UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) February 24, 2016

 

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   0-17948   94-2838567

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

209 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, California 94065-1175

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(650) 628-1500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 24, 2016, Electronic Arts Inc. (“EA”) entered into an indenture (the “Base Indenture”), between EA and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture, dated February 24, 2016 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between EA and the Trustee relating to the issuance by EA of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.700% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 notes”) and $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.800% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 notes” and, together with the 2021 notes, the “senior notes”). The senior notes were issued and sold in a registered offering pursuant to EA’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-199995) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), a related preliminary prospectus supplement, dated February 17, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2016 and a related final prospectus supplement, dated February 17, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016 (the “Registration Statement”). A copy of the opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP relating to the legality of the senior notes is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Report.

The senior notes are EA’s general unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with EA’s other senior unsecured obligations.

The 2021 notes bear interest at a rate of 3.700% per annum, and the 2026 notes bear interest at a rate of 4.800% per annum. EA will pay interest on the senior notes semi-annually in arrears on each March 1 and September 1, beginning on September 1, 2016.

The 2021 notes will mature on March 1, 2021 and the 2026 notes will mature on March 1, 2026. Prior to February 1, 2021, in the case of the 2021 notes, the date that is one month prior to the maturity date of the 2021 notes and prior to December 1, 2025, in the case of the 2026 notes, the date that is three months prior to the maturity date of the 2026 notes (each such date, a “Par Call Date”), at its option, EA may redeem some or all of the senior notes of either series at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of their principal amount and (ii) a price based on a make-whole premium, plus, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At its option, EA may also redeem some or all of the senior notes of either series on or after the respective Par Call Date for such series at 100% of the principal amount of the senior notes of such series, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event, as defined in the Indenture, holders may require EA to repurchase some or all of their senior notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the senior notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

The Indenture contains covenants limiting EA’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to create certain liens, enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of EA’s assets to, another person, in each case subject to certain qualifications and exceptions.

The Indenture contains customary events of default with respect to the senior notes, including failure to make required payments, failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants, and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. Events of default under the Indenture arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization related to EA will automatically cause the acceleration of the amounts due under the senior notes. If any other event of default under the Indenture occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of senior notes, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the senior notes of such series may declare the acceleration of the amounts due under the senior notes of such series.


The foregoing description of the senior notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Base Indenture, which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto, the First Supplemental Indenture, which is filed as Exhibit 4.2 hereto, the form of 2021 note, which is filed as Exhibit 4.3 hereto, and the form of 2026 note, which is filed as Exhibit 4.4 hereto, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. EA incorporates by reference the exhibits filed with this Current Report into the Registration Statement pursuant to which the senior notes were registered.

 

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

The information provided in Item 1.01 of this Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of February 24, 2016, between Electronic Arts Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
  4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 24, 2016, between Electronic Arts Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
  4.3    Form of 2021 note (included in Exhibit 4.2)
  4.4    Form of 2026 note (included in Exhibit 4.2)
  5.1    Opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP
23.1    Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)


SIGNATURE

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

 

    ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
Dated: February 24, 2016     By:  

/s/ Jacob J. Schatz

     

Jacob J. Schatz

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of February 24, 2016, between Electronic Arts Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
  4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 24, 2016, between Electronic Arts Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
  4.3    Form of 2021 note (included in Exhibit 4.2)
  4.4    Form of 2026 note (included in Exhibit 4.2)
  5.1    Opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP
23.1    Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of February 24, 2016

Debt Securities


CROSS -REFERENCE TABLE

Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310

through 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:

 

TIA Section

   Indenture Section
310    (a)(1)    6.10
   (a)(2)    6.10
   (a)(3)    N.A.
   (a)(4)    N.A.
   (a)(5)    6.10
   (b)    6.8; 6.10
   (c)    N.A.
311    (a)    6.11
   (b)    6.11
   (c)    N.A.
312    (a)    2.6
   (b)    10.3
   (c)    10.3
313    (a)    6.6
   (b)(1)    N.A.
   (b)(2)    6.6
   (c)    6.6
   (d)    6.6
314    (a)    3.4
   (b)    N.A.
   (c)(1)    10.4
   (c)(2)    10.4
   (c)(3)    N.A.
   (d)    N.A.
   (e)    10.5
   (f)    N.A.
315    (a)    6.1
   (b)    6.5
   (c)    6.1
   (d)    6.1
   (e)    5.11
316    (a)(last sentence)    2.10
   (a)(1)(A)    5.5
   (a)(1)(B)    5.4
   (a)(2)    N.A.
   (b)    5.7
   (c)    N.A.
317    (a)(1)    5.8
   (a)(2)    5.9
   (b)    2.4


TIA Section

   Indenture Section
318    (a)    10.1
   (b)    N.A.
   (c)    N.A.

N.A. means “Not Applicable.”

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


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   
SECTION 1.1    Definitions      1   
SECTION 1.2    Other Definitions      5   
SECTION 1.3    Incorporation by Reference of TIA      5   
SECTION 1.4    Rules of Construction      5   
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES   
SECTION 2.1    Securities Issuable in Series      6   
SECTION 2.2    Form and Dating      9   
SECTION 2.3    Execution and Authentication      9   
SECTION 2.4    Registrar and Paying Agent      10   
SECTION 2.5    Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust      11   
SECTION 2.6    Securityholder Lists      11   
SECTION 2.7    Transfer and Exchange      12   
SECTION 2.8    Replacement Securities      14   
SECTION 2.9    Outstanding Securities      14   
SECTION 2.10    Determination of Holders’ Action      15   
SECTION 2.11    Temporary Securities      15   
SECTION 2.12    Cancellation      15   
SECTION 2.13    Defaulted Interest      15   
SECTION 2.14    Global Securities      16   
SECTION 2.15    CUSIP Numbers      17   
ARTICLE III COVENANTS   
SECTION 3.1    Payment of Securities      17   
SECTION 3.2    Maintenance of Office or Agency      17   
SECTION 3.3    Compliance Certificate      18   
SECTION 3.4    SEC Reports      18   
SECTION 3.5    Additional Amounts      19   
SECTION 3.6    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      20   
SECTION 3.7    Corporate Existence      20   
ARTICLE IV CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE AND LEASE   
SECTION 4.1    Merger and Consolidation of Company      20   
SECTION 4.2    Successor Substituted      21   
ARTICLE V DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
SECTION 5.1    Events of Default      21   
SECTION 5.2    Acceleration      22   

 

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          Page  
SECTION 5.3    Other Remedies      23   
SECTION 5.4    Waiver of Past Defaults      23   
SECTION 5.5    Control by Majority      23   
SECTION 5.6    Limitation on Suits      24   
SECTION 5.7    Rights of Holders To Receive Payment      24   
SECTION 5.8    Collection Suit by Trustee      24   
SECTION 5.9    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      25   
SECTION 5.10    Priorities      25   
SECTION 5.11    Undertaking for Costs      26   
SECTION 5.12    Restoration of Rights and Remedies      26   
ARTICLE VI TRUSTEE   
SECTION 6.1    Duties of Trustee      26   
SECTION 6.2    Rights of Trustee      27   
SECTION 6.3    Individual Rights of Trustee      28   
SECTION 6.4    Trustee’s Disclaimer      28   
SECTION 6.5    Notice of Defaults      29   
SECTION 6.6    Reports by Trustee to Holders      29   
SECTION 6.7    Compensation and Indemnity      29   
SECTION 6.8    Replacement of Trustee      30   
SECTION 6.9    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      32   
SECTION 6.10    Eligibility; Disqualification; Conflicting Interests      32   
SECTION 6.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      32   
ARTICLE VII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE   
SECTION 7.1    Discharge of Liability on Securities      32   
SECTION 7.2    Termination of Company’s Obligations      33   
SECTION 7.3    Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture      34   
SECTION 7.4    Defeasance of Certain Obligations      36   
SECTION 7.5    Application of Trust Money      37   
SECTION 7.6    Repayment to Company      38   
SECTION 7.7    Reinstatement      38   
SECTION 7.8    Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust: Miscellaneous Provisions      38   
SECTION 7.9    Terms and Conditions of Defeasance Subject to Section 2.1      39   
ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS   
SECTION 8.1    Without Consent of Holders      39   
SECTION 8.2    With Consent of Holders      40   
SECTION 8.3    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      41   
SECTION 8.4    Revocation and Effect of Consents      41   
SECTION 8.5    Notation on or Exchange of Securities      41   
SECTION 8.6    Trustee To Sign Amendments      41   
SECTION 8.7    Fixing of Record Dates      41   

 

ii


          Page  
ARTICLE IX REDEMPTION   
SECTION 9.1    Applicability of Article      42   
SECTION 9.2    Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee      42   
SECTION 9.3    Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed      42   
SECTION 9.4    Notice of Redemption      43   
SECTION 9.5    Deposit of Redemption Price      43   
SECTION 9.6    Securities Redeemed in Part      44   
SECTION 9.7    Effect of Notice of Redemption      44   
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS   
SECTION 10.1    Trust Indenture Act Controls      44   
SECTION 10.2    Notices      44   
SECTION 10.3    Communication by Holders with Other Holders      45   
SECTION 10.4    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      45   
SECTION 10.5    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      45   
SECTION 10.6    Rules by Trustee and Agents      46   
SECTION 10.7    Legal Holidays      46   
SECTION 10.8    No Recourse Against Others      46   
SECTION 10.9    Counterparts      46   
SECTION 10.10    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction      46   
SECTION 10.11    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      47   
SECTION 10.12    Successors      47   
SECTION 10.13    Severability      47   
SECTION 10.14    Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      47   
SECTION 10.15    Calculation of Foreign Currency Amounts      47   
SECTION 10.16    Force Majeure      48   
SECTION 10.17    U.S.A. Patriot Act      48   
EXHIBIT A      A-1   

 

iii


INDENTURE, dated as of February 24, 2016, between Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue debt securities in one or more series from time to time hereunder in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; and

WHEREAS, the Trustee desires to act as Trustee with respect to such securities;

NOW, THEREFORE, each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of such securities or of series thereof:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.1 Definitions .

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

Agent ” means, with respect to any Series of Securities, any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent, co-registrar or additional paying agent appointed pursuant to this Indenture with respect to such Series.

Board of Directors ” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof.

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

Business Day ” means for a particular series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a Legal Holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions, or a place of payment, are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock ” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation or any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation).

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

“Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

 

1


Company ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

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

Defaulted Interest ” means any interest on any Security which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date, such Defaulted Interest to accrue (except as otherwise provided in accordance with Section 2.1) at the same rate per annum as interest accrued or accreted, as the case may be, on the Business Day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors until a successor Depository shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter “ Depository ” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depository hereunder. For avoidance of doubt, neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any liability for any actions of the Depository.

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

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect and, to the extent optional, adopted by the Company, on the date of the Indenture, consistently applied.

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

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (i) the principal in respect of indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and; (ii) the rental obligations under any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present value of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) and (ii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (iv) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation on any date of determination being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be, with respect to unconditional obligations, the outstanding balance at such date of all such obligations as described above and, with respect to any

 

2


contingent obligations at such date, the maximum liability determined by such Person’s board of directors, in good faith, as, in light of the facts and circumstances existing at the time, reasonably likely to be incurred upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to such obligation.

Indenture ” means, with respect to each Series of Securities, this Indenture as originally executed or as it is amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof or Officers’ Certificates delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, and shall include the terms of each particular Series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.1.

Interest Payment Date ” means, with respect to any Series, the stated maturity of an installment of interest on the Securities of such Series.

Lien ” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, or other security interest or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any lease in the nature thereof).

Officer ” means the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer, any Assistant Secretary or the Controller or Principal Accounting Officer of the Company.

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel, any President or any Executive Vice President. Each Officers’ Certificate (other than certificates provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e), if applicable.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel, if so acceptable, may be an employee of or counsel to the Company. Each such Opinion of Counsel may rely upon an Officers’ Certificate as to factual matters and shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e), if applicable.

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

Preferred Stock ,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

With respect to a Security, the term “ principal ” means the principal of the Security plus, if applicable, the premium on the Security due on the Stated Maturity or on a Redemption Date.

