US$1,000,000,000 3.250 % NOTES DUE 20 18

 

 

 


SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of August 6, 2013 between Baidu, Inc., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee executed and delivered an Indenture dated as of November 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”) to provide for the issuance of debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series (such Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Second Supplemental Indenture, herein referred to as the “ Indenture ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of US$$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.250% Notes due 2018 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Second Supplemental Indenture pursuant to Section 14.01 of the Base Indenture to establish the terms and the form of the Notes in accordance with Sections 2.01, 3.01 and 3.03 of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Second Supplemental Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Notes, each party agrees and covenants as follows:

ARTICLE I

SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Scope . The changes, modifications and supplements to the Base Indenture effected by this Second Supplemental Indenture shall be applicable only with respect to, and govern the terms of, the Notes and shall not apply to any other series of Securities that may be issued under the Base Indenture unless a supplemental indenture with respect to such other series of Securities specifically incorporates such changes, modifications and supplements.

Section 1.02 Definitions .

(a) Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Base Indenture.

(b) As used herein, the following additional defined terms shall have the following meanings with respect to the Notes only and be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of any of the terms herein defined:

Additional Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(c).


Base Indenture ” has the meaning provided in the recitals hereof.

BNY Mellon Group ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.07.

Change of Control ” means:

(i) any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent entities (or their successors by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of their assets) than the Permitted Holders;

(ii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, unless the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, immediately prior to such transaction, hold securities of the surviving or transferee Person that represent, immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person;

(iii) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and its Controlled Entities, taken together as a whole, to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than transactions with one or more Permitted Holders;

(iv) the Permitted Holders in the aggregate cease to own more than 30% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

(v) the adoption by the shareholders of the Company of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(vi) (A) any change in or amendment to the laws, regulations and rules of the PRC or the official interpretation or official application thereof (“ Change in Law ”) that results in (1) the Group (as in existence immediately subsequent to such Change in Law), as a whole, being legally prohibited from operating substantially all of the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) as of the last date of the period described in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the most recent fiscal quarter and (2) the Company being unable to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) in the same manner as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the most recent fiscal quarter and (B) the Company has not furnished to the Trustee, prior to the date that is twelve months after the date of the Change in Law, an opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor or an Independent Legal Counsel stating either (1) the Company is able to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law), taken as a whole, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the most recent fiscal quarter (including after giving effect to any corporate restructuring or reorganization plan of the Company) or (2) such Change in Law would not materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to make principal and interest payments on the Notes when due.

 

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Change of Control Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

Change of Control Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

Change of Control Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a).

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

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date pursuant to Section 2.02, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all quotations obtained.

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York.

Group ” means the Company and its Controlled Entities.

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

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

Initial Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(c).

Lien ” means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other form of encumbrance or security interest.

Make Whole Amount ” means an amount determined on the fifth Business Day before the Redemption Date pursuant to Section 2.02 that is equal to the sum of (i) the present value of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, assuming a scheduled repayment thereof on the date of Stated Maturity for payment of principal on such Notes, plus (ii) the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of interest to and including such date of Stated Maturity for payment of principal on such Notes, discounted to such Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of an incomplete month, the actual number of days elapsed) at the Treasury Yield plus 20 basis points.

 

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Notes ” has the meaning provided in the recitals hereof and Section 2.01(c).

Permitted Holders ” means Robin Yanhong Li and any Affiliate of Robin Yanhong Li; in the event the Company merges into a Controlled Entity of the Company (“ Merger Sub ”) that (x) is a shell corporation, (y) is incorporated specifically for the purpose of a merger with the Company and (z) is a Controlled Entity directly owned by another Controlled Entity of the Company that is directly owned by the Company (“ Topco ”), with Topco owning no assets other than holding the Capital Stock of Merger Sub, then, upon completion of such merger, Topco will be a Permitted Holder so long as the ultimate beneficial ownership of the Company has not been modified by such transaction. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of the Indenture (or would result in a Change of Control Offer in the absence of the waiver of such requirement by Holders in accordance with the Indenture) will thereafter constitute additional Permitted Holders.

Prospectus Supplement ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated July 30, 2013, or the prospectus supplement, dated July 30, 2013, relating to the offering of the Notes.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means each of any three investment banks of recognized standing that is a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States, selected by the Company in good faith.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date pursuant to Section 2.02, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth Business Day before such Redemption Date.

