ACCO FINANCE I, INC. to be merged with and into ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION $350,000,000 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Note Agreements
EX-4.4 6 dex44.htm REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 5, 2005 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 5, 2005

Exhibit 4.4

 

EXECUTION

 

ACCO FINANCE I, INC.

 

to be merged with and into

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

 

$350,000,000 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

August 5, 2005

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

ABN AMRO Incorporated

Harris Nesbitt Corp.

NatCity Investments, Inc.

Piper Jaffray & Co.

As Initial Purchasers

 

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
     388 Greenwich Street
     New York, New York 10013

 

- and -

 

c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
     85 Broad Street
     New York, New York 10004

 

As Representatives of the Initial Purchasers

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

ACCO Finance I, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (“ACCO Finance”), proposes among other things, to issue and sell to the several initial purchasers named in Schedule I hereto (the “Initial Purchasers”), for whom Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman, Sachs & Co. are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7 5/8 Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (the “Notes”) upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement dated August 2, 2005 (the “Purchase Agreement”) relating to the initial placement of the Notes (the “Initial Placement”). In connection with the consummation of the Escrow Merger (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) ACCO will assume the obligations of ACCO Finance under the Notes and the Indenture (as defined below) and each of the subsidiaries listed on Schedule II hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”),

including General Binding corporation a Delaware corporation (“GBC”) and each of its and ACCO Brand Corporation (“ACCO”) subsidiaries that guarantees ACCO’s obligations under ACCO’s Credit Agreement (as defined below), will guarantee the Notes on an unsecured senior basis (the “Guarantees”) (collectively, the “ACCO Assumption”). In connection with the ACCO Assumption each of ACCO and the Guarantors will deliver a joinder agreement (the “Joinder Agreement”) substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Prior to the ACCO Assumption (i) the term the “Company” and the “Issuer” shall refer to ACCO Finance as the issuer of the Notes and (ii) the term “Securities” shall refer to the Notes and after the ACCO Assumption (i) the term the “Company” shall refer to ACCO, as successor to ACCO Finance and issuer of the Notes, (ii) the term the “Issuers” shall refer to ACCO and the Guarantors and (iii) the term “Securities” shall refer to the Notes and the Guarantees. To induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and to satisfy a condition of your obligations thereunder, the Issuer hereby agrees with you for your benefit and the benefit of the holders from time to time of Securities and Exchange Securities (as defined below) (including the Initial Purchasers) (each a “Holder” and, together, the “Holders”), as follows:

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“ACCO” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“ACCO Assumption” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“ACCO Finance” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Agreement” shall mean this Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 405 under the Act and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Assumption Date” means the date and time of the ACCO Assumption.

 

“Broker-Dealer” shall mean any broker or dealer registered as such under the Exchange Act.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean the date of the first issuance of the Securities.

 

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

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“Deferral Period” shall have the meaning indicated in Section 4(k)(ii) hereof.

 

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

 

“Exchange Offer Registration Period” shall mean the period following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, exclusive of any period during which any stop order shall be in effect suspending the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement of the Issuers on an appropriate form under the Act with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer, all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments thereto, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Exchanging Dealer” shall mean any Holder (which may include any Initial Purchaser) that is a Broker-Dealer and elects to exchange for New Securities any Securities that it acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (but not directly from any Issuer or any Affiliate of any Issuer) for New Securities.

 

“Final Memorandum” shall mean the offering memorandum, dated August 2, 2005, relating to the Securities.

 

“GBC” shall have the meaning set forth with the preamble hereto.

 

“Guarantee” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Guarantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Holder” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Indenture” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Notes, dated as of August 5, 2005, between ACCO Finance and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as trustee, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

“Initial Placement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Issuers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d) hereof.

 

“Majority Holders” shall mean, on any date, Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Securities registered under a Registration Statement.

 

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“Managing Underwriters” shall mean the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that administer an underwritten offering, if any, under a Registration Statement.

 

“NASD Rules” shall mean the Conduct Rules and the By-Laws of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

 

“New Securities” shall mean debt securities of the Company and guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, in each case identical in all material respects to the applicable Securities (except that the transfer restrictions and additional interest provisions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate) to be issued under the New Securities Indenture.

 

“New Securities Indenture” shall mean an indenture among the Company, the Guarantors and the New Securities Trustee, identical in all material respects to the Indenture (except that the transfer restrictions and additional interest provisions shall be modified or eliminated, as appropriate), which may be the Indenture if in the terms thereof appropriate provision is made for the New Securities.

 

“New Securities Trustee” shall mean a bank or trust company reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, as trustee with respect to the New Securities under the New Securities Indenture.

 

“Notes” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Preliminary Memorandum” shall mean the preliminary offering memorandum, dated July 25, 2005, relating to the Securities.

 

“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Securities or the New Securities covered by such Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto, including any and all exhibits thereto and any information incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Registered Exchange Offer” shall mean the proposed offer of the Issuers to issue and deliver to the Holders of the Securities that are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in such offer, in exchange for the Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of the New Securities.