Redemption Date ” means, when used with respect to any Security of any Series to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

3


Redemption Price ” means, when used with respect to any Security of any Series to be redeemed, the price specified in such Security at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities ” means unsecured debentures, notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Company that are issued under and pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

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

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that would be a “ Significant Subsidiary ” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency).

Subsidiary ” means, as applied to any Person, any corporation, partnership, trust, association or other business entity of which an aggregate of at least 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares or an equivalent controlling interest therein, of such Person is, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date first above written, except as provided in Section 8.3.

Trustee ” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “ Trustee ” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of that Series.

Trust Officer ” means any officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of that officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and the Securities.

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

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable before the Stated Maturity thereof.

 

4


Voting Shares ,” with respect to any corporation, means the Capital Stock having the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions .

 

TERM

   DEFINED IN
SECTION
 

“Additional Securities”

     2.1   

“Bankruptcy Law”

     5.1   

“Custodian”

     5.1   

“Event of Default”

     5.1   

“Global Securities”

     2.2   

“Legal Holiday”

     10.7   

“Notice of Default”

     5.1   

“Paying Agent”

     2.4   

“Registrar”

     2.4   

“Series”

     2.1   

“Successor Corporation”

     4.1 (i) 

SECTION 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of TIA .

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

Commission ” means the SEC;

indenture securities ” means the Securities;

indenture security holder ” means a Holder or Securityholder;

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the indenture securities.

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

SECTION 1.4 Rules of Construction .

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

5


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

(b) “generally accepted accounting principles ” means, and any accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it and shall be construed in accordance with, GAAP;

(c) “ or ” is not exclusive;

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

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(f) “including” means “including , without limitation ;

(g) unsecured debt shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured debt;

(h) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount Security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Company dated such date prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(i) a reference to any law or statute or component thereof includes reference to such law or statute as amended, re-enacted or replaced from time to time or any successor law or statute thereto, and any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder; and

(j) the principal amount (if any) of any Preferred Stock shall be the greatest of (x) the stated value, (y) the redemption price or (z) the liquidation preference of such Preferred Stock.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.1 Securities Issuable in Series .

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. Securities may be issued hereunder in one or more series, the Securities of each series (a “ Series ”) shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and, unless specifically provided otherwise, a Series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, from time to time for issuances of Additional Securities.

Securities issued hereunder shall be issued pursuant to authority granted by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, prior to the issue hereunder of the first Securities of a Series, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or establish in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, such of the following terms as shall be applicable to such Series:

 

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(a) the title, including CUSIP number and, if applicable, ISIN and Common Code numbers, of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such Series from all other Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Agreement (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or for replacement of, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Sections 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 8.5 or 9.6);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable, and the basis for computing such interest if other than a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;

(e) the place or places where the principal of, and interest on Securities of the Series shall be payable;

(f) the right or obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay the Securities of such Series pursuant to any right to do so contained in the Securities or pursuant to sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of such Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(g) the denominations in which the Securities of such Series shall be issuable, if other than integral multiples of $1,000;

(h) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of such Series which shall be payable upon the acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;

(i) any Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of such Series, if not set forth in this Indenture;

(j) if other than those named herein, any other depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to such Series;

(k) the stock exchanges or securities associations, if any, on which the Securities will be listed or quoted and related information, including the office or agency appointed by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.4 and 3.2 and any Paying Agent or Registrar appointed pursuant to the requirements of such stock exchange or securities association;

 

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(l) any applicable restrictions on the transfer of any of the Securities of such Series;

(m) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or interest, if any, on any Securities of the Series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose;

(n) if applicable, the terms of any right or obligation to convert Securities of the Series into, or to exchange Securities of the Series for, shares of Common Stock or other securities or property;

(o) whether the Securities of the Series are subject to defeasance under Section 7.4, including any modification of the provisions of Sections 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 or 7.8, or such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be specified for a Series in addition to or in lieu of the provisions of Section 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3;

(p) Whether the Securities of the Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Depository for the Series, if other than The Depository Trust Company or its successors, and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 2.7 in which any Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depository for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;

(q) the classification of the Securities as senior or subordinated and, if applicable, the subordination provisions that will apply to subordinated Securities;

(r) procedures, if any, for the transfer of beneficial interest in the Securities of that Series that are different from, or in addition to, the procedures set forth herein;

(s) the circumstances, if any, and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which additional amounts may be owed; and

(t) any other terms of the Series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

Additional Securities of the same Series (“ Additional Securities ”) may be issued from time to time subsequent to the original issue date of any Securities of such Series following the receipt by the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate pertaining to such Additional Securities, which Officers’ Certificate will identify the Series to which such Additional Securities belongs and the issue date and aggregate principal amount of such Additional Securities. Any such Additional Securities shall be issued on original issue as provided in Section 2.3.

Additional Securities, together with each prior and subsequent Securities of the same Series, shall constitute one and the same Series of Securities for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 2.2 Form and Dating .

The Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, which is part of this Indenture, with such appropriate insertions, omissions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such legends or endorsements placed thereon, as the Officers executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange or securities association rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

The terms and provisions contained in the form of Securities annexed hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are expressly made, a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

Securities issued in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in registered form, substantially in the form as above recited (the “ Global Securities ”) shall be deposited with or on behalf of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Each Global Security shall bear the global securities legend substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto and such legend or legends as may be required or reasonably requested by the Depository.

The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased, as applicable, by adjustments made on the records of the Depository or its nominee and the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository, at any time prior to cancellation, if, in accordance with this Indenture and the Securities (including any applicable restrictions on transfer) any beneficial interest in a Global Security is (a) exchanged for definitive registered Securities, (b) redeemed, (c) repurchased, (d) cancelled, or (e) exchanged for a beneficial interest in another Global Security.

The definitive registered Securities shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any stock exchange or securities association on which the Securities may be listed or quoted, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

SECTION 2.3 Execution and Authentication .

Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

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

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee shall authenticate Securities upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers. Such order shall specify the Series and the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which such Securities are to be authenticated. The aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at any time is unlimited. In authenticating such Securities and in accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that,

(a) the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been satisfied; and

(c) such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

The Trustee shall initially act as authenticating agent and may subsequently appoint another Person acceptable to the Company as authenticating agent to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company. Provided that the authentication agent has entered into an agreement with the Company concerning the authentication agent’s duties, the Trustee shall not be liable for any act or any failure of the authenticating agent to perform any duty either required herein or authorized herein to be performed by such Person in accordance with this Indenture.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders or would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

The Securities shall be issued only in registered form without coupons.

SECTION 2.4 Registrar and Paying Agent .

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more

 

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co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “ Paying Agent ” includes any additional paying agent and the term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrar, provided that there shall only be one register for each Series of Securities. So long as a Series of Securities is listed or quoted on a stock exchange or securities association, the Company shall maintain a co-registrar and a co-paying agent in such other locations, if any, as such stock exchange or securities association shall require.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such agent and any change in the address of such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 6.7. The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or transfer agent.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.

SECTION 2.5 Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust .

On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum of money denominated in the currency of such payment, in immediately available funds, sufficient to pay such principal and interest in funds available when such becomes due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities (whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities) and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities) in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Securityholders. If the Company defaults in its obligation to deposit funds for the payment of principal and interest the Trustee may, during the continuation of such default, require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by it. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.6 Securityholder Lists .

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Securityholders, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

 

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SECTION 2.7 Transfer and Exchange .

The Securities shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security to the Registrar for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of Section 8-401(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met (and the Registrar shall be entitled to assume such requirements have been met unless it receives written notice to the contrary) and, if so required by the Trustee or the Company, if the Security presented is accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company, duly executed by the registered owner or by his or her attorney duly authorized in writing, in which case, the Registrar shall deliver, to or at the direction of such registered owner, one or more new Securities of the same Series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount. When Securities are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request as provided in an authentication order delivered to the Trustee by the Company. The Depository shall, by acceptance of a Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only (a) in accordance with this Indenture and the Securities represented by such Global Security and (b) through a book- entry system maintained by the Depository (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Global Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 8.5 or 9.6).

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest (subject to the record date provisions thereof) on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.7, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities of any Series in definitive registered form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a Series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

If the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the Global Securities of any Series or if at any time the Depository shall no longer be eligible under the next sentence of this paragraph, the Company shall appoint a successor

 

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Depository with respect to such Securities. Each Depository appointed pursuant to this Section 2.7 must, at the time of its appointment and at all times while it serves as Depository, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation. The Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers, Securities in definitive registered form without coupons in any authorized denominations representing Securities of a Series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities of such Series if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the Global Securities of such Series or if at any time the Depository shall no longer be eligible to serve as Depository and a successor Depository for the Securities of such Series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility or (ii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series has occurred and is continuing.

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of a Series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers, Securities of such Series in definitive registered form without coupons in any authorized denominations representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Securities in definitive registered form without coupons pursuant to either of the two preceding paragraphs, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. The Depository shall provide to the Trustee and the Company information with respect to the participants and their holdings pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

No holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depository or impair, as between a Depository and such holders of beneficial interests, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depository (or its nominee) as Holder of any Security.

The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of a Series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the electronic delivery or mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities subject to redemption under Section 9.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such electronic delivery or mailing or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

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All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture will evidence the same debt and will be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

SECTION 2.8 Replacement Securities .

If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken and the Holder furnishes to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, authenticate a replacement Security of the same Series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met (and the Registrar shall be entitled to assume such requirements have been met unless it receives written notice to the contrary) and if there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee security or indemnity to save each of them harmless, satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

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

Every replacement Security of each Series is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

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

SECTION 2.9 Outstanding Securities .

The Securities of each Series outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those paid pursuant to Section 2.8 and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced or paid pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced or paid Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If all the principal and interest on any Securities of any Series are considered paid under Section 3.1, the Securities of such Series cease to be outstanding under this Indenture and interest on the Securities of such Series shall cease to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company) holds in accordance with this Indenture on a maturity or redemption date money

 

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sufficient to pay all principal and interest due on that date with respect to Securities of any Series then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue (unless there shall be a default in such payment).

Subject to Section 2.10, a Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate thereof holds the Security.

SECTION 2.10 Determination of Holders’ Action .

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of any Series of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, waiver or consent, Securities owned by or pledged to the Company, any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows are so owned or pledged shall be so disregarded.

SECTION 2.11 Temporary Securities .

Until definitive Securities of any Series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities of such Series. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee, upon the written order of the Company signed by two Officers, shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until such exchange, temporary Securities of any Series shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as definitive Securities of such Series.

SECTION 2.12 Cancellation .

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation, and shall notify the Company upon written request that such Securities have been cancelled. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.13 Defaulted Interest .

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any Series, it shall pay Defaulted Interest, plus any interest payable on the Defaulted Interest to the extent permitted by law, in any lawful manner. It may pay the Defaulted Interest to the Persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record date which date shall be at least five Business Days prior to the payment date. The Company shall fix the special record date and payment date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company) shall mail to Securityholders a notice that states the special record date, payment date and amount of interest to be paid.

 

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SECTION 2.14 Global Securities .

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

(b) Transfer and Exchange . Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event, (ii) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depository shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities of any Series in definitive registered form a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.

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

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”

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

 

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(e) Payments . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

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

SECTION 2.15 CUSIP Numbers .

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

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS

SECTION 3.1 Payment of Securities .

The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of each Series on the dates and in the manner provided in such Securities. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by or provided for in such Securities; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by or provided for in such Securities to the extent lawful. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Company) has received from or on behalf of the Company money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due in accordance with Section 2.5.

SECTION 3.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency .

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 10.2. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as its agency for the foregoing purposes.

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

SECTION 3.3 Compliance Certificate .

The Company shall, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year in which Securities are outstanding hereunder, file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, provided that one Officer executing the same shall be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, covering the period from the date of issuance of Securities hereunder to the end of the fiscal year in which the Securities were first issued hereunder, in the case of the first such certificate, and covering the preceding fiscal year in the case of each subsequent certificate, and stating whether or not, to the knowledge of each such executing Officer, the Company has complied with and performed and fulfilled all covenants on its part contained in this Indenture and is not in Default in the performance or observance of any of the terms or provisions contained in this Indenture, and, if any such signer has obtained knowledge of any Default by the Company in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any such covenant, term or provision specifying each such Default and the nature thereof. For the purpose of this Section 3.3, compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.4 SEC Reports .

