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): June 13, 2016

 

 

L Brands, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

1-8344   31-1029810

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

Three Limited Parkway

Columbus, OH

  43230
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(614) 415-7000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(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.

Pursuant to the previously announced offering of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036 (the “Notes”) to be issued by L Brands, Inc. (the “Company”), the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) entered into the senior debt indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “Base Indenture”), and the first supplemental indenture thereto dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Notes. The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis (the “Guarantees” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”) by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”).

The Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.750% per annum, and interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2017, until the maturity date of July 1, 2036. The Company may redeem the Notes at such times and on the terms provided for in the Indenture. The Indenture also contains certain covenants as set forth in the Indenture and requires the Company to offer to repurchase the Notes upon certain change of control events.

The Base Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture (including the form of Notes) are filed as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

The above-mentioned offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-209236) filed by the Company and the Guarantors. The Terms Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2016 (together with the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions attached thereto as Annex A, the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the underwriters named therein, is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Opinion of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2016, by and among L Brands, Inc., the guarantors named therein and the underwriters named therein.
  4.1    Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2016, between L Brands, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
  4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2016, by and among L Brands, Inc., the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
  5.1    Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to the Securities.
23.1    Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).


SIGNATURES

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

 

       L Brands, Inc.
Date: June 16, 2016      By:  

/s/ Stuart B. Burgdoerfer

       Name: Stuart B. Burgdoerfer
       Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 1.1

Execution Version

L BRANDS, INC.

TERMS AGREEMENT

June 13, 2016

L Brands, Inc.

Three Limited Parkway

Columbus, Ohio 43230

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We (the “Representative”) understand that L Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”) the principal amount of its senior unsecured debt securities due 2036 (the “Notes”) identified in Schedule I hereto. The Notes shall be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis (the “Guarantees” and together with the Notes, the “Securities”) by the guarantors listed on the signature page hereto (the “Guarantors”).

All the provisions contained in the document constituting Annex A hereto entitled “L Brands, Inc. —Securities — Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions” are incorporated herein in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Terms defined in such document are used herein as therein defined.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein or incorporated by reference herein, the Underwriters offer to purchase, severally and not jointly, at the respective purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto, the principal amount of the Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule II hereto.


Please accept this offer by signing a copy of this Terms Agreement in the space set forth below and returning the signed copy to us.

Very truly yours,

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH                             INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ James Dallas

Name:   James Dallas
Title:   Director
Address for Notices:
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
One Bryant Park
New York, NY 10046
Fax: 212-901-7897
Attention: High Yield Legal Department

Acting as Representative for itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed on Schedule II hereto.

 

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Accepted:
L BRANDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Timothy J. Faber

  Name: Timothy J. Faber
  Title: Senior Vice President & Treasurer

BATH & BODY WORKS BRAND MANAGEMENT, INC.

BATH & BODY WORKS DIRECT, INC.

BATH & BODY WORKS, LLC

BEAUTYAVENUES, LLC

INTIMATE BRANDS, INC.

INTIMATE BRANDS HOLDING, LLC

L BRANDS DIRECT FULFILLMENT, INC.

L BRANDS SERVICE COMPANY, LLC

L BRANDS STORE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, INC.

LA SENZA, INC.

MAST INDUSTRIES, INC.

VICTORIA’S SECRET DIRECT BRAND MANAGEMENT, LLC

VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES BRAND MANAGEMENT, INC.

VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES, LLC

By:  

/s/ Timothy J. Faber

  Name: Timothy J. Faber
  Title: Senior Vice President & Treasurer

 

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SCHEDULE I TO TERMS AGREEMENT

 

Description of Securities:

Title: 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036

Principal amount (including currency or composite currency): $700,000,000

Maturity Date: July 1, 2036

Interest Rate: 6.750%

Purchase Price: 99.000%

Offering Price: 100.000%

Interest Payment Dates: January 1 and July 1, commencing January 1, 2017

Guarantees: The Notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the following:

Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc.

Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc.

Bath & Body Works, LLC

beautyAvenues, LLC

Intimate Brands, Inc.

Intimate Brands Holding, LLC

L Brands Direct Fulfillment, Inc.

L Brands Service Company, LLC

L Brands Store Design & Construction, Inc.

La Senza, Inc.

Mast Industries, Inc.

Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc.

Victoria’s Secret Stores, LLC

Optional Redemption: Make-whole @ T+50 bps; Equity Claw for up to 35% @ 106.750%

Time of Sale: June 13, 2016

Delivery Date: June 16, 2016

 

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SCHEDULE II TO TERMS AGREEMENT

 

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount of
Securities to be Purchased
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                     Incorporated

   $ 145,000,000   

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     115,000,000   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     115,000,000   

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

     100,000,000   

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

     60,000,000   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     60,000,000   

KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.

     20,000,000   

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.

     20,000,000   

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

     20,000,000   

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

     15,000,000   

PNC Capital Markets LLC

     15,000,000   

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

     15,000,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 700,000,000   

 

II-1


SCHEDULE III TO TERMS AGREEMENT

 

 

(i) Pricing Supplement, dated June 13, 2016, to Preliminary Prospectus Supplement

 

III-1


SCHEDULE IV TO TERMS AGREEMENT

 

[See Attached]

 


Free Writing Prospectus    Filed pursuant to Rule 433 under the Securities Act
(To the Preliminary Prospectus    Registration Statement No. 333-209236 and
Supplement dated June 13, 2016)    333-209236-01 through 333-209236-14

 

LOGO

$700,000,000 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036

 

 

Term Sheet

June 13, 2016

 

Issuer:    L Brands, Inc.
Offering Size:    $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount
Title of Securities:    6.750% Senior Notes due 2036
Maturity:    July 1, 2036
Offering Price:    100.000%
Coupon    6.750%
Yield to Maturity:    6.750%
Interest Payment Dates:    January 1 and July 1, commencing January 1, 2017
Record Dates:    June 15 and December 15
Optional Redemption:    Make-whole call at T+50 bps at any time
Equity Clawback:   

Up to 35% at 106.750% prior to July 1, 2019

Joint Book-Running Managers:   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                    Incorporated

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Senior Co-Managers:   

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Co-Managers:   

KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

PNC Capital Markets LLC

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

Trade Date:    June 13, 2016

 

 

 

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Settlement Date:    June 16, 2016 (T + 3)
Distribution:    Registered Offering
Net Proceeds:    We intend to use the net proceeds of the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commission and estimated offering expenses, for the redemption of our 6.900% notes due 2017 and for general corporate purposes.
CUSIP Number:    501797 AM6
ISIN Number:    US501797AM65

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the preliminary prospectus supplement and other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting the Next-Generation EDGAR System on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the Issuer or any underwriter will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling any of the Joint Book-Running Managers at the numbers below:

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

   800-294-1322 (toll free)

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   212-723-6020 (call collect)

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   800-221-1037 (toll free)

The information in this communication supplements the information in the preliminary prospectus supplement and supersedes the information in the preliminary prospectus supplement to the extent it is inconsistent with such information. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) for more information concerning the Issuer and the Notes.

Any disclaimers or other notices that may appear below are not applicable to this communication and should be disregarded. Such disclaimers or other notices were automatically generated as a result of this communication being sent via Bloomberg email or another communication system.

 

 

 

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ANNEX A TO TERMS AGREEMENT

L BRANDS, INC.

Securities

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT BASIC PROVISIONS

1. Introductory .

1.1. Offerings of Securities . The Company proposes to issue and sell the Securities under an indenture to be dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture to be dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “First Supplemental Indenture, and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.

The Company and the Guarantors have prepared the Base Prospectus (as defined below), a preliminary prospectus supplement, dated June 13, 2016, specifically relating to the Securities (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), and will prepare a Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) dated the date hereof and identified on Schedule III of the Terms Agreement, setting forth information concerning the Company and the Securities. Copies of the Preliminary Prospectus (as defined below) have been, and copies of the Prospectus (as defined below) will be, delivered by the Company to the Underwriters pursuant to the terms of the Terms Agreement.

The Company hereby confirms that it has authorized the use of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any other Time of Sale Information (as defined below) in connection with the offering and resale of the Securities by the Underwriters in the manner contemplated by the Terms Agreement.

At or prior to the time when sales of the Securities were first made (the “Time of Sale”), the Preliminary Prospectus, as supplemented and amended by the written communications listed on Schedule III to the Terms Agreement, shall have been made.

References herein to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any document incorporated by reference therein.

1.2. Terms Agreement . The terms with respect to the purchase of the Securities from the Company by the several Underwriters listed in the terms agreement entered into between the Representative, on behalf of such Underwriters, the Company, and the Guarantors (the “Terms Agreement”), to which these Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions constitute Annex A, are set forth in the Terms Agreement, which together with the provisions hereof incorporated therein by reference, is sometimes herein referred to as this “Agreement.” Terms defined in the Terms Agreement are used herein as therein defined.

 

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2. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company and the Guarantors . The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to and agree with each Underwriter that:

2.1. Registration Statement . An automatic shelf registration statement (as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”)) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-170406) (the “Initial Registration Statement”) with respect to the Securities has been prepared by the Company in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) thereunder, has been filed with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof and has become effective. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or any registration statement increasing the size of the offering (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act which became or will become effective upon filing has been issued. As used in the Terms Agreement (i) “Registration Statement” means the Initial Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, including all exhibits thereto, all documents incorporated therein by reference and the information deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A and Rule 430B under the Act; (ii) “Base Prospectus” means the prospectus and all documents incorporated therein by reference; (iii) “Prospectus” means the Base Prospectus, together with any amendments or supplements thereto including the final prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Securities, together with the Base Prospectus; (iv) “Preliminary Prospectus” means the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement together with the Base Prospectus and, in each case, all documents incorporated therein by reference specifically relating to the Securities, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations; and (v) “Time of Sale Information” means the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, as amended or supplemented, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as defined in subsection 2.4 hereof and identified in Schedule III to the Terms Agreement (including the Final Term Sheet, as defined in Section 7.6 hereof), and any other free writing prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing and to treat as part of the Time of Sale Information.

2.2. Compliance with Applicable Law . The Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply, and (in the case of any amendment or supplement to any such document, or any material incorporated by reference in any such document filed with the Commission after the date as of which this representation is being made) will comply at all times during the period specified in subsection 7.3 hereof, with the provisions of the Act, the Rules and Regulations, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Indenture, including any amendments and supplements thereto, pursuant to which the Securities will be issued has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act that has been filed with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or

 

A-3


related to the offering of the Securities has been initiated or threatened by the Commission. The Registration Statement does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus does not, and (in the case of any amendment or supplement to any such document, or any material incorporated by reference in any such document filed with the Commission after the date as of which this representation is being made) will not at any time during the period specified in subsection 7.3 hereof, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company makes no representation or warranty as to (a) that part of the Registration Statement which constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee or (b) information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein.

2.3. Time of Sale Information . The Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale and at the Delivery Date did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in such Time of Sale Information. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Time of Sale Information and no statement of material fact included in the Time of Sale Information that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.

2.4. Issuer Free Writing Prospectus . The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Act or Rule 134 under the Act, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Schedule III to the Terms Agreement as constituting the Time of Sale Information and (v) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case approved in writing in advance by the Representative. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Act (to the extent required thereby) and when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, or filed prior to the first use of such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and at the Delivery Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company and the Guarantors make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformi ty with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

A-4


2.5. Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, when filed with the Commission, conformed or will conform, as the case may be, in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

2.6. Company Is Well-Known Seasoned Issuer . (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) of the Act) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 of the Act, and (iv) at the Execution Time of the Terms Agreement (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (iv)), the Company was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Act.

2.7. Company Not Ineligible Issuer . (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement relating to the Securities that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Act and (ii) as of the date of the execution and delivery of the Terms Agreement (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Act), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 of the Act that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

2.8. Compliance with Reporting Requirements . The Company is subject to and in full compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.9. Stabilization or Manipulation of Price . The Company and the Guarantors have not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

2.10. Duly Incorporated and Validly Existing; Power and Authority . Each of the Company and the Guarantors has been duly incorporated or formed and is validly existing as a corporation or limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized with full corporate or limited liability company power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or limited liability company and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to qualify or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

 

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2.11. Capital Stock . All the outstanding shares of capital stock or membership interests of the Company and the Guarantors have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, all outstanding shares of capital stock or membership interests of the Guarantors are owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security interest or any other security interests, claims, liens, encumbrances, charges, restrictions upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party, except for any such security interests, claims, liens, encumbrances, charges and restrictions that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

2.12. Prospectus Summary Statements . The statements in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information under the headings “Use of Proceeds”, “Description of the Notes” and “Description of Debt Securities” fairly summarize the matters therein described.

2.13. Authorization, Execution and Delivery . This Terms Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors. On the Delivery Date the Indenture will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each of the Guarantors and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, will constitute the legal, valid, binding instrument enforceable against the Company and each of the Guarantors in accordance with its terms (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity). On the Delivery Date the Notes will have been duly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity). On the Delivery Date the Guarantees will have been duly authorized by each of the Guarantors and, when the Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Guarantors in accordance with their terms (subject, as to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and to general principles of equity), and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

2.14. No Conflicts . Neither the execution and delivery of the Indenture, this Terms Agreement, the issue and sale of the Securities, the consummation of any other of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to, (i) the charter,

 

A-6


by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any Guarantor; (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or bound or to which its or their property is subject; or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any Guarantor of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Guarantors or any of its or their properties except, in clauses (ii) and (iii), for conflicts, breaches, violations, liens, charges or encumbrances that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

2.15. Financial Statements . The consolidated historical financial statements and schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and, the Time of Sale Information present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein). The interactive data in eXtensbile Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and, the Time of Sale Information presents fairly the information called for in all material respects, and to the Company’s knowledge, has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

2.16. Forward-Looking Statements . No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

2.17. No Material Adverse Change . Since the dates as of which information is given in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto following the Time of Sale), except as otherwise stated therein, (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business, management or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) none of the Company nor any subsidiary has incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than in the ordinary course of business that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (iii) there has not been any material decrease in the capital stock or material increase in the long-term debt of the Company, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of their respective capital stock other than quarterly cash dividends consistent with past practice.

2.18. Investment Company Act . Neither the Company nor any Guarantor is, or after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, will be required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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2.19. Accounting Controls . The Company maintains (i) effective internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (E) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus fairly present the information called for in all material respects and, to the Company’s knowledge, are prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Information and the Prospectus, there are no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls.

2.20. Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or the Guarantors or any of their respective directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

2.21. Independent Accountants . Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Act.

2.22. Compliance with Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and requirements of governmental authorities (including ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder), except to the extent that (a) the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (b) the failure to so comply would not result in any material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

2.23. Disclosure Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

 

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2.24. No Consents Required . No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company or any Guarantor of each of this Terms Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities, the issuance and sale of the Securities and compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with the terms thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Terms Agreement and the Indenture, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.

2.25. No Unlawful Payments . To the Company’s knowledge, none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation in any material respect of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or (iv) made any bribe, unlawful rebate, unlawful payoff, unlawful influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment, except with respect to clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) to the extent that such usage, payment or failure to comply would not result in any material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

“FCPA” means Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

2.26. Compliance with Money Laundering Laws . To the Company’s knowledge, the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are conducted in material compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no material action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

2.27. Compliance with OFAC . None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its material subsidiaries is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) and the Company will not use the proceeds of the offering of the Notes hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

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Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the Guarantors and delivered to the Representative or counsel for the Representative in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or the Guarantors, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

3. Purchase of the Securities .

3.1. Effect of Terms Agreement . The obligation of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company to sell the Notes and the Guarantors to provide the Guarantees is evidenced by the Terms Agreement delivered at the time the Company determines to sell the Securities. The Terms Agreement specifies the firm or firms which will be the Underwriters, the principal amount or number of the Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter, the purchase price or prices to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities, the public offering price, if any, of the Securities, the Underwriters’ compensation therefor and the terms of the Securities not already specified in the Preliminary Prospectus.

3.2. Obligation to Purchase Several, Not Joint . It is understood that, in making the Terms Agreement, the Underwriters are contracting severally and not jointly, and that their several agreements to purchase and resell the Securities on the basis of the agreements and representations herein contained shall be several and not joint and shall apply only to the respective principal amounts or number of the Securities to be purchased by them as provided herein.

4. Delivery of the Securities . The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Securities except upon payment for all Securities to be purchased pursuant to the Terms Agreement as hereinafter provided.

5. Default in Performance by an Underwriter .

5.1. Obligations of Non-Defaulting Underwriters. If any Underwriter defaults in the performance of its obligations under the Terms Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally to purchase the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth in the applicable column in Schedule II to the Terms Agreement to be purchased by each remaining non-defaulting Underwriter set forth in such column bears to the aggregate principal amount or number of Securities set forth in such column to be purchased by all the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters; provided that the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase any Securities that constitute Securities if the aggregate principal amount or number of such Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of such Securities. If the foregoing maximum is exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters, or other underwriters satisfactory to the Representative, shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be agreed upon among them, all the Securities.

5.2. Termination of Agreement . If the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters or other Underwriters satisfactory to the Representative do not elect pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 5.1 to purchase the aggregate principal amount or number of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase that exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of such Securities, the Terms Agreement with respect to such Securities shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company.

 

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5.3. Liability of Defaulting Underwriter . Nothing contained in this Section 5 shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or a Guarantor and any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default. If other Underwriters are obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter, either the Representative or the Company may postpone the Delivery Date for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that the Underwriters shall determine may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information or in any other document or arrangement.

6. Delivery and Payment .

6.1. Date and Time of Delivery . Delivery of and payment for the Securities shall be made at the offices of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005, or at such other location as may be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the third business day following the date of the Terms Agreement, or at such other time and date as shall be agreed upon, or as provided in Section 5.3. This date and time are sometimes referred to as the “Delivery Date.”

6.2. Payment . On the Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver the Securities to the Representative for the account of each Underwriter against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer payable in same-day funds, to the account specified by the Company.

6.3. Form . Delivery of the Securities shall be made either at such location as the Representative shall reasonably designate at least one business day in advance of the Delivery Date or through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company. Certificates for the Securities shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representative may request not less than two business days in advance of the Delivery Date. The Company agrees to have the Securities available for inspection, checking and packaging by the Representative in New York, New York, not later than 1:00 P.M. on the business day prior to the Delivery Date.

7. Further Agreements of the Company and the Guarantors . The Company and each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agrees with each Underwriter:

7.1. Registration Statement; Prospectus . To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative and to file such Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act and to prepare and file any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement in each case within the time periods required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations. To furnish promptly to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and a copy of each amendment thereto (in each case together with all exhibits filed therewith) filed prior to the date of the Terms Agreement or relating to or covering the Securities, and a copy of the Prospectus filed with the Commission.

7.2. Other Documents . To deliver promptly to the Representative, without charge, such number of the following documents as the Representative may request: (a) conformed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits), (b) the Preliminary Prospectus, (c) any other Time of Sale Information, (d) the Prospectus (including all amendments and

 

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supplements thereto), (e) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (f) any documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, and the Company authorizes the Underwriters and all dealers to whom any Securities may be offered or sold by the Underwriters to use such documents in connection with the sale of the Securities in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations.