Relevant Indebtedness ” means any indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented or evidenced by, bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or other securities which for the time being are, or are intended to be or are commonly, quoted, listed or dealt in or traded on any stock exchange or over-the-counter or other securities market.

Second Supplemental Indenture ” means this instrument.

 

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Treasury Yield ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date pursuant to Section 2.02, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the fifth Business Day before such Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

Section 1.03 Rules of Construction . For all purposes of this Second Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) The words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereunder ” and other words of similar import refer to this Second Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

(b) References to “ Article ” or “ Section ” or other subdivision herein are references to an Article, Section or other subdivision of this Second Supplemental Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.

(c) References to any agreement, instrument, statute or regulation defined or referred to herein or in any instrument establishing the terms of the Notes (or executed in connection therewith) are references to such agreement, instrument, statute or regulation as from time to time amended, modified, supplemented or replaced, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and by succession of comparable successor agreements, instruments, statutes or regulations.

ARTICLE II

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Terms of the Notes . The Notes are hereby created and designated as a separate series of Securities under the Base Indenture. The following terms relate to the Notes:

(a) The Notes shall constitute a separate series of Securities under the Base Indenture having the title “3.250% Notes due 2018.”

(b) The Notes shall be issued at a price of 99.835% of the principal amount thereof, other than any offering discounts pursuant to the initial offering and resale of the Notes.

(c) The aggregate principal amount of the Notes (the “ Initial Notes ”) that may be initially authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be US$1,000,000,000. The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, issue additional Notes (in any such case “ Additional Notes ”) having the same terms and conditions as the Initial Notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the Issue Date, the issue price or the first Interest Payment Date). Any Additional Notes and the Initial Notes shall constitute a single series under the Indenture, provided that if such Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes shall not have the same CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number as the Initial Notes. All references to the “ Notes ” shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes unless the context otherwise requires. The aggregate principal amount of each of the Additional Notes shall be unlimited.

 

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(d) The entire outstanding principal of the Notes shall be payable on August 6, 2018.

(e) The rate at which the Notes shall bear interest shall be 3.250% per year. The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be August 6, 2013, or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for. The Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be February 6 and August 6 of each year, beginning February 6, 2014. Interest shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date to the Holders of record at the close of business on the January 22 and July 22 prior to each Interest Payment Date. The basis upon which interest shall be calculated shall be that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

(f) The Notes shall be issuable in whole in the form of one or more registered Global Securities, and the Depositary for such Global Securities shall be DTC. The Notes shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms of which are herein incorporated by reference. The Notes shall be denominated in U.S. Dollars and shall be issuable in minimum denominations of US$200,000 or any integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

(g) The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to the date of Stated Maturity for payment of principal on the Notes, as provided in Section 2.02.

(h) The Notes will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

(i) Except as provided herein, the Holders of the Notes shall have no special rights in addition to those provided in the Base Indenture upon the occurrence of any particular events.

(j) The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank at least equal in right of payment to all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations (subject to any priority rights pursuant to applicable law).

(k) The restrictive covenants set forth in Sections 2.03 and 2.04 shall be applicable to the Notes.

Section 2.02 Optional Redemption .

(a) The provisions of Article IV of the Base Indenture, as amended by the provisions of this Second Supplemental Indenture, shall apply to the Notes.

(b) The Company may, at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to Holders of the Notes (which notice shall be irrevocable), redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption amount equal to the greater of (x) 100% of the principal amount of such Notes to be redeemed and (y) the Make Whole Amount, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided that the principal amount of a Note remaining outstanding after redemption in part shall be US$200,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

 

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(c) If the Redemption Date pursuant to this Section 2.02 is on or after the relevant Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date.

(d) The Company or any of its Controlled Entities may, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, at any time purchase the Notes in the open market or otherwise at any price, so long as such purchase does not otherwise violate the terms of the Indenture. The Notes that the Company or its Affiliates purchase may, in the discretion of the Company, be held, resold or canceled, but will only be resold in compliance with applicable requirements or exemptions under the relevant securities laws.