The Company shall, to the extent required by TIA Section 314(a), file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the filing with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In the event the Company is at any time no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, it shall, for so long as the Securities remain outstanding, file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company would have been required to file such documents with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company would have been required to file with the SEC if the Company had continued to be subject to such Sections 13 or 15(d). The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates); provided , however , that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed pursuant to the “EDGAR” system (or its successor).

 

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SECTION 3.5 Additional Amounts .

If the Securities of a Series provide for the payment of additional amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that Series of Securities and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal of or interest on the Securities of that Series if there has been a change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal Paying Agent, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such Paying Agent whether such payment of principal of or interest on the Securities of that Series shall be made to Holders of the Securities of that Series without withholding or deduction for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that Series. If any such withholding or deduction shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to such Holders and shall certify the fact that additional amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each Holder, and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or such Paying Agent the additional amounts required to be paid by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any interest or any other amounts on, or in respect of, any Security of any Series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided by the terms of such Series established hereby or pursuant hereto to the extent that, in such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of additional amounts (if applicable) in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding the payment of additional amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

If the Company determines that it is, or on the next Interest Payment Date would be, required to pay an additional amount with respect to a Series of Securities, such Series shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time in whole but not in part, at a Redemption Price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed by the Company for redemption and all additional amounts, if any, then due and which will become due on such Redemption Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise, in accordance with the procedures for redemption contained in Article IX hereof; provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company would be obligated to make such payment (or withholding, if a payment in respect of such Series were then due). Prior to the mailing or, where relevant, publication of any notice of redemption of such Series pursuant to the foregoing, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel of recognized international standing to the effect that the circumstances requiring the payment of an additional amount with respect to such Series exist. The Trustee shall accept such opinion as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the redemption, in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the Holders.

 

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SECTION 3.6 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

SECTION 3.7 Corporate Existence .

Subject to Article IV, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Securityholders.

ARTICLE IV

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE AND LEASE

SECTION 4.1 Merger and Consolidation of Company .

The Company shall not in a single transaction or through a series of related transactions consolidate with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or group of affiliated Persons, unless:

(i) either (A) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or (B) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Company are sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred, disposed of or leased as aforesaid (the “Successor Corporation” ) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and each outstanding Series of Securities;

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

(iii) the Company or the Successor Company shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and, as to legal matters, an Opinion of Counsel, each in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, disposition or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (ii), the Company or any Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into the Company or any Subsidiary and no violation of this Section shall be deemed to have occurred as a consequence thereof, as long as the requirements of paragraphs (i) and (iii) are satisfied in connection therewith.

SECTION 4.2 Successor Substituted .

(a) Upon any such consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, disposition or lease of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in accordance with Section 4.1, the Successor Corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and each Series of Securities with the same effect as if such Successor Corporation had originally been named herein, and the Company shall (except in the case of a lease) thereupon be released from all obligations hereunder and under each Series of Securities and the Company, as the predecessor corporation, may thereupon or at any time thereafter be dissolved, wound up or liquidated.

(b) In the case of any consolidation, merger or sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, disposition or lease described in Section 4.2(a) above, such changes in form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE V

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 5.1 Events of Default .

An “Event of Default” means, with respect to any Series of Securities, any of the following events:

(a) default in the payment of interest on any Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

(b) default in the payment of the principal of any Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity or otherwise, including a default in the making of any sinking fund payment or analogous obligation on the Securities of such Series;

(c) material default in performance of any other covenants or agreements in the Securities of such Series or this Indenture and the default continues for 60 days after the date on which written notice of such default is given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding hereunder;

(d) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

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(i) commences a voluntary case;

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) admits in writing its inability to generally pay its debts as such debts become due;

or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

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

Any notice of Default given by the Trustee or Securityholders under this Section must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “ Notice of Default .”

Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1 and 6.2, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice thereof shall have been given to the Trustee in accordance with Section 10.2 by the Company, the Paying Agent, any Holder or an agent of any Holder and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 5.2 Acceleration .

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (d) and (e) of Section 5.1 with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate

 

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principal amount of the Securities of such Series by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal amount of, any premium and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of such Series to be due and payable. Upon such declaration the principal, any such premium and any such accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.1 with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, any premium and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the outstanding Securities of each Series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders. At any time after a declaration of acceleration but before any judgment or decree for payment of money has been obtained, if all existing Events of Default with respect to such Series have been cured or waived (except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration), the acceleration and its consequences in respect of a Series of Securities shall be automatically annulled and rescinded. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 5.3 Other Remedies .

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal or interest on the relevant Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of such Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 5.4 Waiver of Past Defaults .

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a Series by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such Series waive an existing Default and its consequences with respect to such Series, except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of, any premium on or any interest on any Security of such Series or (b) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 8.2 cannot be amended without the consent of each affected Securityholder of such Series; provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 5.5 Control by Majority .

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to such Series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, or, subject to Section 6.1, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other

 

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Securityholders of such Series, or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided , that the Trustee shall have no affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to the rights of such other Securityholders, and provided further , that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification from Securityholders of such Series satisfactory to it against all risk, losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action. Subject to Section 6.1, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of the Securityholders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred in compliance with such request or direction.

SECTION 5.6 Limitation on Suits .

A Securityholder of a Series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such Series only if:

(a) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to that Series;

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

(c) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee of such Series security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee of such Series does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the notice, request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

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

A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.

SECTION 5.7 Rights of Holders To Receive Payment .

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal and interest on the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

SECTION 5.8 Collection Suit by Trustee .

If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing with respect to a Security, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an

 

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express trust against the Company or any other obligor on such Security for the whole amount of principal and interest remaining unpaid (together with interest on such unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 6.7.

SECTION 5.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and take such other actions including participating as a member or otherwise in any committees of creditors appointed in the matter as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the amounts provided in Section 6.7) and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders of each Series in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7. To the extent that the payment of any such amount due to the Trustee under Section 6.7 out of the estate in any such proceeding shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties which the Holders of the Securities may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

SECTION 5.10 Priorities .

If the Trustee collects any money or other consideration pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money or other consideration in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 6.7;

Second : to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of the relevant Series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series for principal and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders of such Series pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall give written notice to each Securityholder of such Series and the Trustee of the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

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SECTION 5.11 Undertaking for Costs .

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 5.7, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any Series.

SECTION 5.12 Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

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

ARTICLE VI

TRUSTEE

SECTION 6.1 Duties of Trustee .

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

(ii) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions required or permitted to be delivered by the terms of this Indenture to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated thereon).

 

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

(i) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

(ii) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

(iii) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 5.2, 5.4 or 5.5.

(iv) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any risk, loss, liability or expense.

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

(e) The Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee and Registrar and Paying Agent, shall not be liable to the Company, the Securityholders or any other Person for interest on any money received by it, including, but not limited to, money with respect to principal of or interest on the Securities of any Series, except as the Trustee may agree with the Company.

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

SECTION 6.2 Rights of Trustee .

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

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

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

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

 

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

(f) The Trustee shall not be obligated to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or any other paper or document.

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

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

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

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

(k) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

SECTION 6.3 Individual Rights of Trustee .

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 6.10 and 6.11.

SECTION 6.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer .

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities of any Series, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities of any Series, and it shall not be responsible for any recital or statement in this Indenture or the Securities of any Series other than its authentication.

 

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SECTION 6.5 Notice of Defaults .

If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Securityholders of the affected Series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a Default in any payment on any Security, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of the affected Series.

SECTION 6.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders .

Within 60 days after the May 15 following the first issuance of Securities hereunder, and for so long as Securities are outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall mail to Securityholders a brief report dated as of such date that complies with TIA Section 313(a) if required by that Section. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b)(2).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange or securities association on which Securities are listed or quoted. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when Securities are listed or quoted on any stock exchange or securities association and of any delisting thereof.

SECTION 6.7 Compensation and Indemnity .

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as the parties shall agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, expenses and advances incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and out-of-pocket disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents, counsel and other professionals.

The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expenses, incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (regardless of whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Securities of any Series.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or (e) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Company’s obligations under this Section 6.7 and any Lien arising hereunder shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the discharge of the Company’s obligations pursuant to Article VII of this Indenture and the termination of this Indenture.

SECTION 6.8 Replacement of Trustee .

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to any Series of Securities by so notifying the Company in writing. Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to any Series of Securities at any time by so notifying the Trustee of such Series of Securities. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may, by written notice to the Trustee, remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to that Series of Securities by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company, by notice to such Trustee, shall remove such Trustee if:

(a) such Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.10;

(b) such Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

(c) a receiver or public officer takes charge of such Trustee or its property; or

(d) such Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or becomes incapable of acting or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to one or more Series of Securities, the Company by Board Resolution shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to such Series of Securities (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to one or more or all Series of Securities and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to any particular Series of Securities). Within one year after the successor Trustee of a Series of Securities takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of such Securities of the affected Series may appoint a successor Trustee of such Series to replace the successor Trustee of such Series appointed by the Company.

If a successor Trustee for a particular Series of Securities does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee of such Series resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee of such Series, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of

 

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the affected Series may, at the expense of the Company (in the case of a petition by the retiring Trustee of such Series or the Company),petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for such Series.

If the Trustee for a particular Series of Securities fails to comply with Section 6.10, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee of such Series and the appointment of a successor Trustee of such Series. The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any Series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any Series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such Series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such Series and the address of its corporate trust office.

A successor Trustee of all Securities shall execute, acknowledge and deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and such successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 6.7.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) Series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those Series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those Series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental Indenture shall constitute such Trustee’s co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further action, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those Series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those Series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 6.7.

 

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Upon reasonable request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the two preceding paragraphs, as the case may be.

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

The retiring Trustee shall have no liability whatsoever for any action or omission on the part of any successor Trustee.

SECTION 6.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

SECTION 6.10 Eligibility; Disqualification; Conflicting Interests .

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b). Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the second-to-last paragraph of TIA Section 310(b). If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, with respect to the Securities of a Series, it shall within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign with respect to the Securities of that Series in the manner prescribed in the TIA.

SECTION 6.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), except with respect to any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed is subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

SECTION 7.1 Discharge of Liability on Securities .

If (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities of a Series (other than Securities replaced or paid pursuant to Section 2.8 or Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust by the Company with the Trustee or a Paying Agent and thereafter repaid to the Company as provided in the second sentence of Section 7.6) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding Securities of such Series have become due and payable and the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee as trust funds solely for the benefit of the Holders for that purpose funds sufficient to pay at maturity or on redemption the principal of and all accrued interest on all outstanding Securities of such Series (other than Securities replaced or

 

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paid pursuant to Section 2.8 or Securities for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust by the Company with the Trustee or Paying Agent and thereafter repaid to the Company as provided in the second sentence of Section 7.6), and if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Series, then, subject to Sections 7.2 and 7.7, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to such Series. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Series on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.

SECTION 7.2 Termination of Company’s Obligations .

Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.2, the Company may terminate its obligations under the Securities of a Series and this Indenture with respect to such Series if:

(i) the Securities of such Series mature or are redeemable within one year,

(ii) with reference to this Section 7.2, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) and conveyed all right, title and interest for the benefit of the Holders of such Series, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of such Holders, in and to, (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one Business Day before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (ii), money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other fees, charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee or Paying Agent, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series when due in accordance with this Indenture and such Securities; provided that the Trustee or Paying Agent shall have been irrevocably instructed in writing to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to such Series;

(iii) no Default with respect to such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit,

(iv) such deposit will not result in or constitute a Default or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and

(v) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Series have been complied with;

 

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provided that if the Securities of the Series are to be redeemed, either the Securities have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of the notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

With respect to the foregoing, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.12, 3.1, 3.2, 6.7, 6.8, 7.5, 7.6 and 7.7 shall survive until the Securities of such Series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Sections 6.7, 6.8, 7.6 and 7.7 shall survive. After any such irrevocable deposit and fulfillment of the other requirements of this Section 7.2, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture with respect to such Series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

SECTION 7.3 Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture .

Unless otherwise provided with respect to a Series of Securities in accordance with Section 2.1, the Company will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of such Series on the 91 st day after the date of the deposit referred to in clause (i) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to such Series, in each case subject to the antepenultimate paragraph of this Section 7.3, and the Trustee, at the reasonable request of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, except as to (a) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (b) substitution of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such Series, (c) rights of Holders of such Series to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, (d) the Company’s obligations under Section 3.2, (e) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, those arising under Section 6.7 hereof, (f) the rights of the Holders of such Series as beneficiaries of this Indenture with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (g) the rights, obligations and immunities which survive as provided in the antepenultimate paragraph of this Section 7.3; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(i) with reference to this Section 7.3, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) and conveyed all right, title and interest for the benefit of the Holders of such Series, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of such Holders, in and to, (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one Business Day before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest and after payment of

 

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all federal, state and local taxes or other fees, charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee or Paying Agent, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series when due in accordance with this Indenture and such Securities; provided that the Trustee or Paying Agent shall have been irrevocably instructed in writing to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to such Series;

(ii) such deposit will not result in or constitute a Default or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(iii) no Default with respect to such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date of deposit;

(iv) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee (A) either (1) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 7.3 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised or (2) an Opinion of Counsel (who may not be an employee of the Company) to the same effect as the ruling described in clause (1) accompanied by a ruling to that effect published by the Internal Revenue Service, unless there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law since the date of this Indenture such that a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service is no longer required and (B) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that after the passage of 91 days (or such longer period as may be required by applicable law) following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder of such Series who may be deemed to be an “insider” for purposes of Title 11 of the United States Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute; and

(v) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 7.3 have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (i), prior to the end of the 91-day period (or longer period, if applicable) referred to in clause (iv)(B)(2) above, none of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to such Series shall be discharged. Subsequent to the end of such 91-day period (or longer period, if applicable) with respect to this Section 7.3, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.12, 3.1, 3.2, 6.7, 6.8, 7.6 and 7.7 shall survive with respect to such Series until the Series is no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Sections 6.7, 7.6 and 7.7 shall survive with respect to such

 

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Series. If and when a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (iv)(A) above is able to be provided specifically without regard to, and not in reliance upon, the continuance of the Company’s obligations under Section 3.1, then the Company’s obligations under such Section 3.1 with respect to such Series shall cease upon delivery to the Trustee of such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with the other conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 7.3.

After any such irrevocable deposit and the fulfillment of the other requirements of this Section 7.3, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture with respect to such Series except for those surviving obligations in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Before or after a deposit pursuant to this Section, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article IX.

SECTION 7.4 Defeasance of Certain Obligations .

If so provided with respect to a Series of Securities in accordance with Section 2.1, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant established with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.1(i), and clause (c) of Section 5.1 with respect to any such covenant shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default, in each case with respect to the outstanding Securities of such Series, if:

(i) with reference to this Section 7.4, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) and conveyed all right, title and interest for the benefit of the Holders of such Series, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of such Holders, in and to, (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one Business Day before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other fees, charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee or Paying Agent, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series when due in accordance with this Indenture and such Securities; provided that the Trustee or Paying Agent shall have been irrevocably instructed in writing to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to such Series;

 

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(ii) such deposit will not result in or constitute a Default or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(iii) no Default with respect to such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date of deposit;

(iv) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel who is not employed by the Company to the effect that (A) such Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 7.4 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised and (B) after the passage of 91 days (or such longer period as may be required by applicable law) following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder of such series who may be deemed to be an “insider” for purposes of Title 11 of the United States Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute; and

(v) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 7.4 have been complied with.

After any such irrevocable deposit and the fulfillment of the other requirements of this Section 7.4, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of such of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture with respect to such Series as the Company may omit to comply with pursuant to this Section 7.4.

Before or after a deposit pursuant to this Section, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article IX.

SECTION 7.5 Application of Trust Money .

Subject to Section 7.7 of this Indenture, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4 of this Indenture, as the case may be, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of the relevant Series. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to invest such money or U.S. Government Obligations and in no event shall the Trustee have any liability for, or in respect of, any such investment made.

 

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SECTION 7.6 Repayment to Company .

Subject to Sections 6.7, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 of this Indenture, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon written request any excess money or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time pursuant to this Article, which in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so provided), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article VII, and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with respect to such money.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them (whether pursuant to this Article or otherwise) for the payment of principal or interest of any Series that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that the Company shall if requested by the Trustee or the Paying Agent, give the Trustee or such Paying Agent indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against any and all liability which may be incurred by it by reason of such payment. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable law designates another person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

SECTION 7.7 Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4 of this Indenture, as the case may be, by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of the applicable Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4 of this Indenture, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 or 7.4 of this Indenture, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of or interest on any Series of Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Series to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

SECTION 7.8 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust: Miscellaneous Provisions .

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of outstanding Securities.

 

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SECTION 7.9 Terms and Conditions of Defeasance Subject to Section 2.1 .

The terms and conditions of Sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8 are each subject to any modifications thereof effected pursuant to paragraph (o) of the second paragraph of Section 2.1.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS

SECTION 8.1 Without Consent of Holders .

The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend this Indenture as it relates to any one or more Series of Securities or enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) with respect to any one or more Series of Securities without notice to or the consent of any Securityholder of such Series for one or more of the following purposes:

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

(b) to comply with Article IV;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities of such Series in addition to certificated Securities of such Series; provided that such uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that such uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

(d) to add additional guarantees with respect to such Series or to secure such Series;

(e) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of such Series or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(f) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in connection with qualification of the Indenture under the TIA;

(g) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder of such Series; including, without limitation, changing any payment record dates as necessary to conform to then-current market practice;

(h) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any series as permitted by this Indenture; or

(i) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities or one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee.

 

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SECTION 8.2 With Consent of Holders .

The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with respect to any one or more Series of Securities with the written consent, as to each such Series, of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series. However, with respect to a Series of Securities, without the consent of each affected Securityholder of such Series, an amendment or supplement under this Section may not:

(a) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Securities the Holders of which must consent to an amendment or supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Security;

(c) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Security;

(d) modify any redemption or repurchase right to the detriment of a Holder;

(e) make any Security payable in currency or consideration other than that stated in the Security;

(f) make any change in Section 5.4, Section 5.7 or this second sentence of this Section 8.2.

An amendment or supplement which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular Series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other Series.

Except as set forth in the first paragraph of this Section 8.2, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of that Series waive the Company’s compliance with the provisions of this Indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or supplement, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment or supplement under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment or supplement. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment or supplement under this Section.

 

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SECTION 8.3 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 8.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents .

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Article becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of any Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of Securities of that Series or portion thereof that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.

After an amendment or supplement becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder of the affected Series.

SECTION 8.5 Notation on or Exchange of Securities .

If an amendment changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holders of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Securities of such Series regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holders. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Securities of such Series shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Securities of such Series that reflect the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue new Securities of such Series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

SECTION 8.6 Trustee To Sign Amendments .

The Trustee shall sign any supplemental indenture which sets forth an amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture or otherwise. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such supplemental indenture the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, and, with respect to an amendment or supplement pursuant to Section 8.2, evidence of the consents of Holders required in connection therewith.

SECTION 8.7 Fixing of Record Dates .

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to take any action under this Indenture by vote or consent. Except as provided herein, such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or vote or the date of the most recent list of Securityholders furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.6 prior to such solicitation. If a record date is fixed, those

 

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Persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote or consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date; provided that unless such vote or consent is obtained from the Holders (or their duly designated proxies) of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities prior to the date which is the 120th day after such record date, any such vote or consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

ARTICLE IX

REDEMPTION

SECTION 9.1 Applicability of Article .

Securities of any Series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 9.2 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee .

The election of the Company to redeem Securities of any Series shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 30 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of such Securities (i) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (ii) that is subject to compliance with any conditions provided for in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or conditions.

SECTION 9.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed .

If less than all the Securities of the Series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the outstanding Securities of such Series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (which, if the Securities are in the form of Global Securities shall be in accordance with the procedures of the Depository) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to authorized denominations for Securities of that Series) of the principal amount of Securities of such Series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any Series shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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SECTION 9.4 Notice of Redemption .

Notice of redemption shall be given by electronic transmission or first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s registered address.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP and, if applicable, ISIN and Common Code numbers) and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date,

(b) the Redemption Price,

(c) if less than all the outstanding Securities of such Series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

(d) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,

(f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

(g) any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

Notice of redemption of Securities of any Series to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, upon the Company’s written request not less than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as is agreed to by the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The notice if sent in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, a failure to give such notice by electronic transmission or mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

SECTION 9.5 Deposit of Redemption Price .

On or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

 

43


SECTION 9.6 Securities Redeemed in Part .

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the office of the Paying Agent (with, if the Company or the Trustee for such Security so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same Series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

SECTION 9.7 Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once notice of redemption is sent or published as provided in Section 9.4, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the Redemption Price plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls .

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by the TIA Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, through operation of TIA Section 318(c), such imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 10.2 Notices .

Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first-class mail (certified, return receipt requested), or transmitted via facsimile or by electronic communication in PDF format, addressed as follows:

if to the Company:

Electronic Arts Inc.

209 Redwood Shores Parkway

Redwood City, CA 94065

Attention: Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Telephone: (650) 628-1500

Facsimile: (650) 628-1424

if to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association

633 West Fifth Street, 24th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services

Facsimile: (213) 615-6197

 

44


The Company or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. Any notice to the Trustee under this Indenture shall be deemed given only when received by the Trustee at the address specified in this Section 10.2.

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to the Securityholder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

SECTION 10.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders .

Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

SECTION 10.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 10.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

Each Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture other than certificates provided pursuant to Section 3.3 shall include:

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

 

45


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

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

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

SECTION 10.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents .

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

SECTION 10.7 Legal Holidays .

Unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular series, a “ Legal Holiday ” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the regular record date shall not be affected.

SECTION 10.8 . No Recourse Against Others .

All liability of the Company described in the Securities insofar as it relates to any director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived and released by each Securityholder. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 10.9 Counterparts

This Indenture 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. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

SECTION 10.10 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction .

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE

 

46


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

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Trustee hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any federal or State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Securities and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. Each of the Company and the Trustee irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Company and the Trustee agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, and may be enforced in any courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, is subject by a suit upon such judgment, provided, that service of process is effected upon the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, in the manner specified herein or as otherwise permitted by law.

SECTION 10.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 10.12 Successors .

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

SECTION 10.13 Severability .

In case any provision, or part of any provision, in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 10.14 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

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

SECTION 10.15 Calculation of Foreign Currency Amounts .

The calculation of the U.S. dollar equivalent amount for any amount denominated in a foreign currency shall be the noon buying rate in the City of New York as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the date on which such determination is required to be made or, if such day is not a day on which such rate is published, the rate most recently published prior to such day.

 

47


SECTION 10.16 Force Majeure .

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

SECTION 10.17 U.S.A. Patriot Act .

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

[SIGNATURE PAGE NEXT]

 

48


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

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
By:  

/s/ Roch LeBlanc

  Name: Roch LeBlanc
  Title:   Vice President, Treasurer

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Paula Oswald

  Name: Paula Oswald
  Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page – Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

(Form of Face of Security)

[THIS SECURITY IS ISSUED IN GLOBAL FORM AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”) OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, TO THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF AND OF THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED BELOW), THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.]*

 

* Insert in Global Security only.

 

A-1


ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

% [SENIOR/SUBORDINATED] NOTE DUE

 

      

 

       CUSIP:
       ISIN:
       Common Code:

Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to [Cede & Co.]* [            ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of                  Dollars on                  .

Interest Payment Dates:                  and                 

Record Dates:                  and                 

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the reverse hereof.

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture.

 

By:   

 

      Dated:                                                      

 

     

 

Authorized Signatory      

 

* Insert in Global Security only.

 

A-3


(Form of Reverse of Security)

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

    % SENIOR NOTE DUE

(1) Interest. Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture referred to below, being herein called the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the interest rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semiannually on and of each year. Interest on the Securities of this Series will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from. Interest will be computed [on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months] [as set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture delivered pursuant to Section 2.1].

(2) Method of Payment. The Company will pay interest on the Securities of this Series (except Defaulted Interest) to the persons who are registered Holders of Securities of this Series at the close of business on the record date next preceding the Interest Payment Date even though such Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. However, the Company may pay principal and interest by check payable in such money. It may mail an interest check to a Holder’s registered address.

