As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2021

 

Registration No. 333-_________

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Nevada   59-3691650

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100

Bellevue, WA 98004

(206) 617-9797

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

 

 

 

Robert Mattacchione

Chief Executive Officer

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100

Bellevue, WA 98004

(206) 617-9797

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

 

 

 

Copy to:

 

Laura Anthony, Esq.

Craig D. Linder, Esq.

Anthony L.G., PLLC

625 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 600

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 514-0936

 

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [  ]

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]

 

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

 

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

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. [  ]

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. [  ]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
       
Non-accelerated filer [X] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company [X]
       
Emerging growth company [  ]    

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. [  ]

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to Be Registered

  Amount
to Be
Registered(1) 		    Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit(1)(2) 		    Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(1)(2) 		    Amount of
Registration Fee 		 
Primary Offering                                
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share     —       —       —       —  
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share     —       —       —       —  
Debt Securities     —       —       —       —  
Warrants     —       —       —       —  
Rights     —       —       —       —  
Units     —       —       —       —  
Total Primary Offering     —       —     $ 75,000,000 (3)   $ 8,182.50 (4)
Secondary Offering                                
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share     597,352     $ 3.975 (5)   $ 2,374,474 (5)   $ 259.06  
Total Secondary Offering     597,352     $ 3.975 (5)   $ 2,374,474 (5)   $ 259.06  
Total Registration Fee (Primary and Secondary)     —       —     $ 77,374,474     $ 8,441.56  

 

(1) An indeterminate amount of securities to be offered at indeterminate prices is being registered pursuant to this registration statement, with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $75,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the issue price, and not the principal amount of such debt securities, shall be used for purposes of calculating the aggregate initial offering price of all securities issued.
   
(2) The proposed maximum per share and aggregate offering prices per class of securities will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement and are not specified as to each class of security. Such information is not required to be included pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
   
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.
   
(4) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.
   
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act based on the average of the high and low prices of the registrant’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on March 12, 2021. The proposed maximum offering price per share of common stock will be determined from time to time by the selling stockholders named herein, or such additional selling stockholders as may be named in one or more prospectus supplements, in connection with, and at the time of, the sale by such selling stockholders of the shares of common stock registered hereunder.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 
 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling stockholders may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated March 15, 2021

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

$75,000,000

 

NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC.

 

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Rights,

 

Debt Securities and Units

 

and

 

597,352 Shares of Common Stock for Resale by Selling Stockholders

 

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings the following securities:

 

● shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share;
   
● shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share;
   
● warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities;
   
● rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and/or debt securities;
   
● debt securities consisting of senior notes, subordinated notes or debentures;
   
● units consisting of a combination of the foregoing securities; or
   
● any combination of these securities.

 

We may offer and sell up to $75,000,000 in the aggregate of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides a general description of the securities that we may offer. However, this prospectus may not be used to offer or sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities. Each time that we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of the securities offered, including the public offering price, in a related prospectus supplement. Such prospectus supplement may add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference” before making your investment decision.

 

These securities may be sold directly by us, through dealers or agents designated from time to time, to or through underwriters or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus for additional information on methods of sale. We may also describe the plan of distribution for any particular offering of our securities in a prospectus supplement. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, we will disclose their names and the nature of our arrangements with them in that prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from any such sale will also be included in the prospectus supplement.

 

In addition, certain selling stockholders to be identified in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell up to 597,352 shares of our common stock from time to time, in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time the shares of our common stock are offered. We urge you to read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, which will describe the specific terms of these securities, carefully before you make your investment decision. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders. To the extent the options are exercised for cash, if at all, we will receive the exercise price for the options.

 

Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “NVOS.” The closing price of our common stock on March 12, 2021 was $3.92 per share.

 

As of March 12, 2021, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common equity held by non-affiliates, or public float, was $58,785,395 based on 23,894,098 shares of common stock outstanding, of which 5,577,362 shares are held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $10.54 based on the average of the bid and asked prices of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 24, 2021 (within 60 days prior to the date of filing). Therefore, as of March 12, 2021, the aggregate market value of our common equity held by non-affiliates was less than $75,000,000, as calculated in accordance with General Instruction I.B.1 of Form S-3. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not offered and sold securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 to Form S-3 during the 12-calendar month period that ends on and includes the date hereof. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our “public float” (the market value of our common stock held by our non-affiliates) in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75,000,000.

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the sections entitled “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as well as in any prospectus supplement related to a specific offering we make pursuant to this prospectus. You should carefully read this entire prospectus together with any related prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference into both before you make your investment decision.

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

The date of this prospectus is _____________, 2021

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  PAGE
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 2
THE OFFERING 2
THE COMPANY 3
RISK FACTORS 13
USE OF PROCEEDS 14
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 14
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS 15
DESCRIPTIONS OF SECURITIES 16
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 16
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 19
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 21
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS 21
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 22
FORMS OF SECURITIES 23
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 24
LEGAL OPINIONS 25
EXPERTS 25
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES 25
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 26
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 26

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time securities having a maximum aggregate offering price of $75,000,000. In addition, under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may from time to time offer and sell up to an aggregate of 597,352 shares of our common stock in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and/or selling stockholders may offer. Each time we and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, sell securities, we will prepare and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement that describes the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or the documents incorporated herein by reference. You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under “Risk Factors,” “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.”

 

This prospectus does not contain all the information provided in the registration statement we filed with the SEC. For further information about us or our securities offered hereby, you should refer to that registration statement, which you can obtain from the SEC or directly from us as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Neither we, the selling stockholders, respective affiliates nor any underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we or the selling stockholders have referred you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We, the selling stockholders and/or respective affiliates, as applicable, take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. We, the selling stockholders and/or respective affiliates, as applicable, are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date of those documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

We may sell or the selling stockholders may resell securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to purchasers or through any combination of these methods. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. The prospectus supplement, which we will prepare and file with the SEC each time we and/or selling stockholders offer securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, agents or others involved in the sale of securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

In this prospectus, (i) references to “Novo Integrated”, “we,” “us,” “our”, “the registrant” and “our company” refer, collectively, to Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., a Nevada corporation, the issuer of the securities offered hereby, and its consolidated subsidiaries and (ii) references to “selling stockholder” or “selling stockholders” include donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock received from the selling stockholders as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer after the date of this prospectus.

 

We have filed or incorporated by reference exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you.

 

Effective February 1, 2021 we effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock (together the “Reverse Stock Split”). All references to shares of our Common Stock in this prospectus refer to the number of shares of Common Stock after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split and are presented as if the Reverse Stock Split had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Statements in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Any statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the progress and timing of our product development programs; our future opportunities; our business strategy, future operations, anticipated financial position, future revenues and projected costs; our management’s prospects, plans and objectives; and any other statements about our management’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements are those that include words such as “may,” “assume(s),” “forecast(s),” “position(s),” “predict(s),” “strategy,” “will,” “expect(s),” “estimate(s),” “anticipate(s),” “believe(s),” “project(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “budget(s),” “potential,” “continue” and variations thereof. However, the words cited as examples in the preceding sentence are not intended to be exhaustive and any statements contained in this prospectus regarding matters that are not historical facts may also constitute forward-looking statements.

 

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Because these statements implicate risks and uncertainties, as well as certain assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those risks identified under “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. The information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement speaks only as of the date of that document and the information incorporated herein by reference speaks only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements include our plans and objectives for future operations, including plans and objectives relating to our products and services and our future economic performance. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions as well as future business decisions, including any acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, investments and any other business development transactions we may enter into in the future. The amounts of time and money required to successfully complete development and commercialization of our products and services as well as any evolution of or shift in our business plans, or to execute any future strategic options are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and may involve factors that are beyond our control. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, we cannot assure you that the results contemplated in any of the forward-looking statements contained herein will be realized.

 

Based on the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements described herein, the inclusion of any such statement should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives or plans will be achieved. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This prospectus summary highlights certain information about our company and other information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, any prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before making an investment decision.

 

THE OFFERING

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of:

 

  ● common stock;
     
  ● preferred stock;
     
  ● debt securities, in one or more series;
     
  ● warrants to purchase any of the securities listed above;
     
  ● rights to purchase any of the securities listed above; and/or
     
  ● units consisting of one or more of the foregoing.

 

in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $75,000,000. In addition, under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may from time to time offer and sell up to an aggregate of 597,352 shares of our common stock in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and/or selling stockholders may offer. Each time we and/or selling stockholders, if applicable, sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that specific offering and include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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THE COMPANY

 

Business Overview

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on November 27, 2000, under the name Turbine Truck Engines, Inc. On February 20, 2008, the Company was re-domiciled to the State of Nevada. Effective July 12, 2017, the Company’s name was changed to Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. When used herein, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The Company owns Canadian and U.S. subsidiaries which deliver, or intend to deliver, multidisciplinary primary health care related services and products through the integration of medical technology, advanced therapeutics and rehabilitative science. Currently, the Company’s revenue is generated solely through its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Novo Healthnet Limited (“NHL”), which provides our services and products through both clinic and eldercare related operations.

 

Our clinicians and practitioners provide certain multidisciplinary primary health care services, and related products, beyond the medical doctor first level contact identified as primary care. Our clinicians and practitioners are not licensed medical doctors, physicians, specialist, nurses or nurse practitioners. Our clinicians and practitioners are not authorized to practice primary care medicine and they are not medically licensed to prescribe pharmaceutical based product solutions.

 

NHL’s team of multidisciplinary primary health care clinicians and practitioners provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, pain management, rehabilitation, education and primary prevention for a wide array of orthopedic, musculoskeletal, sports injury, and neurological conditions across various demographics including pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations through NHL’s 16 corporate-owned clinics, a contracted network of affiliate clinics, and eldercare related long-term care homes, retirement homes, and community-based locations in Canada.

 

Additionally, we continue to expand our patient care philosophy of maintaining an on-going continuous connection with our patient community, beyond the traditional confines of brick and mortar facilities, by extending oversight of patient diagnosis, care and monitoring, directly through various Medical Technology Platforms either in-use or under development.

 

Our specialized multidisciplinary primary health care services include physiotherapy, chiropractic care, manual/manipulative therapy, occupational therapy, eldercare, massage therapy (including pre- and post-partum), acupuncture and functional dry needling, chiropody, stroke and traumatic brain injury/neurological rehabilitation, kinesiology, vestibular therapy, concussion management and baseline testing, trauma sensitive yoga and meditation for concussion-acquired brain injury and occupational stress-PTSD, women’s pelvic health programs, sports medicine therapy, assistive devices, dietitian, holistic nutrition, fall prevention education, sports team conditioning programs including event and game coverage, and private personal training.

 

The occupational therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, chiropodists and kinesiologists contracted, by NHL, to provide occupational therapy, physical therapy and fall prevention assessment services are registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario, College of Chiropractors of Ontario, College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, College of Chiropodists of Ontario, and the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario regulatory authorities.

 

Our strict adherence to public regulatory standards, as well as self-imposed standards of excellence and regulation, have allowed us to navigate with ease through the industry’s licensing and regulatory framework. Compliant treatment, data and administrative protocols are managed through a team of highly trained, certified health care and administrative professionals. We and our affiliates provide service to the Canadian property and casualty insurance industry, resulting in a regulated framework governed by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.

 

Eldercare

 

The Company’s eldercare related operations provide physiotherapy (“PT”), occupational therapy (“OT”), assessment and application assistance for assistive devices, fall prevention programs, community-based strengthening and general flexibility exercise classes, rehabilitative strategies and continuing education to eldercare clients, including caregivers and family members as applicable, in various long-term care homes, retirement homes and community-based locations across the province of Ontario, Canada.

 

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As a result of NHL’s September 2013 asset acquisition of Peak Health LTC Inc, an Ontario corporation formed in 2006, NHL has a 14-year history of providing certain multidisciplinary related healthcare services and products to the eldercare community. In 2017, based on the philosophical overlap and synchronicity between PT and OT, NHL launched its occupational therapy sector of services for our eldercare clients. NHL’s eldercare focused OT and PT services and product are in direct competition with the top providers in this sector. We offer one of the most extensive rosters of OT and PT clinicians certified by the Ministry of Health for assistive device assessment under the Assistive Device Program which, when the individual meets the criteria, allows our eldercare clients access to significant funding subsidies to purchase varying mobility aids (such as walkers, wheelchairs, seating, and power wheelchairs/scooters).

 

Additionally, our proprietary Electronic Rehabilitation Record and Management Reporting software solution provides us the ability to deliver each eldercare facility with a wide-array of detailed PT and OT reports that include, among other things: (i) client specific treatment details, (ii) identifying cost and optimization possibilities, (iii) outlining a wide variety of client outcome measurements, (iv) analyzing overall contract effectiveness, and (v) producing indicators which assist the NHL team to target opportunities for improved team efficiency. This software comes with an ability to provide a graphically illustrated ‘report card’ for contribution to annual, interdisciplinary care conferences with staff and family members, as well as fall reporting capacities, which are central to many homes’ fall prevention committee meetings. Additionally, data generated by the software allows members from both the NHL team and the eldercare facility team to identify residents who fall frequently and allow for the inter-disciplinary team to put strategies in place to better reduce a resident’s “fall-risk”.

 

NHL has created and delivers, through online virtual technology, a variety of eldercare related educational in-service programs which include topics such as nursing restorative education, back education and other eldercare-relevant topics such as osteoporosis, fall prevention, wheelchair positioning, and least restraints. NHL has designed its virtual online education in-service programs and modules to be presented in a variety of formats to facilitate the different capacity and styles of learning common to senior-aged individuals.

 

Our eldercare PT services are provided as follows:

 

  1. Long-Term Care Homes. NHL contracts with long-term care homes to provide individualized, onsite PT and group exercise classes for its residents. Registered physiotherapists are assisted by on-site support personnel to deliver individualized care, based on assessed needs, and with a goal of assisting each resident to attain and maintain their highest level of function possible with their activities of daily living. These services are primarily funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (“MOHLTC”). The NHL team assists in providing assistive device assessments allowing residents access to funding assistance for varying mobility aids (such as walkers, wheelchairs, seating, and power wheelchairs/scooters). In addition to providing PT services, our team assists the long-term care home’s interdisciplinary team in the homes’ annual care conferences with its residents. Through the provision of education regarding nursing restorative programming, our team assists the facilities’ team in back education, fall prevention and many other subjects related to PT or physical health and wellness. The NHL team works together with the interdisciplinary team to assist with mandatory coding of Canada’s Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (“RAI-MDS”) which is the standardized assessment tool required for the home to access payment from the MOHLTC for each resident. Additionally, through NHL’s proprietary software, the homes have access to abundant reporting solutions to help provide objective and quantitative measures for their continuous quality improvement program. NHL’s proprietary software provides our eldercare client locations with the unique ability to login and access multiple data points related to a multitude of therapy services provided to its residents, allowing for detailed, rapid reporting and accountability.

 

  2. Retirement Homes. We contract with client retirement homes to provide individualized PT and group exercise classes to the retirement homes’ residents. Registered physiotherapists are assisted by the onsite support personnel to deliver individualized care based on assessed needs, again with a goal of assisting the residents participating in therapy to attain and maintain their level of function related to the activities of daily living. These services are partially funded by the individual and partly funded by the MOHLTC. Similar to the long-term care sector, our team assists with education of the nursing/interdisciplinary team, provides in depth service reports to the homes to measure desired service delivery and our proprietary software allows for each retirement home to have the same unique login capacity. In addition to the services above, some of the residents in the retirement homes, and as applicable the resident’s family members, can request and authorize receiving an increased level of physiotherapy related services available privately on a fee-for-service basis paid by the individual.

 

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  3.

Community Based Home Care Physiotherapy. Throughout the province of Ontario, the MOHLTC operates 14 Local Health Integration Networks (“LHINs”) which are health authorities responsible for regional administration of public health care services. The LHINs serve as contact points, information clearinghouses, referral resources, and assessment/care coordinators for eligible residents who need health care assistance at home or a safer place to live through aging at home strategies that can be put in place by health care providers. Through service contracts, the LHINs engage “cluster providers” to provide services to clients living in the community, clients living at-home or clients living in a retirement home. These service contracts are funded by the MOHLTC.

 

NHL is a “cluster provider” sub-contractor for home care physiotherapy in the North East LHIN which encompasses more than 565,000 people across 400,000 square kilometers and five sub-regions . Through this subcontract arrangement, we provide one-on-one physiotherapy assessment and treatment to clients who cannot easily access outpatient services due to mobility challenges. Primarily, these clients are elderly with multiple co-morbidities, although some clients are not elderly and are instead simply post-operative with mobility challenges.

     
  4.

Community Based Group Exercise Classes & Fall Prevention Programs. NHL has contracted with two “cluster providers” to provide group exercise classes and fall prevention programs (consisting of an assessment accompanied by education and group exercise classes) in three separate LHINs (Central, Toronto Central and Central East) which encompass the Greater Toronto area with an estimated aggregate population of 6.4 million people. In 2013, the MOHLTC introduced several initiatives designed to assist seniors in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle while still living at home. Under the 2013 initiative, exercise instructors under contract with NHL, deliver group exercise classes over a 48-week period each year.

 

In addition, another component of the 2013 MOHLTC initiative is the delivery of fall prevention programs with entry and exit assessments completed by specialized registered providers such as kinesiologists and physiotherapists with the assistance of exercise instructors for the group class and education portion of the program. The goal of these classes is to assess seniors’ general health status, identify defined levels of risk pertaining to balance and falling, and educate seniors about fall prevention through a combination of increased knowledge and teaching exercises designed to improve strength and balance.

 

  5. Community-based Outpatient Clinics. NHL provides outpatient physiotherapy, chiropractic, and laser technology services through a community-based clinic in the province of Ontario. The services provided at the clinic are funded by Motor Vehicle Accident treatment plans, extended health benefits insurance coverage, or private payment. A portion of the services provided at the clinic are funded by the MOHLTC in the form of Episodes of Care and these services are specifically targeted to be delivered to clients who meet the following criteria:

 

  ● Aged 65 years of age and older or aged 18 years of age and younger, and
  ● Are post-operative, or
  ● Have just been discharged from a hospital, or
  ● Are receiving services from the Ontario Disability Services Program or Ontario Works.

 

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Our eldercare OT services are provided, through two separate sectors, as follows:

 

  1. Long-Term Care Sector. We contract with client homes to provide the following OT services:

 

  ● Assessments and interventions to support maintenance and restoration of function related to seating, mobility, positioning for self-care, prevention of pressure ulcers, falls and use of restraints,
  ● Speech language pathology services, including evaluation and treatment,
  ● Swallowing and eating assessments and interventions,
  ● Cognitive behavioral assessments and care planning,
  ● Our occupational therapists have specialized training in mobility providing assistive device assessments when required. This service is funded primarily by the MOHLTC.

 

  2. Retirement Home & Community. We provide the following OT services through individual contracts with private payers:

 

  ● Home safety assessments,
  ● Functional assessments,
  ● In-home activities of daily living assessments,
  ● Assessment and completion of applications for assistive devices (mobility aids),
  ● Custom seating and mobility consultations,
  ● Case management services, and
  ● Speech language pathology services, including evaluation and treatment.

 

Recent Developments

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.

 

On March 17, 2020, as a result of COVID-19 infections having been reported throughout both Canada and the United States, certain national, provincial, state and local governmental issued proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, on March 17, 2020, the Company closed all corporate clinics for all in-clinic non-essential services to protect the health and safety of its employees, partners and patients. On March 20, 2020, the Company announced the precautionary measures taken as well as announcing the business impact related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

Operating under COVID-19 related governmental proclamations and directives, between March 17, 2020 and June 1, 2020, the Company provided in-clinic multi-disciplinary primary healthcare services and products solely to patients with emergency and essential need while also providing certain virtual based services related to physiotherapy. In light of most eldercare related services being deemed essential by national, provincial and local governmental authorities in Canada, NHL’s contracted eldercare related services have been nominally impacted during the fiscal third quarter and we project the same for the fiscal fourth quarter.