7.3. Supplemental Information . During such period including and following the date of the Terms Agreement as, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, a prospectus is required by law to be delivered, the Company will furnish copies of (a) any amendment to the Registration Statement, (b) the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, (c) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or (d) any document incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or any amendment or supplement to any such incorporated document to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters prior to filing any of such items with the Commission and will not file any such item to which the Representative shall reasonably object; provided that, despite any such objection but after consultation with the Representative, including the furnishing to the Representative of drafts thereof, the Company may file any report or statement which in the written opinion of its counsel it is required to file pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities.

7.4. Duty to Notify of Certain Events . To advise the Representative promptly (a) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement relating to or covering the Securities becomes effective, (b) of any request or proposed request by the Commission for an amendment or supplement (insofar as the amendment or supplement relates to or covers the Securities) to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, to the Time of Sale Information, to the Prospectus, to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to any document incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or for any additional information relating to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (insofar as such information relates to or covers the Securities), (c) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose, (d) of receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act and (e) of receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Base Prospectus, Preliminary Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Securities and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof. If at any time during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above that the Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if

 

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it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Rules and Regulations, the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, the Company (i) will immediately notify the Representative of any such event, (ii) promptly will prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 7.3, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment or supplement which will effect such compliance and (iii) will supply any supplemented or amended Prospectus to the several Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters without charge in such quantities as they may reasonably request.

7.5. Time of Sale Information . If at any time during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Time of Sale Information as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Information to comply with law, the Company will immediately notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to Section 7.3, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representative may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Information as may be necessary so that the statements in the Time of Sale Information, as so amended or supplemented, will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that the Time of Sale Information will comply with law.

7.6. Final Term Sheet . The Company will prepare a final term sheet containing only a description of the Securities, in a form approved by the Representative and included in Schedule IV to the Terms Agreement, and will file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act within the time required by such rule (such term sheet, the “Final Term Sheet”).

7.7. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents that it has not made, and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Act; provided that the prior written consent of the Representative hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus included in Schedule III to the Terms Agreement. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (i) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Act applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping. The Company consents to the use by any Underwriter of a free writing prospectus that (a) is not an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433, and (b) contains only (i) information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities or their offering, (ii) information permitted by Rule 134 under the Act or (iii) information that describes the final terms of the Securities or their offering and that is included in the Final Term Sheet of the Company contemplated in Section 7.6 above.

 

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7.8. Stop Orders; Action Required . If, during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above, the Commission shall issue a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act, during a time the Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, to make every reasonable effort to obtain the lifting of that order at the earliest possible time.

7.9. Earnings Statement . As soon as practicable, or in accordance with Rule 158 of the Rules and Regulations, to make generally available to its security holders and to the Representative an earnings statement (which need not be audited) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 thereunder.

7.10. Further Assurances . The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate and pay all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with such qualification, to maintain such qualifications in effect during the period referred to in Section 7.3 above and to arrange for the determination of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not so qualified at the date of the Terms Agreement or to take any action which would subject it to general or unlimited service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, or to the imposition of any taxes based on, or measured by, all or any part of the income of the Company in any jurisdiction where it is not at such date so subject. The Company will promptly advise the Representative of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

7.11. [Reserved]

7.12. No Announcements . The Company will not, for the period of time following the date and time that the Terms Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties thereto (the “Execution Time”) until the 60th day following the Delivery Date, without the prior written consent of the Representative, offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any person in privity with the Company), directly or indirectly, or announce the offering of, any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities).

7.13. DTC . The Company will assist the Underwriters in arranging for the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

7.14. Blue Sky Compliance . The Company will qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the offering and resale of the Securities; provided that neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors

 

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shall be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

8. Offering Restrictions .

(i) In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each Underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) they have not made and will not make an offer of the notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that they may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

  (a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

  (b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Underwriter nominated by the Company for any such offer; or

 

  (c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of securities to the public” in relation to any of the securities in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Each Underwriter further represents and agrees that:

(a) they have complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) with respect to anything done by them in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; and

 

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(b) they have only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by them in connection with the issue or sale of any notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us.

9. Indemnification .

9.1. Indemnification by the Company and the Guarantors . The Company and each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, and any action in respect thereof, to which they or any of them may become subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information, or arises out of, or is based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, and in the case of the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and shall reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission (a) made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Time of Sale Information in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein (it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the following: (i) the marketing names of the Underwriters contained in the Prospectus and Time of Sale Information and (ii) the information set forth in the third paragraph, the third sentence of the eighth paragraph, the ninth paragraph and the tenth paragraph of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriting”) or (b) contained in that part of the Registration Statement constituting the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee; provided, further, that the Company will not be liable for the amount of any settlement of any claim made without its consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to and not in limitation or duplication of any liability or right which the Company may otherwise have to an Underwriter or any person who controls an Underwriter.

9.2. Indemnification by the Underwriters . Each Underwriter agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the Guarantors, each of their respective directors and officers and each person who controls the Company or any of the Guarantors within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to each Underwriter as set forth in

 

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subsection 9.1 above, but only with reference to written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity (as described in the first proviso to subsection 9.1 above); provided, that such Underwriters will not be liable for the amount of any settlement of any claim made without the consent of the Representative, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to and not in limitation or duplication of any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have to the Company or any of its directors, officers or controlling persons.

9.3. Notice of Claim or Action . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection 9.1 or 9.2 above of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of that action, but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under Sections 9.1 and 9.2 above unless such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in Sections 9.1 and 9.2 above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of one such separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) for such indemnified party if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (x) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

 

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9.4. Contribution . In the event that the indemnity provided in Section 9.1 or 9.2 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company, the Guarantors and the Underwriters agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company, one or more of the Guarantors and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided , however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among the Underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by them, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase discounts and commissions in each case set forth on the cover of the Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company, the Guarantors and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 9, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company and the Guarantors within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each officer and director of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and the Guarantors, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations under the Terms Agreement and not joint.

10. Termination of Underwriter Obligations . The obligations of the Underwriters under the Terms Agreement may be terminated by the Representative, in its absolute discretion, by notice given to and received by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if, during the period beginning on the date of the Terms Agreement to and including the Delivery Date, (i) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such Exchange; (iii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism or declaration by the United States of a national

 

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emergency or war or other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States and Europe is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

11. Additional Conditions to the Respective Obligations of the Underwriters .

11.1. Accuracy of Representations and Warranties . The respective obligations of the Underwriters under the Terms Agreement with respect to the Securities are subject to the accuracy, on the date of the Terms Agreement and on the Delivery Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company, the Guarantors and their respective officers made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions applicable to the Securities:

11.1.1. At or before the Delivery Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act, or any order directed to any document incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Information or the Prospectus shall have been issued and remain in effect and no proceeding for that purpose shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Representative, threatened by the Commission.

11.1.2. [Reserved]

11.1.3. The Company shall have requested and caused Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, to furnish to the Representative its opinion and 10b-5 letter, in each case, dated the Delivery Date and addressed to the Representative, to the effect set forth on Exhibit A .

11.1.4. (i) On the date of the Terms Agreement, the Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP or another nationally recognized firm of certified public accountants or registered public accounting firm, to furnish to the Representative a letter, dated as of the date of the Terms Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder and containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company and certain financial information contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Time of Sale Information and the Registration Statement (including information incorporated in each such Prospectus and the Registration Statement by reference) and (ii) at the Delivery Date, the Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP to furnish to the Representative a letter, dated as of the Delivery Date, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (a)(i) of this Section.

 

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11.1.5. The Representative shall have received, on the Delivery Date, from, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Delivery Date, with respect to such matters as the Representative may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

11.1.6. The Company shall have furnished to the Representative, on the Delivery Date, a certificate of the Company and of each Guarantor, signed by, in each case, the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of each of the Company and each Guarantor, or the Vice President-Treasury, Mergers and Acquisitions or any other officer reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, dated the Delivery Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information and the Terms Agreement and that:

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company and each Guarantor in the Terms Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Delivery Date with the same effect as if made on the Delivery Date and the Company and each Guarantor has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Delivery Date;

(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act, has been issued and remains in effect and no proceedings for that purpose are pending or, to the knowledge of each such person, threatened by the Commission, and no order directed to any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information has been issued and remains in effect or, to the knowledge of each such person, is threatened to be issued by the Commission; and

(iii) Since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information.

11.2 The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

11.3 Subsequent to the Time of Sale, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined in Section 3(a) of the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or any notice that the rating of the Company’s debt securities is under surveillance or review.

 

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11.4 The First Supplemental Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, and the Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors and duly authenticated by the Trustee.

11.5 No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would, as of the Delivery Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued as of the Delivery Date which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities.

11.6 Prior to the Delivery Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative such further information, certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 11 shall not have been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in the Terms Agreement, or if any of the opinions, letters and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in the Terms Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, the Terms Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be cancelled at, or at any time prior to, the Delivery Date by the Representative. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 11 will be delivered at the office of counsel for the Underwriters, at, on the Delivery Date.

12. Survival of Representations and Indemnification . The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to the Terms Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of subsection 7.8 and Sections 9, 13 and 18 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of the Terms Agreement.

13. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by the Terms Agreement are consummated or the Terms Agreement is terminated, the Company and each of the Guarantors agree to pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of their respective obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Act of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (c) the costs of reproducing and distributing the Terms Agreement

 

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and the Securities; (d) the fees and expenses of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ counsel and independent accountants; (e) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (f) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities; (g) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); (h) all expenses and application fees incurred by the Company in connection with any filing with, and clearance of any offering by, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and in connection the approval of the Securities for book entry transfer by DTC and (i) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “roadshow” (except that the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses and 50% of the cost of any aircraft, in each case, in connection with any such “roadshow”). It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section and Section 9 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

(b) If (i) the Terms Agreement is terminated pursuant to clause (i) of Section 10, (ii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Securities because the Company for any reason fails to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters or the Company or any Guarantor fails to perform any of its obligations hereunder or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Securities because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 11 hereof is not satisfied, the Company and each of the Guarantors jointly and severally agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Terms Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

14. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representative, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to the Representative named in the Terms Agreement at the address or telefax number set forth therein; with a copy to Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, 80 Pine Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Stuart Downing, or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to Shelley Millano, General Counsel of L Brands, Inc. (telefax no. (614) 415-7188), and confirmed to Samuel P. Fried, Executive Vice President, Law Policy and Governance, of L Brands, Inc. at Three Limited Parkway, P.O. Box 16000, Columbus, Ohio 43216, Attention of the Legal Department, with a copy to Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, telefax (212) 701-5135, Attention: Deanna L. Kirkpatrick.

15. Successors . The Terms Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

16. Counterparts . The Terms Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

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17. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . The Company and each of the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company and the Guarantors with respect to the offering of Securities contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or the Guarantors or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representative nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company, any Guarantor or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company and the Guarantors shall consult with their own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making their own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company or the Guarantors with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company or the Guarantors, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company or the Guarantors.

18. Applicable Law . The Terms Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the Terms Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

 

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EXHIBIT A

[OPINION LETTER AND NEGATIVE ASSURANCE LETTER OF DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL]


June 16, 2016

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                    Incorporated

as Representative of the several Underwriters named in

    Schedule II to the Underwriting Agreement referred to below

c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                             Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Legal Department

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel for L Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the entities listed in Part A of Annex I hereto, each a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation Guarantors”), and the entities listed in Part B of Annex I hereto, each a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC Guarantors,” and together with the Corporation Guarantors, the “Guarantors”) in connection with the Terms Agreement dated June 13, 2016 (together with the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions attached thereto as Annex A, the “Underwriting Agreement”) with you and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule II thereto under which you and such other Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase from the Company $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors (the “Guarantees” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”). The Securities are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of an indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “Base Indenture”), as amended by a supplemental indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) between the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

We have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

We have also participated in the preparation of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-209236) (other than the documents incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”)) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the registration of securities (the “Shelf Securities”) to be issued from time to time by the Company and have participated in the preparation of the preliminary prospectus supplement dated June 13, 2016 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”) relating to the Securities, a pricing term sheet dated June 13, 2016 (the “Pricing Term Sheet”) and the prospectus supplement dated June 13, 2016 relating to the Securities (the “Prospectus Supplement”), and have reviewed the Incorporated Documents. The registration statement became effective under the Act and the Indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), upon the filing of the registration statement with the Commission on January 29, 2016 pursuant to Rule 462(e). The registration statement at the date of the Underwriting Agreement, including the Incorporated Documents and the information deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the


“Registration Statement,” and the related prospectus (including the Incorporated Documents) dated January 29, 2016 relating to the Shelf Securities is hereinafter referred to as the “Basic Prospectus.” The Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, together with the free writing prospectus set forth in Schedule III to the Underwriting Agreement for the Securities are hereinafter referred to as the “Disclosure Package.” The Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement, in the form first used to confirm sales of the Securities (or in the form first made available by the Company to the Underwriters to meet requests of purchasers of the Securities under Rule 173 under the Act), is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus.”

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all documents filed with or submitted to the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system (except for required EDGAR formatting changes) conform to the versions of such documents reviewed by us prior to such formatting, (iv) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (v) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (vi) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company and the Guarantors that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vii) all representations made by the Company and the Guarantors as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. The Company and each Corporation Guarantor is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each LLC Guarantor is a limited liability company validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has corporate power and authority to issue the Securities, to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture and to perform its obligations thereunder. Each Guarantor has the corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, power and authority to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture and to perform its obligations thereunder.

 

  2. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each Guarantor and is a valid and binding agreement of, the Company and each Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability; provided that we express no opinion as to (y) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law and (z) (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (ii) any provision of the Indenture that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of any Guarantor’s obligation.

 

  3.

The Notes have been duly authorized and when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms,

 

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  subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture pursuant to which such Notes are to be issued, provided that we express no opinion as to the (y) enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law and (z) effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above.

 

  4. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each Guarantor.

 

  5. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor is, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

  6. The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, the Indenture, the Notes and the Underwriting Agreement (collectively, and together with the Guarantees, the “Documents”) and the execution and delivery by each Guarantor of, and the performance by each Guarantor of its obligations under, the Documents will not contravene (i) any provision of the statutory laws of the State of New York or any federal law of the United States of America that in our experience is normally applicable to general business corporations in relation to transactions of the type contemplated by the Documents, or with respect to the Company and the Corporation Guarantors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or with respect to the LLC Guarantors, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, provided that we express no opinion as to federal or state securities laws, (ii) in the case of the Company and each Corporation Guarantor, its certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or in the case of each LLC Guarantor, its certificate of formation or operating agreement or (iii) any agreement that is specified in Annex II hereto; provided that we express no opinion in clause (iii) as to compliance with any financial or accounting test, or any limitation or restriction expressed as a dollar (or other currency) amount, ratio or percentage in any of the agreements that are specified in Annex II.

 

  7. No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency under the laws of the State of New York or any federal law of the United States of America that in our experience is normally applicable to general business corporations or limited liability companies in relation to transactions of the type contemplated by the Documents or with respect to the Company and the Corporation Guarantors, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or with respect to the LLC Guarantors, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company or each Guarantor of its respective obligations under the Documents, except such as may be required under federal or state securities or Blue Sky laws as to which we express no opinion.

 

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We have considered the statements included in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of the Notes” insofar as it summarizes provisions of the Indenture and of the Securities. In our opinion, such statements fairly summarize these provisions in all material respects. The statements included in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to describe provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws or legal conclusions with respect thereto, in our opinion fairly and accurately summarize the matters referred to therein in all material respects.

In rendering the opinions in paragraphs (2) through (4) above, we have assumed that each party to the Documents has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company and each Guarantor). In addition, we have assumed that (i) the execution, delivery and performance by each party thereto of each Document to which it is a party, (a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other constitutive documents of such party, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon such party, provided that we make no such assumption to the extent that we have specifically opined as to such matters with respect to the Company and each Guarantor, and (ii) each Document (other than the Underwriting Agreement) is a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company and each Guarantor).

We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of the United States of America, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, except that we express no opinion as to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company or the Guarantors, the 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 Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.

This opinion is rendered solely to you and the other several Underwriters in connection with the Underwriting Agreement. This opinion may not be relied upon by you or the other several Underwriters for any other purpose or relied upon by any other person (including any person acquiring Securities from the several Underwriters) or furnished to any other person without our prior written consent.

 

Very truly yours,

 

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Annex I

Part A

Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc.

Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc.

Intimate Brands, Inc.

L Brands Direct Fulfillment, Inc.

L Brands Store Design & Construction, Inc.

La Senza, Inc.

Mast Industries, Inc.

Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc.

Part B

Bath & Body Works, LLC

beautyAvenues, LLC

Intimate Brands Holding, LLC

L Brands Service Company, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Stores, LLC

 

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Annex II

Specified Agreements

1. Indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “Indenture”).

2. First Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 among the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

3. Amended and Restated Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, among the Company, the Lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, dated as of October 6, 2004, as amended and restated November 5, 2004, March 22, 2006, August 3, 2007, February 19, 2009, March 8, 2010, July 15, 2011 and July 18, 2014.

 

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June 16, 2016

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                    Incorporated

as Representative of the several Underwriters named in

    Schedule II to the Underwriting Agreement referred to below

c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                             Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Legal Department

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel for L Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the entities listed in Part A of Annex I hereto, each a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation Guarantors”), and the entities listed in Part B of Annex I hereto, each a Delaware limited liability company (the “LLC Guarantors,” and together with the Corporation Guarantors, the “Guarantors”) in connection with the Terms Agreement dated June 13, 2016 (together with the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions attached thereto as Annex A, the “Underwriting Agreement”) with you and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule II thereto under which you and such other Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase from the Company $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors (the “Guarantees” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”). The Securities are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of an indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “Base Indenture”), as amended by a supplemental indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”) between the Company, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

We have participated in the preparation of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-209236) (other than the documents incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”)) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the registration of securities (the “Shelf Securities”) to be issued from time to time by the Company, the preliminary prospectus supplement dated June 13, 2016 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”) relating to the Securities, a pricing term sheet dated June 13, 2016 (the “Pricing Term Sheet”) and the prospectus supplement dated June 13, 2016 relating to the Securities (the “Prospectus Supplement”), and have reviewed the Incorporated Documents. The registration statement at the date of the Underwriting Agreement, including the Incorporated Documents and the information deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act, is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement,” and the related prospectus (including the Incorporated Documents) dated January 29, 2016 relating to the Shelf Securities is hereinafter referred to as the “Basic Prospectus.” The Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, together with the free writing prospectus set forth in Schedule III to the Underwriting Agreement for the Securities are hereinafter referred to as the “Disclosure Package.” The Basic Prospectus, as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement, in the form first used to confirm sales of the Securities (or in the form first made available by the Company to the Underwriters to meet requests of purchasers of the Securities under Rule 173 under the Act), is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus.”

 


We have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that all documents filed with or submitted to the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system, (except for required EDGAR formatting changes) conform to the versions of such documents reviewed by us prior to such formatting.