(3) Paying Agent, Registrar. Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

(4) Indenture. The Company issued the Securities of this Series under an Indenture dated as of              (the “ Indenture ”) between the Company and the Trustee. The Securities are unsecured general obligations of the Company issued and to be issued in one or more Series under the Indenture and may be issued in an unlimited principal amount. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “ TIA ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein are used as defined in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms.

(5) Redemption. [Set forth redemption provision, if any.]

(6) Denominations; Transfer; Exchange. The Securities of this Series are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof [or as otherwise set forth in the Security]. The transfer of Securities may be registered and Securities may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to

 

A-4


pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of a Series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 9.3 of the Indenture and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

(7) Defeasance. Subject to certain conditions and unless otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities of this Series, the Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to maturity.

(8) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Security may be treated as its owner for all purposes, except that interest (other than Defaulted Interest) will be paid to the person that was the registered Holder on the relevant record date for such payment of interest.

(9) Amendments and Waivers. Subject to certain exceptions, (i) the Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each Series affected; and (ii) any existing default with respect to the Securities of this Series may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such Series. Without the consent of any Securityholder, the Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for assumption of Company obligations to Securityholders or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, to provide for guarantees with respect to, or security for, the Securities, or to comply with the TIA or to add additional covenants or surrender Company rights, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

(10) Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this Series may declare all the Securities of this Series to be due and payable immediately. Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities of this Series except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require an indemnity before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a Series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to such Series. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests. The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

(11) Subordination. [Set forth subordination provision, if any.]

(12) Trustee Dealings with Company. Subject to the provisions of the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee. The Trustee will initially be U.S. Bank National Association.

 

A-5


(13) No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

(14) Authentication. This Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

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

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers (or as to the accuracy of ISIN numbers, Common Code numbers or similar numbers) as printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE INDENTURE, WHICH HAS IN IT THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY, IN TWELVE-POINT TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR, ELECTRONIC ARTS INC., 209 REDWOOD SHORES PARKWAY, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94065, Telephone: (650) 628-0255.

 

A-6


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

                    I or we assign and transfer this Security to

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

and irrevocably appoint                      agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Dated:   

 

      Signed:                                                         
         (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security)
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-7

Exhibit 4.2

EXECUTION VERSION

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

3.700% Senior Notes due 2021

4.800% Senior Notes due 2026

 

 

First Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of February 24, 2016

to

Indenture dated as of February 24, 2016


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         P AGE  
  ARTICLE 1   
  D EFINITIONS AND O THER P ROVISIONS OF G ENERAL A PPLICATION   

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

     1   

Section 1.02.

 

Conflicts with Base Indenture

     8   
  ARTICLE 2   
  F ORM OF N OTES   

Section 2.01.

 

Form of Notes

     8   
  ARTICLE 3   
  T HE N OTES   

Section 3.01.

 

Amount; Series; Terms

     8   

Section 3.02.

 

Denominations

     10   

Section 3.03.

 

Book-entry Provisions for Global Securities

     10   

Section 3.04.

 

Additional Notes; Repurchases

     11   

Section 3.05.

 

No Sinking Fund

     11   
  ARTICLE 4   
  R EDEMPTION OF S ECURITIES   

Section 4.01.

 

Optional Redemption

     12   

Section 4.02.

 

Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event

     13   
  ARTICLE 5   
  C OVENANTS AND R EMEDIES   

Section 5.01.

 

Limitation on Liens

     14   

Section 5.02.

 

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     17   

Section 5.03.

 

Events of Default

     18   

Section 5.04.

 

Modification and Waiver

     19   

Section 5.05.

 

References in Base Indenture

     20   

Section 5.06.

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     20   

Section 5.07.

 

Legal Holidays

     20   

Section 5.08.

 

Defeasance and Discharge

     20   

Section 5.09.  

 

No Additional Amounts

     20   

 

i


         P AGE  
ARTICLE 6   
M ISCELLANEOUS   

Section 6.01.  

  Confirmation of Indenture      21   

Section 6.02.

  Counterparts      21   

Section 6.03.

  Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial      21   
Section 6.04.   Recitals by the Company      21   
Exhibit A   Form of 2021 Note      A-1   
Exhibit B   Form of 2026 Note      B-1   

 

 

ii


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 24, 2016 (“ First Supplemental Indenture ”), to the Indenture dated as of February 24, 2016 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance therewith, other than with respect to a particular Series of debt securities, the “ Base Indenture ” and, as amended, modified and supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), by and among ELECTRONIC ARTS INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Base Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of senior debt securities to be issued in one or more Series as provided in the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery, and desires and has requested the Trustee to join it in the execution and delivery, of this First Supplemental Indenture in order to establish and provide for the issuance by the Company of a Series of Securities designated as its 3.700% Senior Notes 2021 (the “ 2021 Notes ”) and a Series of Securities designated as its 4.800% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “ 2026 Notes ” and, together with the 2021 Notes, the “ Notes ”), on the terms set forth herein;

WHEREAS, Section 8.1(h) of the Base Indenture provides that a supplemental indenture may be entered into by the parties for such purpose without notice to or the consent of any Securityholder, provided certain conditions are met;

WHEREAS, the conditions set forth in the Base Indenture for the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture have been met; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid and binding agreement of the parties, in accordance with its terms, and a valid amendment of, and supplement to, the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes have been done;

NOW, THEREFORE:

ARTICLE 1

D EFINITIONS AND O THER P ROVISIONS OF G ENERAL A PPLICATION

Section 1.01 .   Definitions.   Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Base Indenture. To the extent terms are defined in both this First Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the applicable definition in this First Supplemental Indenture shall control. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this First Supplemental Indenture refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

1


As used herein, the following terms have the specified meanings:

2021 Notes ” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

2026 Notes ” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Additional Notes ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.04 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Agent Members ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(f) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Attributable Debt ” means, with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction, at the time of determination, the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the Property (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) subject to such transaction, and (2) the total obligation (discounted to the present value at the implicit interest factor, determined in accordance with GAAP, included in the rental payments) of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes as well as maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining portion of the base term of the lease included in such transaction. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such present value shall be the lesser of (i) the present value determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the present value shall also include the amount of the penalty, but shall not include any rent that would be required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be terminated), and (ii) the present value assuming no such termination.

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Base Indenture ” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Business Day ” when used with respect to any Note, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance 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 assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the adoption of a plan by the Board of Directors relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution; (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined

 

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in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the aggregate of the total voting power of the Company’s Voting Shares or other Voting Shares into which the Company’s Voting Shares are reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; provided , however, that a person shall not be deemed beneficial owner of, or to own beneficially, (A) any securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such person or any Affiliates of such person until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange thereunder, or (B) any securities if such beneficial ownership (i) arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, and (ii) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D (or any successor schedule) under the Exchange Act; or (4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any person, or any person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Shares of the Company or such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other Property, other than any such transaction where the Company’s Voting Shares outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Shares (measured by voting power) of the surviving person or any direct or indirect parent company of any surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction.

Change of Control Notice ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.02(a) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Change of Control Offer ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.02(a) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Change of Control Payment Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.02(a) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

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

Company ” means the party named as such in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the applicable Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 4.01 of this First Supplemental Indenture (assuming such Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes (assuming such Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date).

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date pursuant to Section 4.01 of this First Supplemental Indenture, (1) if the Company obtains four or more

 

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applicable Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of the applicable Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four and more than one applicable Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all applicable Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date or (3) if only one Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation is received, such quotation.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the total assets less (a) all current liabilities (excluding deferred net revenue) and (b) the value of all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, service marks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other intangible assets, all as shown on or reflected in the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet (including, without duplication, the notes related thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank National Association, 633 West Fifth Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the designated corporate trust office of any successor trustee (or such other address as such successor trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

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

delivered, ” with respect to any notice to be given to a Holder pursuant to the Indenture, shall mean notice (x) given to the Depository (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depository or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices or procedures at the Depository (in the case of a Global Security) or (y) mailed to such Holder by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Registrar’s books. Notice so “delivered” shall be deemed to include any notice to be “mailed” or “given,” as applicable, under the Indenture

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.03 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

First Supplemental Indenture ” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time.

guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising

 

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by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided , however , that the term “ guarantee ” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “ guarantee ,” when used as a verb, has a correlative meaning.

Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under: (1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements; (2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and (3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (including, without limitation, indebtedness for borrowed money evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments but not including Non-recourse Obligations), if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon an unconsolidated balance sheet of such Person (but does not include contingent liabilities which appear only in a footnote to a balance sheet).

Indenture ” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Independent Investment Banker ” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers, as may be appointed from time to time by the Company; provided, however , that if any Reference Treasury Dealer ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

Initial 2021 Notes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Initial 2026 Notes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Initial Notes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Investment Grade ” means a rating of Baa3 or better by Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor Rating Categories of Moody’s); a rating of BBB- or better by S&P (or its equivalent under any successor Rating Categories of S&P); or, if applicable, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Substitute Rating Agency.

 

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Lien ” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, or other security interest or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any lease in the nature thereof).

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

Non-recourse Obligation ” means Indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to (1) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company or (2) the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of the Properties of the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company, as to which the obligee with respect to such Indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or such Subsidiary’s assets other than the assets which were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).

Notes ” has the meaning specified in the recitals of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Par Call Date ” means with respect to the 2021 Notes, February 1, 2021, the date that is one month prior to the Stated Maturity of the 2021 Notes and, with respect to the 2026 Notes, December 1, 2025, the date that is three months prior to the Stated Maturity of the 2026 Notes.

Primary Treasury Dealer ” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States of America.

Property ” means any property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including shares of Capital Stock.

Prospectus ” means the preliminary prospectus supplement dated February 17, 2016, including the base prospectus dated November 7, 2014 and as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet dated February 17, 2016, relating to the offering and sale of the Notes.

Rating Agency ” means Moody’s and S&P; provided that if either Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the applicable Series of Notes publicly available, “ Rating Agency ” shall include a Substitute Rating Agency appointed by the Company.

Rating Category ” means (i) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); (ii) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and (iii) the equivalent of any such category of S&P or Moody’s used by a Substitute Rating Agency.

Ratings Event ” means that the applicable Series of Notes ceases to be rated Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies on any day during the Trigger Period. If either Rating Agency is not providing a rating of that Series of Notes on any day during the Trigger Period for any reason (subject, for the avoidance of doubt, to the Company’s right to engage a Substitute Rating Agency as provided herein), the rating of such Rating Agency for such Series of Notes shall be deemed to have ceased to be Investment Grade during the Trigger Period.

 

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Record Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(d) of this First Supplemental Indenture.

Reference Treasury Dealer means each of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, each of their respective successors, and any other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by the Company.

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

Remaining Scheduled Payments ” means, with respect to any Note to be redeemed pursuant to Section 4.01 of this First Supplemental Indenture, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption calculated as if the Stated Maturity of such Note was the applicable Par Call Date; provided , however , that if such Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note, the amount of the next scheduled interest payment thereon shall be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any domestic Subsidiary of the Company other than any of the Company’s less than 80%-owned Subsidiaries if the common stock of such Subsidiary is traded on any national securities exchange or on the over-the-counter markets.

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

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

Substitute Rating Agency ” means a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date pursuant to Section 4.01 of this First Supplemental Indenture, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding that

 

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Redemption Date) of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue. In determining this rate, the Independent Investment Banker shall assume a price for the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the applicable Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

Trigger Period ” means the period commencing on the earlier of (a) the first public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (b) the public announcement by the Company of its intention to effect a Change of Control, and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the applicable Series of Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible rating downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies on such 60th day, such extension to last with respect to each such Rating Agency until the date on which such Rating Agency considering such possible downgrade either (x) rates the applicable Series of Notes below Investment Grade or (y) publicly announces that it is no longer considering the Notes for possible downgrade, provided that no such extension shall occur if on such 60th day the applicable Series of Notes is rated Investment Grade by at least one of such Rating Agencies in question and is not subject to review for possible downgrade by such Rating Agency).

Voting Shares ” of any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) as of any date means the Capital Stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

Section 1.02 .   Conflicts with Base Indenture.   In the event that any provision of this First Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Base Indenture, such provision of this First Supplemental Indenture shall control.

ARTICLE 2

F ORM OF N OTES

Section 2.01 .   Form of Notes.   The 2021 Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and the 2026 Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, both of which are hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of the Indenture.