Section 2.03 Limitation on Liens . The following additional covenant shall apply with respect to the Notes so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding:

(a) Subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 2.03(b) below, the Company will not create or have outstanding, and the Company will ensure that none of its Principal Controlled Entities will create or have outstanding, any Lien upon the whole or any part of their respective present or future undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital) securing any Relevant Indebtedness, or any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness either of the Company or of any of its Principal Controlled Entities, without (x) at the same time or prior thereto securing the Notes equally and ratably therewith or (y) providing such other security for the Notes as shall be approved by an act of the Holders of such Notes holding at least a majority of the principal amount of the Notes then Outstanding.

(b) The restriction set forth in Section 2.03(a) above will not apply to:

(i) any Lien arising or already arisen automatically by operation of law which is timely discharged or disputed in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(ii) any Lien in respect of the obligations of any Person which becomes a Principal Controlled Entity or which merges with or into the Company or a Principal Controlled Entity after the date hereof which is in existence at the date on which it becomes a Principal Controlled Entity or merges with or into the Company or a Principal Controlled Entity; provided that any such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of such acquisition or of such Person becoming a Principal Controlled Entity or being merged with or into the Company or a Principal Controlled Entity;

(iii) any Lien created or outstanding in favor of the Company;

 

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(iv) any Lien in respect of Relevant Indebtedness of the Company or any Principal Controlled Entity with respect to which the Company or such Principal Controlled Entity has paid money or deposited money or securities with a fiscal agent, trustee or depositary to pay or discharge in full the obligations of the Company or such Principal Controlled Entity in respect thereof (other than the obligation that such money or securities so paid or deposited, and the proceeds therefrom, be sufficient to pay or discharge such obligations in full); or

(v) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Relevant Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by the foregoing clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(b); provided that such Relevant Indebtedness is not increased beyond the principal amount thereof (together with the costs of such refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding) and is not secured by any additional property or assets.

Section 2.04 Repurchase Upon Change of Control . The following additional covenant shall apply with respect to the Notes so long as any of the Notes remain outstanding:

(a) If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof or Section 4.07 of the Base Indenture, the Company shall make an offer to repurchase all or, at the Holder’s option, any part (equal to US$200,000 or multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “ Change of Control Offer ”), at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Payment ”) (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant Section 2.02 hereof or Section 4.07 of the Base Indenture, the Company will mail a notice of such Change of Control Offer to each Holder or otherwise give notice in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC, with a copy to the Trustee, stating:

(i) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 2.04, including a description of the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control, and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for purchase by the Company at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

(ii) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”); and

(iii) that Notes must be tendered in amounts of US$200,000 or multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, and any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

 

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(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on and after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(v) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the Paying Agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(vi) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Company to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives at the address specified in the notice, not later than the close of business on the 30th day following the date of the Change of Control notice, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(vii) that if a Holder is tendering less than all of its Notes, such Holder will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to US$200,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof); and

(viii) the other instructions, as determined by the Company consistent with this Section 2.04, that a Holder must follow.

The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (A) the notice is sent in a manner herein provided and (B) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (of US$200,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent, one Business Day prior to the Change of Control Payment Date, an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.04.

 

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(c) The Paying Agent shall promptly mail, to each Holder who properly tendered Notes, the purchase price for such Notes properly tendered, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each such Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of US$200,000 or a multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

(d) If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after the relevant Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest to the Change of Control Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date.

(e) The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In the event that such third party terminates or defaults its offer, the Company will be required to make a Change of Control Offer treating the date of such termination or default as though it were the date of the Change of Control.

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

Section 2.05 Covenant Defeasance . Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 12.03(a) of the Base Indenture of the option applicable to Section 12.03(c) thereof, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 12.03(d) thereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Section 6.04 and Section 6.06 thereof and from its obligations under the covenants contained in Section 2.03 and Section 2.04 of this Second Supplemental Indenture, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 12.03(d) thereof are satisfied.

Section 2.06 Supplemental Indentures .