 

On May 26, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Health announced updated guidance and directives stating that physiotherapists, chiropractors and other regulated health professionals, including all services and products provided by the Company, can gradually and carefully begin providing all services, including non-essential services, once the clinician and provider are satisfied all necessary precautions and protocols are in place to protect the patients, the clinician and the clinic staff. With all corporate clinics closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of providing certain limited essential and emergency services, the Company had furloughed 48 full-time employees and 35 part-time employees from its pre-closure levels of 81 full-time employees and 53 part-time employees.

 

On June 2, 2020, the Company commenced opening its corporate clinics and providing non-essential services. As of June 9, 2020, the Company had opened all corporate clinics while following all mandated guidelines and protocols from Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and the respective disciplines’ regulatory Colleges to ensure a safe treatment environment for our staff and clients. Certain of these guidelines and protocols include both active and passive screening for staff and clients, enhanced cleaning measures using only Health Canada approved disinfectants and sanitizers, personal protective equipment usage, appropriate signage and markers throughout the clinics, and layout changes to the clinics to reflect proper physical distancing measures. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future.

 

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With our clinic facilities re-opened and our eldercare contracts operating under COVID-19 pandemic related mandated guidelines and protocols, for the month ended February 28, 2021, NHL’s clinic-based patient flow has met and exceeds 82% for the same period in 2020. In addition, for the month ended February 28, 2021 NHL’s eldercare contract services provided has met and exceeds 93% for the same period in 2020. As of February 28, 2021, the Company has 78 full-time employees and 59 part-time employees.

 

Based on no additional “lockdowns” or new material directives are implemented limiting the Company’s ability to provide both its clinic and eldercare community related services, for fiscal year 2021 the Company projects a steady month-over-month increase as (i) recommended guidelines for patient-clinician on-site interaction are eased, and (ii) more overall movement restrictions are reduced and people are more comfortable in public spaces.

 

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations remains unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced patient traffic and reduced operations. The full long-term financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

The measures taken to date will impact the Company’s fiscal year 2021 business and potentially beyond. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.

 

Return of Acquisition Deposit

 

On June 12, 2020, the Company terminated an acquisition letter of intent (“LOI”), resulting in the return, on June 26, 2020, of a CAD$350,000 (approximately $255,570 on June 26, 2020) deposit to the Company.

 

LA Fitness U.S. License Agreement & Guaranty

 

On September 24, 2019, Novomerica Health Group Inc. (“Novomerica”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Master Facility License Agreement with Fitness International, LLC and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC (together with Fitness International, LLC, “LA Fitness U.S.”). The Master Facility License Agreement was amended on February 4, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain First Amendment to Master Facility License Agreement between Novomerica and Fitness International, LLC (“U.S. License Agreement”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the U.S. License Agreement, the parties agreed that from time to time as set forth in the U.S. License Agreement or as the parties otherwise agree, Novomerica may wish to identify sublicensees to provide certain services in facilities operated by LA Fitness U.S., and LA Fitness U.S. may desire to grant to such sublicenses the right to do the same. Upon execution of applicable documentation as may be required by the U.S. License Agreement, the sublicensee (which may be Novomerica, if Novomerica desires to provide Services (as hereinafter defined) itself) shall have the right, subject to the terms of the U.S. License Agreement, to (i) occupy and use, on an exclusive basis, for the purposes of providing outpatient physical and/or occupational therapy as provided in the U.S. License Agreement (the “Services”), with the applicable LA Fitness U.S. facility, and (ii) access and use, on a non-exclusive basis, for the purpose of providing the Services, the applicable facility’s equipment and a pool lane, and (iii) use, on a non-exclusive basis, the applicable facility’s common areas solely as necessary to access the facility’s service area, equipment and a pool lane.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the U.S. License Agreement, five separate initial licenses in Ohio were granted. Novomerica agreed to develop and open for business (a) at least two of such facilities by June 30, 2020, (b) at least two additional facilities by September 30, 2020, and (c) the final remaining facility by December 31, 2020 (“U.S. Development Schedule”). Pursuant to the terms of the U.S. License Agreement, in the event that Novomerica fails to meet the U.S. Development Schedule, the initial licenses that Novomerica has developed and opened for business will remain unaffected; however, Novomerica will lose the right to develop the remaining licenses.

 

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With respect to each license granted under the U.S. License Agreement, for the period beginning as of the commencement date of each such license and continuing until the expiration or earlier termination of such license, Novomerica shall pay to LA Fitness U.S. a monthly payment in an agreed upon amount.

 

Unless sooner terminated as provided in the U.S. License Agreement, the term of the U.S. License Agreement shall expire simultaneously with the expiration of earlier termination of the License Term (as such term is defined in the U.S. License Agreement) of the last remaining license granted under the U.S. License Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the U.S. License Agreement, the Company agreed to execute that certain Guaranty Agreement (the “U.S. Guaranty”) dated September 24, 2019 by and between the Company and LA Fitness U.S. Pursuant to the terms of the U.S. Guaranty, the Company irrevocably guaranteed the full, unconditional and prompt payment and performance of all of Novomerica’s obligations and liabilities under the U.S. License Agreement.

 

In March 2020, as a result of guidelines issued by local, state, and federal authorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LA Fitness U.S. closed all facilities nationwide. Currently, under both government and internal corporate directives, LA Fitness U.S. is cautiously opening certain facilities to limited access and services. As a result, all contractual terms and conditions of our U.S. License Agreement are on hold, with all parties indicating the intention to amend the U.S. License Agreement and its timelines once “normal” activity resumes in the LA Fitness U.S. facilities. Re-engagement of the contract terms may vary from state to state; however, our model plan to partner and sub-license with existing local clinic ownership to launch and operate each LA Fitness U.S. based micro-clinic remains intact.

 

Due to the ever-changing conditions surrounding the re-opening of LA Fitness U.S. facilities, we are unable to verify our schedule to commence opening our micro-clinics, but we are tentatively planning on a target of early 2021. Furthermore, in our discussions with LA Fitness U.S., all parties agree that the pandemic has created renewed awareness of health wellness as a lifestyle rather than as a treatment. LA Fitness U.S. continues to indicate the desire to continue our contractual agreements upon LA Fitness U.S. re-opening facilities post-pandemic. We believe that the addition of our micro-clinics to LA Fitness U.S. facilities further enhances the benefits available to the facilities’ membership by providing direct access to certain multidimensional primary healthcare services.

 

LA Fitness Canada License Agreement & Guaranty

 

On September 24, 2019, NHL entered into a Master Facility License Agreement with LAF Canada Company (“LA Fitness Canada”). The Master Facility License Agreement was amended on February 4, 2020, pursuant to the terms of that certain First Amendment to Master Facility License Agreement between NHL and LA Fitness Canada (“Canada License Agreement”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Canada License Agreement, the parties agreed that from time to time as set forth in the Canada License Agreement or as the parties otherwise agree, NHL may wish to identify sublicensees to provide certain services in facilities operated by LA Fitness Canada, and LA Fitness Canada may desire to grant to such sublicensees the right to do the same. Upon execution of applicable documentation as may be required by the Canada License Agreement, the sublicensee (which may be NHL, if NHL desires to provide Services (as hereinafter defined) itself) shall have the right, subject to the terms of the Canada License Agreement, to (i) occupy and use, on an exclusive basis, for the purposes of providing the Services, with the applicable LA Fitness Canada facility, and (ii) access and use, on a non-exclusive basis, for the purpose of providing the Services, the applicable facility’s equipment and a pool lane, and (iii) use, on a non-exclusive basis, the applicable facility’s common areas solely as necessary to access the facility’s service area, equipment and a pool lane.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Canada License Agreement, 17 separate initial licenses in Ontario, Canada and Alberta, Canada were granted. NHL agreed to develop and open for business (a) at least four of such facilities by March 31, 2020, (b) at least six additional facilities by June 30, 2020, (c) at least six additional facilities by September 30, 2020, and (4) the final remaining facility by December 31, 2020 (the “Canada Development Schedule”). Pursuant to the terms of the Canada License Agreement, in the event that NHL fails to meet the Canada Development Schedule, the initial licenses that NHL has developed and opened for business will remain unaffected; however, NHL will lose the right to develop the remaining licenses.

 

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As defined in the Canada License Agreement, NHL has provided the initial four deposits due by March 31, 2020. In addition, NHL has engaged clinicians to sublicense the roll-out and operation of micro-clinics as defined in the Canada License Agreement clinics in LAF.

 

With respect to each license granted under the Canada License Agreement, for the period beginning as of the commencement date of each such license and continuing until the expiration or earlier termination of such license, NHL shall pay to LA Fitness Canada a monthly payment in an agreed upon amount.

 

Unless sooner terminated as provided in the Canada License Agreement, the term of the Canada License Agreement shall expire simultaneously with the expiration of earlier termination of the License Term (as such term is defined in the Canada License Agreement) of the last remaining license granted under the Canada License Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Canada License Agreement, the Company agreed to execute that certain Guaranty Agreement (the “Canada Guaranty”) dated September 24, 2019 by and between the Company and LA Fitness Canada. Pursuant to the terms of the Canada Guaranty, the Company irrevocably guaranteed the full, unconditional, and prompt payment and performance of all of NHL’s obligations and liabilities under the Canada License Agreement.

 

In March 2020, as a result of guidelines issued by local, provincial, and federal authorities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LA Fitness Canada closed all facilities nationwide. Currently, under both government and internal corporate directives, LA Fitness Canada is cautiously opening certain facilities to limited access and services. As a result, all contractual terms and conditions of our Canada License Agreement are on hold with all parties indicating the intention to amend the Canada License Agreement and its timelines once “normal” activity resumes in the LA Fitness Canada facilities. Re-engagement of the contract terms may vary from state to state; however, our model plan to partner and sub-license with existing local clinic ownership to launch and operate each LA Fitness Canada based micro-clinic remains intact.

 

Due to the ever-changing conditions surrounding the re-opening of LA Fitness Canada facilities, we are unable to verify our schedule to commence opening our micro-clinics, but we are tentatively planning on a target of late summer 2021. Furthermore, in our discussions with LA Fitness Canada, all parties agree that the pandemic has created renewed awareness of health wellness as a lifestyle rather than as a treatment. LA Fitness Canada continues to indicate the desire to continue our contractual agreements upon the re-opening of LA Fitness Canada facilities post-pandemic. We believe that the addition of our micro-clinics to LA Fitness Canada facilities further enhances the benefits available to the facilities’ membership by providing direct access to certain multidimensional primary healthcare services.

 

Regulation A+ Offering

 

On June 29, 2020, the Company commenced a public offering pursuant to Regulation A of up to 2,000,000 shares of its common stock, with an aggregate amount of $30,000,000, under a qualified Offering Statement (File No. 024-11186), on a self-underwritten “best efforts” basis. On February 25, 2021, the Company applied to the SEC for withdrawal of the Offering Statement as the Company had determined to terminate the offering. No securities had been sold pursuant to the Offering Statement.

 

Agreement to Cash Payment on a Related Party Debenture

 

On July 21, 2020, a related party debenture holder and the Company signed an Amendment No. 2 to a Debenture, originally dated September 30, 2013, to provide a cash payment equal to CAD$360,000 (approximately $267,768 as of July 21, 2020), which amount would be deducted from the debenture principal balance, resulting in a remaining principal balance of CAD$390,000 (approximately $290,082 as of July 21, 2020).

 

9
 

 

Agreement to Convert Debt to Common Stock, Related Party Debtee

 

On July 21, 2020, the Company and a related party debt holder agreed to convert the total remaining balance of a Loan Agreement, originally dated January 19, 2016, with a total balance owed, including principal and interest, equal to CAD$304,321 (approximately $226,363 as of July 21, 2020). The debt was converted into 15,091 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share price of $15.00. As a result of the stock issuance, the related party loan debt has been paid in full.

 

Engagement of Financial Advisor

 

On July 31, 2020, the Company engaged Maxim Group LLC as the Company’s financial advisor to assist the Company in articulating its growth strategy to the investment community and to assist the Company with its aspiration to up-list to a national exchange.

 

Officer Employment Agreement

 

On August 6, 2020, the Company and its President, Christopher David, entered into an Employment Agreement, effective August 5, 2020. In consideration thereof, the Company agreed to pay Mr. David a monthly salary of $8,000. In addition, the Company agreed to grant Mr. David an option to purchase 575,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share. The option fully vested on the date of grant and expires on August 6, 2025.

 

Extension of Acquisition LOI and Conversion of Refundable Deposit to Loan

 

On August 31, 2020, the Company extended the termination date of an acquisition LOI to September 1, 2021 and to convert the LOI refundable deposit of CAD$500,000 to a loan, payable to the Company, with an interest rate of 10% per annum and a due date of September 1, 2021.

 

New Principal Financial Officer

 

On December 15, 2020, Klara Radulyne notified us of her intent to resign as our Principal Financial Officer, effective December 15, 2020. On December 15, 2020, our Board of Directors appointed Thomas Bray as Principal Financial Officer. Mr. Bray also serves as our principal accounting officer.

 

2794512 Ontario Inc. Asset Purchase Agreement

 

On December 11, 2020, we entered into that certain Asset Purchase Agreement (the “2794512 APA”) by and between the Company and 2794512 Ontario Inc. (the “Seller”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase, and Seller agreed to sell, generic primary and sub-primary drug formulations (known as bioequivalence) of name brand pharmaceutical reference products related to usage as injectables, ophthalmic, and topical applications. Pursuant to the terms of the 2794512 APA, the purchase price was $876,000, which was paid through the issuance by the Company by the Company of 240,000 restricted shares of common stock based on the 30-day trading average of $3.65. The shares were issued on December 15, 2020.

 

Increase of Board Size, Appointment of New Directors and Creation of Audit Committee

 

On January 26, 2021, our Board of Directors, pursuant to power granted to the Board in our bylaws, increased the size of the Board from four persons to seven persons. In addition, the Board named the following persons to serve as directors to fill the newly created vacancies: Alex Flesias, Robert Oliva and Michael Pope. Each of Messrs. Pope, Oliva and Flesias qualifies as an independent director under the Nasdaq listing rules. Also on January 26, 2021, the Board established an Audit Committee and named each of Messrs. Flesias, Oliva and Pope to serve as members thereof. Mr. Pope serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

On February 1, 2021, we effected a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock. We implemented the reverse stock split in connection with our application to uplist our common stock to The Nasdaq Capital Market. The reverse stock split is an action intended to fulfill the stock price requirements for listing on Nasdaq. As a result of the reverse stock split, every 10 shares of issued and outstanding common stock were exchanged for one share of common stock, with any fractional shares being rounded up to the next higher whole share. The reverse stock split was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and by stockholders holding a majority of the Company’s voting power.

 

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Approval of the Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

On February 9, 2021, our Board of Directors and stockholders holding a majority of our outstanding common stock approved the Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). Under the 2021 Plan, a total of 4,500,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance pursuant to the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, performance shares or other cash- or stock-based awards to officers, directors, employees and eligible consultants to the Company or its subsidiaries. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2021 Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the 2021 Plan will be cumulatively increased on January 1, 2022 and on each subsequent January 1 through and including January 1, 2023, by a number of shares equal to the smaller of (i) 3% of the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the immediately preceding December 31, or (ii) an amount determined by our Board of Directors. As of February 19, 2021, the 2021 Plan has 4,500,000 shares are available for award.

 

Uplisted to The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

On February 23, 2021, our common stock commenced trading under the ticker symbol “NVOS” on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Business Growth Initiatives

 

The Company’s mission is to provide excellence in multidisciplinary primary health care assessment, diagnosis, treatment, pain management and prevention through the integration of medical technology, advanced therapeutics and rehabilitative science. Key elements of our business growth initiatives include:

 

  ● Increase Market Share in Canada through Organic Growth, Asset Acquisition and Contract Expansion for both our Clinic and Eldercare Operations. Specific to our clinic-based operations, the Company has an ongoing initiative to expand our Canadian market share through both organic growth and strategic acquisition of operating multidisciplinary primary health care clinics in markets we are currently located as well as new geographic markets. Specific to our Eldercare based operations, we intend to increase our Canada market share of providing contracted-occupational therapy and physiotherapy services to eldercare centric homes through network affiliation growth, new contract awards and increased usage of telemedicine.

 

  ● Expand Operations into the United States through:

 

  ○ The introduction of a customized version of our multidisciplinary primary health care service model with emphasis on pain prevention, treatment and management as well as immune enhancement through the launch of micro-clinic facilities.
     
  ○ The strategic acquisition of targeted U.S. operating clinics in key geographical areas.
     
  ○ Establishment of strategic corporate alliances and partnerships with existing U.S. health care provider facilities, including certain of our current Canadian clients with U.S.-based facilities, allowing us immediate access to their client base.
     
  ○ Integration of specific specialized multidisciplinary primary health care services and products that are a direct compliment to the existing primary care related products and services already provided by brand-recognized, established retail entities such as grocers, pharmacies, health fitness clinics and clinics with a further emphasis of healthcare maintenance through product solutions.

 

  ● Open Micro-Clinic Facilities through our U.S. and Canada LA Fitness Master Facility License Agreements. Micro-clinic facilities are reduced footprint clinics, primarily located within the premises of larger commercial enterprises, focused on providing multidisciplinary primary health care and medical technology related services. Under the terms of our Agreement with LA Fitness (U.S. and Canada), we are developing and opening micro-clinic facilities within the footprint of LA Fitness facilities throughout both the U.S. and Canada. Each micro-clinic exists through either third-party sub-license agreements or corporate sponsored arrangement. The Company’s LA Fitness based micro-clinic facilities will primarily provide outpatient physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.

 

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  ● Further Development and Usage of our Telemedicine Medical Technology Platform. Telemedicine is transforming traditional approaches to health care by providing ease of access and reduced costs for patients for the delivery of certain healthcare related services.
     
    Specific to our eldercare-based operations, prior to COVID-19 our Telemedicine Medical Technology Platform was primarily focused on providing physiotherapy related “virtual-care” services to both smaller and remote eldercare focused facilities to ensure access to service providers, when needed; and continuity of care to eldercare patients without service providers in their area. With the profound impact COVID-19 has had on the delivery on delivery of healthcare services sector wide, operating under COVID-19 related authorized governmental proclamations and directives, on April 1, 2020, we expanded our eldercare related Telemedicine Medical Technology Platform to include non-critical resident reviews, exercise related activity and additional physiotherapy sessions, ensuring continuity of service for our long-term care and retirement home clients.
     
    Specific to our Clinic based operations, the success of telemedicine has always depended on the adoption of virtual technology by clinicians, medically licensed providers and the patient. A basic checklist approach to results allows both multidisciplinary clinicians and medically licensed providers to remotely determine if direct medical attention is required rather than remote or virtual guidance to care. The patient friendly telemedicine platform removes the traditional barrier represented by intimidating peripherals along with necessary precision use and application of the peripherals to obtain accurate data necessary for appropriate diagnosis. A patient can now feel certain of their role in the assessment process without sophisticated and exhaustive training.
     
    Our Telemedicine Medical Technology Platform intends to integrate certain medical devices, such as a blood pressure reading device, a derma scope, an ophthalmoscope otoscope, and other add-ons each of which can provide both the clinician and the medically licensed provider with real-time diagnostic data, greatly enhancing the ability to better provide the patient with an accurate diagnosis, treatment and follow-on guidance. Our Telemedicine Medical Technology Platform is intended to allow any qualified location to install and utilize our Telemedicine Medical Technology Platform at a relatively low-cost point of entry.