The primary purpose of our professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters or financial, accounting or quantitative information. Furthermore, many determinations involved in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are of a wholly or partially non-legal character or relate to legal matters outside the scope of our opinion separately delivered to you today in respect of certain matters under the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. As a result, we are not passing upon, and do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and we have not ourselves checked the accuracy, completeness or fairness of, or otherwise verified, the information furnished in such documents (except to the extent expressly set forth in our opinion letter separately delivered to you today as to statements included in the Prospectus under the captions “Description of the Notes” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”). However, in the course of our acting as counsel to the Company in connection with the review of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, we have generally reviewed and discussed with your representatives and your counsel and with certain officers and employees of, and independent public accountants for, the Company the information furnished, whether or not subject to our check and verification. We have also reviewed and relied upon certain corporate records and documents, letters from counsel and accountants and oral and written statements of officers and other representatives of the Company and others as to the existence and consequence of certain factual and other matters.

On the basis of the information gained in the course of the performance of the services rendered above, but without independent check or verification except as stated above:

 

  (i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and

 

  (ii) nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that, insofar as relevant to the offering of the Securities:

 

  (a) on the date of the Underwriting Agreement, the Registration Statement contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,

 

  (b) at 3:45 P.M. New York City time on June 13, 2016, the Disclosure Package contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or

 

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  (c) the Prospectus as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement or as of the date hereof contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

In providing this letter to you and the other several Underwriters, we have not been called to pass upon, and we express no view regarding, the financial statements or financial schedules or other financial or accounting data included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, or the Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1. In addition, we express no view as to the conveyance of the Disclosure Package or the information contained therein to investors.

This letter is delivered solely to you and the other several Underwriters in connection with the Underwriting Agreement. This letter may not be relied upon by you or the other several Underwriters for any other purpose or relied upon by any other person (including any person acquiring Securities from the several Underwriters) or furnished to any other person without our prior written consent.

 

Very truly yours,

 

3


Annex I

Part A

Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc.

Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc.

Intimate Brands, Inc.

L Brands Direct Fulfillment, Inc.

L Brands Store Design & Construction, Inc.

La Senza, Inc.

Mast Industries, Inc.

Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc.

Part B

Bath & Body Works, LLC

beautyAvenues, LLC

Intimate Brands Holding, LLC

L Brands Service Company, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Stores, LLC

 

4

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

L BRANDS, INC.

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of June 16, 2016

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 


This Cross Reference Sheet, showing the location in the Indenture of the provisions inserted pursuant to Sections 310-318(a), inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, is not to be considered a part of the Indenture.

TRUST INDENTURE ACT CROSS REFERENCE SHEET

 

Sections of Trust
Indenture Act
   Sections of
Indenture
310(a)(1)    10.05
310(a)(2)    10.05
310(a)(3)    Not Applicable
310(a)(4)    Not Applicable
310(b)    10.06
310(c)    Not Applicable
311    10.09
312    9.03
313    9.01
314(a)    9.02
314(b)    Not Applicable
314(c)    14.03
314(d)    Not Applicable
314(e)    14.03
315(a)    10.02(a)
315(b)    10.03
315(c)    10.02
315(d)    10.02
315(e)    6.08
316(a)    6.06 and 7.03
316(b)    6.07
317(a)    6.03 and 6.04
317(b)    5.03
318(a)    14.04

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         P AGE  

ARTICLE 1

  

DEFINITIONS

  

Section 1.01.

  Definitions      2   

ARTICLE 2

  

DEBT SECURITY FORMS

  

Section 2.01.

  Forms Generally      9   

Section 2.02.

  [Reserved]      9   

Section 2.03.

  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication      9   

ARTICLE 3

  

THE DEBT SECURITIES

  

Section 3.01.

  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series      10   

Section 3.02.

  Denominations      12   

Section 3.03.

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      12   

Section 3.04.

  Temporary Debt Securities      15   

Section 3.05.

  Registration, Transfer and Exchange      15   

Section 3.06.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities      18   

Section 3.07.

  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved      18   

Section 3.08.

  Persons Deemed Owners      20   

Section 3.09.

  Cancellation      20   

Section 3.10.

  Computation of Interest      20   

Section 3.11.

  Cusip and ISIN Numbers      21   

Section 3.12.

  Payment in Currencies      21   

ARTICLE 4

  

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES; SINKING FUND

  

Section 4.01.

  Applicability of Right of Redemption      24   

Section 4.02.

  Notice of Redemption      24   

Section 4.03.

  Selection of Debt Securities on Partial Redemption      25   

Section 4.04.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      25   

Section 4.05.

  Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date      25   

Section 4.06.

  Debt Securities Redeemed in Part      26   

Section 4.07.

  Applicability of Sinking Fund      26   

Section 4.08.

  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds      26   

Section 4.09.

  Application of Sinking Fund Payments      27   

 

ii


ARTICLE 5

  

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

  

Section 5.01.

  To Pay Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest      28   

Section 5.02.

  To Maintain Offices or Agencies      29   

Section 5.03.

  Money for Debt Security Payments To Be Held in Trust      29   

Section 5.04.

  Corporate Existence      30   

Section 5.05.

  Restrictions on Liens Upon Voting Stock of Significant Subsidiaries      30   

Section 5.06.

  Restrictions on Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Etc      32   

Section 5.07.

  Annual Statement Concerning Compliance With Covenants      32   

Section 5.08.

  Compliance With Covenants and Conditions May Be Waived By Holders of Debt Securities      32   

Section 5.09.

  Change of Control      33   

ARTICLE 6

  

REMEDIES

  

Section 6.01.

  Events of Default      35   

Section 6.02.

  Acceleration of Maturity on Default; Waiver      36   

Section 6.03.

  Collection of Amounts Due and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee      37   

Section 6.04.

  Trustee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact for Holders to File Claims      38   

Section 6.05.

  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee      38   

Section 6.06.

  Holders May Direct Proceedings and Waive Defaults      39   

Section 6.07.

  Limitations on Right of Holders to Institute Proceedings      40   

Section 6.08.

  Assessment of Costs and Attorneys’ Fees in Legal Proceedings      41   

Section 6.09.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      41   

ARTICLE 7

  

ACTIONS BY HOLDERS

  

Section 7.01.

  Actions By Holders      42   

Section 7.02.

  Instruments      42   

Section 7.03.

  Determining Principal Amount of Outstanding Debt Securities      42   

Section 7.04.

  Revocation by Holders of Consents to Action      43   

ARTICLE 8

  

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES

  

Section 8.01.

  Purposes of Meetings      43   

Section 8.02.

  Call of Meetings by Trustee      44   

Section 8.03.

  Call of Meetings by Company or Holders      44   

Section 8.04.

  Qualifications For Voting      44   

Section 8.05.

  Regulation of Meetings      45   

Section 8.06.

  Voting      45   

Section 8.07.

  No Delay of Rights by Meeting      46   

 

iii


ARTICLE 9

  

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS’ LISTS

  

Section 9.01.

  Reports by Trustee      46   

Section 9.02.

  Reports by the Company      47   

Section 9.03.

  Holders’ Lists      48   

ARTICLE 10

  

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

  

Section 10.01.

  Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions      50   

Section 10.02.

  Duties of Trustee in Case of Default      52   

Section 10.03.

  Notice to Holders of Defaults      53   

Section 10.04.

  Resignation of Trustee and Notice Thereof      54   

Section 10.05.

  Qualifications of Trustee      54   

Section 10.06.

  Disqualification of Trustee by Reason of Conflicting Interest      54   

Section 10.07.

  Appointment of Successor Trustee      59   

Section 10.08.

  Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Debt Securities by Successor Trustee      60   

Section 10.09.

  Trustee Required to Account for Amounts Collected as Creditor of the Company Under Certain Conditions      61   

Section 10.10.

  Trustee May Rely on Officers’ Certificate      65   

ARTICLE 11

  

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

  

Section 11.01.

  Discharge of Indenture Upon Payment of Debt Securities      65   

Section 11.02.

  Discharge of Indenture Upon Deposit of Moneys      66   

Section 11.03.

  Discharge of Certain Indebtedness Upon Deposit of Moneys      66   

Section 11.04.

  Termination of Certain Obligations Upon Deposit of Moneys      67   

Section 11.05.

  Certain Deposits With the Trustee to be Held in Escrow      68   

Section 11.06.

  Repayment to Company      68   

Section 11.07.

  Reinstatement      69   

Section 11.08.

  Indemnity for Government Obligations      69   

Section 11.09.

  Deposits of Foreign Currencies      69   

ARTICLE 12

  

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  

Section 12.01.

  Liability Solely Corporate      70   

 

iv


ARTICLE 13

  

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

  

Section 13.01.

  Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes      70   

Section 13.02.

  Modification of Indenture by Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders      72   

Section 13.03.        

  Trustee to Join in Execution of Supplemental Indenture      73   

Section 13.04.

  Effect of Supplemental Indenture      73   

Section 13.05.

  Matters Provided for in Supplemental Indenture May Be Noted on Debt Securities, or New Debt Securities Appropriately Modified May Be Issued in Exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities      74   

Section 13.06.

  Supplemental Indentures to Conform to Trust Indenture Act      74   

ARTICLE 14

  

PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

  

Section 14.01.    

  Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Lease      74   
Section 14.02.   Benefits of Indenture      75   
Section 14.03.   Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee      75   
Section 14.04.   Conflict with Trust Indenture Act      76   
Section 14.05.   Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company      76   
Section 14.06.   Notice to Holders; Waiver      77   
Section 14.07.   Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      77   
Section 14.08.   Successors and Assigns      77   
Section 14.09.   Separability Clause      77   
Section 14.10.   Governing Law      77   
Section 14.11.   Legal Holidays      78   
Section 14.12.   Execution in Counterparts      78   
Section 14.13.   Waiver of Jury Trial      78   

Section 14.14.

  Force Majeure      78   

 

v


INDENTURE

INDENTURE , dated as of June 16, 2016, between L BRANDS, INC. , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the “ Company ”) having its principal place of business at Three Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43230, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as trustee (hereinafter called the “ Trustee ”) having its Corporate Trust Office at 10 West Broad Street, 12th Floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, Attention: Scott Miller, Vice President.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS , the Company has duly authorized the issue, in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, from time to time of its debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “ Debt Securities ”) and, to provide the general terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS , the Trustee has power to enter into this Indenture and to accept and execute the trusts herein created; and

WHEREAS , the Company represents that all acts and things necessary to constitute these presents a valid indenture and legally binding agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, that the execution and delivery of the Debt Securities of any series will, at the time of such execution and delivery, have been duly authorized by the Company and that any such Debt Securities, when so executed and delivered by the Company and when authenticated, issued and delivered by the Trustee, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company; and the Company, in the exercise of each and every legal right and power in it vested, executes this Indenture and proposes to make, execute, issue and deliver Debt Securities from time to time as herein provided;

NOW , THEREFORE , the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree that, in consideration of the acceptance and purchase of the Debt Securities by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all the holders from time to time of the Debt Securities, without preference, priority or distinction of any thereof over any other thereof by reason of priority in time of issuance or negotiation, or otherwise, as follows:


ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Definitions .

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933 (“ Securities Act ”) (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the term “ generally accepted accounting principles ” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation; and

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

Certain terms, used principally in Article 10, are defined in that Article.

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

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

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the 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.

 

2


Business Day ” means, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other particular location are authorized or obligated by law or regulation to close.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or, if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

Company ” means L Brands, Inc. and, subject to the provisions of Section 14.01, shall also include its successors and assigns.

Company Request ” and “ Company Order ” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, an Assistant Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Components ” with respect to a composite currency (including but not limited to the Euro) means the currency amounts that are components of such composite currency on the Conversion Date. If after such Conversion Date the official unit of any component currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the number of units of such currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion to calculate the Component. If after such Conversion Date two or more component currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of those currencies as Components shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of such consolidated component currencies expressed in such single currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Component. If after such Conversion Date any component currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the amount of such currency as a Component shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, each of which shall be equal to the amount of such former component currency divided by the number of currencies into which such component currency was divided, and such amounts shall thereafter be Components.

Conversion Date ” with respect to a composite currency (including but not limited to the Euro) has the meaning specified in Section 3.12.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered. The Corporate Trust Office of the initial Trustee shall be at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Indenture until the Trustee shall notify the Company of a change thereof.

Corporation ” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

Debt Securities ” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

3


Defaulted Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “ Depositary ” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Global Securities of that series.

Dollar ” or “ $ ” means such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Euro ” means such coin or currency of the European Union as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Exchange Rate ” means (a) with respect to a currency (other than a composite currency) in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in a composite currency, the exchange rate between such composite currency and such currency reported by the agency or organization, if any, designated pursuant to Section 3.01(xi) or, in the case of the Euro, by the Council of the European Union, as appropriate, or if such exchange rate is not or ceases to be so reported, then such exchange rate as shall be determined by the Company using, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate, on the applicable Regular or Special Record Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, (b) with respect to Dollars in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency, the noon Dollar buying rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York on the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, (c) with respect to a Foreign Currency in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in Dollars or converted into Dollars pursuant to Section 311(d)(ii), the noon Dollar selling rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted in The City of New York on the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and (d) with respect to a Foreign Currency in which payment is to be made on a series of Debt Securities denominated in a different Foreign Currency, the exchange rate between such Foreign Currencies determined in the manner specified pursuant to Section 3.01(xiv). Except in the situation contemplated in (a) above, if for any reason such rates are not available with respect to one or more currencies for which an Exchange Rate is required, the Company

 

4


shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotations of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, or such other quotations as the Company shall deem appropriate. Any reference herein to the “applicable” Exchange Rate shall mean the Exchange Rate as set forth in the applicable Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, if there is more than one market for dealing in any currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such currency shall be that upon which an issuer of securities denominated in such currency that is similar to the Company in all material respects would purchase such currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate ” means, with respect to any date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any series of Debt Securities, a certificate setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate as of the Regular or Special Record Date with respect to such Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series and the amounts payable in Dollars and Foreign Currencies in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any such Debt Securities denominated in Euros, any other composite currency or any Foreign Currency, and signed by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Controller or any Assistant Controller of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Foreign Currency ” means a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States.

Global Security ” means a Debt Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Debt Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 3.03, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 3.03(c).

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

 

5


Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Holde r” means a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indebtedness ” means any and all obligations of a corporation for money borrowed which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such corporation as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.

Indenture ” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered, or as it may from time to time be supplemented, amended or restated by or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, unless the context otherwise requires, shall include the terms of a particular series Debt Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01.

Interest ” means, when used with respect to any non-interest bearing Debt Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, the interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date ” with respect to any Debt Security means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Debt Security.

Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

Maturity ” with respect to any Debt Security means the date on which the principal of such Debt Security or any installment thereof becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call or redemption, operation of any sinking fund, repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise.

Officers’ Certificate ” means, when used with respect to the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Chief Financial Officer, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion in writing prepared in accordance with Section 14.03, if and to the extent that such statements therein are applicable, and signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or of counsel to the Company, or may be other counsel satisfactory to the Trustee, which is delivered to the Trustee.

Optional Sinking Fund Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Debt Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

 

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Outstanding ” means, when used as of any particular time with reference to Debt Securities, subject to Section 7.03, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

(i) Debt Securities, or portions thereof, for which funds sufficient to pay the principal thereof, premium, if any, thereon and all unpaid interest thereon at Maturity or to the date fixed for redemption shall have been deposited in trust for such purpose as provided herein with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent); provided that, if such Debt Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption thereof shall have been given as provided herein, or provision reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of such notice shall have been made;

(ii) Debt Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or which have been surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation; and

(iii) Debt Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than with respect to any such Debt Securities which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof reasonably satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

Paying Agent ” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities on behalf of the Company.

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

Place of Payment ” means, when used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, each place where the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series is payable, as specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01.

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Debt Security means every previous Debt Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debt Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debt Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Debt Security.

Redemption Date ” means, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Debt Security.

 

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Redemption Price ” means, when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, the price (exclusive of accrued interest) at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Debt Security.

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Debt Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.

Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer or employee in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or any other officer or employee of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers or employees and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Security Register ” and “ Security Registrar ” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.

Significant Subsidiary ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04.

Special Record Date ” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.07.

Stated Maturity ” means, when used with respect to any Debt Security or any installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Debt Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary ” means any corporation or company, a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “ voting stock ” means stock or other equity interests having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency; provided , however, that “voting stock” shall not include stock or other equity interests which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owning such stock or other equity interests are required or have agreed not to vote, or the voting rights with respect to which have been granted to a Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of that series.

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 13.06.

 

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United States ” means the United States of America (including the States thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

Voting Stock ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.04.

ARTICLE 2

DEBT SECURITY FORMS

Section 2.01. Forms Generally .

All Debt Securities shall be substantially in such form as shall be established from time to time in or pursuant to a Board Resolution (as set forth in such resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in such resolution, an Officers’ Certificate detailing such establishment) or by one or more indentures supplemental hereto, which shall set forth the information required by Section 3.01, and in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto, or with any rule or regulation of any securities regulatory authority or any securities exchange on which any of the Debt Securities may be listed or of any automated quotation system on which they may be quoted, or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

Debt Securities in definitive form shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

Section 2.02. [Reserved]

Section 2.03. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication .

The form of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by each Debt Security shall be substantially as follows:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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ARTICLE 3

THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .

The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series:

(i) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities, except to the extent that additional Debt Securities of an existing series are being issued);

(ii) the limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 4.06 or 13.05);

(iii) the date or dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities of the series is payable;

(iv) the rate or rates, if any, at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(v) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of the series shall be payable;

(vi) the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, if any, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

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

 

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(viii) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;

(ix) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable and whether any such denominations may change at any time while such Debt Securities are outstanding, or upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 4.06 or 13.05;

(x) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

(xi) the currency or currencies of denomination of the Debt Securities of the series, which may be in Dollars, any Foreign Currency or any composite currency (including but not limited to the Euro), and, if such currency of denomination is a composite currency other than the Euro, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

(xii) the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Debt Securities of the series will be made, and the currency or currencies (in addition to Dollars), if any, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of the series, at the election of each of the Holders thereof, may also be payable;

(xiii) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin, currency or currencies other than that in which the Debt Securities of the series denominated or designated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(xiv) if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or the interest on the Debt Securities of the series are to be made in a Foreign Currency other than the Foreign Currency in which such Debt Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined;

(xv) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be subject to defeasance pursuant to either or both of Sections 11.03 and 11.04;

 

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(xvi) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued with warrants to purchase such Debt Securities or the Debt Securities of any other series attached thereto;

(xvii) whether the Debt Securities of the series shall be convertible or exchangeable into shares of common stock of the Company, or any of its other capital stock, or any capital stock of any other issuer, cash, or any other property, or any combination of the foregoing; and

(xviii) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Debt Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution, such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 3.02. Denominations .

The Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Debt Securities of any series and except as provided in Section 3.03, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

(a) The Debt Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, and by its Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or any Assistant Secretary under its corporate seal. The signature of any of these officers on the Debt Securities may be manual or facsimile. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Debt Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

Debt Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Debt Securities.