ARTICLE 3

T HE N OTES

Section 3.01 .   Amount; Series; Terms.   (a) There is hereby created and designated two Series of Securities under the Base Indenture: the title of the 2021 Notes shall be “3.700% Senior Notes due 2021,” and the title of the 2026 Notes shall be “4.800% Senior Notes due 2026.” The changes, modifications and supplements to the Base Indenture effected by this First 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.

 

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(b) The aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes that initially may be authenticated and delivered under this First Supplemental Indenture (the “ Initial 2021 Notes ”) shall be limited to $600,000,000, and the aggregate principal amount of 2026 Notes that initially may be authenticated and delivered under this First Supplemental Indenture (the “ Initial 2026 Notes ” and, together with the Initial 2021 Notes, the Initial Notes ) shall be limited to $400,000,000, subject, in each case, to increase as set forth in Section 3.04 of this First Supplemental Indenture.

(c) The Stated Maturity of the 2021 Notes shall be March 1, 2021 and the Stated Maturity of the 2026 Notes shall be March 1, 2026. The Notes shall be payable and may be presented for payment, purchase, redemption, registration of transfer and exchange, without service charge (subject to Section 2.7 of the Base Indenture), at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office.

(d) The 2021 Notes shall bear interest at the rate of 3.700% per annum and the 2026 Notes shall bear interest at the rate of 4.800% per annum, in each case beginning on February 24, 2016 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to or for which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as further provided in the form of 2021 Note annexed hereto as Exhibit A and form of 2026 Note annexed hereto as Exhibit B. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The Interest Payment Dates for the Notes shall be March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2016, and the “ Record Date ” for any interest payable on each such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding February 15 and August 15, respectively; provided that upon the Stated Maturity of each Series of Notes interest shall be payable on such Stated Maturity from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided, and shall include the required payment of principal or premium, if any; and provided further , the “ Record Date ” for any interest, principal, or premium, if any, payable on the Stated Maturity of each Series of Notes shall be the immediately preceding February 15. If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or other payment date with respect to the Notes is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day as if made on the date that such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on that payment for the period from and after that Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

(e) The Notes of each Series shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, deposited with the Trustee as custodian for the Depository or its nominee, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in Section 3.03 of this First Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture.

(f) Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a Global Security registered in the name of or held by the Depository or its nominee shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Global Security. If the Notes of a Series are no longer represented by a Global Security, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on certificated Notes of such Series in

 

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definitive form may, at the Company’s option, be made by (i) check mailed directly to Holders at their registered addresses or (ii) upon request of any Holder of at least $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes of such Series, wire transfer to an account located in the United States of America maintained by the payee.

Section 3.02 .   Denominations.   The Notes of each Series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Section 3.03 .   Book-entry Provisions for Global Securities.   (a) Each Global Security authenticated under the Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depository designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depository or nominee thereof or custodian therefor. Each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of the Indenture.

(b) Subject to Section 2.7 of the Base Indenture, any exchange of a Global Security for other Notes may be made in whole or in part, and all Notes issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depository for such Global Security shall direct in writing to the Trustee.

(c) Every Note authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Note is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.

(d) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.03(f) below, the registered Holder may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Notes.

(e) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in the fifth and sixth paragraphs of Section 2.7 of the Base Indenture, the Company will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Notes in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons, with such reasonable adjustments, if any, to the forms of 2021 Note and 2026 Note set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, respectively, as may be necessary or advisable to reflect that such definitive Notes are not Global Securities.

(f) Neither any members of, or participants in, the Depository (collectively, the “ Agent Members ”) nor any other Persons on whose behalf Agent Members may act shall have any rights under the Indenture with respect to any Global Security registered in the name of the Depository or any nominee thereof, or under any such Global Security, and the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner and holder of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company or the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or such nominee, as the

 

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case may be, or impair, as between the Depository, its Agent Members and any other Person on whose behalf an Agent Member may act, the operation of customary practices of such Persons governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.

Section 3.04 .   Additional Notes; Repurchases.   The Company may, from time to time, subject to compliance with any other applicable provisions of the Indenture, without notice to or the consent of the Holders of the Notes, create and issue pursuant to the Indenture additional 2021 Notes or additional 2026 Notes (together, the “ Additional Notes ”) having terms and conditions identical to those of the Initial 2021 Notes or the Initial 2026 Notes, as applicable, and ranking equally and ratably with the Initial 2021 Notes or the Initial 2026 Notes, as applicable, except that Additional Notes of a Series:

(i) may have a different issue date from the Initial 2021 Notes or the Initial 2026 Notes, as applicable;

(ii) may have a different issue price from the Initial 2021 Notes or the Initial 2026 Notes, as applicable; and

(iii) may have a different amount of interest payable on the first Interest Payment Date after issuance than is payable on the Initial 2021 Notes or the Initial 2026 Notes, as applicable;

provided that if such Additional Notes are not fungible with the outstanding Notes of the applicable Series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes shall have one or more separate CUSIP numbers. Such Additional Notes may be consolidated and form a single series with, and shall have the same terms as to ranking, redemption, waivers, amendments or otherwise, as the Initial 2021 Notes or the Initial 2026 Notes, as applicable, and shall vote together as one class on all matters with respect to the 2021 Notes or the 2026 Notes, as the case may be.

The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. The Company shall cause any Notes so purchased (other than Notes purchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and such Notes shall no longer be considered outstanding under the Indenture upon their purchase.

Section 3.05 .   No Sinking Fund.   The Notes shall not be subject to any sinking fund.

 

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ARTICLE 4

R EDEMPTION OF S ECURITIES

Section 4.01 .   Optional Redemption.   (a) Subject to Section 1.02 hereof, the provisions of Article IX of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture, shall apply to the Notes.

(b) At any time before February 1, 2021, in the case of the 2021 Notes, or before December 1, 2025, in the case of the 2026 Notes, Notes of such Series shall be redeemable, as a whole at any time or from time to time in part, at the Company’s option, at a Redemption Price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Notes to be redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments of such Notes, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 40 basis points, in the case of the 2021 Notes, and 45 basis points, in the case of the 2026 Notes, plus in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date for such Notes.

(c) On or after February 1, 2021, in the case of the 2021 Notes, or on or after December 1, 2025, in the case of the 2026 Notes, Notes of such Series shall be redeemable, as a whole at any time or from time to time in part, at the Company’s option, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Notes to be redeemed, plus in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date for such Notes.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 4.01 (b) and Section 4.01 (c) above, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on Interest Payment Dates falling on or prior to a Redemption Date shall be payable on the Interest Payment Date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Record Date in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and the Indenture.

(e) On and after the Redemption Date for a Series of Notes, interest shall cease to accrue on such Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any. If less than all of the Notes of the applicable Series are to be redeemed, the Notes of a Series to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata or by lot and, in the case of Notes represented by a Global Security, in accordance with the procedures of the Depository; provided , however , that in no event shall Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less be redeemed in part.

(f) Notice of any redemption shall be delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of the Notes to be redeemed. Such notice shall state the Redemption Price (if known) or the formula pursuant to which the Redemption Price is to be determined if the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time the notice is given. If the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as described above in Section 4.01 (b) or Section 4.01 (c), as applicable, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two

 

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Business Days prior to the Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as provided in the Indenture, the Notes called for redemption shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable Redemption Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. A notice of redemption may, at the Company’s option and discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent.

Section 4.02 .   Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event.   (a) If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs with respect to a Series of Notes, unless the Company shall have exercised its option to redeem the Notes of such Series pursuant to Section 4.01 of this First Supplemental Indenture, each Holder of the Notes of such Series shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes of such Series at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes to, but excluding, the repurchase date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to a Series of Notes or, at the option of the Company, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control or event that may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall deliver a notice (the “ Change of Control Notice ”) to each Holder of such Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) to repurchase such Notes on the repurchase date specified in the notice at the option of the Holders, which date (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”) shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered. The Change of Control Notice shall, if delivered prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Company’s obligation to repurchase the Notes is conditioned on a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

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

(i) accept for payment all the Notes or portions of the Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Notice;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate repurchase price in respect of all the Notes or portions of the Notes properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes being repurchased by the Company.

(c) The Paying Agent shall promptly deliver to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the repurchase price for the Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes surrendered.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 4.02, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer in connection with a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in connection with such Change of Control Repurchase Event in the manner and at the times required and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for such a Change of Control Offer made by the Company, and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

(e) If Holders of not less than 95% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a Series validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company pursuant to Section 4.02(d) above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described in Section 4.02 (b) above, to redeem all Notes of such Series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on a Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

(f) The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with any repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.02, the Company shall comply with those securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.02 by virtue thereof; provided that the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to permit Holders to exercise their rights and to fulfill its obligations in the time and in the manner specified in this Section 4.02 to the extent permitted by such securities laws or regulations.

ARTICLE 5

C OVENANTS AND R EMEDIES

Section 5.01 .   Limitation on Liens.   (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create or incur any Lien upon any Property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether now existing or owned or hereafter created or acquired), in order to secure any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries unless prior to or at the same time, the Notes (together with, at the Company’s option, any other Indebtedness or guarantees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries ranking equally in right of payment with the Notes or such guarantee) are equally and ratably secured with or, at the Company’s option, prior to, such secured Indebtedness, until such time as such Indebtedness or guarantees are no longer secured by such Lien or such Property is no longer owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The foregoing restriction in Section 5.01 (a) above shall not apply to:

 

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(1) Liens existing with respect to any Person at the time such Person becomes a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(2) Liens existing on Property at the time of acquisition thereof or at the time of acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Person then owning such Property whether or not such existing Liens were given to secure the payment of the purchase price of the Property to which they attach;

(3) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(4) Liens existing on the date of issuance of the Initial Notes;

(5) Liens on Property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Properties of a Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of the merger, consolidation, or sale, lease, other disposition or other such transaction;

(6) Liens created in connection with a project financed with, and created to secure, a Non-recourse Obligation;

(7) Liens created to secure the Notes;

(8) Liens imposed by law or arising by operation of law, such as materialmens’, workmen or repairmen, carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanic’s Liens and other similar Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue by more than 60 calendar days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review and Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution;

(9) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies on Property not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(10) Liens to secure the performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance or return of money bonds and other obligations of a like nature;

(11) pledges or deposits under workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, or similar legislation and Liens of judgment thereunder which are not currently dischargeable,

 

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or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations, or deposits in connection with obtaining or maintaining self-insurance or to obtain the benefits of any law, regulation or arrangement pertaining to workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security or similar matters, or deposits of cash or obligations of the United States of America to secure surety, appeal or customs bonds, or deposits in litigation or other proceedings such as, but not limited to, interpleader proceedings;

(12) Liens consisting of easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property, and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlords’ Liens and other similar Liens none of which interfere materially with the use of the Property covered thereby in the ordinary course of business and which do not, in the Company’s opinion, materially detract from the value of such Properties;

(13) Liens in favor of the United States of America or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any state, territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the Property subject to such Liens;

(14) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to finance the construction, acquisition (including acquisition through merger or consolidation), purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, Property (including shares of Capital Stock), plant or equipment of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that the Lien shall not extend to any other Property owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is incurred (other than Property affixed or appurtenant thereto), and the Indebtedness (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien shall not be incurred more than 18 months after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the Property subject to the Lien;

(15) Liens incurred to secure cash or investment management or custodial services in the ordinary course of business or on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(16) Liens on the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary that is not a Restricted Subsidiary;

(17) Liens securing Hedging Obligations designed to protect the Company from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies, equities or the price of commodities and not for speculative purposes;

(18) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to commercial letters of credit in the ordinary course of business that encumber cash, documents and other Property relating to such letters of credit and proceeds thereof;

 

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(19) Liens on Property incurred in connection with any transaction permitted under Section 5.02 below; or

(20) any extensions, renewals or replacements of any Lien referred to in clauses (1) through (19) above without increase of the principal of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien (except to the extent of any fees or other costs associated with any such extension, renewal or replacement); provided , however , that any Liens permitted by any of clauses (1) through (19) above shall not extend to or cover any Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, other than the Property specified in such clauses and improvements to such Property.