(a) Section 14.01(h) of the Base Indenture shall be replaced in its entirety by the following with respect to the Notes only:

“to conform the text of this Indenture or any series of the Securities to any provision of the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities” in the Prospectus or of the section entitled “Description of the Notes” in the Prospectus Supplement to the extent that such provision in the Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement, as the case may be, was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or such series of the Securities as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;”

 

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(b) Clause (xi) of Section 14.02(a) of the Base Indenture shall be replaced in its entirety by the following with respect to the Notes only:

“reduce the amount of the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any Security or change the time at which any Security may be redeemed or repurchased as described in Section 4.07 of the Base Indenture or as described in Section 2.02 or 2.04 of the Second Supplemental Indenture, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise (except through amendments to the definition of “ Change of Control ” if applicable).”

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 3.01 Confirmation of Indenture . The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Second Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture, this Second Supplemental Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto with respect to the Notes shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

Section 3.02 Severability . If any provision in this Second Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law, then the remaining provisions in this Second Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be construed as though such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

Section 3.03 Conflicts with Base Indenture . In the event that any provision of this Second Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Base Indenture, such provision of the Second Supplemental Indenture shall prevail.

Section 3.04 Benefits of Indenture . Nothing in this Second Supplemental Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Notes any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Second Supplement Indenture or the Base Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof or thereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements contained herein or therein shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 3.05 Counterparts . This Second Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

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Section 3.06 Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury . This Second Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State (without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof that would permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction).

Section 3.07 Information Sharing . The Company understands that The Bank of New York Mellon is a global financial organization that operates in and provides services and products to clients through affiliates and subsidiaries located in multiple jurisdictions (the “ BNY Mellon Group ”). The Company also understands that the BNY Mellon Group may centralize in one or more affiliates, subsidiaries or unaffiliated service providers certain activities, including audit, accounting, administration, risk management, legal, compliance, sales, marketing, relationship management, and the storage, maintenance, aggregation, processing and analysis of information and data regarding the Company and any accounts maintained by it with the BNY Mellon Group. Consequently, the Company hereby consents and authorizes The Bank of New York Mellon to disclose to other members of the BNY Mellon Group (and their respective officers, directors and employees) on a need-to-know basis information and data regarding the Company and any accounts established pursuant to this Second Supplemental Indenture in connection with the foregoing activities. To the extent that information and data includes personal data encompassed by relevant data protection legislation applicable to the Company, the Company represents and warrants that it is authorized to provide the foregoing consents and authorizations and that the disclosure to The Bank of New York Mellon will comply with the relevant data protection legislation. The Company acknowledges and agrees that information concerning the Company may be disclosed to unaffiliated service providers that the Trustee, where practicable, has previously identified in writing to the Company and who are required in writing to maintain the same level of confidentiality of such information, or when required by law to governmental and regulatory authorities in jurisdictions where the BNY Mellon Group operates.

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

[Signatures on following page]

 

12


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

 

BAIDU, INC.,

as Issuer

By:   /s/ Robin Yanhong Li

Name: Robin Yanhong Li

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee

By:   /s/ Eva Tam
Name: Eva Tam
Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF 3.250% NOTES DUE 2018

FACE OF NOTE

[ For Inclusion in a Global Security only — UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

BAIDU, INC.

3.250% Note Due 2018

PRINCIPAL AMOUNT: US$             

CUSIP: 056752AC2

No.:             

Baidu, Inc., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ,” which term includes any successor thereto under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co, or registered assigns, the principal sum of                      U.S. DOLLARS (US$              ) (or such other principal amount as shall be set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Note attached hereto) on August 6, 2018, or on such earlier date as the principal hereof may become due in accordance with the provisions of this Note.

Interest Rate: 3.250% per annum.

Interest Payment Dates: February 6 and August 6 of each year, commencing on February 6, 2014.

Record Dates: January 22 and July 22.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

 

A-1


This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Baidu, Inc. has caused this Note to be duly executed.

 

BAIDU, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Date of authentication:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


REVERSE OF NOTE

BAIDU, INC.

3.250% Note Due 2018

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debt securities of the Company of the series designated as the “3.250% Notes due 2018” (the “ Notes ”), all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of November 28, 2012 (the “ Base Indenture ”), duly executed and delivered by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “ Trustee ,” which term includes any successor trustee), as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 6, 2013 (the “ Second Supplemental Indenture ”), duly executed and delivered by and between the Company and the Trustee. The Base Indenture as supplemented and amended by the Second Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “ Indenture ”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Indenture.