(b) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debt Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities; and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities. The Trustee shall

 

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be entitled to receive, prior to the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities, the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture pursuant to which the terms and form of such Debt Securities have been established, an Officers’ Certificate as to the absence of any event which is an Event of Default and an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

(i) all instruments furnished by the Company to the Trustee in connection with the authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities conform to the requirements of this Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver such Debt Securities;

(ii) the form of such Debt Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) the terms of such Debt Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iv) in the event that the form or terms of such Debt Securities have been established in a supplemental indenture, the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Trustee, is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable instrument of the Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);

(v) the execution and delivery of such Debt Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and such Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company and, assuming due authentication by the Trustee and delivery by the Company, are the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

(vi) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and this Section 3.03, if all the Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.01 or the Company Order, Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture, and Opinion of Counsel required pursuant to this Section 3.03 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents were delivered at or prior to the time of authentication upon original issuance of the first Debt Security of such series to be issued.

 

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(c) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 3.01 that the Debt Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (1) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Debt Securities of such series issued and not yet cancelled, (2) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (3) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (4) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR DEBT SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM, THIS DEBT SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.”

(d) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 3.01 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.

(e) The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Security under this Section if the Trustee, upon the advice of counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee, by a committee of Responsible Officers, shall determine in good faith that the authentication and delivery of such Debt Security would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities or affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Debt Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(f) Each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(g) No Debt Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Debt Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature of one of its authorized signatories, and such certificate upon any Debt Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Debt Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

(h) [Reserved]

 

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Section 3.04. Temporary Debt Securities .

Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debt Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Debt Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities. In the case of Debt Securities of any series, such temporary Debt Securities may be in global form, representing all of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for such series without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of such series in any authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.05. Registration, Transfer and Exchange .

The Company shall cause to be kept a register (herein sometimes referred to as the “ Security Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register, and will register the transfer of, Debt Securities. Separate registers may be kept for separate series of Debt Securities. Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company, the Security Register shall be kept at the office or agency of the Company maintained pursuant to Section 5.02, which office or agency is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Debt Securities and registering the transfer of Debt Securities as herein provided. At all reasonable times the Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee during normal business hours.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Debt Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, a like aggregate principal amount of one or more new Debt Securities of the same series in any authorized denominations.

 

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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3.05, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Debt Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

At the option of the Holder, Debt Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of other Debt Securities of the same series in any authorized denominations upon surrender of the Debt Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Debt Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, authenticate and deliver the Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

If at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities of such series shall no longer be eligible under Section 3.03(d), the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Debt 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, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.01(viii) shall no longer be effective with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Debt Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the Depositary for such series of Debt Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Debt Securities in exchange in whole or in part for Debt Securities of such series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, authenticate and deliver, without service charge:

 

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(i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

(ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to Clause (i) above.

Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Debt Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee. Debt Securities in definitive registered form without coupons issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 3.05 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Debt Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

All Debt Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture, as the Debt Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

Every Debt Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by the appropriate persons and be accompanied by reasonable assurances that the endorsements are genuine and effective, or shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar and the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and such other documentation as the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee may reasonably require.

No service charge shall be made for any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 4.06 or 13.05 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of any particular series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series selected for redemption under Section 4.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange of any Debt Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security being redeemed in part.

 

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Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Debt Securities .

If (i) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee or (ii) the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Debt Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon receipt of a Company Order to do so, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

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

Upon the issuance of any new Debt Security under this Section 3.06, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Company and the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 3.06 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 3.06 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities.

Section 3.07. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .

Interest on any Debt Security which is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. At the option of the Company, payment of interest on any Debt Security may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or, if so specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01, by wire transfer to an account designated by such Person in writing to the Trustee.

 

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Any interest on any Debt Security of any series which is payable but is not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “ Defaulted Interest ”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Debt Security of such series, the date of the proposed payment and the Special Record Date therefor, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. At the same time, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Unless the Trustee is acting as the Security Registrar, promptly after such Special Record Date the Company shall furnish the Trustee a list, or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee with respect thereto, of the names and addresses of, and principal amounts of Debt Securities held by, the Holders appearing on the Security Register at the close of business on such Special Record Date. In the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Debt Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.

Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (ii).

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause (ii), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.07, each Debt Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration or transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 3.08. Persons Deemed Owners .

Prior to due presentment of a Debt Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person whose name such Debt Security is registered as the owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.09. Cancellation .

All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Debt Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Debt Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. Acquisition by the Company of any Debt Security shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Debt Securities unless and until the same is delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Debt Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Debt Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted in this Indenture. All cancelled Debt Securities held by the Trustee may be disposed of, and the Trustee shall certify to the Company upon its request therefor any disposal thereof, unless, by a Company Order, the Company shall direct that cancelled Debt Securities be returned to it.

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest .

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Debt Securities of any series, interest on the Debt Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

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Section 3.11. Cusip and ISIN Numbers . The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and/or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders and no representation shall be made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption, exchange or conversion. The Company will promptly notify, and in any event within 10 Business Days, the Trustee of any initial CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers and of any changes in the CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers.

Section 3.12. Payment in Currencies .

(a) Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series shall be made in the currency or currencies specified pursuant to Section 3.01; provided that, if so specified in the manner provided in Section 3.01, the Holder of a Debt Security of such series may elect to receive such payment in any one of (1) Dollars and (2) any other currency acceptable to the Trustee designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 3.01. A Holder may make such election by delivering to the Trustee a written notice thereof, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Trustee, not later than the close of business on the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series. Such election shall remain in effect with respect to such Holder until such Holder delivers to the Trustee a written notice substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such other form as may be acceptable to the Trustee specifying a change in the currency in which such payment is to be made; provided that any such notice must be delivered to the Trustee not later than the close of business on the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the next Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series in order to be effective for the payment to be made thereon; and provided further that no such change in currency may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Debt Security with respect to which notice of redemption has been given by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02.

(b) Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company, not later than the fourth Business Day following each Regular or Special Record Date with respect to an Interest Payment Date or the tenth Business Day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, a written notice specifying, in the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated, the aggregate amount of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities to be paid on such payment date. If payments in respect of such series of Debt Securities are designated to be made in a currency other than the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated or if at least one Holder has made the election referred to in Subsection (a) above with respect to such series of Debt Securities, then the written notice referred to in the preceding sentence shall also specify, in each currency in which payment in respect of such series of Debt Securities is to be made pursuant to said Subsection (a), the amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities to be paid in such currency on such payment date.

 

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(c) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, not later than the eighth Business Day following each Regular or Special Record Date or the tenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date in respect of such Debt Securities. Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01, the amount receivable by Holders of a series of Debt Securities who have elected payment in a currency other than the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated as provided in Subsection (a) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Exchange Rate.

(d) If the Foreign Currency in which a series of Debt Securities is denominated ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such series of Debt Securities occurring after the final date on which such Foreign Currency was so used, all payments with respect to the Debt Securities of such series shall be made in Dollars. If payment is to be made in Dollars to the Holders of any such series of Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of the preceding sentence, then the amount to be paid in Dollars on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to Holders shall be determined by the Trustee as of the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, and shall be equal to the sum obtained by translating the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate on the last Record Date on which such Foreign Currency was so used in either fashion; provided that payment to a Holder of a Debt Security of such series shall be made in a different Foreign Currency if that holder has properly elected or properly elects payment in such Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

If a Holder of a Debt Security denominated in a composite currency has elected payment in a specified Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above and such Foreign Currency ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, such Holder shall, subject to Subsection (d)(ii) below, receive payment in such composite currency; provided that such payment to such Holder shall be made in a different Foreign Currency or in Dollars if that Holder has properly elected or properly elects payments in such Foreign Currency or in Dollars as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

(ii) If any composite currency in which a Debt Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on a series of Debt Securities denominated or payable in such composite currency, as the case may be, occurring after the last date on which such composite currency was so used (the “ Conversion Date ”), all payments in respect of the Debt Securities of such series shall be made in Dollars; provided that payment to a Holder of a Debt Security of such series shall be made in a Foreign Currency if that Holder has properly elected or properly elects payment in such Foreign Currency as provided for by Subsection (a) above.

 

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If payment in respect of Debt Securities of a series denominated in any composite currency is to be made in Dollars pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, then the amount to be paid in Dollars on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to Holders shall be determined by the Trustee as of the Regular or Special Record Date immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding Maturity, as the case may be, with respect to Debt Securities of such series, and shall be equal to the sum of the amounts obtained by translating each Component of such composite currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Component on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, multiplied by the number of units of such composite currency that would have been so paid had such composite currency not ceased to be so used. If payment is to be made in a Foreign Currency to a Holder of a Debt Security of such series pursuant to the preceding paragraph, then the amount to be paid in such Foreign Currency on a payment date by the Company to the Trustee and by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to such Holder shall be determined by the Trustee as of such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, and shall be determined by (A) translating each Component of such composite currency into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Component on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be, and (B) translating the sum in Dollars so obtained into such Foreign Currency at the applicable Exchange Rate for such Foreign Currency on such Record Date or fifteenth day, as the case may be.

All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the translation of Foreign Currency into Dollars or the translation of any composite currency into Dollars or the translation of Dollars into Foreign Currency pursuant to this Subsection (d) shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders of the Debt Securities.

If a Foreign Currency in which a series of Debt Securities is denominated or in which payments in respect of Debt Securities of such series may be made ceases to be used both by the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, the Company, in the event that it learns thereof (without any duty to investigate), will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee promptly thereafter will give notice to the relevant Holders in the manner provided in Section 14.06) specifying the last date on which such Foreign Currency was so used in either fashion. In the event any composite currency in which a Debt Security is denominated or payable ceases to be used for the purposes for which it was established, the Company, upon learning thereof, will immediately give notice thereof to the Trustee (and the Trustee promptly thereafter will give notice to the relevant Holders in the manner provided in Section 14.06) specifying the Conversion Date with respect to such composite currency and the Components of such composite currency on such Conversion Date. In the event of any subsequent change in any such Component, the Company, upon

 

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learning thereof, will give notice to the Trustee similarly. The Trustee shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon the information so received by it from the Company and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine such information independently.

ARTICLE 4

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES; SINKING FUND

Section 4.01. Applicability of Right of Redemption .

Redemption of Debt Securities (other than pursuant to a sinking fund or analogous provision) permitted by the terms of any series of Debt Securities shall be made in accordance with such terms and the applicable provisions of this Article 4; provided , however, that if any such terms of a series of Debt Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article 4, the terms of such series shall govern.

Section 4.02. Notice of Redemption .

If the Company shall elect to redeem the Debt Securities of any series in whole or in part as aforesaid, it shall fix a date for redemption and give notice of its election so to redeem by mailing written notice, postage prepaid, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Debt Securities to be redeemed as a whole or in part. Any notice which shall be mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder shall receive such notice. Failure to mail such notice, or any defect in the notice mailed, to the Holder of any Debt Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security.

Each notice of redemption shall state such election to redeem on the part of the Company, the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price, or if the Redemption Price is not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof, the Place or Places of Payment for the Debt Securities to be redeemed and the Redemption Price and shall state further that the Debt Securities designated in such notice for redemption are required to be presented on or after such Redemption Date and at such Place or Places of Payment and that interest to the Redemption Date on the Debt Securities called for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice and shall cease to accrue thereon on such date. If less than all Outstanding Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice shall also identify (and, in the case of partial redemption, state the principal amounts of) the particular Debt Securities that are to be redeemed. In case of partial redemption, the notice shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series in aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued, that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case and the CUSIP Number and, if applicable, the ISIN Number of the Subordinated Debt Securities being redeemed.

 

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Any notice of redemption of Debt Securities at the option of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 4.03. Selection of Debt Securities on Partial Redemption.

Except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01 for the Debt Securities of any series, if the Company shall at any time elect to redeem less than all the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, it shall notify the Trustee of the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed before the mailing of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 4.02, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, in such manner as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and fair and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series or any integral multiple thereof that is also an authorized denomination, but in no event shall such portion be less than $1,000) of the principal amount of Debt Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Security 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 Debt Securities shall relate, in the case of any Debt Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security that has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 4.04. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.03) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Debt Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, in the currency or currencies in which such Redemption Price shall be paid.

Section 4.05. Debt Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Debt Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date specified in such notice, become due and payable at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date, and from and after such Redemption Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Redemption Price or any such accrued interest), interest on such Debt Securities shall cease to accrue. Upon surrender of such Debt Securities for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Debt Securities shall be paid by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest accrued to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Debt Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such on the relevant

 

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Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof (and premium, if any) thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in such Debt Security.

Section 4.06. Debt Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Debt Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company, the Security Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, the Security Registrar 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 Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered, except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security or Securities in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.

Section 4.07. Applicability of Sinking Fund.

Redemption of Debt Securities permitted or required pursuant to a sinking fund for the retirement of Debt Securities of a series shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article, except as otherwise specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01 for Debt Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “ Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment ,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “ Optional Sinking Fund Payment .” The cash amount of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment shall be subject to reduction as provided in Section 4.08.

Section 4.08. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

In lieu of making all or any part of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment with respect to any series of Debt Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of such series therefore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Company or receive credit for Debt Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 3.09, (b) receive credit for Optional Sinking Fund Payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section 4.08, or (c) receive credit for Debt Securities of such series (not previously so credited)

 

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redeemed by the Company through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Debt Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Debt Securities.

On or before the 45th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment to be satisfied by credit of Debt Securities of such series, (b) stating that none of the Debt Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating whether or not the Company intends to exercise its right to make an Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such Optional Sinking Fund Payment which the Company intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date and (d) specifying such sinking fund payment date. Any Debt Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Company to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 3.09 to the Trustee with such written statement (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such written statement shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such 45th day, to deliver such written statement and Debt Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Company (i) that the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no Optional Sinking Fund Payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 4.08.

Section 4.09. Application of Sinking Fund Payments.

If a Mandatory Sinking Fund Payment or Optional Sinking Fund Payment made in cash with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities, plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash with respect to such series, shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request), such funds shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date provided for in the terms of a particular series of Debt Securities next following the date of such payment, unless the date of such payment shall be a sinking fund payment date, in which case such payment shall be applied on such sinking fund payment date, to a redemption of Debt Securities of such series at the Redemption Price specified therein. Not less than 45 days (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 4.03, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date, a sufficient principal amount of Debt Securities of such series to absorb said funds, as nearly as may be, and shall, at the expense and in the name of the Company, thereupon cause notice of the redemption of such Debt Securities to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 4.02 for the redemption of Debt Securities in part at the option of the Company, except that the notice of redemption shall

 

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also state that such Debt Securities are being redeemed for the sinking fund. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities of such series shall be added to the next sinking fund payment received in funds by the Trustee and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.09. Any and all sinking fund moneys held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series, and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities of such series, shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of such series at Maturity.

On or prior to each sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee a sum equal to all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Debt Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 4.09.

The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) of which the Trustee has actual knowledge, except that if the notice of redemption of any Debt Securities of such series shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for the purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Article 4. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund at the time any such Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund shall, during the continuation of such Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of all the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that in case such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date on which such moneys are required to be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.09.

ARTICLE 5

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section 5.01. To Pay Principal, Premium, If Any, and Interest .

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal of a Debt Security of any series at the rate of interest prescribed therefor in such Debt Security and, to the extent lawful, it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate.

 

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At the option of the Company, payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities may be made either by wire transfer or (subject to collection) by check mailed to the address of such person entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the Securities Register; provided that, in connection with payment by wire transfer, the Paying Agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five (5) Business Days prior to the applicable payment date.

Section 5.02. To Maintain Offices or Agencies.

As long as any of the Debt Securities shall remain outstanding, the Company will maintain or will cause to be maintained, in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities, one or more offices or agencies where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, exchange and registration of transfer as provided in this Indenture and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of this Indenture and of the Debt Securities of such series may be served. The Company will give written notice to the Trustee of the location of any such office or agency and of any change in the location thereof. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or agency or to give such notice of its location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The Company hereby initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its office or agency for all the above purposes.

Section 5.03. Money for Debt Security Payments To Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Debt Securities, then, on or before each date on which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of that series shall become payable, by their terms or as a result of the calling thereof for redemption, the Company will set apart and segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest which shall have become so payable until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act and of any failure by any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of that series to make any such payment.

If the Company shall appoint and at the time have a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any series of Debt Securities, then, on or before the date on which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of that series shall become payable as aforesaid, the Company will pay to such Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest, to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

If such Paying Agent shall be other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 5.03, (1) that such Paying Agent shall hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series in trust for the

 

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benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided; (2) that such Paying Agent shall give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of that series in the making of any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Debt Securities of that series when the same shall have become due and payable; and (3) that such Paying Agent shall, at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it.

Anything in this Section 5.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or by any Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) as required by this Section 5.03, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Debt Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 5.04. Corporate Existence . Subject to Section 5.06 and Section 14.01, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders

Section 5.05. Restrictions on Liens Upon Voting Stock of Significant Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is secured by a pledge of, lien on, or security interest in any shares of Voting Stock of any Significant Subsidiary, whether such Voting Stock is now owned or shall hereafter be acquired, without effectively providing that the Debt Securities (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other indebtedness or obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary ranking equally with such Debt Securities and then existing or thereafter created) shall be secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness. For the purposes of the foregoing, pledging, placing a lien on or creating a security interest in any shares of Voting Stock of

 

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a Significant Subsidiary in order to secure then outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee (as the case may be) of such Indebtedness, but the foregoing shall not apply to Indebtedness secured by a pledge of, lien on or security interest in any shares of Voting Stock of any corporation at the time it becomes a Significant Subsidiary, including extensions, renewals and replacements of such Indebtedness without increase in the amount thereof.

(b) For the purposes of Subsection (a) of this Section 5.04, the term “ Voting Stock ” shall mean capital stock the holders of which have general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors of a corporation; provided that, for the purposes hereof, capital stock that carries only the conditional right to vote upon the occurrence of an event shall not be considered voting stock, whether or not such event shall have occurred.

(c) For the purposes of Subsection (a) of this Section 5.04, the term “Significant Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary, including its Subsidiaries, which meets any of the following conditions:

(i) The Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year;

(ii) The Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after inter-company eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; or

(iii) The Company’s and its other Subsidiaries’ equity in the income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of such consolidated income of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal year.

(d) For the purposes of making the prescribed income test in clause (iii) of Subsection (c) of this Section 5.04, the following shall be applicable:

(i) When a loss has been incurred by either the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated or the tested Subsidiary, but not both, the equity in the income or loss of the tested Subsidiary shall be excluded from the income of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated for purposes of the computation; and

(ii) If income of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated for the most recent fiscal year is at least 10% lower than the average of the income for the last five fiscal years, such average income shall be substituted for purposes of the computation. Any loss years shall be omitted for purposes of computing average income.

 

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Section 5.06. Restrictions on Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Etc.

The Company shall not consolidate with any other corporation or merge into another corporation, or sell, other than for cash or lease, all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation unless (a) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor, transferee or lessee corporation (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume, by indenture supplemental hereto reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered by such corporation prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale or lease, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Debt Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, and (b) immediately after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or purchase the Company or the successor, transferee or lessee corporation (if any other than the Company) would not be in default in the performance of any covenant or condition of this Indenture. A purchase by a Subsidiary of all or substantially all of the assets of another corporation shall not be deemed to be a purchase of such assets by the Company.

Section 5.07. Annual Statement Concerning Compliance With Covenants.