 

  ● Develop and Launch our Remote Patient Monitoring Medical Technology Platform. Beyond the traditional confines of in-clinic visits, our Remote Patient Monitoring Medical Technology Platform (“RPM platform” or “RPM”) provides clinicians and practitioners the ability to maintain an on-going continuous connection with their patient community extending patient care directly into the patient’s home. Through our exclusive licensing agreement with Cloud DX, our RPM platform empowers a patient to have direct control of collecting and monitoring real-time vital sign information while maintaining a direct technology link from patient to clinician or medical practitioner. The transfer of vital information from home to clinic or patient to clinician allows for the delivery of high quality, non-redundant diagnostic based proactive healthcare. The implementation of in-clinic patient metrics equivalent to those derived via a remote application in the home environment is the first step in engaging patient retention to remote review.
     
    Effective with the re-opening of NHL’s corporate clinics post COVID-19 lockdown, we have launched Phase 1 of our Remote Patient Monitoring Medical Technology Platform. Using the Cloud DX technology, at the time of our clinic staff initiating patient check-in, NHL’s staff is collecting pertinent vital sign data for on-going analysis, comparison, and observation under the RPM license application. Our clinic staff are actively working to educate our patients regarding the benefits of participating in our RPM Platform. In Canada, third party insurance coverage for RPM related devices is now being reviewed for implementation nationwide. Currently, as documented and requested by the clinician, insurance coverage is being approved on a case-by-case basis.
     
    Additionally, the Company has implemented a marketing and sales program to sub-license the Cloud DX technology to our Canadian affiliate clinic network as well as other clinics and medically licensed providers throughout both Canada and the United States.

 

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  ● Develop and Launch our Novo Connect Medical Technology Platform. Our Novo Connect Medical Technology Platform (“Novo Connect”) is an app, currently in development, intended as a secure patient-centered portal designed to integrate numerous source systems for patient interface by facilitating communication between the patient and the patient’s provider. The Novo Connect app will be developed for Web, iOS and Android application to optimize communication between source systems. Novo Connect is being designed to allow patients to have direct control of their overall healthcare and wellness by providing a suite of secure, reliable engagement features, such as, but not limited to:

 

  ○ Appointment scheduling
  ○ Bi-directional interface with Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  ○ Access to Forms and Documents
  ○ Distribute patient data from C-CDAs to the patient portal regardless of source EHR
  ○ Bill Pay
  ○ E-commerce
  ○ Remote Patient Monitoring Medical Technology Platform Interface
  ○ Telemedicine
  ○ Patient-focused wellness information

 

  ● Build an Intellectual Property and Patent Portfolio. We intend to acquire or obtain licensing rights for Intellectual Property (IP) and patents related to health sciences and nano-formulation. When considering nano-formulation patent and IP assets, one specific area we intend to pursue relates to medical cannabis related medicines, beverages and foods infused with dry powder, liquid or oil with further formulation into creams and gels, allowing for oral, intravenous and/or transdermal delivery.

 

  ● Acquire Ownership Interest in Licensed Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packaging Facilities. As we build our Intellectual Property portfolio, having ownership of a licensed, high-grade pharmaceutical product manufacturing and packaging solution is integral in creating the medium for use and application of our proprietary health sciences as well as mitigating market exclusion and enhancing patient service and product offerings.
     
  ● Expand our Posture, Stride, and Kinetic Body Movement Scanning Technologies and Protocols. When combined with decades of data harvesting and analysis, we believe these specialized technologies and protocols provide our clinics with the ability to deliver better healthcare, through early diagnosis and preventative health care strategies, to both our patients and patients under the care of other providers.
     
  ● Launch our Exclusive Medicinal Cannabidiol (“CBD”) Product Platform based in Canada. As we continue to build our health science platform of services and products through the integration of technology and rehabilitative science, one component of our lateral business growth strategy includes developing business units centered on the direct control of the cultivation, processing, and manufacturing of CBD products in Canada, and the sale and distribution of medicinal CBD products in Canada and authorized U.S. states. We expect our prospective medicinal CBD products will be specifically focused on CBD for use (i) as a treatment aid; (ii) to provide relief for a large array of neurological and musculoskeletal system disorders; and (iii) as an alternative option for health care providers in place of prescribing opioids to patients.
     
    Offering our patients access to non-hallucinogenic and non-addictive natural remedies, under required clinical oversight policies and procedures as they relate to medicinal CBD, combined with our existing clinic-based treatment protocols, allows us to enter this market segment with a unique integration model not readily available in the marketplace.

 

Corporate Information

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. (“Novo Integrated”) was incorporated in Delaware on November 27, 2000, under the name Turbine Truck Engines, Inc. On February 20, 2008, the Company was re-domiciled to the State of Nevada. Effective July 12, 2017, the Company’s name was changed to Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. On February 23, 2021, our shares of Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol, “NVOS.” Our principal office is located at 11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100, Bellevue, Washington 98004 and our phone number is (206) 617-9797. Our corporate website address is www.novointegrated.com. The information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated in, and shall not be part of, this prospectus.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in the securities involves substantial risks. Before purchasing any of the securities, you should carefully consider and evaluate the risk factors below and all of the information included and incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, including the risk factors incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties that we have described are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect us. The occurrence of any of these risks could materially and adversely impact our business, cash flows, condition (financial or otherwise), liquidity, prospects and/or results of operations. Please also refer to the section above entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the section below entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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Our common stock may be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market if we cannot maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements.

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. There are a number of continued listing requirements that we must satisfy in order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

We cannot assure you our securities will meet the continued listing requirements to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. If Nasdaq delists our common stock from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences including:

 

  ● a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
     
   ● a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common stock;
     
  ● a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
     
  ● a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

 

If we fail to maintain compliance with all applicable continued listing requirements for the Nasdaq Capital Market and Nasdaq determines to delist our common stock, the delisting could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock, our ability to obtain financing to repay debt and fund our operations.

 

If our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq and the price of our common stock remains below $5.00 per share, our common stock would come within the definition of “penny stock”.

 

Transactions in securities that are traded in the United States that are not traded on Nasdaq or on other securities exchange by companies, with net tangible assets of $5,000,000 or less and a market price per share of less than $5.00, may be subject to the “penny stock” rules. The market price of our common stock is currently less than $5.00 per share. If our common stock is delisted from the Nasdaq and the price of our common stock remains below $5.00 per share and our net tangible assets remain $5,000,000 or less, our common stock would come within the definition of “penny stock”.

 

Under these penny stock rules, broker-dealers that recommend such securities to persons other than institutional accredited investors:

 

  ● must make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser;
     
   ● receive the purchaser’s written agreement to a transaction prior to sale;
     
  ● provide the purchaser with risk disclosure documents which identify risks associated with investing in “penny stocks” and which describe the market for these “penny stocks” as well as a purchaser’s legal remedies; and
     
  ● obtain a signed and dated acknowledgment from the purchaser demonstrating that the purchaser has actually received the required risk disclosure document before a transaction in a “penny stock” can be completed.

 

As a result of these requirements, if our common stock is at such time subject to the “penny stock” rules, broker-dealers may find it difficult to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in these shares in the United States may be significantly limited. Accordingly, the market price of the shares may be depressed, and investors may find it more difficult to sell the shares.

 

Our common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and may fluctuate significantly.

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Although an active trading market has developed for our common stock, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for our common stock will be sustained. Failure to maintain an active trading market for our common stock may adversely affect our shareholders’ ability to sell our common stock in short time periods, or at all. Our common stock has experienced, and may experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital, acquisitions, and other business opportunities.

 

In the case of a sale by a selling stockholder, we will not receive any of the proceeds from such sale. We are required to bear the expenses (other than underwriting discounts) incident to an offering by our selling stockholders.

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

Any time debt securities are offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a table setting forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges on a historical basis in the applicable prospectus supplement, if required.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the “beneficial ownership” of the shares of common stock by each of the selling stockholders as of March 12, 2021. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the applicable rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Shares of our common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of March 12, 2021 are deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of outstanding shares of the person holding these options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for calculating the percentage of any other person. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon 23,894,098 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 12, 2021. To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons in this table is as follows: c/o Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., 11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100, Bellevue, Washington 98004.

 

We may register shares of common stock covered by this prospectus for re-offers and re-sales by the selling stockholders. We may register these shares to permit selling stockholders to resell their shares when they deem appropriate. Selling stockholders may resell all, a portion or none of their shares at any time and from time to time. Selling stockholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We do not know when or in what amounts the selling stockholders may offer shares for sale under this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We cannot estimate the number of the shares that will be held by the selling stockholders after completion of a potential offering. For purposes of the table below, we have assumed that the selling stockholders will have sold all of the shares covered by this prospectus upon completion of the applicable offering. We are required to bear the expenses (other than underwriting discounts) incident to an offering by our selling stockholders.

 

   

Shares Beneficially Owned

Prior to Offering

   

Maximum Number

of Shares That May

   

Shares Beneficially Owned

After Offering

 
Name of Selling Stockholders   Number     Percentage     Be Offered     Number     Percentage  
Robert Mattacchione (1)     12,933,562       54.1 %     421,133       12,512,429       52.3 %
Christopher David (2)     1,281,950       5.1 %     2,389       1,279,561       5.1 %
Pierre Dalcourt (3)     3,387,793       14.2 %     110,511       3,277,282       13.7 %
Michael Gaynor (4)     1,743,713       7.3 %     56,748       1,686,965       7.1 %
Robert Oliva(5)     389,517       1.6 %     6,571       382,946       1.6 %

 

 

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.
   
(1) Represents (i) 12,908,562 shares owned by ALMC-ASAP Holdings, Inc. (“ALMC”), and (ii) 25,000 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of vested options held by Ms. Emily Mattacchione, Mr. Mattacchione’s spouse. ALMC is wholly owned by the Mattacchione Family Trust. Mr. Mattacchione is the trustee of the Mattacchione Family Trust, with voting and depository power over these shares. Mr. Mattacchione is the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
   
(2) Includes 1,200,000 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of vested options.
   
(3) Represents shares owned by 1218814 Ontario Inc., which is 50% owned by Dr. Pierre Dalcourt, a member of the Company’s Board, and 50% owned by Ms. Amanda Dalcourt, Dr. Dalcourt’s spouse. 1218814 Ontario Inc.’s shares are held by the Dalcourt Family Trust. Dr. Dalcourt and Ms. Dalcourt are co-trustees of the Dalcourt Family Trust and share voting and depository power over these shares.
   
(4) Represents shares owned by Michael Gaynor Family Trust. Mr. Gaynor is trustee of Michael Gaynor Family Trust and has voting and depository power over these shares.
   
(5) Includes 194,800 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of vested options.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

 

  ● shares of our common stock;
     
  ● shares of our preferred stock;
     
  ● debt securities consisting of senior notes, subordinated notes or debentures;
     
  ● warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock and/or debt securities;
     
  ● rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants and/or debt securities;
     
  ● units consisting of a combination of the foregoing securities.

 

In addition, the selling stockholders may sell up to an aggregate of 597,352 shares of our common stock from time to time in one or more offerings.

 

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer or the selling stockholders may sell. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering the specific terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. We will indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement if the terms of the securities differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following descriptions of common and preferred stock, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the common stock and preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus but is not intended to be complete. For the full terms of our common and preferred stock, please refer to our articles of incorporation, as amended from time to time, and our bylaws, as amended from time to time. The Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) may also affect the terms of these securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future common or preferred stock that we may offer, we will describe the specific terms of any series of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any common or preferred stock we offer under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms of our outstanding capital stock that we describe below.

 

As of March 12, 2021 , our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of capital stock with a par value of $0.001 per share, consisting of 499,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.001 per share, which may, at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors be issued in one or more series (the “Preferred Stock”). As of March 12, 2021 , there were 23,894,098 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, held by 535 holders of record. No shares of Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding as of March 12, 2021 . The authorized and unissued shares of both Common and Preferred Stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. Unless approval of our stockholders is so required, our board of directors will not seek stockholder approval for the issuance and sale of either our common stock or preferred stock.

 

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The Board may from time to time authorize by resolution the issuance of any or all shares of the Preferred Stock authorized in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the articles of incorporation for such purposes, in such amounts, to such persons, corporations, or entities, for such consideration and in one or more series, all as the Board in its discretion may determine and without any vote or other action by the stockholders, except as otherwise required by law.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Therefore, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Holders of the Company’s common stock representing a majority of the voting power of the Company’s capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders.

 

Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to share in all dividends that our Board of Directors, in its discretion, declares from legally available funds. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each outstanding share entitles its holder to participate pro rata in all assets that remain after payment of liabilities and after providing for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. The Company’s common stock has no pre-emptive rights, no conversion rights and there are no redemption provisions applicable to the Company’s common stock.

 

Preferred Stock

The total number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock shall be one million (1,000,000) shares with par value of $0.001 per share. The powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions pertaining to the Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, shall be such as may be fixed, from time to time, by the Board in its sole discretion, authority to do so being hereby expressly vested in the Board. As of the date hereof there are no classes of Preferred Stock designated, authorized, issued or outstanding. The authority of the Board with respect to each such series of Preferred Stock will include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the determination of any or all of the following:

 

  (i) The number of shares of any series and the designation to distinguish the shares of such series from the shares of all other series;
     
  (ii) the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series and whether such voting powers are full or limited;
     
  (iii) the redemption provisions, if any, applicable to such series, including the redemption price or prices to be paid;
     
  (iv) whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or noncumulative, the dividend rate or rates of such series and the dates and preferences of dividends on such series;
     
  (v) the rights of such series upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation;
     
  (vi) the provisions, if any, pursuant to which the shares of such series are convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation or other entity, and the rates or other determinants of conversion or exchange applicable thereto;
     
  (vii) the right, if any, to subscribe for or to purchase any securities of the Corporation or any other corporation or other entity;
     
  (viii) the provisions, if any, of a sinking fund applicable to such series; and
     
  (ix) any other relative, participating, optional or other powers, preferences or rights, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series.

 

The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any respect. The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any existing class or series of the Preferred Stock and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.

 

Options to Purchase Common Stock

 

As of March 12, 2021, no options to purchase shares of our common stock have been granted under the Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”). The Plan was adopted on February 9, 2021. As of March 12, 2021, there are 4,500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan. As of March 12, 2021, there are outstanding options to purchase 1,672,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options granted to key employees, officers and directors at a weighted average exercise price of $2.34 under a stock option compensation plan (such as the Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan and 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan) or agreements approved solely by the Board of Directors prior to the approval of the Plan.

 

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Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Nevada Law and our Articles of Incorporation

 

Provisions of the NRS and our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, would be expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us will outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Effects of authorized but unissued common stock and blank check preferred stock. One of the effects of the existence of authorized but unissued common stock and undesignated preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to make more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of management. If, in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal was not in our best interest, such shares could be issued by the board of directors without stockholder approval in one or more transactions that might prevent or render more difficult or costly the completion of the takeover transaction by diluting the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder group, by putting a substantial voting bloc in institutional or other hands that might undertake to support the position of the incumbent board of directors, by effecting an acquisition that might complicate or preclude the takeover, or otherwise.

 

In addition, our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance also may adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of those holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of our company.

 

Prohibition on Cumulative Voting. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors.

 

Removal of Directors. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that any director may be removed from office only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote.

 

Vacancies on the Board. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, or any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, removal, or other causes, shall be filled solely by the quorum of the Board.

 

Bylaws. Our Bylaws authorize the board of directors to amend the bylaws by a majority vote of the Board.

 

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that a special meeting of the stockholders of the Company for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the President or the Secretary of the Company by resolution of the Board of Directors or at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of the entire capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock are available for future issuance without shareholder approval. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

 

Interested Stockholder Statute. We are subject to Nevada’s Combination with Interested Stockholders Statute (Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) Sections 78.411 through 78.444) which prohibits an “interested stockholder” from entering into a “combination” with us, unless certain conditions are met. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns (or within the prior two years, did beneficially own) 10% or more of our capital stock entitled to vote. We have, however, elected in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to not be governed by the provisions of NRS Sections 78.411 through 78.444.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors. NRS limits or eliminates the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation include provisions that require us to indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the NRS, our directors or officers against monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of our company, or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation also provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the NRS. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect our company, our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities.

 

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The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions under the NRS and in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s fiduciary duties. Moreover, the provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws.

 

Transfer Agent

 

Pacific Stock Transfer Company (“Transfer Agent”) is our transfer agent and registrar.

 

The Transfer Agent’s address is at 6725 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 300, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 and its telephone number is (702) 361-3033.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

The debt securities will be our direct unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures the forms of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture. Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Each of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture is referred to as an indenture.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials will describe the material terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those debt securities. To the extent the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to an offering of debt securities are inconsistent with this prospectus, the terms of that prospectus supplement or other offering materials will supersede the information in this prospectus.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:

 

  ● the title and principal aggregate amount of the debt securities;
     
  ● whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated;
     
  ● whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured;
     
  ● whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities;
     
  ● the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which such debt securities will be issued;
     
  ● the interest rate(s) or the method for determining the interest rate(s);
     
  ● the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable;
     
  ● the person to whom any interest on the debt securities will be payable;
     
  ● the places where payments on the debt securities will be payable;
     
  ● the maturity date;
     
  ● redemption or early repayment provisions;
     
  ● authorized denominations;
     
  ● form;
     
  ● amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued;
     
  ● whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities;
     
  ● the identity of the depositary for global securities;

 

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  ● whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to such series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto;
     
  ● the terms upon which the beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities;
     
  ● any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
     
  ● any defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;
     
  ● the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, security and release of the guarantees), if any;
     
  ● any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities;
     
  ● any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities;
     
  ● the currency, currencies, or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable;
     
  ● the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which we or the purchaser of the debt securities can select the payment currency;
     
  ● the securities exchange(s) on which the securities will be listed, if any;
     
  ● whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities;
     
  ● the extent to which a secondary market for the securities is expected to develop;
     
  ● our obligations or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;
     
  ● provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
     
  ● provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;
     
  ● provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture;
     
  ● the law that will govern the indenture and debt securities; and
     
  ● additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

 

General

 

We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the applicable indenture. In addition, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement material U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate office of the trustee or the principal corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

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If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain of our subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities. The particular terms of any guarantee will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

 

Governing Law

 

The Indentures and the debt securities will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

  ● the title of such warrants;
     
  ● the aggregate number of such warrants;
     
  ● the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
     
  ● the currency or currencies in which the price of such warrants will be payable;
     
  ● the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;
     
  ● the price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;
     
  ● the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
     
  ● if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
     
  ● if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;
     
  ● if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
     
  ● information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
     
  ● if applicable, a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations; and
     
  ● any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

 

We may issue rights to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or warrants. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the rights in such offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the rights as described in this prospectus.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

 

  ● the price, if any, per right;
     
  ● the exercise price payable for debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants upon the exercise of the rights;
     
  ● the number of rights issued or to be issued to each shareholder;
     
  ● the number and terms of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, or warrants which may be purchased per right;
     
  ● the extent to which the rights are transferable;
     
  ● any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;
     
  ● the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire;
     
  ● the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and
     
  ● if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights.

 

Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the applicable securities purchased upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements with one or more underwriters or other purchasers, pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC.

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more warrants, rights, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or any combination of such securities. The applicable supplement will describe:

 

  ● the terms of the units and of the warrants, rights, debt securities, preferred stock and common stock comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;
     
  ● a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; and
     
  ● a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

 

22
 

 

FORMS OF SECURITIES

 

Each debt security, warrant, right and unit will be represented either by a certificate issued in definitive form to a particular investor or by one or more global securities representing the entire issuance of securities. Certificated securities in definitive form and global securities will be issued in registered form. Definitive securities name you or your nominee as the owner of the security, and in order to transfer or exchange these securities or to receive payments other than interest or other interim payments, you or your nominee must physically deliver the securities to the trustee, registrar, paying agent or other agent, as applicable. Global securities name a depositary or its nominee as the owner of the debt securities, warrants or units represented by these global securities. The depositary maintains a computerized system that will reflect each investor’s beneficial ownership of the securities through an account maintained by the investor with its broker/dealer, bank, trust company or other representative, as we explain more fully below.