(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 5.01(a) above, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to incur Indebtedness secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 5.01(a) above without equally and ratably securing the Notes; provided that, after giving effect to such Indebtedness and the retirement of any Indebtedness secured by Liens (other than Liens described in clauses (1) through (20) of Section 5.01(b) above) that is being retired substantially concurrently with such incurrence, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens (not including Liens permitted under clauses (1) through (20) of Section 5.01(b) above), together with all Attributable Debt outstanding pursuant to Section 5.02(b) below, does not exceed 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries also may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, create or incur Liens that extend, renew, substitute or replace (including successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, any Lien permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence.

Section 5.02 .   Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.   (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction for the sale and leasing back of any Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless:

(1) such transaction was entered into prior to the date of issuance of the Initial Notes;

(2) such transaction was for the sale and leasing back to the Company or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries of any Property by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) such transaction involves a lease for not more than three years (or which may be terminated by the Company or its Subsidiaries within a period of not more than three years);

(4) the Company would be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien with respect to such sale and leaseback transaction without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to Section 5.01(b) above; or

(5) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of such Property to the purchase of other Property or assets used or

 

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useful in the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s business or to the retirement of Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (including the Notes) within 365 days before or after the effective date of any such sale and leaseback transaction, provided that, in lieu of applying such amount to the retirement of pari passu Indebtedness, the Company may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation, such Notes to be credited at the cost thereof to the Company.

(b) Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in Section 5.02(a) above, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into any sale and leaseback transaction which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 5.02(a) above, if after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to such transactions (not including Attributable Debt permitted under clauses (1) through (5) of Section 5.02(a) above), together with all Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 5.01(c) above, does not exceed 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Section 5.03 .   Events of Default.   (a) Section 5.1 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes. Instead, each of the following events shall be an “ Event of Default ” with respect to a Series of Notes:

(1) default for 30 days in payment of any interest installment due and payable on any Note of such Series;

(2) a failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, on any Note of such Series when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or otherwise;

(3) a failure by the Company to repurchase Notes of such Series tendered for repurchase following the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event in conformity with Section 4.02 of this First Supplemental Indenture;

(4) default in the Company’s performance of any other covenant or agreement in respect of the Notes of such Series for 90 days after written notice has been given either to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes of such Series then outstanding;

(5) (i) a failure to make any payment at maturity, including any applicable grace period, on any of the Company’s Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness the Company owes to any of its Subsidiaries) outstanding in an amount in excess of $200,000,000 or (ii) a default on any of the Company’s Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness the Company owes to any of its Subsidiaries), which default results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness in an amount in excess of $200,000,000 without such Indebtedness having been discharged or the acceleration having been cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) above, for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes (including any Additional Notes); provided, however , that if any failure, default or acceleration referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above ceases or is cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, then the Event of Default shall be deemed cured;

 

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(6) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its Property, (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or (v) admits in writing its inability to generally pay its debts as such debts become due; or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; and

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its Property or (iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company; or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

(b) Any notice of Default given by the Trustee or Holders under this Section must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1 and 6.2 of the Base Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice thereof shall have been given to the Trustee in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Base Indenture by the Company, the Paying Agent, any Holder or an agent of any Holder and such notice references the Notes and the Indenture.

Section 5.04 .   Modification and Waiver.   Article VIII of the Base Indenture, as amended by this Section 5.04, shall apply to the Notes. Section 8.1 of the Base Indenture shall not apply to the Notes. In lieu thereof, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend or modify the Indenture or enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as then in effect) with respect to any Series of Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder of Notes of such Series in order to:

(a) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, provided that the interests of the Holders are not adversely affected;

(b) conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any corresponding provision of the “Description of Notes” or the “Description of the Debt Securities” sections of the Prospectus, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate;

(c) provide for the issuance of Additional Notes of such Series, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.04 of this First Supplemental Indenture;

(d) provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation and the Company’s discharge upon such assumption provided that Article IV of the Base Indenture is complied with;

 

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(e) add covenants or make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes of such Series;

(f) add guarantees with respect to the Notes of such Series;

(g) provide for uncertificated Notes of such Series in addition to or in place of certificated Notes of such Series;

(h) secure the Notes of such Series;

(i) add or appoint a successor or separate trustee;

(j) make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of Notes of such Series; or

(k) maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA.

Section 5.05 .   References In Base Indenture.   References to “clause (d) or (e) of Section 5.1,” “Section 5.1(a) or (b),” “Section 5.1(d) or (e)” and “clause (c) of Section 5.1” in the Base Indenture shall be deemed to refer to “ Section 5.03(a) (6) or Section 5.03(a)(7),” “ Section 5.03(a)(1) or Section 5.03(a)(2),” “ Section 5.03(a)(6) or Section 5.03(a)(7)” and “ Section 5.03(a)(4)” of this First Supplemental Indenture, respectively.

Section 5.06 .   Maintenance of Office or Agency.   In accordance with Section 3.2 of the Base Indenture, the Company shall maintain an office or agency where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment, redemptions or repurchase and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and the Indenture may be served (which initially shall be the Corporate Trust Office). The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

Section 5.07 .   Legal Holidays.   Section 10.7 of the Base Indenture shall be amended with respect to the Notes by deleting the initial dependent clause in the first sentence thereof.

Section 5.08 Defeasance and Discharge.   Article VII of the Base Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

Section 5.09   No Additional Amounts . No Additional Amounts shall be payable with respect to the Notes. Section 3.5 of the Base Indenture shall therefore not apply to the Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 6

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 6.01 .   Confirmation of Indenture.   The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

Section 6.02 .   Counterparts.   This First Supplemental Indenture 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. The exchange of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original First Supplemental Indenture and signature pages for all purposes.

Section 6.03 .   Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.   THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER 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 FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Trustee hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any federal or State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this First Supplemental Indenture or any Notes and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. Each of the Company and the Trustee irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Company and the Trustee agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, and may be enforced in any courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, is subject by a suit upon such judgment, provided, that service of process is effected upon the Company or the Trustee, as applicable, in the manner specified herein or as otherwise permitted by law.

Section 6.04 .   Recitals by the Company . The recitals in this First Supplemental Indenture are made by the Company only and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or the

 

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proceeds thereof. All of the provisions contained in the Base Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and duties of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of the Notes and of this First Supplemental Indenture as fully and with like effect as if set forth herein in full.

[Signature pages follow]

 

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

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
By:  

/s/ Roch LeBlanc

  Name: Roch LeBlanc
  Title:   Vice President, Treasurer

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Paula Oswald

  Name: Paula Oswald
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page – First Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF 2021 NOTE

(FACE OF 2021 NOTE)

THIS SECURITY IS ISSUED IN GLOBAL FORM AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, TO THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF AND OF THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED BELOW), THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.

 

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ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

3.700% Senior Notes due 2021

 

No.                                                  CUSIP No.: 285512 AC3
   ISIN No.: US285512AC38
   Initially $                                 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Securities attached hereto on March 1, 2021.

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1.

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15.

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the reverse hereof.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE

OF AUTHENTICATION:

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture.

 

By:                                                                                      Dated:                                                                     
          Authorized Signatory     

 

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(REVERSE OF 2021 NOTE)

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

3.700% Senior Notes due 2021

(1) Interest . Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture referred to below, being herein called the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the interest rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2016. Interest on the Securities of this Series shall accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date to or for which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from February 24, 2016. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

(2) Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest on the Securities of this Series (except Defaulted Interest) to the persons who are registered Holders of Securities of this Series at the close of business on the Record Date next preceding the Interest Payment Date even though such Securities are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of this Global Security.

(3) Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), shall act as Paying Agent, transfer agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent, transfer agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company may act as Paying Agent, transfer agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

(4) Indenture . This Note is a “Security” and the Notes are a “Series” of “Securities” under the Indenture (as defined below). The Company issued the Securities of this Series under an Indenture dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), in each case between the Company and the Trustee. The Securities are unsecured general obligations of the Company and constitute the Series designated on the face hereof as the “3.700% Senior Notes due 2021”, initially limited to $600,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “ TIA ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein are used as defined in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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(5) Redemption . The Company may redeem the Securities of this Series in whole at any time or from time to time in part prior to their Stated Maturity, at its option, pursuant to the following terms:

(a) At any time before February 1, 2021, the Redemption Price shall be equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this Series to be redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments of such Securities, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 40 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(b) At any time on or after February 1, 2021, the Redemption Price shall be equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this Series to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Securities that are due and payable on Interest Payment Dates falling on or prior to a Redemption Date shall be payable on the Interest Payment Date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Record Date in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and the Indenture.

On and after the Redemption Date for the Securities, interest shall cease to accrue on such Securities or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any. On or before the Redemption Date for the Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or a Paying Agent, funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest, if any. If less than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the procedures of the Depository; provided , however , that in no event shall Securities of a principal amount of $2,000 or less be redeemed in part.

Notice of any redemption shall be delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of the Securities to be redeemed. Such notice shall state the Redemption Price (if known) or the formula pursuant to which the Redemption Price is to be determined if the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time the notice is given. If the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as set forth in the Indenture, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as provided in the Indenture, the Securities called for redemption shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable Redemption Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(6) Change of Control Repurchase Event . If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs with respect to the Securities of this Series, unless the Company shall have exercised its

 

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option pursuant to Section (5) hereof to redeem the Securities of this Series, each Holder of the Securities of this Series shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Securities of such Series at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Securities of this Series or, at the option of the Company, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control or event that may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall deliver a notice (the “ Change of Control Notice ”) to each Holder of the Securities, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) to repurchase such Securities on the repurchase date specified in the notice at the option of the Holders, which date (the “Change of Control Payment Date” ) shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered. The Change of Control Notice shall, if delivered prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Company’s obligation to repurchase the Securities is conditioned on a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all the Securities or portions of the Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Notice;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate repurchase price in respect of all the Securities or portions of the Securities properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted, together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of the Securities being repurchased by the Company.

If Holders of not less than 95% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of this Series validly tender and do not withdraw such Securities in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company pursuant to Section 4.02(d) of the First Supplemental Indenture, purchases all of the Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all Securities of this Series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on a Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

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The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with any repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section (6), the Company shall comply with those securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section (6) by virtue thereof; provided that the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to permit Holders to exercise their rights and to fulfill its obligations in the time and in the manner specified in this Section (6) to the extent permitted by such securities laws or regulations.

(7) Denominations; Transfer; Exchange . The Securities of this Series are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Securities may be registered and Securities may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company shall not be required (A) to transfer or exchange any Securities subject to redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the electronic delivery or mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such electronic delivery or mailing or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

(8) Defeasance . Subject to certain conditions as provided in the Indenture, the Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities of this Series and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities of this Series to their Stated Maturity.

(9) Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Security may be treated as its owner for all purposes, except that interest (other than Defaulted Interest) shall be paid to the Person that was the registered Holder on the relevant Record Date for such payment of interest.

(10) Amendments and Waivers.  Subject to certain exceptions, (i) the Indenture or the Securities of this Series may be amended or supplemented with respect to this Series with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this Series; and (ii) any existing default with respect to the Securities of this Series may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this Series. Without the consent of any Securityholder of this Series, the Indenture or the Securities of this Series may be amended or supplemented in accordance with Section 5.04 of the First Supplemental Indenture to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for assumption of Company obligations to Securityholders of this Series or to provide for uncertificated Securities of this Series in addition to or in place of certificated Securities of this Series , to provide for guarantees with respect to, or security for, the Securities of this Series, or to comply with the TIA or to add additional covenants or additional rights or benefits to the Securityholders of this Series, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder of this Series.

 

A-7


(11) Remedies . If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this Series may, by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee if given by the Holders, declare all the Securities of this Series to be due and payable immediately. Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities of this Series except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require an indemnity before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of this Series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to the Securities of this Series. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders of this Series notice of any Default or Event of Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines in good faith that withholding notice is in their interests. The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

(12) Trustee Dealings with Company.  Subject to the provisions of the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee. The Trustee shall initially be U.S. Bank National Association.

(13) No Recourse Against Others.  A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

(14) Authentication.  This Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

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

(16) Governing Law . THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers (or as to the accuracy of ISIN numbers or similar numbers) as printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE INDENTURE, WHICH HAS IN IT THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY, IN TWELVE-POINT TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR, ELECTRONIC ARTS INC., 209 REDWOOD SHORES PARKWAY, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94065, Telephone: (650) 628-0255.