The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company, stating that:

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

(b) to the best of such director or officer’s knowledge, based on such review, the Company has fulfilled all its obligations under this Indenture throughout such year, or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default known to such officer and the nature and status thereof.

Section 5.08. Compliance With Covenants and Conditions May Be Waived By Holders of Debt Securities.

Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company or any Subsidiary may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in this Article 5 or in a supplemental indenture with respect to any series of Debt Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, before or after the time for such compliance, evidence (as provided in Article 7) of the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not waived by the terms of such waiver or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 5.09. Change of Control.

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Debt Securities, Holders of Debt Securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of their Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “ Change of Control Offer ”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Debt Securities repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Payment ”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to Holders of Debt Securities describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Debt Securities on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”), pursuant to the procedures described herein and in such notice. The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice. 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 the repurchase of the Debt Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions herein, the Company shall be required to comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions herein by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment all Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Debt Securities properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities being purchased.

Below Investment Grade Rating Event ” means the Debt Securities are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by both of the Rating Agencies (as defined below) on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not

 

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be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

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 properties or 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 the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company that has agreed to be bound by the terms of the Securities and (2) the Holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the Holders of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction.

Change of Control Triggering Event ” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of original issuance of the Securities; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

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

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

 

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Rating Agencies ” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.

ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default .

Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “ Event of Default ” as used in this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the supplemental indenture Officer’s Certificate, if any, under which such series of Debt Securities is issued:

(a) the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any Debt Security of such series, when and as the same shall become due and payable, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(b) the failure of the Company to pay the principal or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of such series, when and as the same shall become payable, whether at maturity as therein expressed, by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration of acceleration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise;

(c) the failure of the Company to pay a sinking fund installment, if any, when and as the same shall become due and payable by the terms of a Debt Security of such series, which failure shall have continued unremedied for a period of 30 days;

(d) the failure of the Company, subject to the provisions of Section 5.08, to observe and perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company contained in this Indenture (including any indenture supplemental hereto), other than a covenant or agreement which has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than that series, which failure shall not have been remedied to the satisfaction of the Trustee, or without provision deemed by the Trustee to be adequate for the remedying thereof having been made, for a period of 90 days after written notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such failure and requiring the Company to remedy the same and stating that such notice is a notice of default hereunder;

 

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

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

(g) the occurrence of any other event of default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series as provided in a supplemental indenture applicable to such series of Debt Securities or a Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate pursuant to which such series of Debt Securities is established.

Section 6.02. Acceleration of Maturity on Default; Waiver.

If any one or more Events of Default shall happen with respect to Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, during the continuance of any such Event of Default, the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may, and upon the written request of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities then Outstanding the Trustee shall, declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and all accrued but unpaid interest (if any) on all the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, if not then due and payable, to be due and payable, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series to the contrary notwithstanding; provided that no Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of a series, except with respect to an Event of Default under Subsections (e) and (f) of Section 6.01, shall constitute an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any other series. The foregoing provision, however, is subject to the condition that, if at any time after the principal amount (or specified amount) of and all accrued but unpaid interest (if any) on all the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared to be due and payable, all arrears of interest, if any, upon all the Debt Securities of such series (with interest, to the extent that interest thereon shall be legally enforceable, on any overdue installment of interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series) and all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under

 

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Section 10.01(a) and all other sums payable under this Indenture (except the principal of the Debt Securities of such series which would not be due and payable were it not for such declaration), shall be paid by the Company, and every other default and Event of Default under this Indenture shall have been cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding, or provision deemed by such Holders to be adequate therefor shall have been made, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series, waive the Event of Default by reason of which the principal of the Debt Securities of such series shall have been so declared to be due and payable and may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver, recission or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Any declaration by the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall be by written notice to the Company, and any declaration or waiver by the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 6.02 shall be by written notice to the Company and the Trustee.

Section 6.03. Collection of Amounts Due and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .

If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 days to pay any installment of interest on the Debt Securities of any series, or shall fail to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) on any of the Debt Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, or by call for redemption (otherwise than pursuant to a sinking fund), by declaration as authorized by this Indenture or otherwise, or shall fail for a period of 30 days to make any sinking fund payment as to a series of Debt Securities, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Debt Securities of such series, with interest to the date of payment on the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Debt Securities of such series) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, and all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a).

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal of and interest on the Debt Securities of any series to the Holders, whether or not the principal of, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series be overdue.

In case the Company fails forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any

 

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other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owed to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of such series of Debt Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Debt Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Debt Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.

Section 6.04. Trustee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact for Holders to File Claims.

The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder, by receiving and holding Debt Securities, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in default in respect of the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and any of the Holders, and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every holder, by receiving and holding Debt Securities, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a); provided , however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization or readjustment of the Company affecting the Debt Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.05. Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee .

Any moneys collected by the Trustee with respect to a series of Debt Securities under this Article 6 shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Debt Securities and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

 

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    First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a);

    Second: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series, in the order of the Maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest is legally enforceable and has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by such Debt Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto;

    Third: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have become due and payable, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, with interest on the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that such interest is legally enforceable and has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal (and premium, if any) and interest without preference or priority of principal (and premium, if any) over interest, or of interest over principal (and premium, if any) or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any other Debt Security of such series, ratably according to the aggregate amounts of such principal (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest. The Holders of each series of Debt Securities denominated in any composite currency or a Foreign Currency shall be entitled to receive a ratable portion of the amount determined by the Trustee by converting the principal amount Outstanding of such series of Debt Securities and matured but unpaid interest on such series of Debt Securities in the currency in which such series of Debt Securities is denominated into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate as of the date of declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities (or, if there is no such Exchange Rate as of such date for the reasons specified in Section 311(d)(i), such Exchange Rate on the date specified in such Section).

Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company or to such other Persons as shall be entitled to receive it.

Section 6.06. Holders May Direct Proceedings and Waive Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided , however, that, subject to the provisions of Section 10.01 and 10.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if

 

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the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining in such direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Prior to any declaration accelerating the Maturity of the Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Debt Securities of such series, waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), or interest on, any Debt Security of such series. Upon any such waiver the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.06, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.

Section 6.07. Limitations on Right of Holders to Institute Proceedings .

No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right to institute an action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity with respect to this Indenture, or for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Debt Securities, unless (1) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of the occurrence and continuation of one or more Events of Default with respect to such series of Debt Securities; (2) the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of; and (3) unless such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby and the Trustee, for 60 days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, and such notification, request and offer of indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Debt Security of such series, it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series; provided , however, that nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest on the Debt Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Debt Securities at the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Securities, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce any such payment.

 

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Section 6.08. Assessment of Costs and Attorneys’ Fees in Legal Proceedings .

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided , however, that the provisions of this Section 6.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series, on or after the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Debt Securities (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Section 6.09. Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or rights or remedy or remedies, and each and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein, and every right and remedy given by this Article 6 to the Trustee and to the Holders, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

In case the Trustee or any Holder shall have proceeded to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.

 

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ARTICLE 7

ACTIONS BY HOLDERS

Section 7.01. Actions By Holders .

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), such action may be taken by (a) a meeting of the Holders in accordance with Article 8 or (b) by any instrument or instruments of a substantially similar tenor executed and delivered by the requisite number of Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Article 7.

Section 7.02. Instruments .

In order to be effective to take any action under this Article 7, an instrument shall (a) be in writing, (b) express the action to be taken, (c) be executed by or on behalf of a Holder who is such (i) if such instruments have been requested by the Company or the Trustee pursuant to a written notice mailed to all Holders of the affected series, on the date such notice is mailed or (ii) in any other case, on the date the first instrument expressing such action is delivered to the Trustee, and (d) indicate the principal amount of Debt Securities to which the instrument relates. Each such instrument must be duly acknowledged or witnessed. If such instrument is executed by a Person other than the Holder, then such instrument shall include, or be accompanied by proof acceptable to the Trustee of, such Person’s authority to execute the instrument.

The ownership of Debt Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. The Trustee may accept such other proof or may require such additional proof of any other matter referred to in this Section 7.02 as it shall reasonably deem appropriate or necessary.

Section 7.03. Determining Principal Amount of Outstanding Debt Securities .

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any authorization, demand, direction, request, notice, waiver or consent or taken any other action under this Indenture, Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such authorization, demand, direction, request, notice, waiver, consent or action, only Debt Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section 7.03 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to vote such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

 

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For purposes of determining the principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series the Holders of which are required, requested or permitted to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other action under this Indenture, (i) each Original Issue Discount Security shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee that could be declared to be due and payable pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security as of a date fixed by the Trustee and (ii) each Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency or composite currency shall be deemed to have the principal amount determined by the Trustee by translating the principal amount of such Debt Security in the currency in which such Debt Security is denominated into Dollars at the applicable Exchange Rate as of a date fixed by the Trustee.

Upon receipt of instruments representing the Holders of a sufficient amount of Debt Securities to take the action stated thereon, the Trustee shall promptly tabulate such instruments and deliver a report thereof to the Company.

Section 7.04. Revocation by Holders of Consents to Action . At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, any Holder of a Debt Security that is shown by the evidence to be included among the Debt Securities whose Holders consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 7.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of the same Debt Security and the Holder of every Debt Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or any Debt Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

ARTICLE 8

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 8.01. Purposes of Meetings .

A meeting of Holders of any series or of all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article 8 for any of the following purposes:

(a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;

(b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 10;

 

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(c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.02; or

(d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

Section 8.02. Call of Meetings by Trustee .

The Trustee may at any time, and shall upon receipt of a Board Resolution or written requests by the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken (such Board Resolution or written requests setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting), call a meeting of the Holders of the Debt Securities of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken. Such meeting shall be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders of Debt Securities of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register as of a record date determined by the Trustee in its reasonable discretion. Such notice shall be mailed not less than 20 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

Section 8.03. Call of Meetings by Company or Holders .

If a meeting of Holders has been duly requested by the Company or the Holders pursuant to Section 8.02, and if the Trustee has not mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Holders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by mailing notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02.

Section 8.04. Qualifications For Voting .

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Debt Securities of a series affected by the action proposed to be taken at such meeting as of the date of the mailing of notice of such meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more of such Debt Securities who was a Holder of such Debt Securities as of the date of the mailing of notice of such meeting. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

 

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Section 8.05. Regulation of Meetings .

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders, in regard to proof of the holding of Debt Securities and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit. The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders as provided in Section 8.03, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority vote of the meeting. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.03, at any meeting of Holders of the Debt Securities of a series, each such Holder or such Holder’s proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount (or the equivalent in Euros, any other composite currency or a Foreign Currency) of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided , however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Debt Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Debt Securities of such series held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the Person to vote on behalf of other Holders of the Debt Securities of such series. At any meeting of Holders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02 or 8.03, the presence of Persons holding or representing Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to take action upon the business for the transaction of which such meeting was called shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and any such meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present, whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 8.06. Voting .

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of the Holders of the Debt Securities of a series shall be written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such Holders or their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of such Debt Securities held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the principal amounts of the Debt Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.

Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

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Section 8.07. No Delay of Rights by Meeting .

Nothing contained in this Article 8 shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders of the Debt Securities of any series or by reason of any right expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make any such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights or remedy or remedies conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to such Holders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of such Debt Securities.

ARTICLE 9

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS’ LISTS

Section 9.01. Reports by Trustee .

(a) Annual Report to Holders. On or before the first July 15 following the issuance of any series of Debt Securities and on or before July 15 in each year thereafter, the Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of such Debt Securities, as hereinafter provided, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 15 with respect to:

(i) its eligibility and qualifications under Sections 10.05 and 10.06 to serve as Trustee hereunder, or in lieu thereof, if to the best of its knowledge it has continued to be eligible and qualified under said Sections, a written statement to such effect;

(ii) the character and amount of any advances made by it, as Trustee, which remain unpaid on the date as of which such report is made and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series, on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate more than 1/2 of 1% of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series on the date as of which such report is made;

(iii) the amount, interest rate and maturity date of all other indebtedness owing to it in its individual capacity, on the date as of which such report is made, by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except an indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in Section 10.09(f)(ii), 10.09(f)(iii), 10.09(f)(iv) or 10.09(f)(vi);

(iv) the property and funds, if any, physically in its possession as Trustee on the date as of which such report is made;

(v) any additional issue of Debt Securities which it has not previously reported; and

 

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(vi) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Debt Securities, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.03.

(b) Special Reports to Holders. The Trustee shall transmit to all Holders of Debt Securities of any series, as hereinafter provided, a brief report with respect to the character and amount of any advances made by the Trustee (as such) since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of Subsection (a) above (or, if no such report has yet been transmitted, since the date of execution of this Indenture), for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Debt Securities of such series, on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this Subsection (b), except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate 10% or less of the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series at such time, such report to be so transmitted within 90 days after such time.

(c) Manner and Extent of Transmitting Reports. Each report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01 shall be transmitted by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Security Register.

(d) Copies to be Filed with Commission and Securities Exchanges. The Trustee shall, at the time of the transmission to the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01, file a copy of such report with each securities exchange upon which any Debt Securities of such series are listed, with the Commission and also with the Company. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when, as and if any Debt Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

The Company will reimburse the Trustee for all expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01 and of Section 9.02.

Section 9.02. Reports by the Company .

(a) Reports and Information to be Filed with Trustee. The Company will file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe); or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to the provisions of either of such Sections, then the Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of the Exchange Act, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange, as may be prescribed in such rules and regulations.

 

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(b) Additional Information to Be Filed with Trustee and Commission. The Company will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required by such rules and regulations.

(c) Reports to Holders. The Company will transmit to all Holders, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee (unless some other time shall be fixed by the Commission), in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 9.01(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b) above as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

(d) 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).

Section 9.03. Holders’ Lists .

(a) Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series for which it acts as Trustee:

(i) at least semi-annually, within 15 days after each Regular Record Date with respect to such Debt Securities, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of such Debt Securities, as of such Regular Record Date; and

(ii) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided , however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished.

(b) Trustee to Preserve Information. The Trustee will preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of Holders so furnished or caused to be furnished to it by the Company or received by it in its capacity as Paying Agent or Security Registrar. The Trustee may (i) destroy any information furnished to it as provided in Subsection (a) above upon receipt of new similar information so furnished to it; and (ii) destroy any information received by it as Paying Agent or Security Registrar, but not until 45 days after a subsequent interest payment shall have been made.

 

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(c) Trustee to Furnish Certain Information to Holders on Request. Promptly after receipt by the Trustee of a written application by any three or more Holders (hereinafter referred to as the “applicants”) stating that such applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Debt Securities, and accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, and by reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Debt Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, the Trustee shall, at its election, either

(i) afford to such applicants access to all information furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.03; or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders according to the most recent information so furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address are contained in the information so furnished to, or received by, and preserved by, the Trustee, a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of such mailing, unless, within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of the objections specified in the written statement so filed, or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

Each and every Holder of a Debt Security, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (c), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under this Subsection (c).

 

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ARTICLE 10

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 10.01. Acceptance of Trusts Upon Specified Conditions .

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

(a) Trustee Entitled to Compensation and Expenses; Indemnification. The Trustee shall be entitled to such compensation as is agreed upon in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company agrees to pay such compensation, and all other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of Trustee’s counsel), disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee hereunder, promptly on demand from time to time as such services shall be rendered and as such expenses shall be incurred. The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder for, and to hold it or them harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, damage, cost or expense incurred without its or their own negligence or willful misconduct, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its or their duties, as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder. As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Subsection (a), the Trustee shall have a lien therefor on any moneys held by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to indemnify the Trustee under this Section 10.01(a) shall survive any satisfaction and discharge under Article 11.

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

(c) Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals of Fact. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for the correctness of the recitals contained herein or in the Debt Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), all of which are made by the Company solely; and the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities (except its certificates of authentication thereon), and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Debt Securities, or the proceeds of any Debt Securities, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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(d) Trustee May Consult With Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel, and, to the extent permitted by Section 10.02, any advice of counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered to be taken by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice.

(e) Trustee May Rely Upon Certificate as to Adoption of Resolutions; Requests May Be Evidenced by Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee, to the extent permitted by Section 10.02, may rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Company as to the adoption of any resolution by the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Company, and any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by, and whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, offering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee may rely upon, an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed).

(f) Trustee May Become Owner or Pledgee of Debt Securities. The Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and, subject to Sections 10.06 and 10.09, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have had if it were not a Trustee or such agent.

(g) Segregation of Funds. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

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

(i) Trustee May Rely on Instruments Believed by It to Be Genuine. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(j) Trustee Need Not Exercise Rights or Powers Unless Indemnified by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any Holders, pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, unless one or more Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred by it therein or thereby.

 

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(k) Trustee Not Liable for Action Taken or Omitted in Good Faith. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within its discretion or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(l) Trustee Not Bound to Make Investigation. Subject to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture or other paper or document (including mathematical calculation therein).

(m) Trustee Not Deemed to Have Knowledge of Default. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless the Holders of not less than 25% of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series notify the Trustee in writing thereof.

Section 10.02. Duties of Trustee in Case of Default .

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

(c) Trustee Not Liable for Certain Action or Non-Action at Direction of Holders of Majority of Debt Securities. The Trustee shall not be liable to any Holder or to any other Person with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of Holders given as provided in Section 6.06, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to it or exercising any trust or power conferred upon it by this Indenture.

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

Section 10.03. Notice to Holders of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence thereof, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Debt Securities of a series, as provided in Section 9.01(c), notice of each default with respect to the Debt Securities of such series known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “default” for the purposes of this Section 10.03 being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 6.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section); but, unless such default be the failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debt Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, or to make any sinking fund payment as to Debt Securities of the same series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Section 10.04. Resignation of Trustee and Notice Thereof .

The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Debt Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing and by mailing notice thereof to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series at their addresses as the same shall then appear in the Security Register. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Debt Securities at any time by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, acting pursuant to the provisions of Article 7 or Article 8.

Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of reasonable compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all reasonable expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder. The Trustee’s rights to indemnification provided in Section 10.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal.

Section 10.05. Qualifications of Trustee .

There shall at all times be a Trustee under this Indenture, and such Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any State, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than $10,000,000. For the purposes of this Section 10.05, the combined capital and surplus of any such Trustee shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the most recent report of its condition published by such Trustee; provided that such reports are published at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of a Federal or State supervising or examining authority. If such Trustee or any successor shall at any time cease to have the qualifications prescribed in this Section 10.05, it shall promptly resign as Trustee hereunder.

Section 10.06. Disqualification of Trustee by Reason of Conflicting Interest .

(a) Trustee to Resign. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as the term “ conflicting interest ” is defined in Subsection (d) below, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, such resignation to become effective upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance by such successor Trustee of such appointment. If the Trustee shall resign, the Company shall take prompt steps to have a successor appointed in the manner provided in Section 10.07.

(b) Notice to Holders of Failure to Resign. In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) above, the Trustee shall, within ten days after the expiration of such 90 day period, transmit notice of its failure in that regard to the Holders as provided in Section 9.01(c).

 

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(c) Right of Holders to Petition for Removal of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.07, any Holder of a Debt Security of any series, who has been a bona fide Holder of a Debt Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and the appointment of a successor Trustee, if the Trustee shall fail, after written request therefor by such Holder, to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) above.