 

Registered Global Securities

 

We may issue the registered debt securities, warrants, rights and units in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of that depositary or nominee. In those cases, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or face amount of the securities to be represented by registered global securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole for securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole by and among the depositary for the registered global security, the nominees of the depositary or any successors of the depositary or those nominees.

 

If not described below, any specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those securities. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

 

Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to persons, called participants, that have accounts with the depositary or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal or face amounts of the securities beneficially owned by the participants. Any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the securities will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons holding through participants. The laws of some states may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

 

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, that depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement or unit agreement. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the registered global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the securities under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, rights agreement or unit agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for that registered global security and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, rights agreement or unit agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, rights agreement or unit agreement, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through them to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

 

23
 

 

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and any payments to holders with respect to warrants, rights or units, represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of Novo Integrated, the trustees, the warrant agents, the rights agents, the unit agents or any other agent of Novo Integrated, agent of the trustees or agent of the warrant agents, rights agents or unit agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

 

We expect that the depositary for any of the securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other distribution of underlying securities or other property to holders on that registered global security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in that registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

 

If the depositary for any of these securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security that had been held by the depositary. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security will be registered in the name or names that the depositary gives to the relevant trustee, warrant agent, unit agent or other relevant agent of ours or theirs. It is expected that the depositary’s instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security that had been held by the depositary.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Novo Integrated and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, may sell the securities in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:

 

  ● through underwriters or dealers;
     
  ● directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser;
     
  ● through agents;
     
  ● through a combination of any such methods; or
     
  ● through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement.

 

The prospectus supplement will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

  ● the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;
     
  ● the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to be received by Novo Integrated, if any;
     
  ● any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;
     
  ● any public offering price;
     
  ● any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
     
  ● any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

 

Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

24
 

 

If we and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, use underwriters in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

  ● negotiated transactions,
     
  ● at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed,
     
  ● at market prices prevailing at the time of sale,
     
  ● at prices related to prevailing market prices or
     
  ● at negotiated prices.

 

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

 

We and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

We and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from Novo Integrated at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

 

Underwriters and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with Novo Integrated and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, to indemnification by Novo Integrated and/or the selling stockholders, if applicable, against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make. Underwriters and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for Novo Integrated and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market other than the common stock, which is quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities, other than the common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.

 

LEGAL OPINIONS

 

The validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed on for us by Anthony L.G., PLLC, West Palm Beach, Florida.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended August 31, 2020 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of SRCO Professional Corporation and NVS Professional Corporation (formerly NVS Chartered Accountants Professional Corporation), independent registered public accounting firms, given on the authority of said firms as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES

 

Our directors and officers are indemnified by our bylaws against amounts actually and necessarily incurred by them in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which they are a party by reason of being or having been directors or officers of the company. Our articles of incorporation provide that none of our directors or officers shall be personally liable for damages for breach of any fiduciary duty as a director or officer involving any act or omission of any such director or officer. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to such directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities, other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by such director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action, lawsuit or proceeding, is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

25
 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus and any subsequent prospectus supplements do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. We have omitted from this prospectus some parts of the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified in their entirety by reference to these filings. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC, including us. The SEC’s website can be found at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we make available on or through our website copies of these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnished them to the SEC. Our website can be found at http://www.novointegrated.com. The content contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus certain information we have filed and will file with the SEC, which means that we may disclose important information in this prospectus by referring you to the document that contains the information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be an integral part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

  ● our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on December 9, 2020;
     
  ● our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021;
     
  ● the description of our common stock which is included in our Form 8-A12B filed with the SEC on February 19, 2021, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description; and
     
  ● all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and before we stop offering the securities covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, information and documents that we elect to furnish, but not file, or have furnished, but not filed, with the SEC in accordance with SEC rules and regulations is not incorporated into this prospectus and does not constitute a part hereof.

 

You may access these filings on our website at www.novointegrated.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference and is not considered part of this prospectus. Also, upon written or oral request, at no cost we will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Inquiries should be directed to:

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100

Bellevue, WA 98004

(206) 617-9797

 

26
 

 

 

$75,000,000

 

NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC.

 

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Rights

 

Debt Securities and Units

 

and

 

597,352 Shares of Common Stock for Resale by Selling Stockholders

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

_____________, 2021

 

 
 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

Set forth below is an estimate (except in the case of the SEC registration fee) of the amount of fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commission, if any, incurred in connection with the sale of the offered securities. All such amounts will be borne by Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”).

 

      AMOUNT  
SEC Registration Fee   $ 8,441.56
FINRA Filing Fees     (1)
Legal Fees and Expenses     (1)
Accounting Fees and Expenses     (1)
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses     (1)
Warrant Agent Fees and Expenses     (1)
Printing Expenses     (1)
Miscellaneous Expenses     (1)
Total     (1)

 

(1) These fees will be calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Nevada and may, if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors, so indemnify our officers and any other person whom we have the power to indemnify against liability, reasonable expense or other matter. This indemnification policy could result in substantial expenditure by us, which we may be unable to recoup.

 

Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that none of our directors or officers shall be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer provided, however, that the foregoing provisions shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer for acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud or knowing violation of law, or the unlawful payment of dividends. Limitations on liability provided for in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, do not restrict the availability of non-monetary remedies and do not affect a director’s responsibility under any other law, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

 

We believe that these provisions will assist us in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as executive officers and directors. The inclusion of these provisions in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, may have the effect of reducing a likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and may discourage or deter shareholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us or our shareholders.

 

Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Exchange Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to provisions of the articles of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated bylaws, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification by such director, officer or controlling person of us in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being offered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of ours in which indemnification would be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such indemnification.

 

  II-1  
     

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this registration statement on Form S-3, including those incorporated herein by reference.

 

Exhibit

No.

  Exhibit Description
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 5, 2017).
     
3.2   Certificate of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on November 9, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 30, 2020).
     
3.3   Termination of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on November 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 30, 2020).
     
3.4   Certificate of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on November 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 30, 2020).
     
3.5   Termination of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on December 4, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on December 9, 2020).
     
3.6   Certificate of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on December 4, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on December 9, 2020).
     
4.1   Guaranty Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between the registrant, Fitness International, LLC and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
4.2   Guaranty Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between the registrant and LAF Canada Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
4.3   Form of Senior Indenture
     
4.4*   Form of Senior Note
     
4.5   Form of Subordinated Indenture
     
4.6*   Form of Subordinated Note
     
4.7*   Form of Warrant Agreement
     
4.8*   Form of Rights Agreement
     
4.9*   Form of Unit Agreement
     
5.1   Opinion of Anthony L.G., PLLC
     
10.1†   Employment Agreement, entered into on July 12, 2017 and effective July 1, 2017, between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 18, 2017).
     
10.2†   2015 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on September 8, 2015).
     
10.3   Share Exchange Agreement dated April 25, 2017 by and between Turbine Truck Engines, Inc., Novo Healthnet Limited, ALMC-ASAP Holdings Inc., Michael Gaynor Family Trust, 1218814 Ontario Inc. and Michael Gaynor Physiotherapy Professional Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 1, 2017).
     
10.4   Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement dated as of May 3, 2017 by and between Turbine Truck Engines, Inc., Novo Healthnet Limited, ALMC-ASAP Holdings Inc., Michael Gaynor Family Trust, 1218814 Ontario Inc. and Michael Gaynor Physiotherapy Professional Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 9, 2017).

 

  II-2  
     

 

10.5†   Option to Purchase Common Stock, dated July 12, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 18, 2017).
     
10.6†   Employment Agreement entered into on December 29, 2017 and effective January 1, 2018, between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 3, 2018).
     
10.7†   Option to Purchase Common Stock dated December 29, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 3, 2018).
     
10.8+   Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 22, 2018).
     
10.9†   Amendment to Option #21 of Christopher David dated as of April 20, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2018).
     
10.10†   Amendment to Option #23 of Christopher David dated as of April 20, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2018).
     
10.11†   Amendment to Option #24 of Christopher David dated as of April 20, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2018).
     
10.12†   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement dated July 27, 2018 by and between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 27, 2018).
     
10.13†   Employment Agreement, entered into on November 30, 2018 and effective December 1, 2018, between Christopher David and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 6, 2018).
     
10.14   Agreement of Transfer and Assignment dated January 8, 2019 by and between the registrant and 2478659 Ontario Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on January 11, 2019).
     
10.15   Software License Agreement dated February 26, 2019 by and among Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., Novo Healthnet Limited and Cloud DX Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 5, 2019).

 

  II-3  
     

 

10.16   First Amendment to Cloud DX Perpetual Software License Agreement dated March 6, 2020 and entered into on March 9, 2020 by and among the registrant, Novo Healthnet Limited and Cloud DX Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 12, 2020).
     
10.17   Proposal for Joint Venture dated September 11, 2019 between the registrant and Harvest Gold Farms, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 17, 2019).
     
10.18   Master Facility License Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between Novomerica Health Group Inc., Fitness International, LLC, and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
10.19   Amendment to Master Facility License Agreement, entered into as of February 4, 2020, by and between Fitness International, LLC and Novomerica Health Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 10, 2020).
     
10.20   Master Facility License Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between Novo Healthnet Limited, Inc. and LAF Canada Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
10.21   First Amendment to Master Facility License Agreement, entered into as of February 4, 2020, by and between LAF Canada Company and Novo Health Limited, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 10, 2020).
     
10.22†   Employment Agreement dated August 6, 2020 between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 12, 2020).
     
10.23†   Option Agreement #32 of Christopher David dated August 6, 2020. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 12, 2020).
     
10.24†   Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 22, 2018).
     
10.25†   Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 16, 2021).
     
23.1   Consent of SRCO Professional Corporation, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
     
23.2   Consent of NVS Corporation, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
     
23.3   Consent of Anthony L.G., PLLC (incorporated in Exhibit 5.1).
     
24.1   Power of Attorney (included in signature page)
     
25.1**   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under the Senior Indenture
     
25.2**   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture

 

† Management contract, compensation plan or arrangement.
* To be filed by amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
** To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the appropriate rules and regulations thereunder.

 

  II-4  
     

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 193, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.

 

  II-5  
     

 

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

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

 

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communications that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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

 

(j) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

  II-6  
     

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Bellevue, State of Washington on March 15, 2021.

 

  Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Robert Mattacchione
    Robert Mattacchione,
    Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Mr. Robert Mattacchione, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to sign any and all additional registration statements relating to the Registration Statement and filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in their respective capacities on March 15, 2021.

 

Name   Title
     
/s/ Robert Mattacchione   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Robert Mattacchione   (Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/ Thomas Bray   Principal Financial Officer
Thomas Bray   (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
     
/s/ Pierre Dalcourt   Director
Pierre Dalcourt    
     
/s/ Christopher David   President and Director
Christopher David    
     
/s/ Alex Flesias   Director
Alex Flesias    
     
/s/ Michael Gaynor   Director
Michael Gaynor    
     
/s/ Robert Oliva   Director
Robert Oliva    
     
/s/ Michael Pope   Director
Michael Pope    

 

  II-7  
     

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  Exhibit Description
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 5, 2017).
     
3.2   Certificate of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on November 9, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 30, 2020).
     
3.3   Termination of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on November 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 30, 2020).
     
3.4   Certificate of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on November 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on November 30, 2020).
     
3.5   Termination of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on December 4, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on December 9, 2020).
     
3.6   Certificate of Amendment filed by the registrant with the Nevada Secretary of State on December 4, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on December 9, 2020).
     
4.1   Guaranty Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between the registrant, Fitness International, LLC and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
4.2   Guaranty Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between the registrant and LAF Canada Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
4.3   Form of Senior Indenture
     
4.4*   Form of Senior Note
     
4.5   Form of Subordinated Indenture
     
4.6*   Form of Subordinated Note
     
4.7*   Form of Warrant Agreement
     
4.8*   Form of Rights Agreement
     
4.9*   Form of Unit Agreement
     
5.1   Opinion of Anthony L.G., PLLC
     
10.1†   Employment Agreement, entered into on July 12, 2017 and effective July 1, 2017, between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 18, 2017).
     
10.2†   2015 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on September 8, 2015).
     
10.3   Share Exchange Agreement dated April 25, 2017 by and between Turbine Truck Engines, Inc., Novo Healthnet Limited, ALMC-ASAP Holdings Inc., Michael Gaynor Family Trust, 1218814 Ontario Inc. and Michael Gaynor Physiotherapy Professional Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 1, 2017).
     
10.4   Amendment No. 1 to Share Exchange Agreement dated as of May 3, 2017 by and between Turbine Truck Engines, Inc., Novo Healthnet Limited, ALMC-ASAP Holdings Inc., Michael Gaynor Family Trust, 1218814 Ontario Inc. and Michael Gaynor Physiotherapy Professional Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 9, 2017).

 

  II-8  
     

 

10.5†   Option to Purchase Common Stock, dated July 12, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 18, 2017).
     
10.6†   Employment Agreement entered into on December 29, 2017 and effective January 1, 2018, between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 3, 2018).
     
10.7†   Option to Purchase Common Stock dated December 29, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 3, 2018).
     
10.8+   Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 22, 2018).
     
10.9†   Amendment to Option #21 of Christopher David dated as of April 20, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2018).
     
10.10†   Amendment to Option #23 of Christopher David dated as of April 20, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2018).
     
10.11†   Amendment to Option #24 of Christopher David dated as of April 20, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2018).
     
10.12†   Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement dated July 27, 2018 by and between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 27, 2018).
     
10.13†   Employment Agreement, entered into on November 30, 2018 and effective December 1, 2018, between Christopher David and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 6, 2018).
     
10.14   Agreement of Transfer and Assignment dated January 8, 2019 by and between the registrant and 2478659 Ontario Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on January 11, 2019).
     
10.15   Software License Agreement dated February 26, 2019 by and among Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., Novo Healthnet Limited and Cloud DX Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 5, 2019).

 

  II-9  
     

 

10.16   First Amendment to Cloud DX Perpetual Software License Agreement dated March 6, 2020 and entered into on March 9, 2020 by and among the registrant, Novo Healthnet Limited and Cloud DX Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 12, 2020).
     
10.17   Proposal for Joint Venture dated September 11, 2019 between the registrant and Harvest Gold Farms, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 17, 2019).
     
10.18   Master Facility License Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between Novomerica Health Group Inc., Fitness International, LLC, and Fitness & Sports Clubs, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
10.19   Amendment to Master Facility License Agreement, entered into as of February 4, 2020, by and between Fitness International, LLC and Novomerica Health Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 10, 2020).
     
10.20   Master Facility License Agreement dated September 24, 2019 by and between Novo Healthnet Limited, Inc. and LAF Canada Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 30, 2019).
     
10.21   First Amendment to Master Facility License Agreement, entered into as of February 4, 2020, by and between LAF Canada Company and Novo Health Limited, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 10, 2020).
     
10.22†   Employment Agreement dated August 6, 2020 between the registrant and Christopher David (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 12, 2020).
     
10.23†   Option Agreement #32 of Christopher David dated August 6, 2020. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 12, 2020).
     
10.24†   Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 22, 2018).
     
10.25†   Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 16, 2021).
     
23.1   Consent of SRCO Professional Corporation, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
     
23.2   Consent of NVS Corporation, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
     
23.3   Consent of Anthony L.G., PLLC (incorporated in Exhibit 5.1).
     
24.1   Power of Attorney (included in signature page)
     
25.1**   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under the Senior Indenture
     
25.2**   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture

 

† Management contract, compensation plan or arrangement.
* To be filed by amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
** To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the appropriate rules and regulations thereunder.

 

  II-10  

 

 

EXHIBIT 4.3

 

NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC.

 

as the Company

 

and

 

 

 

as Trustee

 

Senior Indenture

 

Dated as of                     , 20  

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  PAGE
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 		4
   
Section 1.01. Definitions 4
Section 1.02. Other Definitions 8
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 8
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction 8
   
ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES 		9
   
Section 2.01. Form and Dating 9
Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication 9
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series 10
Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest 12
Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent; Agents Generally 12
Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 13
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange 13
Section 2.08. Replacement Securities 15
Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities 16
Section 2.10. Temporary Securities 16
Section 2.11. Cancellation 16
Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers 17
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest 17
Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches 17
   
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION 		17
   
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article 17
Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions 17
Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called For Redemption 18
Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption 19
Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds 19
   
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS 		21
   
Section 4.01. Payment of Securities 21
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency 21
Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists 22
Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee 22
Section 4.05. Reports by the Company 22
Section 4.06. Additional Amounts 22
   
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION 		23
   
Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc 23
Section 5.02. Successor Substituted 23

 

1
 

 

ARTICLE 6
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 		23
   
Section 6.01. Events of Default 23
Section 6.02. Acceleration 24
Section 6.03. Other Remedies 24
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults 25
Section 6.05. Control by Majority 25
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits 25
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment 25
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee 26
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 26
Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds 26
Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 27
Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs 27
Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 27
Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver 27
   
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE 		27
   
Section 7.01. General 27
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee 27
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee 28
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer 29
Section 7.05. Notice of Default 29
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders 29
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity 29
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee 30
Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 30
Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger, Etc 31
Section 7.11. Eligibility 31
Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust 31
   
ARTICLE 8
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS 		32
   
Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 32
Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities 32
Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent 32
Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years 32
Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture 32
Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations 33
Section 8.07. Reinstatement 34
Section 8.08. Indemnity 34
Section 8.09. Excess Funds 34
Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee 34
   
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS 		35
   
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders 35
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders 35
Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent 36
Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities 36
Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc 36
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 36

 

2
 

 

ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS 		37
   
Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 37
Section 10.02. Notices 37
Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 37
Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 38
Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership 38
Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar 38
Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day 39
Section 10.08. Governing Law 39
Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements 39
Section 10.10. Successors 39
Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals 39
Section 10.12. Separability 39
Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc 39
Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability 39
Section 10.15. Judgment Currency 39

 

3
 

 

SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of                   , 20   , between Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as the Company, and                   , as Trustee.

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issue from time to time of its senior debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;

 

NOW, THEREFORE:

 

In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities or of any and all series thereof and of the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01. Definitions.

 

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

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, transfer agent or Authenticating Agent.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper (which, in the case of The City of New York, will, if practicable, be The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition) and in the case of London, will, if practicable, be the Financial Times (London Edition) and published in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in The City of New York or London, as applicable. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof which is made or given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

 

“Board Resolution” means one or more resolutions of the board of directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary to have been duly adopted and to be in full force and effect on the date of certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in The City of New York, with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits in London, or with respect to Securities denominated in a specified currency other than United States dollars, in the principal financial center of the country of the specified currency.

 

4
 

 

“Capital Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any lease of any property which, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

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

 

“Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article 5 of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at Attention:

 

“Currency Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency values to or under which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the date hereof or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter.

 

“Debt” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance or other similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except Trade Payables, (v) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases, (vi) all Debt of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; provided that, for purposes of determining the amount of any Debt of the type described in this clause, if recourse with respect to such Debt is limited to such asset, the amount of such Debt shall be limited to the lesser of the fair market value of such asset or the amount of such Debt, (vii) all Debt of others Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such Debt is Guaranteed by such Person, (viii) all redeemable stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends and (ix) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, all obligations of such Person under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements.

 

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

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03 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 Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series.

 

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

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. as in effect as of the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with the principles, methods, procedures and practices employed in the preparation of the Company’s audited financial statements, including, without limitation, those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as is approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.

 

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“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keepwell, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the registered holder of any Security with respect to Registered Securities and the bearer of any Unregistered Security or any coupon appertaining thereto, as the case may be.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and shall include the forms and terms of the Securities of each series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03.