1. Interest . The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate of 3.250% per annum. The Company will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 6 and August 6 of each year. If a payment date is not a Business Day as defined in the Indenture at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of an incomplete month, the actual number of days elapsed.

2. Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except Defaulted Interest), if any, to the Persons in whose name such Notes are registered at the close of business on the Record Date referred to on the face of this Note immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date, even if any Notes are canceled, repurchased or redeemed on or after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Payment of interest on the Notes shall be made, in the currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, at the Corporate Trust Office or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Register or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

3. Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar . Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, the Trustee, will act as Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar. The Company may change or appoint any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Noteholder. The Company may act in any such capacity.

4. Indenture . The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (“ TIA ”) as in effect on the date the Indenture is qualified. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Noteholders are referred to the Indenture and TIA for a statement of such terms. The Notes are unsecured general obligations of the Company and constitute the series designated on the face of this Note as the “3.250% Notes due 2018,” initially limited to US$1,000,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. The Company will furnish to any Noteholder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Base Indenture and the Second Supplemental Indenture. Requests may be made to: Baidu, Inc., Baidu Campus, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, People’s Republic of China, Attention: Legal Department.

 

A-5


5. Redemption and Repurchase . The Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of a Change of Control Offer, as further described in the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

6. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in the denominations of US$200,000 or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Notes may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by the Company or the Registrar) at the office of the Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

8. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Noteholder may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

9. Amendments, Supplements and Waivers . The Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture. Any consent or waiver by the Noteholders as provided in the Indenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holders and upon all future Noteholders and holders of any security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon the Notes.

10. Defaults and Remedies . The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 7.01 of the Base Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights and obligations of the Company, the Trustee and the Noteholders shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

11. No Recourse Against Others . No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or the Notes, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.

12. Authentication . This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

 

A-6


13. Governing Law . The Base Indenture, the Second Supplemental Indenture and this Note shall be deemed to be contracts made under the law of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of said State (without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof that would permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction).

 

A-7


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

[PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

 

[PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing                                                                                                Attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Issuer, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

  Signature:
Dated:                                                                                  
  NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

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

 

A-8


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Second Supplemental Indenture, check the box below:

¨ Section 2.04

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Second Supplemental Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

US$             

Date:                                  Your Signature:     
     

(Sign exactly as your name appears

on the face of this Note)

    Tax Identification No:     
     

 

Signature Guarantee:
   

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN NOTE*

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

 

Date    Amount of
decrease in
principal
amount of this
Note
   Amount of
increase in
principal
amount of this
Note
   Principal
amount of this
Note following
such decrease
(or increase)
   Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee

 

* Insert in Global Notes.

 

A-10

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

Our ref MCR/302152-000009/5680744v6

Baidu, Inc.

PO Box 309, Ugland House

Grand Cayman

KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

6 August 2013

Dear Sirs

Baidu, Inc.

We have acted as counsel as to Cayman Islands law to Baidu, Inc. (the “ Company ”) in connection with the Company’s registration statement on Form F-3, including all amendments or supplements thereto (the “ Registration Statement ”), to be filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, in one or more series, of debt securities of the Company (the “ Securities ”). Unless otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement to the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement relating to a particular series of Securities, the Securities are to be issued under an indenture to be entered into between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.

We are furnishing this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

 

1 Documents Reviewed

We have reviewed originals, copies, drafts or conformed copies of the following documents:

 

1.1 The certificate of incorporation dated 18 January 2000, the certificate of incorporation on change of name dated 2 January 2009 and the third amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company as registered or adopted on 16 December 2008 (the “ Memorandum and Articles ”).

 

1.2 The written resolutions of the board of directors of the Company dated 29 July 2013 (the “ Resolutions ”) and the corporate records of the Company maintained at its registered office in the Cayman Islands.


1.3 A certificate of good standing with respect to the Company issued by the Registrar of Companies dated 2 August 2013 (the “ Certificate of Good Standing ”).

 

1.4 A certificate from a director of the Company a copy of which is attached to this opinion letter (the “ Director’s Certificate ”).