(d) Meaning of the Term “Conflicting Interest”; Calculation of Percentages of Debt Securities. For the purposes of this Section 10.06, the Trustee shall be deemed to have a “ conflicting interest ” with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, if

(i) the Trustee is trustee under this Indenture with respect to Outstanding Debt Securities of any series other than that series or is trustee under another indenture under which any other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other securities, of the Company are outstanding; provided , however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of this paragraph (i) this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of any series other than that series and any other indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding, if (i) this Indenture (with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and each other series for which the Trustee is trustee hereunder) and such other indenture or indentures are wholly unsecured, and such other indenture or indentures are hereafter qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, unless the Commission shall have found and declared by order pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 3.05 or subsection (c) of Section 3.07 of the Trust Indenture Act that differences exist between the provisions of this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of that series and one or more other series or between provisions of this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of that series and the provisions of such other indenture or indentures, which are so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and such other series or under one of said other indentures; or (ii) the Company shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application to the Commission and after the opportunity for hearing thereon, that the trusteeship under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and, as the case may be, with respect to Securities of such other series or under such other indenture is not so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series and such other series or under one of such indentures;

(ii) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is an obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series issued under this Indenture or an underwriter for the Company;

 

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(iii) the Trustee directly or indirectly controls, or is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common control with, the Company or an underwriter for the Company;

(iv) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee or representative of the Company, or of any underwriter (other than the Trustee itself) for the Company who is currently engaged in the business of underwriting, except that (A) one individual may be a director and/or an executive officer of the Trustee and a director and/or an executive officer of the Company, but may not be at the same time an executive officer of both the Trustee and the Company, and (B) if and so long as the number of directors of the Trustee in office is more than nine, one additional individual may be a director and/or an executive officer of the Trustee and a director of the Company, and (C) the Trustee may be designated by the Company or by any underwriter for the Company to act in the capacity of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent, escrow agent or depositary, or in any other similar capacity, or, subject to the provisions of paragraph (i) of this Subsection (d), to act as trustee, whether under an indenture or otherwise;

(v) 10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by the Company or by any director, partner or executive officer thereof, or 20% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of such persons; or 10% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned either by an underwriter for the Company or by any director, partner or executive officer thereof, or is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of such persons;

(vi) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default (as hereinafter in this Subsection (d) defined), (A) 5% or more of the voting securities, or 10% or more of any other class of security, of the Company, not including any of the Debt Securities and not including securities issued under any other indenture under which the Trustee is also trustee, or (B) 10% or more of any class of security of an underwriter for the Company;

(vii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default (as hereinafter in this Subsection (d) defined), 5% or more of the voting securities of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 10% or more of the voting securities of, or controls directly or indirectly, or is under direct or indirect common control with, the Company;

(viii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default (as hereinafter in this Subsection (d) defined), 10% or more of any class of security of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the Company; or

 

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(ix) the Trustee owns, on May 15 in any calendar year, in the capacity of executor, administrator, testamentary or inter vivos trustee, guardian, committee or conservator, or in any other similar capacity, an aggregate of 25% or more of the voting securities, or of any class of security, of any person, the beneficial ownership of a specified percentage of which would have constituted a conflicting interest under paragraph (vi), (vii) or (viii) of this Subsection (d). As to any of such securities of which the Trustee acquired ownership through becoming executor, administrator or testamentary trustee of an estate which included them, the provisions of the preceding sentence shall not apply, for a period of not more than two years from the date of such acquisition, to the extent that such securities included in such estate do not exceed 25% of such voting securities or 25% of any such class of security. Promptly after May 15 in each calendar year, the Trustee shall make a check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of such May 15. If the Company shall fail to make payment in full of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest of any of the Debt Securities under this Indenture, when and as the same becomes due and payable, and such failure shall continue for 30 days thereafter, the Trustee shall make a prompt check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of the date of the expiration of such 30-day period, and after such date, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (ix), all such securities so held by the Trustee, with sole or joint control over such securities vested in it, shall, but only so long as such failure shall continue, be considered as though beneficially owned by the Trustee, for the purposes of paragraphs (vi), (vii) and (viii) of this Subsection (d).

The specification of percentages in paragraphs (v) to (ix), inclusive, of this Subsection (d) shall not be construed as indicating that the ownership of such percentages of the securities of a person is or is not necessary or sufficient to constitute direct or indirect control for the purposes of paragraph (iii) or paragraph (vii) of this Subsection (d). For the purposes of paragraphs (vi), (vii), (viii) and (ix) of this Subsection (d), (A) the terms “security” and “securities” shall include only such securities as are generally known as corporate securities, but shall not include any note or other evidence of indebtedness issued to evidence an obligation to repay moneys lent to a person by one or more banks, trust companies or banking firms, or any certificate of interest or participation in any such note or evidence of indebtedness; (B) an obligation shall be deemed to be “in default” when a default in payment of principal shall have continued for 30 days or more and shall not have been cured; and (C) the Trustee shall not be deemed the owner or holder of (1) any security which it holds as collateral security (as trustee or otherwise) for an obligation which is not in default as defined in clause (B) above, or (2) any security which it holds as collateral security under this Indenture, irrespective of any default hereunder, or (3) any security which it holds as agent for collection, or as a custodian, escrow agent or depositary or in any similar representative capacity.

For the purposes of this Subsection (d) the term “underwriter” when used with reference to the Company means every person who, within three years prior to the time as of which the determination is made, has purchased from the Company with a view to, or has offered for or has sold for the Company in connection with, the distribution of any

 

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security of the Company which is outstanding at the time the determination is made, or has participated or has had a direct or indirect participation in any such undertaking, or has participated or has had a participation in the direct or indirect underwriting of any such undertaking; but such term shall not include a person whose interest was limited to a commission from an underwriter or dealer not in excess of the usual and customary distributors’ or sellers’ commission.

The percentages of voting securities and other securities specified in this Subsection (d) shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions:

(A) A specified percentage of the voting securities of a person means such amount of the outstanding voting securities of such person as entitles the holder or holders thereof to cast such specified percentage of the aggregate votes which the holders of all the outstanding voting securities of such person are entitled to cast in the direction or management of the affairs of such person.

(B) A specified percentage of a class of securities of a person means such percentage of the aggregate amount of securities of the class outstanding.

(C) The term “amount” means, when used in regard to securities, the principal amount, if relating to evidence of indebtedness; the number of shares, if relating to capital shares; and the number of units, if relating to any other kind of security.

(D) The term “outstanding” means issued and not held by or for the account of the issuer. The following securities shall not be deemed outstanding within the meaning of this definition:

(1) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to securities of the issuer of the same class;

(2) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to another class of securities of the issuer, if the obligation evidenced by such other class of securities is not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise;

(3) securities pledged by the issuer thereof as security for an obligation of the issuer not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise; and

(4) securities held in escrow, if placed in escrow by the issuer thereof;

provided, however, that any voting securities of an issuer shall be deemed outstanding if any person other than the issuer is entitled to exercise the voting rights thereof.

 

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(E) A security shall be deemed to be of the same class as another security if both securities confer upon the holder or holders thereof substantially the same rights and privileges; provided, however, (i) that, in the case of secured evidences of indebtedness, all of which are issued under a single indenture, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates of various series thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute such series different classes, and (ii) that, in the case of unsecured evidences of indebtedness, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute them securities of different classes, whether or not they are issued under a single indenture.

In the event that any person other than the Company shall at any time become an obligor upon any of the Debt Securities, so long as such person shall continue to be such obligor the provisions of this Subsection (d), in addition to being applicable to the Trustee and the Company, shall be applicable to the Trustee and such obligor.

Section 10.07. Appointment of Successor Trustee .

In case at any time the Trustee shall resign, or shall be removed (unless the Trustee shall be removed as provided in Subsection (c) of Section 10.06, in which event the vacancy shall be filled as provided in said Subsection), or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or if a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or if any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property of affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series) may be appointed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that or those series, by an instrument or instruments in writing signed in duplicate by such Holders and filed, one original thereof with the Company and the other with the successor Trustee; but, until a successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Holders of Debt Securities of that or those series as herein authorized, the Company by Board Resolution, or, in case all or substantially all the assets of the Company shall be in the possession of one or more custodians or receivers lawfully appointed, or of trustees in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings (including a trustee or trustees appointed under the provisions of the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted), or of assignees for the benefit of creditors, such receivers, custodians, trustees or assignees, as the case may be, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. Subject to the provisions of Sections 10.04, 10.05 and 10.06, upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee with respect of the Debt Securities of such series shall cease to be Trustee hereunder. After any such appointment (other than by the Holders of Debt Securities of that or those series) the person making such appointment shall forthwith cause notice thereof to be mailed to the Holders of Debt Securities of such

 

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series at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Security Register; but any successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series so appointed shall immediately and without further act, be superseded by a successor Trustee appointed by the Holders of Debt Securities of such series in the manner above prescribed, if such appointment be made prior to the expiration of one year from the date of the mailing of such notice by the Company, or by such receivers, trustees or assignees.

If any Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall resign because of conflict of interest as provided in Section 10.06(a) and a successor Trustee shall not have been appointed by the Company or by the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series or, if any successor Trustee so appointed shall not have accepted its appointment within 30 days after such appointment shall have been made, the resigning Trustee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. If in any other case a successor Trustee shall not be appointed pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.07 within three months after such appointment might have been made hereunder, the Holder of any Debt Security of the applicable series or any retiring Trustee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, in any such case, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper, appoint a successor Trustee.

Any successor Trustee appointed hereunder with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor Trustee and to the Company, or to the receivers, trustees, assignees or court appointing it, as the case may be, an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations with respect to such series of such predecessor Trustee with like effect as if originally named as Trustee hereunder, and such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to pay over, and such successor Trustee shall be entitled to receive, all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee as Trustee hereunder. Nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee or of the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series, such predecessor Trustee, upon payment of its said charges and disbursements, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee upon the trusts herein expressed all the rights, powers and trusts of such predecessor Trustee and shall assign, transfer and deliver to the successor Trustee all moneys and properties held by such predecessor Trustee; and, upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations.

Section 10.08. Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Trustee or Transfer of its Corporate Trust Business; Authentication of Debt Securities by Successor Trustee .

 

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

Section 10.09. Trustee Required to Account for Amounts Collected as Creditor of the Company Under Certain Conditions .

(a) Trustee, as a Creditor, to Set Apart and Hold Certain Moneys in a Special Account During Default.

If the Trustee in its individual capacity shall be, or shall become, a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Company within four months prior to a default, as the term “default” is defined in Subsection (e) of this Section 10.09, or subsequent to such a default, then, unless and until such default shall be cured, the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for the benefit of the Trustee individually, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of any other indenture securities as the term “other indenture securities” is defined in said Subsection (e):

(i) an amount equal to any and all reductions in the amount due and owing upon any claim as such creditor in respect of principal or interest, effected after the beginning of such four months’ period and valid as against the Company and its other creditors, except any such reduction resulting from the receipt or disposition of any property described in paragraph (ii) of this Subsection (a), or from the exercise of any right of setoff which the Trustee could have exercised, if any voluntary or involuntary case had been commenced in respect of the Company under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law upon the date of such default; and

(ii) all property received by the Trustee in respect of any claim as such creditor, either as security therefor, or in satisfaction or composition thereof or otherwise, after the beginning of such four months’ period, or an amount equal to the proceeds of any such property, if disposed of, subject, however, to the rights, if any, of the Company and its other creditors in such property or such proceeds.

 

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(b) Situations Not Requiring Trustee to Account. Nothing contained in this Section 10.09 shall affect the right of the Trustee:

(i) to retain for its own account (A) payments made on account of any such claim by any person (other than the Company) who is liable thereon, and (B) the proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the Trustee to a third person, and (C) distributions made in cash, securities or other property in respect of claims filed against the Company in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law;

(ii) to realize, for its own account, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such property was so held prior to the beginning of such four months’ period;

(iii) to realize, for its own account, but only to the extent of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such claim was created after the beginning of such four months’ period and such property was received as security therefor simultaneously with the creation thereof, and if the Trustee shall sustain the burden of proving that at the time such property was so received the Trustee had no reasonable cause to believe that a default, as defined in Subsection (e) of this Section 10.09, would occur within four months; or

(iv) to receive payment on any claim referred to in paragraph (ii) or paragraph (iii) of this Subsection (b), against the release of any property held as security for such claim as provided in said paragraph (ii) or said paragraph (iii), as the case may be, to the extent of the fair value of such property.

For the purposes of paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Subsection (b), property substituted after the beginning of such four months’ period for property held as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair value of the property released, have the same status as the property released, and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such paragraphs is created in renewal of, or in substitution for, or for the purpose of repaying or refunding, any preexisting claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim.

(c) Apportionment of Funds and Property Set Apart. If the Trustee shall be required to account, the funds and property held in a special account pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.09 and the proceeds thereof shall be apportioned among the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities in such manner that the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities realize, as a result of payments from such special account and payments of dividends on claims filed against the Company in receivership or liquidation proceedings or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law, the same percentage of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of the Trustee anything on

 

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account of the receipt by it from the Company of the funds and property in such special account and before crediting to the respective claims of the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities dividends on claims filed against the Company in receivership or liquidation proceedings or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law, but after crediting thereon receipts on account of the indebtedness represented by their respective claims from all sources other than from such dividends and from the funds and property so held in such special account. As used in this Subsection (c) with respect to any claim, the term “dividends” shall include any distribution with respect to such claim in receivership or liquidation proceedings or any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law, whether such distribution is made in cash, securities or other property, but shall not include any such distribution with respect to the secured portion, if any, of such claim. The court in which such receivership or liquidation proceeding or such voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or applicable State law shall be pending shall have jurisdiction (A) to apportion among the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities, in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection (c), the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof, or (B) in lieu of such an apportionment thereof, in whole or in part, to give to the provisions of this Subsection (c) due consideration in determining the fairness of the distributions to be made to the Trustee, the Holders of Debt Securities and the holders of other indenture securities with respect to their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to liquidate or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in such special account or as security for any such claim, or to make a specific allocation of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions of such claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this Subsection (c) as a mathematical formula.

(d) In Case of Resignation or Removal of Trustee. In case the Trustee shall have resigned or been removed after the beginning of such four months’ period, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 10.09 as though such resignation or removal had not occurred. If the Trustee shall have resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such four months’ period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 10.09 if and only if the receipt of property or reduction of claim which would have given rise to the obligation to account, if the Trustee had continued as such trustee hereunder, occurred after the beginning of such four months’ period and within four months after such resignation or removal.

(e) Meaning of Certain Terms as Used in Section 10.09. As used in this Section 10.09, the term “ default ” means any failure to make payment in full of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest or the Debt Securities or any other indenture securities, when and as such principal (or premium) or interest becomes due and payable; and the term “other indenture securities” means securities upon which the Company is an obligor (as the term “obligor” is defined in the Trust Indenture Act) outstanding under any other indenture which is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and under which the Trustee is also trustee and under which a default exists at the time of the apportionment of the funds and property held in said special account.

 

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(f) Creditor Relationships to Which Section 10.09 Inapplicable. None of the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.09 shall be applicable in respect of a creditor relationship arising from: (i) the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture, or any security or securities having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the Trustee;

(ii) advances authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction in the premises, in any voluntary or involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or by this Indenture, for the purposes of preserving any property which shall at the time be subject to the lien of this Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advance and of the circumstances surrounding the making thereof is given to the Holders of the Debt Securities at the time and in the manner provided in Section 9.01 with respect to reports pursuant to Subsections (a) and (b) thereof;

(iii) disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in the capacity of trustee under an indenture, transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent or depositary, or other similar capacity;

(iv) an indebtedness created as a result of services rendered or premises rented; or an indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash transaction, as defined in this Subsection (f);

(v) the ownership of stock or of other securities of a corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is directly or indirectly a creditor of the Company; or

(vi) the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of any drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or obligations which fall within the classification of self-liquidating paper, as the term “s elf-liquidating paper ” is defined in this Subsection (f).

The term “ security ” or “ securities ” as used in this Subsection (f) shall mean any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

The term “ cash transaction ” as used in paragraph (iv) of this Subsection (f) means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after the delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand.

 

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The term “ self-liquidating paper ” as used in paragraph (vi) of this Subsection (f) means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacture, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of or a lien upon the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security; provided that the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

In the event that any person other than the Company shall at any time become an obligor upon any of the Debt Securities, so long as such person shall continue to be such obligor the provisions of this Section 10.09, in addition to being applicable to the Trustee and the Company, shall be applicable to the Trustee and such obligor.

Section 10.10. Trustee May Rely on Officers’ Certificate .

Subject to Section 10.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 14.03 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officers’ Certificate, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered to be taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01. Discharge of Indenture Upon Payment of Debt Securities .

If and when the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series and all other sums due hereunder (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06) shall have been fully paid, this Indenture shall cease and terminate, and, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 14.03, and upon proof being given to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee that all the Debt Securities have been paid or satisfied, and upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall cancel this Indenture and execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction hereof.

 

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If at any time no Debt Securities have been issued and authenticated or if all previously issued and authenticated Debt Securities of any series have been cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06), upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 14.03, and upon payment of the costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall cancel this Indenture and execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction hereof.

Section 11.02. Discharge of Indenture Upon Deposit of Moneys .

If, at the Maturity of the Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, Cash or Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will insure the availability of cash sufficient (in case Government Obligations have been so deposited, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee) to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06), and shall pay all costs, charges and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 14.03, shall cancel and satisfy this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall apply the moneys so deposited to the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

Section 11.03. Discharge of Certain Indebtedness Upon Deposit of Moneys .

If this Section 11.03 is specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01 to be applicable to Debt Securities of any series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all Outstanding Debt Securities of such series if the Company shall (a) deposit with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, (1) Cash or Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will insure the availability of cash sufficient (in case Government Obligations have been so deposited, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee) to pay or (2) such amount of Government Obligations as will or will together with the income thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the

 

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Debt Securities of such series, as such payments shall become due from time to time, and (b) pay or make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for paying all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Trustee in relation thereto or in carrying out the provisions of this Indenture in relation thereto, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Debt Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange of Debt Securities of such series, (ii) rights of Holders to receive payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series as such payments shall become due from time to time and other rights, duties and obligations of Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts so deposited with the Trustee, (iii) provisions, if any, applicable to such series relating to optional redemption and Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund Payments and (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (for which purposes the Debt Securities of such series shall be deemed Outstanding)), and the Company shall have no further obligations or liability with respect to any Debt Securities of such series.

In any such case the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 14.03, shall execute and deliver to the Company such instruments as shall be requisite to evidence the satisfaction thereof with respect to Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall apply the amounts so deposited and the proceeds thereof to the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

Section 11.04. Termination of Certain Obligations Upon Deposit of Moneys .