 

“Interest Rate Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates to or under which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the date hereof or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any property, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property. For purposes of this Indenture, the Company shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such property.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the president, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer or the secretary.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed in the name of the Company (i) by the president or chief executive officer and (ii) by the chief financial officer or the secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) the statements provided in Section 10.04, if applicable.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include the statements provided in Section 10.04, if and to the extent required thereby.

 

“Original issue date” of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of authentication of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any 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.

 

“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities.

 

“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

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“Principal” of a Security means the principal amount of, and, unless the context indicates otherwise, includes any premium payable on, the Security.

 

“Registered Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Registered Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.02, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.02.

 

“Registered Security” means any Security registered on the Security Register (as defined in Section 2.05).

 

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office, having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“Securities” means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and, unless the context indicates otherwise, shall include any coupon appertaining thereto.

 

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

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

 

“Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services.

 

“Trustee” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 and thereafter 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 Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time.

 

“Unregistered Security” means any Security other than a Registered Security.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. 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 U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

“Yield to Maturity” means, as the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Securities or (ii) if the Securities of a series are issuable from time to time, on a Security of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance of such Security of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series or on such Security, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such Security.

 

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Section 1.02. Other Definitions. Each of the following terms is defined in the section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term   Section  
Authenticating Agent     2.02  
Cash Transaction     7.03  
Dollars     4.02  
Event of Default     6.01  
Judgment Currency     10.15 (a)
mandatory sinking fund payment     3.05  
optional sinking fund payment     3.05  
Paying Agent     2.05  
record date     2.04  
Registrar     2.05  
Required Currency     10.15 (a)
Security Register     2.05  
self-liquidating paper     7.03  
sinking fund payment date     3.05  
tranche     2.14  

 

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act have the following meanings:

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities;

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder or a Securityholder;

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

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

 

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

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by reference in the Trust Indenture Act to another statute or defined by a rule of the Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

 

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

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

 

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

 

(d) all references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated; and

 

(e) use of masculine, feminine or neuter pronouns should not be deemed a limitation, and the use of any such pronouns should be construed to include, where appropriate, the other pronouns.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01. Form and Dating. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form or forms (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law, or with any rules of any securities exchange or usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. Unless otherwise so established, Unregistered Securities shall have coupons attached.

 

Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication. Two Officers shall execute the Securities and one Officer shall execute the coupons appertaining thereto for the Company by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company. The seal of the Company, if any, shall be reproduced on the Securities. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security or coupon appertaining thereto no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security and such coupon shall nevertheless be valid.

 

The Trustee, at the expense of the Company, may appoint an authenticating agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) to authenticate Securities. The Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such Authenticating Agent.

 

A Security and the coupons appertaining thereto shall not be valid until the Trustee or Authenticating Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security or on the Security to which such coupon appertains by an authorized officer. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security or the Security to which the coupon appertains has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series having attached thereto appropriate coupons, if any, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to or upon the written order of the Company. In authenticating any Securities of a series, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive prior to the authentication of any Securities of such series, and (subject to Article 7) shall be fully protected in relying upon, unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked:

 

(a) any Board Resolution and/or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.01 and 2.03 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities of that series were established;

 

(b) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Securities, stating that the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance with this Indenture; and

 

(c) an Opinion of Counsel substantially to the effect that the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance with this Indenture and that the supplemental indenture, to the extent applicable, and Securities have been duly authorized and, if executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof on the date of such opinion, would be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and would be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, general principles of equity, and covering such other matters as shall be specified therein and as shall be reasonably requested by the Trustee.

 

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The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 2.02, if, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or the written order, Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.02 at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

 

With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.

 

If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.03 that the Securities of a series or a portion thereof are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series issued in such form and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this 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.”

 

Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03,

 

(a) the designation of the Securities of the series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series;

 

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and any limitation on the ability of the Company to increase such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Securities of that series (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon redemption of, other Securities of the series pursuant hereto);

 

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible);

 

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable and (in the case of Registered Securities) on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;

 

(e) if other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served and notice to Holders may be published;

 

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(f) the right, if any, of the Company to redeem Securities of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;

 

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

 

(h) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(i) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

(j) if other than the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(k) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the Principal of and interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be valued against other currencies in which any other Securities shall be payable;

 

(l) whether the Securities of the series or any portion thereof will be issuable as Registered Securities (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable as Registered Global Securities) or Unregistered Securities (with or without coupons) (and if so, whether such Securities will be issued in temporary or permanent global form), or any combination of the foregoing, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Unregistered Securities or the payment of interest thereon and, if other than as provided herein, the terms upon which Unregistered Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series and vice versa;

 

(m) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional amounts;

 

(n) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(o) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Securities of the series;

 

(p) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of the Securities of the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Securities of the series), which provisions may be in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing) the provisions of Article 8;

 

(q) if the Securities of the series are issuable in whole or in part as one or more Registered Global Securities or Unregistered Securities in global form, the identity of the Depositary or common Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or Unregistered Securities in global form;

 

(r) any other Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of the series; and

 

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

 

All Securities of any one series and coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be substantially identical, except in the case of Registered Securities as to date and denomination, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All 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 or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Securities to be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture.

 

Unless otherwise expressly provided with respect to a series of Securities, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased.

 

Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable as Registered Securities or Unregistered Securities in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.03 or, if not so established with respect to Securities of any series, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date, and such interest and shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.03.

 

The person in whose name any Registered Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Registered Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case the provisions of Section 2.13 shall apply. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Registered Securities of such series established as contemplated by Section 2.03, or, if no such date is so established, the fifteenth day next preceding such interest payment date, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

 

Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent; Agents Generally. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration, registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”), which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Registered Securities and of their registration, transfer and exchange (the “Security Register”). The Company may have one or more additional Paying Agents or transfer agents with respect to any series.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act that relate to such Agent. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent and any change in the name or address of an Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company or any affiliate of the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar; provided that neither the Company nor an affiliate of the Company shall act as Paying Agent in connection with the defeasance of the Securities or the discharge of this Indenture under Article 8.

 

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The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent. If, at any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to the Trustee ten days prior to each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of the Holders as they appear in the Security Register.

 

Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Not later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date or, in the case of Unregistered Securities, 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the due date, of any Principal or interest on any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such Principal or interest. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal of and interest on such Securities and shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee. If the Company or any affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any Principal of or interest on any Securities, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders thereof a sum of money sufficient to pay such Principal or interest so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act as required by this Section.

 

Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. Unregistered Securities (except for any temporary global Unregistered Securities) and coupons (except for coupons attached to any temporary global Unregistered Securities) shall be transferable by delivery.

 

At the option of the Holder thereof, Registered Securities of any series (other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Registered Security or Registered Securities of such series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Registered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. If the Securities of any series are issued in both registered and unregistered form, except as otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.03, at the option of the Holder thereof, Unregistered Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 4.02, with, in the case of Unregistered Securities that have coupons attached, all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. At the option of the Holder thereof, if Unregistered Securities of any series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date are issued in more than one authorized denomination, except as otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.03, such Unregistered Securities may be exchanged for Unregistered Securities of such series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 4.02, with, in the case of Unregistered Securities that have coupons attached, all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. Registered Securities of any series may not be exchanged for Unregistered Securities of such series. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of a series at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for that purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

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All Registered Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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 exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.07, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global Security representing all or a portion of the 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.

 

If at any time the Depositary for any Registered Global Securities of any series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Global Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Registered Global Securities shall no longer be eligible under applicable law, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law with respect to such Registered Global Securities. If a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law for such Registered Global Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Registered Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver Registered Securities of such series and tenor, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Securities.

 

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of the Depositary determine that any Registered Global Securities of any series shall no longer be maintained in global form. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Registered Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver, Registered Securities of such series and tenor in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Securities.

 

Any time the Registered Securities of any series are not in the form of Registered Global Securities pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the Company agrees to supply the Trustee with a reasonable supply of certificated Registered Securities without the legend required by Section 2.02 and the Trustee agrees to hold such Registered Securities in safekeeping until authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

If established by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to any Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security may surrender such Registered Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Registered Securities of the same series and tenor 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 authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

 

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

 

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

 

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Registered Securities issued in exchange for a Registered Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

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

 

Notwithstanding anything herein or in the forms or terms of any Securities to the contrary, none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be required to exchange any Unregistered Security for a Registered Security if such exchange would result in adverse Federal income tax consequences to the Company (such as, for example, the inability of the Company to deduct from its income, as computed for Federal income tax purposes, the interest payable on the Unregistered Securities) under then applicable United States Federal income tax laws. The Trustee and any such agent shall be entitled to rely on an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel in determining such result.

 

The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, authenticate, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series for a period of 15 days before a selection of such Securities to be redeemed or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part.

 

Section 2.08. Replacement Securities. If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for such mutilated Security or in exchange for the Security to which a mutilated coupon appertains, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such mutilated Security or to the Security to which such mutilated coupon appertains.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or coupon (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security or coupon) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, and in the case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of them of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and the ownership thereof; provided, however, that the Principal of and any interest on Unregistered Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.02, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require 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 Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series, with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for any mutilated Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new Security and coupons, if any, shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

 

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

 

Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those described in this Section as not outstanding and those that have been defeased pursuant to Section 8.05.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a holder in due course.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an affiliate of the Company) holds on the maturity date or any redemption date or date for repurchase of the Securities money sufficient to pay Securities payable or to be redeemed or repurchased on that date, then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them shall cease to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its affiliates holds such Security, provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Any Securities so owned which are pledged by the Company, or by any affiliate of the Company, as security for loans or other obligations, otherwise than to another such affiliate of the Company, shall be deemed to be outstanding, if the pledgee is entitled pursuant to the terms of its pledge agreement and is free to exercise in its or his discretion the right to vote such securities, uncontrolled by the Company or by any such affiliate.

 

Section 2.10. Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities of such series. Temporary Securities of any series shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities of such series but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series and tenor upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series and tenor and authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar, any transfer agent and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel and dispose of in accordance with its customary procedures all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and “CINS” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers or CINS 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 or exchange.

 

Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Registered Securities, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest (as may be specified in the terms thereof, established pursuant to Section 2.03) to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a Business Day. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder of such Registered Securities and to the Trustee a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches. A series of Securities may include one or more tranches (each a “tranche”) of Securities, including Securities issued in a Periodic Offering. The Securities of different tranches may have one or more different terms, including authentication dates and public offering prices, but all the Securities within each such tranche shall have identical terms, including authentication date and public offering price. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, with respect to Sections 2.02 (other than the fourth, sixth and seventh paragraphs thereof) through 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.10, 3.01 through 3.05, 4.02, 6.01 through 6.14, 8.01 through 8.07, 9.02 and Section 10.07, if any series of Securities includes more than one tranche, all provisions of such sections applicable to any series of Securities shall be deemed equally applicable to each tranche of any series of Securities in the same manner as though originally designated a series unless otherwise provided with respect to such series or tranche pursuant to Section 2.03. In particular, and without limiting the scope of the next preceding sentence, any of the provisions of such sections which provide for or permit action to be taken with respect to a series of Securities shall also be deemed to provide for and permit such action to be taken instead only with respect to Securities of one or more tranches within that series (and such provisions shall be deemed satisfied thereby), even if no comparable action is taken with respect to Securities in the remaining tranches of that series.

 

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

 

Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Registered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Company shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Registered Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Unregistered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption, by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, to such Holders at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee (and, in the case of any such notice given by the Company, the Trustee shall make such information available to the Company for such purpose). Notice of redemption to all other Holders of Unregistered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part shall be published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York or with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits in an Authorized Newspaper in London, in each case, once in each of three successive calendar weeks, the first publication to be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Any notice which is mailed or published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

 

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The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the CUSIP numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities and, in the case of Securities with coupons attached thereto, of all coupons appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption 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 Security, a new Security or Securities of such series and tenor in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

 

The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed 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.

 

On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date or, in the case of Unregistered Securities, on or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If all of the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 10 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all such Securities are to be redeemed. If less than all the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee) an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant to this Section, an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

 

If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, pro rata, by lot or in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in principal amounts equal to authorized denominations for Securities of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called For Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to such date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and the unmatured coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be void and, except as provided in Sections 7.12 and 8.02, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable in the case of Securities with coupons attached thereto, to the Holders of the coupons for such interest upon surrender thereof, and in the case of Registered Securities, to the Holders of such Registered Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.04 and 2.13 hereof.

 

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If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security.

 

If any Security with coupons attached thereto is surrendered for redemption and is not accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the date fixed for redemption, the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee, if there be furnished to each of them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them harmless.

 

Upon presentation of any Security of any series redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of such series and tenor (with any unmatured coupons attached), of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

 

Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company.

 

Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of 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 the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”.

 

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except through a mandatory sinking fund payment) by the Company or receive credit for 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 2.11, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Company at the option of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through any optional sinking fund payment. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.

 

On or before the sixtieth day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of specified Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the specified Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) 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. Any 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 2.11 to the Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such Officers’ Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or delivery of Securities therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such sixtieth day, to deliver such Officer’s Certificate and 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 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.

 

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If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any series), such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price thereof together with accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 (or such lesser sum) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 (or such lesser sum) is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 3.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Company) inform the Company of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such Officers’ Certificate as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company (or the Company, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 3.02 (and with the effect provided in Section 3.03) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Company. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the Principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.

 

On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each sinking fund payment date or, in the case of Unregistered Securities, 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date.

 

The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article 6 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 6.04 or the Default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities.

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall pay the Principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this Indenture. The interest on Securities with coupons attached (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. The interest on any temporary Unregistered Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be paid, as to the installments of interest evidenced by coupons attached thereto, if any, only upon presentation and surrender thereof, and, as to the other installments of interest, if any, only upon presentation of such Unregistered Securities for notation thereon of the payment of such interest. The interest on Registered Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only to the Holders thereof (subject to Section 2.04) and at the option of the Company may be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the Security Register of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture and the Securities of any series to the contrary, if the Company and a Holder of any Registered Security so agree, payments of interest on, and any portion of the Principal of, such Holder’s Registered Security (other than interest payable at maturity or on any redemption or repayment date or the final payment of Principal on such Security) shall be made by the Paying Agent, upon receipt from the Company of immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m., New York City time (or such other time as may be agreed to between the Company and the Paying Agent), directly to the Holder of such Security (by Federal funds wire transfer or otherwise) if the Holder has delivered written instructions to the Trustee 15 days prior to such payment date requesting that such payment will be so made and designating the bank account to which such payments shall be so made and in the case of payments of Principal, surrenders the same to the Trustee in exchange for a Security or Securities aggregating the same principal amount as the unredeemed principal amount of the Securities surrendered. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the last instruction delivered by the Holder pursuant to this Section 4.01 unless a new instruction is delivered 15 days prior to a payment date. The Company will indemnify and hold each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent harmless against any loss, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from any act or omission to act on the part of the Company or any such Holder in connection with any such agreement or from making any payment in accordance with any such agreement.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue Principal, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum specified in the Securities.

 

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as such office or agency of the Company. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 10.02.

 

The Company will maintain one or more agencies in a city or cities located outside the United States (including any city in which such an agency is required to be maintained under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Securities of any series are listed) where the Unregistered Securities, if any, of each series and coupons, if any, appertaining thereto may be presented for payment. No payment on any Unregistered Security or coupon will be made upon presentation of such Unregistered Security or coupon at an agency of the Company within the United States nor will any payment be made by transfer to an account in, or by mail to an address in, the United States unless, pursuant to applicable United States laws and regulations then in effect, such payment can be made without adverse tax consequences to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if full payment in United States Dollars (“Dollars”) at each agency maintained by the Company outside the United States for payment on such Unregistered Securities or coupons appertaining thereto is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions, payments in Dollars of Unregistered Securities of any series and coupons appertaining thereto which are payable in Dollars may be made at an agency of the Company maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the holders of the Securities pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act (a) semi-annually not more than 15 days after each record date for the payment of semi-annual interest on the Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Company of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.

 

Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee. The Company will furnish to the Trustee annually, on or before a date not more than four months after the end of its fiscal year (which, on the date hereof, is a calendar year), a brief certificate (which need not contain the statements required by Section 10.04) from its principal executive, financial or accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the compliance of the Company with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) which certificate shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 4.05. Reports by the Company. The Company covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file 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 Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Section 4.06. Additional Amounts. If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first interest payment date with respect to that series of Securities and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that series if there has been a change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal paying agent, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such paying agent whether such payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of the Securities of that series without withholding or deduction for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding or deduction shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to such Holders and shall certify the fact that additional amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each Holder, and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or such paying agent the additional amounts required to be paid by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any paying agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

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

 

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ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to, any Person unless either (x) the Company shall be the continuing Person or (y) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which properties and assets of the Company shall be sold, conveyed, transferred or leased shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company on all of the Securities and under this Indenture and the Company in the case of clauses (x) and (y) shall have delivered to the Trustee (A) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture (if any) complies with this provision and that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been complied with and that such supplemental indenture (if any) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and such successor enforceable against such entity in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and (B) an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Section 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition 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 Person had been named as the Company herein and thereafter the predecessor Person, except in the case of a lease, shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” shall occur with respect to the Securities of any series if:

 

(a) the Company defaults in the payment of the Principal of any Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or mandatory repurchase, including as a sinking fund installment, or otherwise;

 

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

 

(c) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of such series or in the Securities of such series and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected thereby specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

 

(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(e) the Company (i) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (ii) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or (iii) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

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(f) any other Event of Default established pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to the Securities of such series occurs.

 

Section 6.02. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default other than as described in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Securities of any series then outstanding occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any such series then outstanding hereunder (each such series treated as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of any such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 2.03) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

(b) If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to Section 2.03) of all the Securities then outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be and become immediately due and payable, without any notice or other action by any Holder or the Trustee, to the full extent permitted by applicable law.

 

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to Section 2.03) of the Securities of any series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared or become due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal 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 Securities of each such series to the date of such payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07, and if any and all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities of all such series that have been accelerated (voting as a single class), by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to all such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

 

For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

 

Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If a payment default or an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue, in its own name or as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of Principal of and interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

 

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series affected (voting as a single class), by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of Principal of or interest on any Security as specified in clauses (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02(e), the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series affected (voting as a single class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by this Indenture; provided, that the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of such direction; and provided further, that the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any directions received from Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.05.

 

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(a) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of all such series affected shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all such affected series have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request.

 

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

 

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of Principal of or interest, if any, on such Holder’s Security on or after the respective due dates expressed on such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series in payment of Principal or interest specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount (or such portion thereof as specified in the terms established pursuant to Section 2.03 of Original Issue Discount Securities) of Principal of, and accrued interest remaining unpaid on, together with interest on overdue Principal of, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest on, the Securities of such series, in each case at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any moneys, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Securities or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of Principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities and coupons appertaining to such Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected and noting thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series and tenor in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of such series and tenor if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 applicable to the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected;

 

SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the 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 such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for Principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue Principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon 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 Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such Principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of Principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over Principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such Principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and

 

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other person lawfully entitled thereto.

 

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Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, in either case in respect to the Securities of any series, a court may require any party litigant in such suit (other than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, a suit instituted by the Trustee or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series.

 

Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Securities in Section 2.08, 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 remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders 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.

 

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01. General. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article 7.

 

Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 315(a) through (d):

 

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel (or both), statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

 

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(b) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to Section 10.04 and shall cover such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting 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 delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof;

 

(c) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents not regularly in its employ and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care;

 

(d) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

 

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 6.05 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

 

(g) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; and

 

(h) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, Board Resolution, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding.

 

Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(b) and 311. For purposes of Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b)(4) and (6), the following terms shall mean:

 

(a) “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and

 

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(b) “self-liquidating paper” 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, manufacturing, 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 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.