 

1.5 The Registration Statement.

 

2 Assumptions

The following opinions are given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing and known to us on the date of this opinion letter. These opinions only relate to the laws of the Cayman Islands which are in force on the date of this opinion letter. In giving the following opinions, we have relied (without further verification) upon the completeness and accuracy of the Director’s Certificate and the Certificate of Good Standing. We have also relied upon the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified:

 

2.1 Copies of documents, conformed copies or drafts of documents provided to us are true and complete copies of, or in the final forms of, the originals, and translations of documents provided to us are complete and accurate.

 

2.2 All signatures, initials and seals are genuine.

 

2.3 There is nothing under any law (other than the laws of the Cayman Islands) which would or might affect the opinions set out below.

 

3 Opinions

Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications set out below, and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:

 

3.1 The Company has been duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

3.2 The Securities have been duly authorised. When the Securities have been issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Securities will be validly issued.

 

3.3 The statements under the caption “Taxation” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement, to the extent that they constitute statements of Cayman Islands law, are correct in so far as such statements are summaries of or relate to Cayman Islands law.


4 Qualifications

Except as specifically stated herein, we make no comment with respect to any representation or warranty which may be made by or with respect to the Company in any of the documents or instruments cited in this opinion letter or otherwise with respect to the commercial terms of the transactions the subject of this opinion letter.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our name under the headings “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities”, “Taxation” and “Legal Matters” and elsewhere in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Maples and Calder

Exhibit 5.2

S KADDEN , A RPS , S LATE , M EAGHER  & F LOM LLP

FOUR TIMES SQUARE

NEW YORK 10036-6522

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

August 6, 2013

Baidu, Inc.

Baidu Campus

No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street

Haidian District, Beijing 100085

People’s Republic of China

 

  Re: Baidu, Inc.
       Registration Statement on Form F-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Baidu, Inc., an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), in connection with the public offering of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.250% Notes due 2018 (the “Securities”), issuable under the indenture dated as of November 28, 2012 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 6, 2013, to the Base Indenture (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). On July 30, 2013 the Company entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of the Securities.

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and relied on the following:

 

  (i) the registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-184757) of the Company relating to the Securities and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on November 5, 2012 under the Securities Act allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), including information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations (such registration statement, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

 

  (ii) copies of the global certificates evidencing the Securities, signed by facsimile in the form delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication and delivery (the “Note Certificates”);

 

  (iii) an executed copy of the Indenture; and

 

  (iv) an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement.

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including endorsements, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.


We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York.

The Indenture and the Note Certificates are referred to herein collectively as the “Transaction Agreements.”

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, the Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms under the laws of the State of New York.

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:

(a) the opinions stated herein are limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

(b) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of (i) the compliance or non-compliance of any party to any of the Transaction Agreements with any laws, rules or regulations applicable to such party or (ii) the legal status or legal capacity of any party to any of the Transaction Agreements;

(c) we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Agreements or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

(d) we do not express any opinion with respect to any securities, antifraud, derivatives or commodities laws, rules or regulations or Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

(e) except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Agreements constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Agreement, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms;

(f) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Agreement relating to any indemnification, contribution, exculpation, release or waiver that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations;

(g) to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Agreement, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402, and (ii) principles of comity or constitutionality;

(h) we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Agreement providing for indemnity by any party thereto against any loss in obtaining the currency due to such party under any Transaction Agreement from a court judgment in another currency;

(i) we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Agreement concerning personal jurisdiction over them, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Agreement;

(j) we call to your attention that the opinions stated herein are subject to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or laws of jurisdictions other than those with respect to which we express our opinion; and

(k) we call to your attention that under Section 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law an action may be maintained by or against a foreign corporation, a non-resident or a foreign state.

 

2


In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that:

(a) the Company (i) is duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing, (ii) has requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Agreements;

(b) the Company has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under each of the Transaction Agreements;

(c) each of the Transaction Agreements has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company;

(d) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Agreements nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance and sale of the Securities: (i) conflicts or will conflict with the organizational documents of the Company, (ii) constitutes or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which the Company or its property is subject, (iii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or any of its property is subject or (iv) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject; and

(e) neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Agreements nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance and sale of the Securities, requires or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, being filed on the date hereof, and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus supplement dated July 30, 2013 and filed with the Commission on July 31, 2013. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 

3