If this Section 11.04 is specified in the manner contemplated by Section 3.01 to be applicable to Debt Securities of any series, the Company’s obligations on all Debt Securities of such series shall be deemed to be terminated on the 91st day after the Company deposits with the Trustee, in trust for the benefit of the Holders thereof, (a) funds sufficient to pay, or (b) such amount of Government Obligations as will or will together with the income thereon, without consideration of any reinvestment thereof, be sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt Securities of such series, as such payments shall become due from time to time; provided , however, that no Event of Default under Section 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on such date; and provided further that such termination shall not relieve the Company of its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture to pay when due the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of such series if not paid (or considered paid) when due from the funds and Government Obligations (and the income thereon) so deposited. Notwithstanding the termination of any obligations of the Company in accordance with this Section 11.04, the Company’s rights and obligations under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 9.03, 10.01, 10.04, 11.05 and 11.06, and provisions, if any, applicable to such series relating to optional redemption and Mandatory and Optional Sinking Fund Payments, shall survive until the Debt Securities of such series are no longer Outstanding. Thereafter the Company’s rights and obligations under Sections 10.01, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.

 

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After a deposit as provided herein, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request, shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series except for those surviving obligations specified above. The Trustee shall apply the amounts so deposited and the proceeds thereof to the payment to the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series of all sums due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest.

Section 11.05. Certain Deposits With the Trustee to be Held in Escrow .

Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 11.03 or 11.04 shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Section 11.06) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee. If any Outstanding Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any Mandatory or Optional Sinking Fund Payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company. The agreement shall provide that, upon satisfaction of any Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments, whether by deposit of funds, application of proceeds of deposited Government Obligations or, if permitted, by delivery of Debt Securities, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.06 all funds or obligations then held under the agreement and allocable to the Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments so satisfied.

If Debt Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company or pursuant to Optional Sinking Fund Payments, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date on which notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Debt Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.06 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Debt Securities to be redeemed. In the case of exercise of optional Sinking Fund Payment rights by the Company, such agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide that upon deposit by the Company with the Trustee of funds pursuant to such exercise the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.06 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement for such series and allocable to the Debt Securities to be redeemed.

Section 11.06. Repayment to Company .

The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay or return to the Company upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations held by them at any time that are not required for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities of any series for which money or Government Obligations have been deposited, including any such money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11.05.

 

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The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 5.03 shall apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Debt Securities for which money or Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Article 11.

Section 11.07. Reinstatement . If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money and/or Government Obligations deposited in trust in accordance with Section 1103 or 1104 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 (including any such order or judgment requiring the payment of such money and/or Government Obligations to the Company), the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities shall be revived and reinstated as of such date, until such time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money and/or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 11.03 or 11.04, as the case may be; provided , however, that if the Company has made any payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be entitled to receive the aggregate amount of such payments from the Trustee or such Paying Agent as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.06. In the event that for any reason the Trustee or such Paying Agent is unable to pay any such amount pursuant to Section 11.06, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Debt Securities to receive such payments from the money and/or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent pursuant to Section 11.05.

Section 11.08. Indemnity for Government Obligations .

The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such Obligations.

Section 11.09. Deposits of Foreign Currencies .

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 11, if the Debt Securities of any series are payable in a Foreign Currency, the coin or currency or currency unit or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article 11 shall be as set forth in the Officers’ Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Debt Securities of such series are issued.

 

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ARTICLE 12

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND

DIRECTORS

Section 12.01. Liability Solely Corporate .

No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Debt Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, because of the incurring of the indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debt Securities or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer and director is, by the acceptance of the Debt Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Debt Securities, expressly waived and released.

ARTICLE 13

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 13.01. Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes .

The Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more or all of the following purposes:

(a) to add to the covenants and agreements of the Company, to be observed thereafter and during the period, if any, in such supplemental indenture or indentures expressed, and to add Events of Default, in each case for the protection or benefit of the Holders of all or any series of the Debt Securities (and if such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are to be for the benefit of fewer than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants, agreements and Events of Default are expressly being included for the benefit of such series as shall be identified therein); provided , that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;

 

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(b) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series;

(c) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by a successor, transferee or lessee corporation of the covenants and obligations of the Company contained in the Debt Securities of one or more series and in this Indenture or any supplemental indenture;

(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provision in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities;

(e) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Debt Securities of one or more series any property or assets;

(f) to prohibit the authentication and delivery of additional series of Debt Securities;

(g) to establish the forms and terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted in Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 3.01 and to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to such Debt Securities, or to authorize the issuance of additional Debt Securities of a series previously authorized or to add to the conditions, limitations or restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication or delivery of the Debt Securities of any series, as herein set forth, or other conditions, limitations or restrictions thereafter to be observed;

(h) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Section 5.05;

(i) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of 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, pursuant to the requirements of Section 1007; and

(j) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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Subject to the provisions of Section 13.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder. Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 13.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Outstanding Debt Securities, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 13.02.

Section 13.02. Modification of Indenture by Supplemental Indenture With Consent of Holders .

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 7) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding which are affected by such indenture supplemental hereto (voting as a single class), the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series to be affected; provided , however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal thereof, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of the acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or make the principal thereof or interest or premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Debt Securities, or impair any Holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Maturity thereof as provided in Section 6.07, without the consent of the Holder of each Debt Security so affected, or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities of any series, the Holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of all the Debt Securities so affected, or (c) modify, without the written consent of the Trustee, the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee.

A supplemental indenture that 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 Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect of such provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 13.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

 

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Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 13.02, the Company shall mail a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Holders of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall then appear in the Security Register. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

Section 13.03. Trustee to Join in Execution of Supplemental Indenture .

Upon receipt of a Company Request, accompanied by the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 14.03, and:

(a) a supplemental indenture duly executed on behalf of the Company;

(b) a copy of a Board Resolution, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the execution of said supplemental indenture;

(c) an Opinion of Counsel, stating that said supplemental indenture complies with, and that the execution thereof is authorized or permitted by, the provisions of this Indenture; and

(d) if said supplemental indenture shall be executed pursuant to Section 1302, evidence (as provided in Article 7) of the consent thereto of the Holders required to consent thereto as in Section 13.02 provided;

then the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture.

Section 13.04. Effect of Supplemental Indenture .

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 13, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

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Section 13.05. Matters Provided for in Supplemental Indenture May Be Noted on Debt Securities, or New Debt Securities Appropriately Modified May Be Issued in Exchange for Outstanding Debt Securities .

Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 13 may bear a notation in a form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of such Debt Securities.

Section 13.06. Supplemental Indentures to Conform to Trust Indenture Act.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article 13 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

ARTICLE 14

PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 14.01. Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Lease .

Subject to the provisions of Section 5.06, nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities shall be deemed to prevent the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, or the merger into the Company of any other corporation, or the sale or lease by the Company of its property and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety, or otherwise.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale other than for cash or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.06, the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company shall have been merged or to which such sale or lease shall have been made shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a party hereto, and thereafter from time to time such corporation may exercise each and every right and power of the Company under this Indenture, in the name of the Company or in its own name; and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture required or permitted to be done by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Company may be done with like force and effect by the like board or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the successor of the Company hereunder. In the event of any such sale or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company (or any successor corporation which shall theretofore have become such in the manner described in Section 5.06) shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Debt Securities and may thereupon be dissolved and liquidated.

 

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Section 14.02. Benefits of Indenture .

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, express or implied, is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of Debt Securities any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof or herein, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements hereof and herein shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Debt Securities.

Section 14.03. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee .

As evidence of compliance with the conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture (including any covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) which relate to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or to any other action to be taken by the Trustee upon Company Order or Request, the Company will furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that such conditions precedent have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that each individual making such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company unless such officer or counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

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Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture authorizing the Trustee conclusively to rely upon any certificates or opinions, the Trustee before granting any application by the Company or taking or refraining from taking any other action in reliance thereon, may require any further evidence or make any further investigation as to the facts or matters stated therein which it may, in good faith, deem reasonable in the circumstances, and in connection therewith the Trustee may examine or cause to be examined the pertinent books, records and premises of the Company or of any Subsidiary; and the Trustee shall, in any such case, require such further evidence or make such further investigation as may be requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities then Outstanding; provided that, if payment to the Trustee of the costs, expenses and liabilities likely to be incurred by it in making such investigation is not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee before making such investigation may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities. Any further evidence that may be requested by the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be furnished by the Company at its own expense, and any cost, expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this paragraph shall be paid by the Company, or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company, upon demand, with interest at the lowest rate borne by the Debt Securities of any series, but in no event less than 5%, and, until such repayment, shall be secured by a lien on any moneys held by the Trustee hereunder prior to any rights therein of the Holders of Debt Securities.

Section 14.04. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act .

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 14.05. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company .

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or action of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(i) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, or

 

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(ii) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at Two Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43230, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver addressed as provided in this Subsection (ii) and given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, shall be conclusively presumed given when mailed.

Section 14.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver .

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

If, in the event of suspension of regular mail service or for any other reason, it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Section 14.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents .

The Article, Section and Subsection headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 14.08. Successors and Assigns .

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 14.09. Separability Clause .

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Debt 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 14.10. Governing Law .

This Indenture and the Debt Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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Section 14.11. Legal Holidays .

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Debt Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for such Debt Security, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities) payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to the date of such payment.

Section 14.12. Execution in Counterparts .

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

Section 14.13. Waiver of Jury Trial .

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

Section 14.14. 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.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, L BRANDS, INC. has caused this Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and to be attested by its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION has caused this Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by one of its officers thereunto duly authorized, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and to be attested by one of its authorized officers, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and to be attested by one of its authorized officers, all as of the date first above written.

 

L BRANDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stuart B. Burgdoerfer

  Name: Stuart B. Burgdoerfer
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Attest:  

/s/ Timothy J. Faber

  Name: Timothy J. Faber
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Katherine Esber

  Name: Katherine Esber
  Title:   Vice President
Attest:  

/s/ Holly Pattison

  Name: Holly Pattison
  Title:   Vice President


Exhibit A

Form of election to receive payments in [Dollars or other applicable currency] or to rescind such election

The undersigned, registered owner of certificate number R-[ ], representing [name of series of Debt Securities] of L Brands, Inc. (the “ Debt Securities ”) in an aggregate principal amount of [ ], hereby.

¨ elects to receive all payments in respect of the Debt Securities in [Dollars or other applicable currency], it being understood that such election shall take effect as provided in the Debt Securities and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the indenture under which the Debt Securities were issued, shall remain in effect until it is rescinded by the undersigned or until such certificate is transferred.

¨ rescinds the election previously submitted by the undersigned to receive all payments in respect of the Debt Securities in [Dollars or other applicable currency], it being understood that such rescission shall take effect as provided in the Debt Securities.

 

 

(Name of Owner)

 

(Signature of Owner)

Exhibit 4.2

L BRANDS, INC.

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO, as Guarantors

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 

 

6.750% Senior Notes due 2036

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of June 16, 2016

to

INDENTURE

Dated as of June 16, 2016

 

 

 


ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF

GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 1.1.  

Definitions

     2   
ARTICLE TWO   
SECURITIES FORMS   
SECTION 2.1.  

Creation of the Notes; Designations

     7   
SECTION 2.2.  

Forms Generally

     8   
ARTICLE THREE   
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES   
SECTION 3.1.  

Title and Terms of Notes

     8   
ARTICLE FOUR   
REDEMPTION   
SECTION 4.1.  

Optional Redemption

     9   
SECTION 4.2.  

Optional Redemption Procedures

     10   
ARTICLE FIVE   
COVENANTS   
SECTION 5.1.  

Limitations on Mergers and Sales of Assets

     10   
SECTION 5.2.  

Successor Person Substituted

     10   
SECTION 5.3.  

Reports

     11   
SECTION 5.4.  

Additional Subsidiary Guarantees

     11   
SECTION 5.5.  

Change of Control

     11   
ARTICLE SIX   
GUARANTEE OF NOTES   
SECTION 6.1.  

Guarantee

     12   
SECTION 6.2.  

Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee

     13   
SECTION 6.3.  

Limitation of Guarantee

     13   
SECTION 6.4.  

Release of Guarantor

     14   
SECTION 6.5.  

Waiver of Subrogation

     14   

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   
SECTION 7.1.  

Satisfaction and Discharge

     15   
ARTICLE EIGHT   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   
SECTION 8.1.  

Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes

     19   
ARTICLE NINE   
MISCELLANEOUS   
SECTION 9.1.  

Effect of First Supplemental Indenture

     20   
SECTION 9.2.  

Effect of Headings

     20   
SECTION 9.3.  

Successors and Assigns

     20   
SECTION 9.4.  

Severability Clause

     20   
SECTION 9.5.  

Benefits of First Supplemental Indenture

     20   
SECTION 9.6.  

Conflict

     21   
SECTION 9.7.  

Governing Law

     21   
SECTION 9.8.  

Trustee

     21   

 

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FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 16, 2016, among L BRANDS, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the “ Company ”), the Guarantors (as hereinafter defined) and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “ Trustee ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee entered into an indenture, dated June 16, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), pursuant to which senior unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company may be issued in one or more series from time to time;

WHEREAS, Section 13.01(g) of the Base Indenture permits the forms and terms of the Debt Securities of any series as permitted in Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 3.02 to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, Section 13.01 of the Base Indenture provides that a supplemental indenture may be entered into by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of any Holders of the Debt Securities, for Specified Purposes stated therein;

WHEREAS, the Company has requested the Trustee to join with it and the Guarantors in the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture in order to supplement the Base Indenture by, among other things, establishing the forms and certain terms of a series of Debt Securities to be known as the Company’s “6.750% Senior Notes due 2036” (the “ Notes ”), and adding certain provisions thereof for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;

WHEREAS, the Company has furnished the Trustee with a duly authorized and executed issuer order dated June 16, 2016 authorizing the execution of this First Supplemental Indenture and the issuance of the Notes, such issuer order sometimes referred to herein as the “ Authentication Order ”;

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee and a valid supplement to the Base Indenture have been done; and

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes to be issued hereunder by Holders thereof, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Notes, as follows:

 

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ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF

GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 1.1. Definitions .

The Base Indenture together with this First Supplemental Indenture are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “ Indenture .” For the avoidance of doubt, references to any “Section” of the “ Indenture ” refer to such Section of the Base Indenture as supplemented and amended by this First Supplemental Indenture. All capitalized terms which are used herein and not otherwise defined herein are defined in the Base Indenture and are used herein with the same meanings as in the Base Indenture. If a capitalized term is defined in the Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, the definition in this First Supplemental Indenture shall apply to the Notes (and any Guarantee endorsed therein).

For all purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this article have the meanings assigned to them in this article and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933 (“ Securities Act ”) (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other subdivision; and

(5) all references used herein to the male gender shall include the female gender.

Additional Notes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

Below Investment Grade Rating Event ” means the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by both of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period

 

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shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies (the “ Relevant Period ”)); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply either (i) did not reduce the ratings of the Notes during the Relevant Period or (ii) do not announce or publicly confirm that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

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 properties or 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 the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “Person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a wholly owned Subsidiary of a holding company that has agreed to be bound by the terms of the Notes and (2) the holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction.

Change of Control Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

Change of Control Notice ” means a written notice sent by or on behalf of the Company by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder of the Notes at its address appearing in the register for the Notes on the date of the Change of Control Notice offering to purchase all outstanding Notes in accordance with Section 5.5. The Change of Control Notice shall contain all the information required by applicable law to be included therein and shall also state:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to Section 5.5 of this Indenture;

(2) a description of the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event;

(3) the Change of Control Payment Date;

(4) the Change of Control Payment;

(5) that the Holder of any Notes may tender all or any portion of such Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be

 

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tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount and that all Notes tendered in such manner for payment and not withdrawn shall be accepted;

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

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

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

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

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

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

Change of Control Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

Change of Control Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.

Change of Control Triggering Event ” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with

 

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customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes.

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

Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

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

Disqualified Equity Interests ” of any Person means any class of Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms, or by the terms of any related agreement or of any security into which it is convertible, puttable or exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of any event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed by such Person, whether or not at the option of the holder thereof, or matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date which is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any of the Company’s Subsidiaries which is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Equity Interests ” of any Person means (1) any and all shares or other equity interests (including common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests and partnership interests) in such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such shares or other interests in such Person.

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

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

Guarantor ” means:

(1) each Domestic Subsidiary of the Company on Issue Date that is a guarantor of our Senior Credit Facility; and

 

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(2) each Subsidiary of the Company or other Person that executes a Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture;

and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until such Subsidiary or Person is released from its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

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

Interest Payment Dates ” means each January 1 and July 1, commencing January 1, 2017.

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

Issue Date ” means June 16, 2016.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided, however, that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

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

Notes ” means any 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036 issued by the Company hereunder, including, without limitation, any Additional Notes, treated as a single class of securities.

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit), damages and other liabilities of the Company under this Indenture.

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, or any Guarantor, as applicable.

Qualified Equity Offerings ” means a public or private offering of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company generating gross proceeds of at least $50.0 million.

Rating Agencies ” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if either Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”

 

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within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

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

Redemption Price ” has the meaning as set forth in Section 4.1.

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

Reference Treasury Dealers ” means (1) Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and their respective successors; provided , however , that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer (a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”), the Company shall substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Treasury Dealer, and (2) two other Primary Treasury Dealers selected by the Company.

S&P ” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.

Senior Credit Facility ” shall mean each of (i) the Amended and Restated Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, among the Company, the Lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, dated as of October 6, 2004, as amended or amended and restated November 5, 2004, March 22, 2006, August 3, 2007, February 19, 2009, March 8, 2010 and July 15, 2011 and (ii) any other indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries in excess of $100.0 million.

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

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITIES FORMS

SECTION 2.1. Creation of the Notes; Designations .

In accordance with Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture, the Company hereby creates the Notes as a series of its Debt Securities issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes shall be known and designated as the “6.750% Senior Notes due 2036” of the Company.

 

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SECTION 2.2. Forms Generally .

The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in the forms set forth in Exhibit I with the form of notation of Guarantee to be endorsed thereon set forth in Exhibit II attached hereto, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes. Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note.

The Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner, as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Notes, as evidenced by their manual execution of such Notes.

ARTICLE THREE

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

SECTION 3.1. Title and Terms of Notes .

(a) The aggregate principal amount of Notes which shall be authenticated and delivered on the Issue Date under the Indenture shall be $700,000,000; provided , however , that the Company from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the Holders of the Notes, may issue additional notes (the “ Additional Notes ”) in any amount having the same terms as the Notes in all respects, except for the issue date, the issue price and the initial interest payment date. Any such Additional Notes shall be authenticated by the Trustee upon receipt of a Company an Authentication Order to that effect, and when so authenticated, will constitute “Notes” for all purposes of the Indenture and will (together with all other Notes issued under the Indenture) constitute a single series of Debt Securities under the Indenture; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number. The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) The principal amount of the Notes is due and payable in full on July 1, 2036 unless earlier redeemed.

(c) The Notes shall bear interest at the rate of 6.750% per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months) from the Issue Date or from the most recent Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid or duly provided for to maturity or early redemption; and interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2017, to the Persons in whose name such Notes were registered at the close of business on the preceding June 15 or December 15, respectively.

(d) Principal of and interest on the Notes shall be payable in accordance with Sections 3.07 and 5.01 of the Base Indenture.

 

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(e) Other than as provided in Article Four of this First Supplemental Indenture, the Notes shall not be redeemable.

(f) The Notes shall not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory redemption or sinking fund.

(g) The Notes shall not be convertible into any other securities.