 

Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as statements of the Company and not of the Trustee and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents (a) makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities and (b) shall be accountable for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Securities.

 

Section 7.05. Notice of Default. If any Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and if such Default is known to the actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer with the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to each Holder of Securities of such series notice of such Default within 90 days after it occurs (a) if any Unregistered Securities of such series are then outstanding, to the Holders thereof, by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London and (b) to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the mailing or publication of such notice; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

 

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

 

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time for its services. The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a Trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or such predecessor Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s or such predecessor Trustee’s agents, counsel and other persons not regularly in their employ.

 

The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and hold them harmless against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by them without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture and the Securities or the issuance of the Securities or of series thereof or the trusts hereunder and the performance of duties under this Indenture and the Securities, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against or investigating any claim or liability and of complying with any process served upon them or any of their officers in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay Principal of, and interest on particular Securities.

 

The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the rejection or termination of this Indenture under bankruptcy law. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities or coupons, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, if the Trustee renders services and incurs expenses following an Event of Default under Section 6.01(d) or Section 6.01(e) hereof, the parties hereto and the holders by their acceptance of the Securities hereby agree that such expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

 

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Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and appointment of a successor Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Trustee may resign as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series at any time by so notifying the Company in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.11 of this Indenture; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may appoint a successor Trustee in respect of such Securities to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not deliver its written acceptance required by Section 7.09 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect thereto.

 

The Company shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee in respect of the Securities of such series to all Holders of Securities of such series. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 7.08 and Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

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

 

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

 

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under this Article and qualified under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger, Etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee herein.

 

Section 7.11. Eligibility. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust. The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in trust under Article 8 of this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 8

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

 

Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. If at any time (a) the Company shall have paid or caused to be paid the Principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series outstanding hereunder (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (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 2.08) or (c) (i) all the securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (ii) the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Company in accordance with Section 8.04) or U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will insure (without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest) the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all 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 2.08) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity or redemption as the case may be, and if, in any such case, the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of securities of such series, and the Company’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (v) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of Principal of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

 

Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 8.04, all moneys (including U.S. Government Obligations and the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, Section 8.05 or Section 8.06 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for Principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such Principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Company and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

 

Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. The Company shall be deemed to have paid and shall be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities of any series, on the 123rd day after the deposit referred to in clause (i) hereof has been made, and the provisions of this Indenture shall no longer be in effect with respect to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to: (a) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, and the Company’s right of optional redemption, (b) substitution of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (c) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), (d) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (e) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

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(i) with reference to this provision the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (i) money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee (x) the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities of such series on the due dates thereof and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(ii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee (A) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.05 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion of Counsel must be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect or a change in applicable federal income tax law or related treasury regulations after the date of this Indenture or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of Counsel and (B) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;

 

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

 

(iv) if at such time the Securities of such series are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge;

 

(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge under this Section have been complied with; and

 

(vi) if the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to the final maturity thereof (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.

 

Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in, and this Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to, any covenant established pursuant to Section 2.03(r) and clause (c) (with respect to any covenants established pursuant to Section 2.03(r)) and clause (f) of Section 6.01 shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default, if

 

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(a) with reference to this Section 8.06, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, (i) money in an amount or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due dates thereof or earlier redemption (irrevocably provided for under agreements satisfactory to the Trustee), as the case may be, of any payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (a) money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee (x) the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities on the due date thereof or earlier redemption (irrevocably provided for under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee), as the case may be, and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.06 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;

 

(c) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

 

(d) if at such time the Securities of such series are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

 

(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under this Section have been complied with.

 

Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or paying agent is unable to apply any monies or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article until such time as the Trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all such monies or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Article 8; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of Principal of or interest on any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the monies or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or paying agent.

 

Section 8.08. Indemnity. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.08 and Section 8.02, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06 or the principal or 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 Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Section 8.09. Excess Funds. Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon request of the Company, any money or U.S. Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06 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 a discharge or defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article 8.

 

Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee. Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 8.05 or 8.06 for the purpose of holding money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to such Sections shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to or the consent of any Holder:

 

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; provided that such amendments or supplements shall not materially and adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

 

(b) to comply with Article 5;

 

(c) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(d) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder with respect to the Securities of any or all series by a successor Trustee 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 7.09;

 

(e) to establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any series or of the coupons appertaining to such Securities as permitted by Section 2.03;

 

(f) to provide for uncertificated or Unregistered Securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; and

 

(g) to make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, without prior notice to any Holders, the Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Securities of any series with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment (all such series voting as a separate class), and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby (all such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

 

(a) change the stated maturity of the Principal of, or any sinking fund obligation or any installment of interest on, such Holder’s Security;

 

(b) reduce the Principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (including any amount in respect of original issue discount);

 

(c) reduce the above stated percentage of outstanding Securities the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the Indenture with respect to the Securities of the relevant series; and

 

(d) reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Securities of the relevant series the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture or for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults and their consequences provided for in this Indenture.

 

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A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series or of the coupons appertaining to such Securities.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of any Holder under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall give to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. 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 or waiver.

 

Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent. Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the Security of the consenting Holder, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of its Security. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective with respect to any Securities affected thereby on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the requisite Holders of outstanding Securities affected thereby.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which may be not less than five nor more than 60 days prior to the solicitation of consents) for the purpose of determining the Holders of the Securities of any series affected entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were such Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those Persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be such Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective with respect to the Securities of any series affected thereby, it shall bind every Holder of such Securities unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (d) of Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the type described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each such Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security that evidences the same indebtedness as the Security of the consenting Holder.

 

Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of any Security, the Trustee may require the Holder thereof to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Security of such series thereafter authenticated. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security of the same series and tenor that reflects the changed terms.

 

Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, stating that all requisite consents have been obtained or that no consents are required and stating that such supplemental indenture constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

  

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ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939. This Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 10.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if written and (a) if delivered in person when received or (b) if mailed by first class mail 5 days after mailing, or (c) as between the Company and the Trustee if sent by facsimile transmission, when transmission is confirmed, in each case addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

  Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.
  11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100
  Bellevue, WA 98004
  Telecopy: (206) 617-9797
  Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

if to the Trustee:

 

  [Name of Trustee]
  [Address]
  Telecopy:
  Attention:

 

The Company or the Trustee by written notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given to Holders of any Unregistered Securities, by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York, or with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London, and by mailing to the Holders thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee and to Holders of Registered Securities by mailing to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register. Notice mailed shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 10.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

In case it shall be impracticable to give notice as herein contemplated, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

37
 

 

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

 

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

 

Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate required by Section 4.04) shall include:

 

(a) a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

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

 

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

 

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the Holder of any Unregistered Security and the Holder of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Unregistered Security or coupon (whether or not such Unregistered Security or coupon shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. The fact of the holding by any Holder of an Unregistered Security, and the identifying number of such Security and the date of his holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Security or by a certificate executed by any trust company, bank, banker or recognized securities dealer wherever situated satisfactory to the Trustee, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. Each such certificate shall be dated and shall state that on the date thereof a Security bearing a specified identifying number was deposited with or exhibited to such trust company, bank, banker or recognized securities dealer by the person named in such certificate. Any such certificate may be issued in respect of one or more Unregistered Securities specified therein. The holding by the person named in any such certificate of any Unregistered Securities specified therein shall be presumed to continue for a period of one year from the date of such certificate unless at the time of any determination of such holding (1) another certificate bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Securities shall be produced or (2) the Security specified in such certificate shall be produced by some other Person, or (3) the Security specified in such certificate shall have ceased to be outstanding. Subject to Article 7, the fact and date of the execution of any such instrument and the amount and numbers of Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument may also be proven in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in any other manner which the Trustee may deem sufficient.

 

The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Registered Security shall be registered upon the Security Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Registered Security (whether or not such Registered Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the Principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Registered Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

38
 

 

Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day. Except as otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities, if any date for payment of Principal or interest on any Security shall not be a Business Day at any place of payment, then payment of Principal of or interest on such Security, as the case may be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at any place of payment with the same force and effect as if made on such date and no interest shall accrue in respect of such payment for the period from and after such date.

 

Section 10.08. Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the Securities.

 

Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture or loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture or agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 10.10. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 10.12. Separability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions hereof.

 

Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or in any Security or any coupons appertaining thereto, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities and the coupons appertaining thereto by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities and the coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Section 10.15. Judgment Currency. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the Principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Business Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.

 

39
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC., as the Company
     
  By:               
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  _____________, as the Trustee

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

40

 

 

EXHIBIT 4.5

 

NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC.

 

as the Company

 

and

 

 

 

as Trustee

 

Subordinated Indenture

 

Dated as of                , 20

 

 
 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

  PAGE
ARTICLE 1  
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
   
Section 1.01. Definitions 5
Section 1.02. Other Definitions 9
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 9
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction 9
   
ARTICLE 2  
THE SECURITIES  
   
Section 2.01. Form and Dating 10
Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication 10
Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series 11
Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest 13
Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent; Agents Generally 14
Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 14
Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange 14
Section 2.08. Replacement Securities 16
Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities 17
Section 2.10. Temporary Securities 17
Section 2.11. Cancellation 18
Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers 18
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest 18
Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches 18
   
ARTICLE 3  
REDEMPTION  
   
Section 3.01. Applicability of Article 18
Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions 19
Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called For Redemption 20
Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption 20
Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds 20
   
ARTICLE 4  
COVENANTS  
   
Section 4.01. Payment of Securities 22
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency 22
Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists 23
Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee 23
Section 4.05. Reports by the Company 23
Section 4.06. Additional Amounts 23
   
ARTICLE 5  
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION  
   
Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc 24
Section 5.02. Successor Substituted 24

 

2
 

 

ARTICLE 6  
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES  
   
Section 6.01. Events of Default 24
Section 6.02. Acceleration 25
Section 6.03. Other Remedies 26
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults 26
Section 6.05. Control by Majority 26
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits 26
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment 27
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee 27
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 27
Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds 27
Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 28
Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs 28
Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 28
Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver  
   
ARTICLE 7  
TRUSTEE  
 
Section 7.01. General 28
Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee 29
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee 30
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer 30
Section 7.05. Notice of Default 30
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders 30
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity 30
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee 31
Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor 31
Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger, Etc 32
Section 7.11. Eligibility 32
Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust 32
   
ARTICLE 8  
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS  
   
Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture 33
Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities 33
Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent 33
Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years 33
Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture 34
Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations 35
Section 8.07. Reinstatement 35
Section 8.08. Indemnity 36
Section 8.09. Excess Funds 36
Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee 36
   
ARTICLE 9  
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS  
   
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders 36
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders 36
Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent 37

 

3
 

 

Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities 38
Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc 38
Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act 38
   
ARTICLE 10  
MISCELLANEOUS  
 
Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 38
Section 10.02. Notices 38
Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 39
Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 39
Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership 39
Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar 40
Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day 40
Section 10.08. Governing Law 40
Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements 40
Section 10.10. Successors 40
Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals 40
Section 10.12. Separability 40
Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc 40
Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability 40
Section 10.15. Judgment Currency 41
   
ARTICLE 11  
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES  
   
Section 11.01. Agreement to Subordinate 41
Section 11.02. Payments to Securityholders 41
Section 11.03. Subrogation of Securities 42
Section 11.04. Authorization by Securityholders 43
Section 11.05. Notice to Trustee 43
Section 11.06. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness 43
Section 11.07. No Impairment of Subordination 43

 

4
 

 

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of        , 20       , between Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., a Nevada corporation, as the Company, and           , as Trustee.

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issue from time to time of its subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;

 

NOW, THEREFORE:

 

In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities or of any and all series thereof and of the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01. Definitions.

 

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

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, transfer agent or Authenticating Agent.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper (which, in the case of The City of New York, will, if practicable, be The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition) and in the case of London, will, if practicable, be the Financial Times (London Edition) and published in an official language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in The City of New York or London, as applicable. If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof which is made or given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

 

“Board Resolution” means one or more resolutions of the board of directors of the Company or any authorized committee thereof, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary to have been duly adopted and to be in full force and effect on the date of certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in The City of New York, with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits in London, or with respect to Securities denominated in a specified currency other than United States dollars, in the principal financial center of the country of the specified currency.

 

5
 

 

“Capital Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any lease of any property which, in conformity with GAAP, is required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

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

 

“Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article 5 of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at Attention:        .

 

“Currency Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency values to or under which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the date hereof or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter.

 

“Debt” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptance or other similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except Trade Payables, (v) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases, (vi) all Debt of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; provided that, for purposes of determining the amount of any Debt of the type described in this clause, if recourse with respect to such Debt is limited to such asset, the amount of such Debt shall be limited to the lesser of the fair market value of such asset or the amount of such Debt, (vii) all Debt of others Guaranteed by such Person to the extent such Debt is Guaranteed by such Person, (viii) all redeemable stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends and (ix) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, all obligations of such Person under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements.

 

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

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03 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 Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series.

 

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

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. as in effect as of the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with the principles, methods, procedures and practices employed in the preparation of the Company’s audited financial statements, including, without limitation, those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as is approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.

 

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keepwell, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

6
 

 

“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the registered holder of any Security with respect to Registered Securities and the bearer of any Unregistered Security or any coupon appertaining thereto, as the case may be.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture as originally executed and delivered or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and shall include the forms and terms of the Securities of each series established as contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03.

 

“Interest Rate Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates to or under which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the date hereof or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any property, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property. For purposes of this Indenture, the Company shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such property.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the president, the chief executive officer the chief financial officer or the secretary.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed in the name of the Company (i) by the president or chief executive officer and (ii) by the chief financial officer or the secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. Each such certificate shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture) the statements provided in Section 10.04, if applicable.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, and include the statements provided in Section 10.04, if and to the extent required thereby.

 

“Original issue date” of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of authentication of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any 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.

 

“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities.

 

7
 

 

“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

“Principal” of a Security means the principal amount of, and, unless the context indicates otherwise, includes any premium payable on, the Security.

 

“Registered Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Registered Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.02, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.02.

 

“Registered Security” means any Security registered on the Security Register (as defined in Section 2.05).

 

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer of the Trustee in the Corporate Trust Office, having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“Securities” means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and, unless the context indicates otherwise, shall include any coupon appertaining thereto.

 

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

 

“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all Debt of the Company whether created, incurred or assumed before, on or after the date of this Indenture; provided that such Senior Indebtedness shall not include (i) Debt of the Company that, when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11, U.S. Code, was without recourse and (ii) any other Debt of the Company which by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same are specifically designated as not being senior in right of payment to the Securities; provided that Senior Indebtedness does not include any obligation to the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association or other business entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

 

“Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any other indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services.

 

“Trustee” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 and thereafter 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 Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as it may be amended from time to time.

 

“Unregistered Security” means any Security other than a Registered Security.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. 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 U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

8
 

 

“Yield to Maturity” means, as the context may require, the yield to maturity (i) on a series of Securities or (ii) if the Securities of a series are issuable from time to time, on a Security of such series, calculated at the time of issuance of such series in the case of clause (i) or at the time of issuance of such Security of such series in the case of clause (ii), or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series or on such Security, and calculated in accordance with the constant interest method or such other accepted financial practice as is specified in the terms of such Security.

 

Section 1.02. Other Definitions. Each of the following terms is defined in the section set forth opposite such term:

 

Term     Section  
Authenticating Agent     2.02  
Cash Transaction     7.03  
Dollars     4.02  
Event of Default     6.01  
Judgment Currency     10.15 (a)
mandatory sinking fund payment     3.05  
optional sinking fund payment     3.05  
Paying Agent     2.05  
record date     2.04  
Registrar     2.05  
Required Currency     10.15 (a)
Security Register     2.05  
self-liquidating paper     7.03  
sinking fund payment date     3.05  
tranche     2.14  

 

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act have the following meanings:

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities;

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder or a Securityholder;

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

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

 

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

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by reference in the Trust Indenture Act to another statute or defined by a rule of the Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

 

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

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

 

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

 

(d) all references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated; and

 

(e) use of masculine, feminine or neuter pronouns should not be deemed a limitation, and the use of any such pronouns should be construed to include, where appropriate, the other pronouns.

 

ARTICLE 2

THE SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01. Form and Dating. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form or forms (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law, or with any rules of any securities exchange or usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. Unless otherwise so established, Unregistered Securities shall have coupons attached.

 

Section 2.02. Execution And Authentication. Two Officers shall execute the Securities and one Officer shall execute the coupons appertaining thereto for the Company by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company. The seal of the Company, if any, shall be reproduced on the Securities. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security or coupon appertaining thereto no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security and such coupon shall nevertheless be valid.

 

The Trustee, at the expense of the Company, may appoint an authenticating agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) to authenticate Securities. The Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such Authenticating Agent.

 

A Security and the coupons appertaining thereto shall not be valid until the Trustee or Authenticating Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security or on the Security to which such coupon appertains by an authorized officer. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security or the Security to which the coupon appertains has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series having attached thereto appropriate coupons, if any, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to or upon the written order of the Company. In authenticating any Securities of a series, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive prior to the authentication of any Securities of such series, and (subject to Article 7) shall be fully protected in relying upon, unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked:

 

(a) any Board Resolution and/or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.01 and 2.03 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities of that series were established;

 

(b) an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Securities, stating that the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance with this Indenture; and

 

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(c) an Opinion of Counsel substantially to the effect that the form or forms and terms of the Securities of such series have been, or, in the case of a Periodic Offering, will be when established in accordance with such procedures as shall be referred to therein, established in compliance with this Indenture and that the supplemental indenture, to the extent applicable, and Securities have been duly authorized and, if executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof on the date of such opinion, would be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and would be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, general principles of equity, and covering such other matters as shall be specified therein and as shall be reasonably requested by the Trustee.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 2.02, if, in connection with a Periodic Offering, all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01 or the written order, Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.02 at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

 

With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, the forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.

 

If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.03 that the Securities of a series or a portion thereof are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series issued in such form and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or its custodian or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this 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.”

 

Section 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series and shall be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of Article 11 hereof. There shall be established in or pursuant to Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03,

 

(a) the designation of the Securities of the series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series;

 

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and any limitation on the ability of the Company to increase such aggregate principal amount after the initial issuance of the Securities of that series (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon redemption of, other Securities of the series pursuant hereto);

 

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(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable (which date or dates may be fixed or extendible);

 

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable and (in the case of Registered Securities) on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;

 

(e) if other than as provided in Section 4.02, the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, notices, demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served and notice to Holders may be published;

 

(f) the right, if any, of the Company to redeem Securities of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;

 

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

 

(h) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(i) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

(j) if other than the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the coin or currency in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable or if the amount of payments of principal of and/or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(k) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the Principal of and interest on the Securities of the series shall be payable, and the manner in which any such currencies shall be valued against other currencies in which any other Securities shall be payable;

 

(l) whether the Securities of the series or any portion thereof will be issuable as Registered Securities (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable as Registered Global Securities) or Unregistered Securities (with or without coupons) (and if so, whether such Securities will be issued in temporary or permanent global form), or any combination of the foregoing, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Unregistered Securities or the payment of interest thereon and, if other than as provided herein, the terms upon which Unregistered Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series and vice versa;

 

(m) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional amounts;

 

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(n) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(o) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or the registrar or any other agents with respect to the Securities of the series;

 

(p) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of the Securities of the series (including provisions permitting defeasance of less than all Securities of the series), which provisions may be in addition to, in substitution for, or in modification of (or any combination of the foregoing) the provisions of Article 8;

 

(q) if the Securities of the series are issuable in whole or in part as one or more Registered Global Securities or Unregistered Securities in global form, the identity of the Depositary or common Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or Unregistered Securities in global form;

 

(r) any other Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of the series; and

 

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

 

All Securities of any one series and coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be substantially identical, except in the case of Registered Securities as to date and denomination, except in the case of any Periodic Offering and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All 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 or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and any forms and terms of Securities to be issued from time to time may be completed and established from time to time prior to the issuance thereof by procedures described in such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture.