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

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

and irrevocably appoint                      agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Dated:                                                                               Signed:  

     

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

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-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF SECURITIES

The initial principal amount of this Global Security is                      DOLLARS ($                    ). The following exchanges of a part of this Global Security for certificated Securities or a part of another Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease
in principal amount
of this Global Security

 

Amount of increase
in principal amount
of this Global Security

  

Principal amount of
this Global Security
following such
decrease (or
increase)

  

Signature of
authorized signatory of
Trustee

 

A-10


REPURCHASE EXERCISE NOTICE UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL

REPURCHASE EVENT

To: Electronic Arts Inc.

The undersigned registered owner of this Security hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Electronic Arts Inc. (the “ Company ”) as to the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Company and hereby directs the Company to pay, or cause the Trustee to pay,                     an amount in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities, or the portion thereof (which is $2,000 principal amount or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, to be repurchased plus interest accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the repurchase date, except as provided in the Indenture. The undersigned hereby agrees that the Securities will be repurchased as of the Change of Control Payment Date pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof and the Indenture.

Dated:                                                                  

Signature:                                                           

Principal amount to be repurchased (at least $2,000 or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):                    

Remaining principal amount following such repurchase:                    

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF 2026 NOTE

(FACE OF 2026 NOTE)

THIS SECURITY IS ISSUED IN GLOBAL FORM AND REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”) OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC, TO THE COMPANY (AS DEFINED BELOW) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF AND OF THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED BELOW), THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY A NOMINEE OF DTC TO DTC OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.

 

B-1


ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

4.800% Senior Notes due 2026

 

No.                       CUSIP No.: 285512 AD1
   ISIN No.: US285512AD11
   Initially $                                 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Securities attached hereto on March 1, 2026.

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1.

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15.

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the reverse hereof.

 

B-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:
U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture.

 

By:                                                                                      Dated:                                                                     
          Authorized Signatory     

 

B-3


(REVERSE OF 2026 NOTE)

ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.

4.800% Senior Notes due 2026

(1) Interest . Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture referred to below, being herein called the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the interest rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2016. Interest on the Securities of this Series shall accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date to or for which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from February 24, 2016. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

(2) Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest on the Securities of this Series (except Defaulted Interest) to the persons who are registered Holders of Securities of this Series at the close of business on the Record Date next preceding the Interest Payment Date even though such Securities are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of this Global Security.

(3) Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar . Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), shall act as Paying Agent, transfer agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent, transfer agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company may act as Paying Agent, transfer agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

(4) Indenture . This Note is a “Security” and the Notes are a “Series” of “Securities” under the Indenture (as defined below). The Company issued the Securities of this Series under an Indenture dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), in each case between the Company and the Trustee. The Securities are unsecured general obligations of the Company and constitute the Series designated on the face hereof as the “4.800% Senior Notes due 2026”, initially limited to $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “ TIA ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein are used as defined in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

B-4


(5) Redemption . The Company may redeem the Securities of this Series in whole at any time or from time to time in part prior to their Stated Maturity, at its option, pursuant to the following terms:

(a) At any time before December 1, 2025, the Redemption Price shall be equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this Series to be redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments of such Securities, discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 45 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(b) At any time on or after December 1, 2025, the Redemption Price shall be equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this Series to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Securities that are due and payable on Interest Payment Dates falling on or prior to a Redemption Date shall be payable on the Interest Payment Date to the registered Holders as of the close of business on the relevant Record Date in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and the Indenture.

On and after the Redemption Date for the Securities, interest shall cease to accrue on such Securities or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any. On or before the Redemption Date for the Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or a Paying Agent, funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest, if any. If less than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the procedures of the Depository; provided , however , that in no event shall Securities of a principal amount of $2,000 or less be redeemed in part.

Notice of any redemption shall be delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of the Securities to be redeemed. Such notice shall state the Redemption Price (if known) or the formula pursuant to which the Redemption Price is to be determined if the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time the notice is given. If the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as set forth in the Indenture, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as provided in the Indenture, the Securities called for redemption shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable Redemption Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(6) Change of Control Repurchase Event . If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs with respect to the Securities of this Series, unless the Company shall have exercised its

 

B-5


option pursuant to Section (5) hereof to redeem the Securities of this Series, each Holder of the Securities of this Series shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Securities of such Series at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Securities of this Series or, at the option of the Company, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control or event that may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall deliver a notice (the “ Change of Control Notice ”) to each Holder of the Securities, with a copy to the Trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) to repurchase such Securities on the repurchase date specified in the notice at the option of the Holders, which date (the “Change of Control Payment Date” ) shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered. The Change of Control Notice shall, if delivered prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the Company’s obligation to repurchase the Securities is conditioned on a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all the Securities or portions of the Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Notice;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate repurchase price in respect of all the Securities or portions of the Securities properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of the Securities being repurchased by the Company.

If Holders of not less than 95% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of this Series validly tender and do not withdraw such Securities in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company pursuant to Section 4.02(d) of the First Supplemental Indenture, purchases all of the Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all Securities of this Series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on a Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

B-6


The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with any repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section (6), the Company shall comply with those securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section (6) by virtue thereof; provided that the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to permit Holders to exercise their rights and to fulfill its obligations in the time and in the manner specified in this Section (6) to the extent permitted by such securities laws or regulations.

(7) Denominations; Transfer; Exchange . The Securities of this Series are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Securities may be registered and Securities may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company shall not be required (A) to transfer or exchange any Securities subject to redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the electronic delivery or mailing of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such electronic delivery or mailing or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

(8) Defeasance . Subject to certain conditions as provided in the Indenture, the Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities of this Series and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities of this Series to their Stated Maturity.

(9) Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Security may be treated as its owner for all purposes, except that interest (other than Defaulted Interest) shall be paid to the Person that was the registered Holder on the relevant Record Date for such payment of interest.

(10) Amendments and Waivers.  Subject to certain exceptions, (i) the Indenture or the Securities of this Series may be amended or supplemented with respect to this Series with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this Series; and (ii) any existing default with respect to the Securities of this Series may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this Series. Without the consent of any Securityholder of this Series, the Indenture or the Securities of this Series may be amended or supplemented in accordance with Section 5.04 of the First Supplemental Indenture to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for assumption of Company obligations to Securityholders of this Series or to provide for uncertificated Securities of this Series in addition to or in place of certificated Securities of this Series , to provide for guarantees with respect to, or security for, the Securities of this Series, or to comply with the TIA or to add additional covenants or additional rights or benefits to the Securityholders of this Series, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder of this Series.

 

B-7


(11) Remedies . If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this Series may, by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee if given by the Holders, declare all the Securities of this Series to be due and payable immediately. Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities of this Series except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require an indemnity before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of this Series may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to the Securities of this Series. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders of this Series notice of any Default or Event of Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines in good faith that withholding notice is in their interests. The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

(12) Trustee Dealings with Company.  Subject to the provisions of the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not Trustee. The Trustee shall initially be U.S. Bank National Association.

(13) No Recourse Against Others.  A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

(14) Authentication.  This Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

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

(16) Governing Law . THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers (or as to the accuracy of ISIN numbers or similar numbers) as printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE INDENTURE, WHICH HAS IN IT THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY, IN TWELVE-POINT TYPE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS DIRECTOR, ELECTRONIC ARTS INC., 209 REDWOOD SHORES PARKWAY, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94065, Telephone: (650) 628-0255.

 

B-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

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

and irrevocably appoint                      agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Dated:                                                                               Signed:  

 

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

Signature Guarantee:                                                                      

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

 

 

 

B-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF SECURITIES

The initial principal amount of this Global Security is                      DOLLARS ($                        ). The following exchanges of a part of this Global Security for certificated Securities or a part of another Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease
in principal amount
of this Global Security

 

Amount of increase
in principal amount
of this Global Security

  

Principal amount of
this Global Security
following such
decrease (or
increase)

  

Signature of
authorized signatory of
Trustee

 

B-10


REPURCHASE EXERCISE NOTICE UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL REPURCHASE EVENT

To: Electronic Arts Inc.

The undersigned registered owner of this Security hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Electronic Arts Inc. (the “ Company ”) as to the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Company and hereby directs the Company to pay, or cause the Trustee to pay,                     an amount in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities, or the portion thereof (which is $2,000 principal amount or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, to be repurchased plus interest accrued and unpaid to, but excluding, the repurchase date, except as provided in the Indenture. The undersigned hereby agrees that the Securities will be repurchased as of the Change of Control Payment Date pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof and the Indenture.

Dated:                                                                

Signature:                                                           

Principal amount to be repurchased (at least $2,000 or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):                    

Remaining principal amount following such repurchase:                    

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

B-11

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

599 LEXINGTON AVENUE  |  NEW YORK  |  NY  |  10022-6069

WWW.SHEARMAN.COM  |  T +1.212.848.4000  |  F +1.212.848.7179

February 24, 2016

The Board of Directors

Electronic Arts Inc.

209 Redwood Shores Parkway

Redwood City, CA 94065

Electronic Arts Inc.

$600,000,000 3.700% Senior Notes due 2021

$400,000,000 4.800% Senior Notes due 2026

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Electronic Arts Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the purchase of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.700% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ 2021 Notes ”) and $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.800% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “ 2026 Notes ” and, together with the 2021 Notes, the “ Notes ”) pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2016 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), among the Company and the underwriters set forth in Schedule 1 of the Underwriting Agreement. The Notes will be issued pursuant to a base indenture, dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, dated as of February 24, 2016 (the “ Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and the Trustee.

In that connection, we have reviewed originals or copies of the following documents:

(a) The Underwriting Agreement.

(b) The Indenture.

(c) The Notes in global form as executed by the Company.

The documents described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c) are collectively referred to herein as the “ Opinion Documents ”.

 

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PARIS  |  ROME  |  SAN FRANCISCO  |  SÃO PAULO  |  SHANGHAI  |  SINGAPORE  |  TOKYO  |  TORONTO  |  WASHINGTON, DC

SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP IS A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP ORGANIZED IN THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WHICH LAWS LIMIT THE PERSONAL LIABILITY OF PARTNERS.

 


In our review of the Opinion Documents and other documents, we have assumed:

(a) The genuineness of all signatures.

(b) The authenticity of the originals of the documents submitted to us.

(c) The conformity to authentic originals of any documents submitted to us as copies.

(d) As to matters of fact, the truthfulness of the representations made in the Underwriting Agreement and the other Opinion Documents and in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company.

(e) That each of the Opinion Documents is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each party thereto, other than the Company, enforceable against each such party in accordance with its terms.

(f) That the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Opinion Documents do not and will not, except with respect to Generally Applicable Law, violate any law, rule or regulation applicable to it.

(g) That the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Opinion Documents do not and will not result in any conflict with or breach of any agreement or document binding on it.

(h) That, except with respect to Generally Applicable Law, no authorization, approval, consent or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by the Company of any Opinion Document to which it is a party or, if any such authorization, approval, consent, action, notice or filing is required, it has been duly obtained, taken, given or made and is in full force and effect.

We have not independently established the validity of the foregoing assumptions.

Generally Applicable Law ” means the federal law of the United States of America, and the law of the State of New York (including in each case the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant thereto), that a New York lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably be expected to recognize as being applicable to the Company, the Opinion Documents or the transactions governed by the Opinion Documents, and for purposes of assumption paragraphs (f) and (h) above and our opinion below, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing definition of Generally Applicable Law, the term “ Generally Applicable Law ” does not include any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company, the Opinion Documents or such transactions solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any party to any of the Opinion Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.

 

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Based upon the foregoing and upon such other investigation as we have deemed necessary and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Notes have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and, when authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture and delivered and paid for as provided in the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

Our opinion expressed above is subject to the effect of (a) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally (including without limitation all laws relating to fraudulent transfers) and (b) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

Our opinion is limited to Generally Applicable Law, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.

This opinion letter is rendered to you in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Opinion Documents.

This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to advise you of any development or circumstance of any kind, including any change of law or fact, that may occur after the date of this opinion letter and which might affect the opinions expressed herein.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated the date hereof filed by the Company and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File No. 333-199995) filed by the Company to effect the registration of the Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Shearman & Sterling LLP

RA/BB/HBB

LLJ

 

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