(h) Section 11.04 of the Base Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

(i) The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent with respect to the Notes until such time as the Trustee has resigned or a successor has been appointed.

(j) The Notes (and the notation of Guarantee endorsed thereon) will be issuable in the form of one or more Global Debt Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security will be the Depository Trust Company.

(k) The Company shall pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(l) A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes only in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

ARTICLE FOUR

REDEMPTION

SECTION 4.1. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Notes will be redeemable in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to maturity discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points, plus accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

(b) Prior to July 1, 2019, the Company may, with the net proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes) at a redemption price equal to 106.750% of the principal amount thereof (the “ Redemption Price ”), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the applicable Redemption Date; provided that at

 

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least 65% of the principal amount at maturity of Notes (including Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries) and that any such redemption occurs within 90 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

(c) Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, on or after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

SECTION 4.2. Optional Redemption Procedures .

The provisions of Article 4 of the Base Indenture shall apply in the case of a redemption pursuant to this Article Four.

ARTICLE FIVE

COVENANTS

Holders of the Notes shall be entitled to the benefit of all covenants in Article 5 of the Base Indenture (with the exception of Section 5.05) and the following additional covenants, which shall be deemed to be provisions of the Base Indenture with respect to the Notes, provided that this Article Five shall not become a part of the terms of any other series of Debt Securities:

SECTION 5.1. Limitations on Mergers and Sales of Assets .

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into another corporation, or sell, other than for cash or lease, all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation, or purchase all or substantially all the assets of another corporation, unless:

(i) either L Brands, Inc. is the continuing corporation or the successor corporation (if other than L Brands, Inc.) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the obligations of the Notes (in which case, except in the case of such a lease, the Company will be discharged from such obligations); and

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

SECTION 5.2. Successor Person Substituted .

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any transfer of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter the predecessor entity shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

 

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SECTION 5.3. Reports .

Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will file with the Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such filings) and furnish to the Holders of Notes all quarterly and annual financial information, and on dates, that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Notes were registered under the Exchange Act.

SECTION 5.4. Additional Subsidiary Guarantees .

If any of the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company becomes a borrower or guarantor under the Senior Credit Facility, then, in each such case, the Company shall cause such Domestic Subsidiary to:

(a) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Domestic Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture; and

(b) deliver to the Trustee one or more opinions of counsel that, subject to customary qualifications, such supplemental indenture (i) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and (ii) constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of such Subsidiary in accordance with its terms.

SECTION 5.5. Change of Control .

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 4.01, Holders of Notes shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part in an integral multiple of $1,000 of their Notes (provided that no Note will be purchased in part if the remaining principal amount of such Note would be less than $2,000) pursuant to the offer described below in this Section 5.5 (the “ Change of Control Offer ”).

In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes subject to such offer plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Payment ”).

Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company shall send a notice to Holders of Notes (the “ Change of Control Notice ”) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase such Notes on the date specified in the Change of Control Notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date the Change of Control Notice is sent (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”), pursuant to the procedures described herein and in such notice.

 

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The Change of Control Notice shall, if sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

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 the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 5.5, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached the Company’s obligations under the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture or the Notes by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (a) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (b) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and (c) 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 or portions of Notes being purchased.

ARTICLE SIX

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

SECTION 6.1. Guarantee .

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

Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the Indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guarantee

 

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will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) subject to this Article Six, the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Article Six for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in this Article Six, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of this Guarantee.

SECTION 6.2. Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantee .

To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 6.1, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit II hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and such Guarantee shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer or an Officer of a general partner, as the case may be, of each Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 6.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.

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

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

SECTION 6.3. Limitation of Guarantee .

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

 

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a Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the assets of each Guarantor.

SECTION 6.4. Release of Guarantor .

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

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

(ii) upon such Guarantor ceasing to be a borrower or guarantor under any Senior Credit Facility; or

(iii) in connection with a discharge of the Indenture or discharge of obligations thereunder pursuant to Sections 11.01, 11.02, 11.03 and 11.04, as applicable, of the Indenture; and

in each such case, upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted hereunder.

The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company or a Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article Six.

SECTION 6.5. Waiver of Subrogation .

Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under its Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Company, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 6.5 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 7.1. Satisfaction and Discharge .

Article 11 of the Base Indenture shall be superseded in its entirety by the following language with respect to, and solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes; provided that this Article Seven shall not become part of the terms of any other series of Debt Securities:

SECTION 11.01 Discharge of Indenture .

The Company may terminate its obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 11.01, if

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

(2) (a) all Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation otherwise (x) have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise, (y) will become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise, or may be called for redemption within one year or (z) have been called for redemption pursuant to Section 4.1 of the First Supplemental Indenture and, in any case, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds, in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of Notes, cash in U.S. Dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, and accrued interest through the date of maturity or the Redemption Date; or

(b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; or

(c) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

 

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

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company in Sections 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 11.02 Legal Defeasance .

The Company may at its option, by Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantors discharged from their obligations under the Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth in Section 11.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Notes and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, subject to Section 11.06, execute instruments in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and Company acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders to receive solely from the trust funds described in Section 11.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, and interest on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 11.04; (B) the Company’s obligations hereunder with respect to such Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust; (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 11.01, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and (D) this Article Eleven. Subject to compliance with this Article Eleven, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 11.02 with respect to the Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 11.03 with respect to the Notes.

SECTION 11.03 Covenant Defeasance .

At the option of the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, (x) the Company and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Section 5.2 through 5.3 of the First Supplemental Indenture (except for obligations mandated by the TIA) and Sections 5.06 and 5.07 and (y) clause (c) of Section 6.01 shall no longer apply with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 11.03 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

 

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SECTION 11.04 Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 11.02 or Section 11.03 to the outstanding Notes:

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes issued thereunder, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars, and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient (without consideration of any reinvestment of interest), in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Company, to pay the principal of, interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Notes through the stated maturity or through the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service, a ruling or (b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of the respective outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including, for greater certainty, withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders and beneficial owners of the respective outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including, for greater certainty, withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default resulting from insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Notes over any of the other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

 

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(7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance set forth in clauses (1) through (6) above (in the case of such Officer’s Certificate) or clauses (2) and/or (3) and (5) above (in the case of such Opinion of Counsel) have been complied with.

If the funds deposited with the Trustee to effect Covenant Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes when due, then the Company’s obligations and the obligations of the Guarantors under this Indenture will be revived and no such defeasance will be deemed to have occurred.

SECTION 11.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

All money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent), to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company and the Guarantors shall (on a joint and several basis) pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 11.04 or the principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article Eleven to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 11.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 11.06 Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01, 11.02 or 11.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Eleven until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such U.S. Dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01, 11.02 or 11.03, as the case may be; provided that if the Company or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company or the Guarantors,

 

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as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the U.S. Dollars or non-callable Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

SECTION 11.07 Moneys Held by Paying Agent .

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon written demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 11.04, to the Company (or, if such moneys had been deposited by the Guarantors, to such Guarantors), and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

SECTION 11.08 Moneys Held by Trustee .

Subject to applicable law, any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Company or the Guarantors in trust for the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Company (or, if appropriate, the Guarantors), or if such moneys are then held by the Company or the Guarantors in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company and the Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Company and the Guarantors, either mail to each Holder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Notes maintained by the Registrar pursuant to Section 308, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York or the United States, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company or the Guarantors or the release of any money held in trust by the Company or any Guarantors, as the case may be, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and the Guarantors for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.

ARTICLE EIGHT

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 8.1. Without Consent of Holders, Company and Trustee May Enter Into Supplemental Indentures for Specified Purposes .

Section 13.01 of the Base Indenture shall be amended by adding the following language of new Sections 13.01(k), (l) and (m) with respect to the Notes and solely for the

 

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benefit of the Holders of the Notes, provided that this Article Eight shall not become a part of the terms of any other series of Debt Securities:

(k) to add a Guarantee of the Notes;

(l) to release a Guarantor as provided in Section 6.5; and

(m) to issue Additional Notes under Section 3.1 of the First Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE NINE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.1. Effect of First Supplemental Indenture .

(1) This First Supplemental Indenture is a supplemental indenture within the meaning of Section 13.01 of the Base Indenture, and the Base Indenture shall be read together with this First Supplemental Indenture and shall have the same effect over the Notes, in the same manner as if the provisions of the Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture were contained in the same instrument.

(2) In all other respects, the Base Indenture is confirmed by the parties hereto as supplemented by the terms of this First Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 9.2. Effect of Headings .

The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 9.3. Successors and Assigns .

All covenants and agreements in this First Supplemental Indenture by the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 9.4. Severability Clause .

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

SECTION 9.5. Benefits of First Supplemental Indenture .

Nothing in this First Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

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SECTION 9.6. Conflict .

In the event that there is a conflict or inconsistency between the Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall control; provided , however , if any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision herein or in the Base Indenture, in either case, which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required or deemed provision shall control.

SECTION 9.7. Governing Law .

THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE OR ENTERED INTO AND, IN EACH CASE, PERFORMED, IN SAID STATE.

SECTION 9.8. Trustee .

The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which are made solely by the Company.

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

[Signature page to follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed on the date and year first written above.

 

L BRANDS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stuart B. Burgdoerfer

  Name:     Stuart B. Burgdoerfer
  Title:       Chief Financial Officer

 

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GUARANTORS:
BATH & BODY WORKS BRAND
    MANAGEMENT, INC.
BATH & BODY WORKS DIRECT, INC.
BATH & BODY WORKS, LLC
BEAUTYAVENUES, LLC
INTIMATE BRANDS, INC.
INTIMATE BRANDS HOLDING, LLC
L BRANDS DIRECT FULFILLMENT, INC.
L BRANDS SERVICE COMPANY, LLC

L BRANDS STORE DESIGN &

    CONSTRUCTION, INC.

LA SENZA, INC.
MAST INDUSTRIES, INC.
VICTORIA’S SECRET DIRECT BRAND     MANAGEMENT, LLC
VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES BRAND
    MANAGEMENT, INC.
VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Timothy J. Faber

  Name:     Timothy J. Faber
  Title:       Senior Vice President and Treasurer

 

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U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Katherine Esber

  Name: Katherine Esber
  Title:   Vice President

 

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EXHIBIT I

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE (I) BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR (II) BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR THE DEPOSITARY TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

L BRANDS, INC.

6.750% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2036

 

No. [    ]   $[    ]

CUSIP No. 501797 AM6

L BRANDS, INC., a Delaware corporation, for value received, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of                         United States Dollars (US$                    ) on July 1, 2036.

Interest Payment Dates: January 1 and July 1.

Regular Record Dates: June 15 and December 15.

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

L BRANDS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Attest:  
L BRANDS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

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

Dated:

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer

 

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(Reverse of Note)

6.750% Senior Note due 2036

 

1. Interest

L Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “ Issuer ”), for value received, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note (the “ Note ”) at the rate of 6.750% per annum. The Issuer shall pay interest semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 2017. Interest on the Note shall accrue from the Issue Date or from the most recent Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid or duly provided for to maturity or early redemption until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Note, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

2. Method of Payment

The Issuer shall pay interest on the Note (except defaulted interest, which shall be paid pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Base Indenture) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on the June 15 and December 15 (each, a “ Record Date ”) next preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the applicable Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. The Issuer shall pay principal, premium, if any, interest, and any additional amounts, in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payment of principal (and premium, if any), interest, and any additional amounts, in respect of Notes represented by a Global Security will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depositary. Payments of principal (and premium, if any), interest, and additional amounts, in respect of a certificated Note may be made, at the option of the Issuer, either by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the accounts specified by registered holders as of the relevant Record Dates or (subject to collection) by check mailed to the address of the registered holders as of the relevant Record Dates or at the specified offices of any Paying Agent. Payment of principal in respect of a certificated Note will only be made against presentation and provided that payment is made in full, surrender of the appropriate certificate at the specified offices of any Paying Agent.

 

3. Paying Agent and Registrar

Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the “ Trustee ”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar with respect to the Notes. The Issuer may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuer may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

4. Indenture

The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the

 

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Trustee ”), as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture, dated June 16, 2016 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee, which collectively constitutes the indenture governing the Debt Securities (the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “ TIA ”). The Notes include all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms and provisions. This security is one of a series of securities designated as the 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036 of the Issuer (the “ Notes ”). Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

The aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be unlimited. In addition, the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of any class or series which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture shall be unlimited, provided that such Debt Securities shall rank equally with the Notes.

 

5. Certain Covenants

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Issuer to, among other things, create or incur Liens. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Issuer to consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer, sell or lease its property or assets substantially as an entirety to any Person.

 

6. Optional Redemption

The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the Issuer’s option, at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (A) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (B) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon to maturity discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points, plus accrued interest thereon to Redemption Date.

Prior to July 1, 2019, the Issuer may, with the net proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes) at a redemption price equal to 106.750% of the principal amount thereof (the “ Redemption Price ”), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the applicable Redemption Date; provided that at least 65% of the principal amount at maturity of Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries) and that any such redemption occurs within 90 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

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

 

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The provisions of Article 4 of the Base Indenture shall apply in the case of a redemption pursuant to this Section 6.

 

7. Sinking Fund

The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any mandatory redemption or sinking fund.

 

8. Notice of Redemption

Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each registered holder of Debt Securities to be redeemed at such holder’s registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued and unpaid interest, including premium, if any, on all Debt Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the Redemption Date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the Redemption Date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Debt Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

9. Offers to Purchase

The Indenture provides that upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event and subject to further limitations contained therein, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase outstanding Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 5.5 of the First Supplemental Indenture.

 

10. Denominations: Transfer, Exchange

The Notes are in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A registered holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith permitted by the Indenture.

 

11. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

12. Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee will pay the money back to the Issuer at its written request. After that, Holders

 

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entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors unless an “abandoned property” law designates another Person.

 

13. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions and limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Issuer may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuer deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on, the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

14. Modification and Waiver

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes at the time outstanding of each series which is affected by such amendment or modification voting as one class, except that certain amendments specified in the Indenture may be made without approval of holders of the Notes. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series to waive on behalf of the holders of such series of Debt Securities compliance by the Issuer with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be binding upon such holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

 

15. Successor Corporation

When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture and the transaction complies with the terms of Section 5.1 of the First Supplemental Indenture, the predecessor corporation will, except as provided in Section 5.2, be released from those obligations.

 

16. Defaults and Remedies

If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) of the Base Indenture, with respect to the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by the holders of the Notes), will be entitled to declare all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding to be due and payable immediately. In the case of an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) of the Base Indenture, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on all Notes then outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of any Notes. Such declaration of acceleration may be annulled and past defaults (except, unless theretofore cured, a default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, interest on the Notes) may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding upon the conditions provided in the Indenture.

 

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17. Trustee Dealings with the Issuer

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuer or its Affiliates and, subject to the Indenture, may otherwise deal with the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

18. Guarantees

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

 

19. No Recourse Against Others

No incorporator, shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer shall have any liability for any obligations, covenants or agreements of the Issuer under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof. By accepting a Note, each holder expressly waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are a condition of, and part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Notes.

 

20. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

21. Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), COST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

22. Governing Law

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE OR ENTERED INTO AND, IN EACH CASE, PERFORMED, IN SAID STATE.

 

23. CUSIP Number

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused the CUSIP number to be printed on this Note and has directed the Trustee to use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption as a convenience

 

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to holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such number either as printed on this Note or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuer will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture and a copy of this Note.

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

Date:                                                    Your Signature:                                                                                                                                                                   

 

 

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

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.5 of the First Supplemental Indenture, check the box:   ¨

If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.5 of the First Supplemental Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                                                                         

(multiple of $1,000, but not less than $2,000)

Date:                            

 

Your Signature:  

 

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

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.

 

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SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The initial principal amount of this Global Security is $[            ]. The following increases or decreases in this 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 or Debt
Securities
Custodian

 

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Exhibit II

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the undersigned (the “ Guarantors ”) hereby jointly and severally unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the First Supplemental Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture ”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 16, 2016 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee, (the Base Indenture, as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuer to the holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Seven of the First Supplemental Indenture, and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article Seven of the First Supplemental Indenture.

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

[Signatures on Following Pages]


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

 

BATH & BODY WORKS BRAND MANAGEMENT, INC.

BATH & BODY WORKS DIRECT, INC.
BATH & BODY WORKS, LLC
BEAUTYAVENUES, LLC
INTIMATE BRANDS, INC.
INTIMATE BRANDS HOLDING, LLC
L BRANDS DIRECT FULFILLMENT, INC.
L BRANDS SERVICE COMPANY, LLC

L BRANDS STORE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, INC.

LA SENZA, INC.
MAST INDUSTRIES, INC.

VICTORIA’S SECRET DIRECT BRAND MANAGEMENT, LLC

VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES BRAND MANAGEMENT, INC.

VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

 

New York

Menlo Park

Washington DC

São Paulo

London

  

Paris

Madrid

Tokyo

Beijing

Hong Kong        

 

LOGO

Davis Polk & Wardwell  LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

  

212 450 4000 tel

212 701 5800 fax

June 16, 2016

  

L Brands, Inc.

Three Limited Parkway

Columbus, OH 43230

Ladies and Gentlemen:

L Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the guarantors listed in Schedule I hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-209236) (the “ Registration Statement ”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), certain securities, including $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.750% Senior Notes due 2036 (the “ Notes ”). The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (the “ Base Indenture” ) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee” ) and a first supplemental indenture dated as of June 16, 2016 (together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The Notes will be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors (the “ Guarantees ” and, together with the Notes, the “ Securities ”). The Securities are to be sold pursuant to the Terms Agreement dated June 13, 2016 (together with the Underwriting Agreement Basic Provisions attached thereto as Annex A, the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the several underwriters named therein (the “ Underwriters ”).

We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (iv) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (v) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company and the Guarantors that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vi) all representations made by the Company and the Guarantors as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.


L Brands, Inc.    2    June 16, 2016

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion, when the Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, provided that we express no opinion as to, (x) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law, or (y) (i) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above or (ii) any provision of the Indenture that purports to avoid the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law by limiting the amount of any Guarantor’s obligation.

In addition, we have assumed that the Indenture and the Securities (collectively, the “ Documents ”) are valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than as expressly covered above in respect of the Company and the Guarantors). We have also assumed that the execution, delivery and performance by each party to each Document to which it is a party (a) are within its corporate powers, (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other constitutive documents of such party, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon such party, provided that we make no such assumption to the extent that we have specifically opined as to such matters with respect to the Company and each Guarantor.

We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, except that we express no opinion as to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to the Company or the Guarantors, the 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 Documents or any of its affiliates due to the specific assets or business of such party or such affiliate.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company on the date hereof and its incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus supplement which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP


L Brands, Inc.    3    June 16, 2016

 

Schedule I

Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc.

Bath & Body Works Direct, Inc.

Intimate Brands, Inc.

L Brands Direct Fulfillment, Inc.

L Brands Store Design & Construction, Inc.

La Senza, Inc.

Mast Industries, Inc.

Victoria’s Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc.

Bath & Body Works, LLC

beautyAvenues, LLC

Intimate Brands Holding, LLC

L Brands Service Company, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC

Victoria’s Secret Stores, LLC