 

Unless otherwise expressly provided with respect to a series of Securities, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Securities may be increased and additional Securities of such series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased.

 

Section 2.04. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable as Registered Securities or Unregistered Securities in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.03 or, if not so established with respect to Securities of any series, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities, each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date, and such interest and shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.03.

 

The person in whose name any Registered Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Registered Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case the provisions of Section 2.13 shall apply. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Registered Securities of such series established as contemplated by Section 2.03, or, if no such date is so established, the fifteenth day next preceding such interest payment date, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

 

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Section 2.05. Registrar and Paying Agent; Agents Generally. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration, registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”), which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Registered Securities and of their registration, transfer and exchange (the “Security Register”). The Company may have one or more additional Paying Agents or transfer agents with respect to any series.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act that relate to such Agent. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent and any change in the name or address of an Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company or any affiliate of the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar; provided that neither the Company nor an affiliate of the Company shall act as Paying Agent in connection with the defeasance of the Securities or the discharge of this Indenture under Article 8.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent. If, at any time, the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Registrar shall make available to the Trustee ten days prior to each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of the Holders as they appear in the Security Register.

 

Section 2.06. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Not later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date or, in the case of Unregistered Securities, 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the due date, of any Principal or interest on any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such Principal or interest. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Principal of and interest on such Securities and shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee. If the Company or any affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any Principal of or interest on any Securities, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders thereof a sum of money sufficient to pay such Principal or interest so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure to act as required by this Section.

 

Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange. Unregistered Securities (except for any temporary global Unregistered Securities) and coupons (except for coupons attached to any temporary global Unregistered Securities) shall be transferable by delivery.

 

At the option of the Holder thereof, Registered Securities of any series (other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Registered Security or Registered Securities of such series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Registered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. If the Securities of any series are issued in both registered and unregistered form, except as otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.03, at the option of the Holder thereof, Unregistered Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 4.02, with, in the case of Unregistered Securities that have coupons attached, all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. At the option of the Holder thereof, if Unregistered Securities of any series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date are issued in more than one authorized denomination, except as otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.03, such Unregistered Securities may be exchanged for Unregistered Securities of such series and tenor having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 4.02, with, in the case of Unregistered Securities that have coupons attached, all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. Registered Securities of any series may not be exchanged for Unregistered Securities of such series. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

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Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of a series at the agency of the Company that shall be maintained for that purpose in accordance with Section 2.05 and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

 

All Registered Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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 exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.07, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global Security representing all or a portion of the 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.

 

If at any time the Depositary for any Registered Global Securities of any series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Global Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Registered Global Securities shall no longer be eligible under applicable law, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law with respect to such Registered Global Securities. If a successor Depositary eligible under applicable law for such Registered Global Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Registered Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver Registered Securities of such series and tenor, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Securities.

 

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of the Depositary determine that any Registered Global Securities of any series shall no longer be maintained in global form. In such event the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of the Company’s order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Registered Securities of such series and tenor, will authenticate and deliver, Registered Securities of such series and tenor in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Registered Global Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Securities.

 

Any time the Registered Securities of any series are not in the form of Registered Global Securities pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the Company agrees to supply the Trustee with a reasonable supply of certificated Registered Securities without the legend required by Section 2.02 and the Trustee agrees to hold such Registered Securities in safekeeping until authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

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If established by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to any Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security may surrender such Registered Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Registered Securities of the same series and tenor 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 authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

 

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

 

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

 

Registered Securities issued in exchange for a Registered Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

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

 

Notwithstanding anything herein or in the forms or terms of any Securities to the contrary, none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be required to exchange any Unregistered Security for a Registered Security if such exchange would result in adverse Federal income tax consequences to the Company (such as, for example, the inability of the Company to deduct from its income, as computed for Federal income tax purposes, the interest payable on the Unregistered Securities) under then applicable United States Federal income tax laws. The Trustee and any such agent shall be entitled to rely on an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel in determining such result.

 

The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, authenticate, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series for a period of 15 days before a selection of such Securities to be redeemed or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part.

 

Section 2.08. Replacement Securities. If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for such mutilated Security or in exchange for the Security to which a mutilated coupon appertains, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such mutilated Security or to the Security to which such mutilated coupon appertains.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security or coupon (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security or coupon) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, and in the case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of them of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and the ownership thereof; provided, however, that the Principal of and any interest on Unregistered Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.02, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States.

 

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Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require 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 Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series, with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for any mutilated Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and any such new Security and coupons, if any, shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

 

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

 

Section 2.09. Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those described in this Section as not outstanding and those that have been defeased pursuant to Section 8.05.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a holder in due course.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an affiliate of the Company) holds on the maturity date or any redemption date or date for repurchase of the Securities money sufficient to pay Securities payable or to be redeemed or repurchased on that date, then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them shall cease to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its affiliates holds such Security, provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities as to which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Any Securities so owned which are pledged by the Company, or by any affiliate of the Company, as security for loans or other obligations, otherwise than to another such affiliate of the Company, shall be deemed to be outstanding, if the pledgee is entitled pursuant to the terms of its pledge agreement and is free to exercise in its or his discretion the right to vote such securities, uncontrolled by the Company or by any such affiliate.

 

Section 2.10. Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities of such series. Temporary Securities of any series shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities of such series but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series and tenor upon surrender of such temporary Securities at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of such series and tenor and authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

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Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar, any transfer agent and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel and dispose of in accordance with its customary procedures all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and “CINS” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers or CINS 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 or exchange.

 

Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Registered Securities, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest (as may be specified in the terms thereof, established pursuant to Section 2.03) to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a Business Day. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder of such Registered Securities and to the Trustee a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.14. Series May Include Tranches. A series of Securities may include one or more tranches (each a “tranche”) of Securities, including Securities issued in a Periodic Offering. The Securities of different tranches may have one or more different terms, including authentication dates and public offering prices, but all the Securities within each such tranche shall have identical terms, including authentication date and public offering price. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, with respect to Sections 2.02 (other than the fourth, sixth and seventh paragraphs thereof) through 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.10, 3.01 through 3.05, 4.02, 6.01 through 6.14, 8.01 through 8.07, 9.02 and Section 10.07, if any series of Securities includes more than one tranche, all provisions of such sections applicable to any series of Securities shall be deemed equally applicable to each tranche of any series of Securities in the same manner as though originally designated a series unless otherwise provided with respect to such series or tranche pursuant to Section 2.03. In particular, and without limiting the scope of the next preceding sentence, any of the provisions of such sections which provide for or permit action to be taken with respect to a series of Securities shall also be deemed to provide for and permit such action to be taken instead only with respect to Securities of one or more tranches within that series (and such provisions shall be deemed satisfied thereby), even if no comparable action is taken with respect to Securities in the remaining tranches of that series.

 

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.01. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

 

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Section 3.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Registered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Company shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Registered Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Unregistered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption, by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, to such Holders at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee (and, in the case of any such notice given by the Company, the Trustee shall make such information available to the Company for such purpose). Notice of redemption to all other Holders of Unregistered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part shall be published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York or with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits in an Authorized Newspaper in London, in each case, once in each of three successive calendar weeks, the first publication to be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Any notice which is mailed or published in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

 

The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the CUSIP numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities and, in the case of Securities with coupons attached thereto, of all coupons appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption 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 Security, a new Security or Securities of such series and tenor in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

 

The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed 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.

 

On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date or, in the case of Unregistered Securities, on or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If all of the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 10 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all such Securities are to be redeemed. If less than all the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company will deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given to Holders pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 3.02 (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee) an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant to this Section, an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

 

If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, pro rata, by lot or in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in principal amounts equal to authorized denominations for Securities of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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Section 3.03. Payment Of Securities Called For Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to such date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and the unmatured coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be void and, except as provided in Sections 7.12 and 8.02, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable in the case of Securities with coupons attached thereto, to the Holders of the coupons for such interest upon surrender thereof, and in the case of Registered Securities, to the Holders of such Registered Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.04 and 2.13 hereof.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security.

 

If any Security with coupons attached thereto is surrendered for redemption and is not accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the date fixed for redemption, the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee, if there be furnished to each of them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them harmless.

 

Upon presentation of any Security of any series redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of such series and tenor (with any unmatured coupons attached), of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

 

Section 3.04. Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company.

 

Section 3.05. Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of 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 the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”.

 

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except through a mandatory sinking fund payment) by the Company or receive credit for 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 2.11, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Company at the option of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through any optional sinking fund payment. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.

 

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On or before the sixtieth day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of specified Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the specified Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) 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. Any 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 2.11 to the Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such Officers’ Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Company shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or delivery of Securities therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Company, on or before any such sixtieth day, to deliver such Officer’s Certificate and 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 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.

 

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any series), such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price thereof together with accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 (or such lesser sum) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 (or such lesser sum) is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 3.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Company) inform the Company of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Company or (b) an entity specifically identified in such Officers’ Certificate as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company (or the Company, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 3.02 (and with the effect provided in Section 3.03) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Company. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the Principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.

 

On or before 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each sinking fund payment date or, in the case of Unregistered Securities, 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the Business Day prior to the sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date.

 

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The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities of such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Company a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article 6 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 6.04 or the Default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities.

 

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall pay the Principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this Indenture. The interest on Securities with coupons attached (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. The interest on any temporary Unregistered Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be paid, as to the installments of interest evidenced by coupons attached thereto, if any, only upon presentation and surrender thereof, and, as to the other installments of interest, if any, only upon presentation of such Unregistered Securities for notation thereon of the payment of such interest. The interest on Registered Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only to the Holders thereof (subject to Section 2.04) and at the option of the Company may be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the Security Register of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture and the Securities of any series to the contrary, if the Company and a Holder of any Registered Security so agree, payments of interest on, and any portion of the Principal of, such Holder’s Registered Security (other than interest payable at maturity or on any redemption or repayment date or the final payment of Principal on such Security) shall be made by the Paying Agent, upon receipt from the Company of immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m., New York City time (or such other time as may be agreed to between the Company and the Paying Agent), directly to the Holder of such Security (by Federal funds wire transfer or otherwise) if the Holder has delivered written instructions to the Trustee 15 days prior to such payment date requesting that such payment will be so made and designating the bank account to which such payments shall be so made and in the case of payments of Principal, surrenders the same to the Trustee in exchange for a Security or Securities aggregating the same principal amount as the unredeemed principal amount of the Securities surrendered. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the last instruction delivered by the Holder pursuant to this Section 4.01 unless a new instruction is delivered 15 days prior to a payment date. The Company will indemnify and hold each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent harmless against any loss, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from any act or omission to act on the part of the Company or any such Holder in connection with any such agreement or from making any payment in accordance with any such agreement.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue Principal, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum specified in the Securities.

 

Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as such office or agency of the Company. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 10.02.

 

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The Company will maintain one or more agencies in a city or cities located outside the United States (including any city in which such an agency is required to be maintained under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Securities of any series are listed) where the Unregistered Securities, if any, of each series and coupons, if any, appertaining thereto may be presented for payment. No payment on any Unregistered Security or coupon will be made upon presentation of such Unregistered Security or coupon at an agency of the Company within the United States nor will any payment be made by transfer to an account in, or by mail to an address in, the United States unless, pursuant to applicable United States laws and regulations then in effect, such payment can be made without adverse tax consequences to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if full payment in United States Dollars (“Dollars”) at each agency maintained by the Company outside the United States for payment on such Unregistered Securities or coupons appertaining thereto is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions, payments in Dollars of Unregistered Securities of any series and coupons appertaining thereto which are payable in Dollars may be made at an agency of the Company maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of any series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Section 4.03. Securityholders’ Lists. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the holders of the Securities pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act (a) semi-annually not more than 15 days after each record date for the payment of semi-annual interest on the Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Company of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.

 

Section 4.04. Certificate to Trustee. The Company will furnish to the Trustee annually, on or before a date not more than four months after the end of its fiscal year (which, on the date hereof, is a calendar year), a brief certificate (which need not contain the statements required by Section 10.04) from its principal executive, financial or accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the compliance of the Company with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture) which certificate shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 4.05. Reports by the Company. The Company covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file 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 Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Section 4.06. Additional Amounts. If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first interest payment date with respect to that series of Securities and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that series if there has been a change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the principal paying agent, if other than the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate instructing the Trustee and such paying agent whether such payment of Principal of or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of the Securities of that series without withholding or deduction for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding or deduction shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to such Holders and shall certify the fact that additional amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each Holder, and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or such paying agent the additional amounts required to be paid by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any paying agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

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

 

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

Section 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to, any Person unless either (x) the Company shall be the continuing Person or (y) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which properties and assets of the Company shall be sold, conveyed, transferred or leased shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company on all of the Securities and under this Indenture and the Company in the case of clauses (x) and (y) shall have delivered to the Trustee (A) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture (if any) complies with this provision and that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been complied with and that such supplemental indenture (if any) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and such successor enforceable against such entity in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and (B) an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Section 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition 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 Person had been named as the Company herein and thereafter the predecessor Person, except in the case of a lease, shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” shall occur with respect to the Securities of any series if:

 

(a) the Company defaults in the payment of the Principal of any Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or mandatory repurchase, including as a sinking fund installment, or otherwise;

 

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

 

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(c) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of such series or in the Securities of such series and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected thereby specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

 

(d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(e) the Company (i) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (ii) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or (iii) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(f) any other Event of Default established pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to the Securities of such series occurs.

 

Section 6.02. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default other than as described in clauses (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 with respect to the Securities of any series then outstanding occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any such series then outstanding hereunder (each such series treated as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of any such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 2.03) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

(b) If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (e) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to Section 2.03) of all the Securities then outstanding and interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be and become immediately due and payable, without any notice or other action by any Holder or the Trustee, to the full extent permitted by applicable law.

 

The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof established pursuant to Section 2.03) of the Securities of any series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared or become due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) and the principal of any and all Securities of each such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal 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 Securities of each such series to the date of such payment or deposit) and such amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07, and if any and all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities of all such series that have been accelerated (voting as a single class), by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to all such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared or become due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

 

Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If a payment default or an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue, in its own name or as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of Principal of and interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

 

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series affected (voting as a single class), by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of Principal of or interest on any Security as specified in clauses (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02(e), the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as is then accelerable under Section 6.02) of the outstanding Securities of all series affected (voting as a single class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by this Indenture; provided, that the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders not joining in the giving of such direction; and provided further, that the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any directions received from Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 6.05.

 

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(a) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of all such series affected shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

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(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liabilities or expenses to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(e) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all such affected series have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request.

 

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

 

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of Principal of or interest, if any, on such Holder’s Security on or after the respective due dates expressed on such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series in payment of Principal or interest specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount (or such portion thereof as specified in the terms established pursuant to Section 2.03 of Original Issue Discount Securities) of Principal of, and accrued interest remaining unpaid on, together with interest on overdue Principal of, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest on, the Securities of such series, in each case at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all amounts owing the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any moneys, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Securities or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it under Section 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10. Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of Principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities and coupons appertaining to such Securities in respect of which moneys have been collected and noting thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series and tenor in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of such series and tenor if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 applicable to the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected;

 

SECOND: Subject to Article 11, in case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the 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 such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

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THIRD: Subject to Article 11, in case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for Principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue Principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon 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 Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such Principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of Principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over Principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such Principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and

 

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other person lawfully entitled thereto.

 

Section 6.11. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 6.12. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, in either case in respect to the Securities of any series, a court may require any party litigant in such suit (other than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.12 does not apply to a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, a suit instituted by the Trustee or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series.

 

Section 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Securities in Section 2.08, 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 remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 6.14. Delay or Omission not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders 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.

 

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01. General. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article 7.

 

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Section 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 315(a) through (d):

 

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel (or both), statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

 

(b) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to Section 10.04 and shall cover such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting 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 delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof;

 

(c) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents not regularly in its employ and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care;

 

(d) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

 

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(f) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 6.05 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

 

(g) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; and

 

(h) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, Board Resolution, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding.

 

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Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(b) and 311. For purposes of Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b)(4) and (6), the following terms shall mean:

 

(a) “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and

 

(b) “self-liquidating paper” 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, manufacturing, 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 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.

 

Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as statements of the Company and not of the Trustee and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. Neither the Trustee nor any of its agents (a) makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities and (b) shall be accountable for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Securities.

 

Section 7.05. Notice of Default. If any Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and if such Default is known to the actual knowledge of a Responsible Officer with the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to each Holder of Securities of such series notice of such Default within 90 days after it occurs (a) if any Unregistered Securities of such series are then outstanding, to the Holders thereof, by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London and (b) to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the mailing or publication of such notice; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15 following the date of this Indenture, deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

 

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

 

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing from time to time for its services. The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a Trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee or such predecessor Trustee. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s or such predecessor Trustee’s agents, counsel and other persons not regularly in their employ.

 

The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and hold them harmless against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by them without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture and the Securities or the issuance of the Securities or of series thereof or the trusts hereunder and the performance of duties under this Indenture and the Securities, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against or investigating any claim or liability and of complying with any process served upon them or any of their officers in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

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To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay Principal of, and interest on particular Securities.

 

The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the rejection or termination of this Indenture under bankruptcy law. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities or coupons, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, if the Trustee renders services and incurs expenses following an Event of Default under Section 6.01(d) or Section 6.01(e) hereof, the parties hereto and the holders by their acceptance of the Securities hereby agree that such expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

 

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and appointment of a successor Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Trustee may resign as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series at any time by so notifying the Company in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.11 of this Indenture; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect thereto. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may appoint a successor Trustee in respect of such Securities to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not deliver its written acceptance required by Section 7.09 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect thereto.

 

The Company shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee in respect of the Securities of such series to all Holders of Securities of such series. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to this Section 7.08 and Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

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

 

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

 

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under this Article and qualified under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 7.10. Successor Trustee By Merger, Etc. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee herein.

 

Section 7.11. Eligibility. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

Section 7.12. Money Held in Trust. The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in trust under Article 8 of this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 8

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

 

Section 8.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. If at any time (a) the Company shall have paid or caused to be paid the Principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series outstanding hereunder (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.08) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (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 2.08) or (c) (i) all the securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (ii) the Company shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Company in accordance with Section 8.04) or U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will insure (without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest) the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all 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 2.08) not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become due on or prior to such date of maturity or redemption as the case may be, and if, in any such case, the Company is not prohibited from making payments in respect of the Securities by Article 11 hereof and shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of such series (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of securities of such series, and the Company’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (iii) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (v) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities to receive amounts in respect of Principal of and interest on the Securities held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

 

Section 8.02. Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 8.04, all moneys (including U.S. Government Obligations and the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, Section 8.05 or Section 8.06 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for Principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Funds and U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Section 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06 shall not be subject to the claims of the holders of Senior Indebtedness under Article 11.

 

Section 8.03. Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

Section 8.04. Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the Principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such Principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Company and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

 

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Section 8.05. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. The Company shall be deemed to have paid and shall be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities of any series, on the 123rd day after the deposit referred to in clause (i) hereof has been made, and the provisions of this Indenture shall no longer be in effect with respect to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to: (a) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, and the Company’s right of optional redemption, (b) substitution of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, (c) rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), (d) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (e) the rights of the Securityholders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them; provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(i) with reference to this provision the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (i) money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee (x) the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities of such series on the due dates thereof and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(ii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee (A) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.05 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion of Counsel must be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect or a change in applicable federal income tax law or related treasury regulations after the date of this Indenture or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of Counsel and (B) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;

 

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

 

(iv) if at such time the Securities of such series are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge;

 

(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge under this Section have been complied with; and

 

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(vi) if the Securities of such series are to be redeemed prior to the final maturity thereof (other than from mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments), notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.

 

Section 8.06. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in, and this Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to, any covenant established pursuant to Section 2.03(r) and clause (c) (with respect to any covenants established pursuant to Section 2.03(r)) and clause (f) of Section 6.01 shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default, if

 

(a) with reference to this Section 8.06, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.11) as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, (i) money in an amount or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide not later than one day before the due dates thereof or earlier redemption (irrevocably provided for under agreements satisfactory to the Trustee), as the case may be, of any payment referred to in subclause (x) or (y) of this clause (a) money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge without consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee (x) the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the outstanding Securities on the due date thereof or earlier redemption (irrevocably provided for under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee), as the case may be, and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to the Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of Securities of such series and the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(b) the Company has delivered to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.06 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and after the passage of 123 days following the deposit, the trust fund will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law;

 

(c) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;

 

(d) if at such time the Securities of such series are listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securities of such series will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

 

(e) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under this Section have been complied with.

 

Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or paying agent is unable to apply any monies or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article until such time as the Trustee or paying agent is permitted to apply all such monies or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Article 8; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of Principal of or interest on any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the monies or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or paying agent.

 

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Section 8.08. Indemnity. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.08 and Section 8.02, the “Trustee”) against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06 or the principal or 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 Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

 

Section 8.09. Excess Funds. Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon request of the Company, any money or U.S. Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06 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 a discharge or defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article 8.

 

Section 8.10. Qualifying Trustee. Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 8.05 or 8.06 for the purpose of holding money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to such Sections shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.

 

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to or the consent of any Holder:

 

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture; provided that such amendments or supplements shall not materially and adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

 

(b) to comply with Article 5;

 

(c) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(d) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder with respect to the Securities of any or all series by a successor Trustee 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 7.09;

 

(e) to establish the form or forms or terms of Securities of any series or of the coupons appertaining to such Securities as permitted by Section 2.03;

 

(f) to provide for uncertificated or Unregistered Securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose; and

 

(g) to make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, without prior notice to any Holders, the Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Securities of any series with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment (all such series voting as a separate class), and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby (all such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

 

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Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

 

(a) change the stated maturity of the Principal of, or any sinking fund obligation or any installment of interest on, such Holder’s Security;

 

(b) reduce the Principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon (including any amount in respect of original issue discount);

 

(c) reduce the above stated percentage of outstanding Securities the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the Indenture with respect to the Securities of the relevant series; and

 

(d) reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Securities of the relevant series the consent of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture or for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain Defaults and their consequences provided for in this Indenture.

 

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series or of the coupons appertaining to such Securities.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of any Holder under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall give to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. 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 or waiver.

 

Section 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent. Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the Security of the consenting Holder, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of its Security. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective with respect to any Securities affected thereby on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the requisite Holders of outstanding Securities affected thereby.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which may be not less than five nor more than 60 days prior to the solicitation of consents) for the purpose of determining the Holders of the Securities of any series affected entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were such Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those Persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be such Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective with respect to the Securities of any series affected thereby, it shall bind every Holder of such Securities unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (d) of Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the type described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each such Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security that evidences the same indebtedness as the Security of the consenting Holder.

 

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Section 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of any Security, the Trustee may require the Holder thereof to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Security of such series thereafter authenticated. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security of the same series and tenor that reflects the changed terms.

 

Section 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, stating that all requisite consents have been obtained or that no consents are required and stating that such supplemental indenture constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article 9 shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939. This Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 10.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if written and (a) if delivered in person when received or (b) if mailed by first class mail 5 days after mailing, or (c) as between the Company and the Trustee if sent by facsimile transmission, when transmission is confirmed, in each case addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100

Bellevue, WA 98004

Telecopy: (206) 617-9797

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

if to the Trustee:

 

[Name of Trustee]

[Address]

Telecopy:

Attention:

 

The Company or the Trustee by written notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given to Holders of any Unregistered Securities, by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York, or with respect to any Security the interest on which is based on the offered quotations in the interbank Eurodollar market for dollar deposits at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London, and by mailing to the Holders thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee and to Holders of Registered Securities by mailing to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register. Notice mailed shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

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Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 10.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

In case it shall be impracticable to give notice as herein contemplated, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

Section 10.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

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

 

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

 

Section 10.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate required by Section 4.04) shall include:

 

(a) a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

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

 

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

 

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

Section 10.05. Evidence of Ownership. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the Holder of any Unregistered Security and the Holder of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Unregistered Security or coupon (whether or not such Unregistered Security or coupon shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. The fact of the holding by any Holder of an Unregistered Security, and the identifying number of such Security and the date of his holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Security or by a certificate executed by any trust company, bank, banker or recognized securities dealer wherever situated satisfactory to the Trustee, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. Each such certificate shall be dated and shall state that on the date thereof a Security bearing a specified identifying number was deposited with or exhibited to such trust company, bank, banker or recognized securities dealer by the person named in such certificate. Any such certificate may be issued in respect of one or more Unregistered Securities specified therein. The holding by the person named in any such certificate of any Unregistered Securities specified therein shall be presumed to continue for a period of one year from the date of such certificate unless at the time of any determination of such holding (1) another certificate bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Securities shall be produced or (2) the Security specified in such certificate shall be produced by some other Person, or (3) the Security specified in such certificate shall have ceased to be outstanding. Subject to Article 7, the fact and date of the execution of any such instrument and the amount and numbers of Securities held by the Person so executing such instrument may also be proven in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in any other manner which the Trustee may deem sufficient.

 

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The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Registered Security shall be registered upon the Security Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Registered Security (whether or not such Registered Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the Principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Registered Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

Section 10.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

Section 10.07. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day. Except as otherwise provided with respect to a series of Securities, if any date for payment of Principal or interest on any Security shall not be a Business Day at any place of payment, then payment of Principal of or interest on such Security, as the case may be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at any place of payment with the same force and effect as if made on such date and no interest shall accrue in respect of such payment for the period from and after such date.

 

Section 10.08. Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the Securities.

 

Section 10.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture or loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture or agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 10.10. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 10.11. Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 10.12. Separability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 10.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions hereof.

 

Section 10.14. Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Company Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or in any Security or any coupons appertaining thereto, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities and the coupons appertaining thereto by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities and the coupons appertaining thereto.

 

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Section 10.15. Judgment Currency. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the Principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Business Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 11

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 11.01. Agreement to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder by his acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article; and each person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof accepts and agrees that the Principal of and interest on all Securities issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner herein set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

 

Section 11.02. Payments to Securityholders. No payments on account of Principal of or interest on the Securities shall be made if at the time of such payment or immediately after giving effect thereto there shall exist a default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, and such default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, receivership, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshalling of assets and liabilities or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings of the Company, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, or payment thereof provided for in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made on account of the Principal of, or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, and upon any such liquidation, dissolution, winding up, receivership, reorganization, assignment, marshalling or proceeding, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee under this Indenture would be entitled, except for the provisions hereof, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full (including, without limitation, except to the extent, if any, prohibited by mandatory provisions of law, post-petition interest, in any such proceedings), after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities or to the Trustee under this Indenture.

 

41
 

 

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee under this Indenture or the Holders of the Securities before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or provision is made for such payment in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

For purposes of this Article, the words, “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of arrangement, reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated (at least to the extent provided in this Article with respect to the Securities) to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be outstanding; provided, that (i) the Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such arrangement, reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such arrangement, reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale, conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided in Article 5 shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article 5. Nothing in this Section shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Article 7. This Section shall be subject to the further provisions of Section 11.05.

 

Section 11.03. Subrogation of Securities. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Indebtedness; and no payments or distributions of cash, property or securities to or for the benefit of the Securityholders pursuant to the subrogation provision of this Article, which would otherwise have been paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or for the account of the Securities. It is understood that the provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness, on the other hand.

 

Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the Principal of and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holder of any Security or the Trustee on his behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, and the holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such liquidation, dissolution, winding up, receivership, reorganization, assignment or marshalling proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of the Securities, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.

 

42
 

 

Section 11.04. Authorization by Securityholders. Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes the Trustee in his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

 

Section 11.05. Notice to Trustee. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee and to any paying agent of any fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or any paying agent in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article or would end such prohibition. Regardless of anything to the contrary contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Senior Indebtedness or of any default or event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or of any other facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or which would end such prohibition, unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its principal Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an officer of the Company, or by a holder or agent of a holder of Senior Indebtedness or by the trustee under any indenture pursuant to which Senior Indebtedness shall be outstanding, who shall have been certified by the Company or otherwise established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee to be such holder or agent or trustee, and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such moneys shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the Principal of, or interest on any Security) the Trustee shall not have received with respect to such moneys the notice of prohibition provided for in this Section, then, regardless of anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or after such prior date.

 

Regardless of anything to the contrary herein, nothing shall prevent (a) any payment by the Company or the Trustee to the Securityholders of amounts in connection with a redemption of Securities if (i) notice of such redemption has been given pursuant to Article 3 prior to the receipt by the Trustee of written notice of prohibition as aforesaid, and (ii) such notice of redemption is given not earlier than 60 days before the redemption date, or (b) any payment by the Trustee to the Securityholders of amounts deposited with it pursuant to Sections 8.01, 8.05 or 8.06.

 

The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Indebtedness or a trustee or agent on behalf of any such holder. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not furnished the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

Section 11.06. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any such agent, of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to 7.07.

 

With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any other Person moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.

 

Section 11.07. No Impairment of Subordination. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with.

 

43
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  NOVO INTEGRATED SCIENCES, INC., as the Company
     
  By:             
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

____________________________________, as the

Trustee

     
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

44

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

ANTHONY L.G., PLLC

 

laura aNTHONy, esq

GEOFFREY ASHBURNE, ESQ*

JOHN CACOMANOLIS, ESQ**

CHAD FRIEND, ESQ, LLM

SVETLANA ROVENSKAYA, ESQ***

 

www.ANTHONYPLLC.com

WWW.SECURITIESLAWBLOG.COM

WWW.LAWCAST.COM

 

 

OF COUNSEL:

MICHAEL R. GEROE, ESQ, CIPP/US****

CRAIG D. LINDER, ESQ*****

PETER P. LINDLEY, ESQ, CPA, MBA

STUART REED, ESQ

MARC S. WOOLF, ESQ

 

DIRECT E-MAIL: LANTHONY@ANTHONYPLLC.COM

 

 

*licensed in CA

**licensed in FL and NY

***licensed in NY and NJ

****licensed in CA, DC, MO and NY

*****licensed in CA, FL and NY

 

March 15, 2021

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

11120 NE 2nd Street, Suite 100

Bellevue, WA 98004

 

Re: Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

 

Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special counsel to Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company of a registration statement on Form S-3 (including the Offering Prospectus constituting part thereof (the “Prospectus”)) to which this opinion letter has been filed as an exhibit (the “Registration Statement”), relating to the offer and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (A) by the Company of (i) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) debt securities consisting of senior notes, subordinated notes or debentures (the “Debt Securities”), (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), (v) rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities and Warrants (“Rights”), and (vi) units consisting of a combination of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants or Rights (the “Units”) and (B) by certain stockholders of the Company of 597,352 shares (the “Selling Stockholder Shares”) of the Common Stock. The Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights, and Units, plus any additional Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Rights and Units that may be registered pursuant to any subsequent registration statement that the Company may hereafter file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act in connection with the offering by the Company contemplated by the Registration Statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities being registered for sale by the Company are for a maximum aggregate offering price of $75,000,000. Such Securities may be offered and sold from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at which time it is contemplated that the Offering Prospectus included in the Registration Statement will be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”).

 

This opinion letter is furnished to you to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. §229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

 

In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have reviewed such corporate documents and records of the Company, such certificates of public officials and such other matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion letter. As to facts material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon oral and written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company. We also have assumed (a) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; (b) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; (c) the genuineness of all signatures; (d) the legal capacity of natural persons; and (e) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, factual matters, representations and warranties contained in all of such documents.

 

625 N. FLAGLER DRIVE, SUITE 600 ● WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ● 33401 • PHONE: 561-514-0936

● FAX 561-514-0832

 

 
 

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

March 15, 2021

Page 2

 

Based upon such examination, and subject to the further assumptions, qualifications and limitations contained herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1. The Common Stock to be sold by the Company (including any Common Stock duly issued upon (i) the exercise of duly issued Warrants or Rights and receipt by the Company of any additional consideration payable upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, or (ii) the exchange or conversion of Debt Securities or Preferred Stock which are exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock), upon issuance and delivery of certificates (or book-entry notation if uncertificated) for such Common Stock against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

2. The Preferred Stock to be sold by the Company (including any Preferred Stock duly issued upon (i) the exercise of duly issued Warrants or Rights and receipt by the Company of any additional consideration payable upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, or (ii) the exchange or conversion of Debt Securities that are exchangeable for or convertible into Preferred Stock), upon issuance and delivery of certificates (or book-entry notation if uncertificated) for such Preferred Stock against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Company’s Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

 

3. The Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon the exercise of Warrants or Rights and receipt by the Company of any additional consideration payable upon such exercise) upon due execution and delivery of an indenture relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the trustee named therein, and upon authentication by such trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company in accordance with the indenture and any supplemental indenture relating thereto, upon issuance and delivery of certificates (or book-entry notation if uncertificated) for such Debt Securities against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.

 

4. The Warrants, upon due execution and delivery of a warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon their issuance and delivery of certificates (or book-entry notation if uncertificated) for such Warrants against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.

 

5. The Rights, upon due execution and delivery of a rights agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the rights agent named therein and due authentication of the Rights by such rights agent, and upon their issuance and delivery of certificates (or book-entry notation if uncertificated) for such Rights against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.

 

6. The Units, upon due execution and delivery of a unit agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company, and upon their issuance and delivery of certificates (or book-entry notation if uncertificated) for such Units against payment therefor of such lawful consideration as the Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may determine, to the extent that such Units constitute Common Stock or Preferred Stock, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and to the extent such Units constitute Debt Securities and Warrants, will be validly issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.

 

7. The Selling Stockholder Shares have been validly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

625 N. FLAGLER DRIVE, SUITE 600 ● WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ● 33401 • PHONE: 561-514-0936

● FAX 561-514-0832

 

 
 

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

March 15, 2021

Page 3

 

In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, shall have become effective under the Securities Act and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) a Prospectus Supplement describing each class or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law and relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), will be timely filed with the Commission; (iii) the definitive terms of each class or series of Securities shall have been established in accordance with resolutions duly adopted by the Board (or an authorized committee thereof) (each, a “Board Action”), the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, (the “Articles”) and applicable law; (iv) the Company will issue and deliver the Securities in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, the applicable Prospectus Supplement and any applicable underwriting agreement; (v) the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable (including upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security) will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock, that the Company is then authorized to issue under its Articles; (vi) the Board Action authorizing the Company to issue, offer and sell the Securities will have been adopted by the Board (or an authorized committee thereof) and will be in full force and effect at all times at which the Securities are offered or sold by the Company; and (vii) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

With respect to any Securities consisting of Debt Securities, we have further assumed that: (i) such Debt Securities shall have been issued pursuant to an indenture (individually, and as supplemented from time to time, an “Indenture”) between the Company and a trustee to be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the “Trustee”); (ii) such Indenture shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company; (iii) all terms of such Debt Securities not provided for in such Indenture shall have been established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation approved by us and, if applicable, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee; (iv) such Debt Securities shall have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such Indenture; (v) such Debt Securities, as executed and delivered, do not violate any law applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; and (vi) such Debt Securities, as executed and delivered, comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

With respect to any Securities consisting of Warrants, we have further assumed that (i) such Warrants shall have been issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (individually, a “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and a warrant agent to be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the “Warrant Agent”); (ii) such Warrant Agreement shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company; (iii) all terms of such Warrants shall have been established in accordance with the provisions of such Warrant Agreement(s); (iv) such Warrants shall have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such Warrant Agreement(s); (v) such Warrants and the related Warrant Agreement(s), as executed and delivered, do not violate any law applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; and (vi) such Warrants and the related Warrant Agreement(s), as executed and delivered, comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, in any case whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

With respect to any Securities consisting of Rights, we have further assumed that (i) such Rights shall have been issued pursuant to a rights agreement (individually, a “Rights Agreement”) between the Company and a rights agent to be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the “Rights Agent”); (ii) such Rights Agreement shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company; (iii) all terms of such Rights shall have been established in accordance with the provisions of such Rights Agreement(s); (iv) such Rights shall have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such Rights Agreement(s); (v) such Rights and the related Rights Agreement(s), as executed and delivered, do not violate any law applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company; and (vi) such Rights and the related Rights Agreement(s), as executed and delivered, comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, in any case whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

625 N. FLAGLER DRIVE, SUITE 600 ● WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ● 33401 • PHONE: 561-514-0936

● FAX 561-514-0832

 

 
 

 

Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc.

March 15, 2021

Page 4

 

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under an Indenture may be dependent on such matters, we further have assumed for purposes of this opinion letter that the Trustee under each Indenture (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) is duly qualified to engage in activities contemplated by such Indenture; (iii) has duly authorized, executed and delivered such Indenture and such Indenture constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of such Trustee enforceable against such Trustee in accordance with its terms; (iv) is in compliance, with respect to acting as a trustee under such Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and (v) has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Indenture.

 

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Warrant or Warrant Agreement may be dependent on such matters, we further have assumed for purposes of this opinion letter that the Warrant Agent under each Warrant Agreement (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such Warrant Agreement; (iii) has duly authorized, executed and delivered such Warrant Agreement and such Warrant Agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of such Warrant Agent enforceable against such Warrant Agent in accordance with its terms; (iv) is in compliance, with respect to acting as a Warrant Agent under such Warrant Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and (v) has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Warrant Agreement.

 

To the extent that the obligations of the Company under any Rights or Rights Agreement may be dependent on such matters, we further have assumed for purposes of this opinion letter that the Rights Agent under each Rights Agreement (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by such Rights Agreement; (iii) has duly authorized, executed and delivered such Rights Agreement and such Rights Agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of such Rights Agent enforceable against such Rights Agent in accordance with its terms; (iv) is in compliance, with respect to acting as a Rights Agent under such Rights Agreement, with all applicable laws and regulations; and (v) has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Rights Agreement.

 

We express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of: (i) provisions relating to choice of law, choice of venue, jurisdiction or waivers of jury trial, or (ii) any waiver of any usury defense, or to the extent enforceability of any provisions may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity). This opinion letter is rendered as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law that may come to our attention, and we have assumed that no change in the facts stated or assumed herein or in applicable law after the date hereof will affect adversely our ability to render an opinion letter after the date hereof (i) containing the same legal conclusions set forth herein and (ii) subject only to such (or fewer) assumptions, limitations and qualifications as are contained herein.

 

We express no opinion herein as to the law of any state or jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Florida, applicable statutory provisions of the Private Corporations Chapter of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Nev. Rev. Stat. 78, including interpretations thereof in published decisions of the Nevada courts and applicable provisions of the Nevada Constitution, and the federal laws of the United States of America. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state antifraud law, rule, or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S−K under the Securities Act and to the reference to our firm therein and in the Prospectuses and any Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that this firm is within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

/s/ Laura E. Anthony  
Laura E. Anthony,  
For the Firm  

 

625 N. FLAGLER DRIVE, SUITE 600 ● WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ● 33401 • PHONE: 561-514-0936

● FAX 561-514-0832

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated December 9, 2020 with respect to the audited financial statements of Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. for the year ended August 31, 2020.

 

We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

  /s/ SRCO Professional Corporation
   

 

Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

March 15, 2021

CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS

Authorized to practice public accounting by the

Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated November 20, 2019 with respect to the audited financial statements of Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc. for the year ended August 31, 2019.

 

We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ NVS Professional Corporation

(formerly NVS Chartered Accountants Professional Corporation)

Markham, Ontario

March 15, 2021