 

“Registrable Securities” shall mean (i) Securities other than those that have been (A) registered under a Registration Statement and disposed of in accordance therewith or (B) distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto that may be adopted by the Commission and (ii) any New Securities resale of which by the Holder thereof requires compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Act.

 

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“Registration Default Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.

 

“Registration Statement” shall mean any Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement that covers any of the Securities or the New Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, any amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments (in each case including the Prospectus contained therein), all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Representatives” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

“Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

 

“Shelf Registration Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Issuers pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 hereof which covers some or all of the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

“Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

“underwriter” shall mean any underwriter of Securities in connection with an offering thereof under a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

2. Registered Exchange Offer. (a) The Issuers shall prepare and, not later than 230 days following the Assumption Date, shall file with the Commission the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Registered Exchange Offer. The Issuers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Act within 300 days after the Assumption Date.

 

(b) Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Issuers shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder electing to exchange Securities for New Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an Affiliate of any of the Issuers, acquires the New Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business, has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities, is not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer and if not an Initial Purchaser holding Securities that have the status of an unsold allotment remaining from the initial distribution of the Securities) to trade such New Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations

 

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or restrictions under the Act and without material restrictions under the securities laws of a substantial proportion of the several states of the United States.

 

(c) In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:

 

(i) mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

 

(ii) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 Business Days and use commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Registered Exchange Offer not more than 30 Business Days after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or, in each case, longer if required by applicable law);

 

(iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective under the Act, supplemented and amended as required, under the Act to ensure that it is available for sales of New Securities by Exchanging Dealers during the Exchange Offer Registration Period;

 

(iv) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City, which may be the Trustee, the New Securities Trustee or an Affiliate of either of them;

 

(v) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Registered Exchange Offer is open;

 

(vi) if required by the Commission, prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, provide a supplemental letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Issuers are conducting the Registered Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (pub. avail. June 5, 1991); and (B) including a representation that the Issuers have not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the New Securities to be received in the Registered Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Issuers’ information and belief, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer is acquiring the New Securities in the ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Securities; and

 

(vii) comply in all respects with all laws that are applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(d) As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:

 

(i) accept for exchange all Securities tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

 

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(ii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 4(s) all Securities so accepted for exchange; and

 

(iii) cause the New Securities Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver to each Holder of Securities a principal amount of New Securities equal to the principal amount of the Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

 

(e) Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Registered Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the New Securities (x) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988) and Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (pub. avail. June 5, 1991), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993 and similar no-action letters; and (y) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Act in connection with any secondary resale transaction, which must be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Act if the resales are of New Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Securities acquired by such Holder directly from any Issuer or any Affiliate of any Issuer. Accordingly, each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to the Issuers that, at the time of the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer:

 

(i) any New Securities received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ii) such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Securities or the New Securities within the meaning of the Act;

 

(iii) such Holder is not an Affiliate of any Issuer; and

 

(iv) if such Holder is an Exchanging Dealer, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus in connection with a sale of any New Securities received by such Holder pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(f) If any Initial Purchaser determines that it is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the exchange of Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, at the request of such Initial Purchaser, the Issuers shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser or the person purchasing New Securities registered under a Shelf Registration Statement as contemplated by Section 3 hereof from such Initial Purchaser, in exchange for such Securities, a like principal amount of New Securities. The Issuers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP number for such New Securities as for New Securities issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer.

 

3. Shelf Registration. (a) If (i) due to any change in law or applicable interpretations thereof by the Commission’s staff, the Issuers determine upon advice of their outside counsel that they are not permitted to effect the Registered Exchange Offer as contemplated by

 

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Section 2 hereof; (ii) for any other reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective within 300 days after the Assumption Date or the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within 30 days (or longer to the extent that the Registered Exchange Offer is required by applicable law to remain open for more than 20 Business Days) after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective; (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests with respect to Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for New Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and that are held by it following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer; or (iv) any Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or does not receive freely tradeable New Securities in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment other than by reason of such Holder being an affiliate of the Company (it being understood that the requirement that an Initial Purchaser deliver the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in connection with sales of New Securities acquired in exchange for such Securities shall not result in such New Securities being not “freely tradeable”; the Issuers shall effect a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with subsection (b) below.

 

(b) (i) The Issuers shall as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 230 days after so required or requested pursuant to this Section 3), file with the Commission and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective under the Act and remain effective as provided herein, a Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of the Securities or the New Securities, as applicable, by the Holders thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by such Holders and set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder; and provided further, that with respect to New Securities received by an Initial Purchaser in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, the Issuers may, if permitted by current interpretations by the Commission’s staff, file a post-effective amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement containing the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in satisfaction of their obligations under this subsection with respect thereto, and any such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as so amended, shall be referred to herein as, and governed by the provisions herein applicable to, a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(ii) The Issuers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective, supplemented and amended as required by the Act, in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period the “Shelf Registration Period”) from the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission until the earliest of (A) the second anniversary of the Closing Date, (B) the date upon which all the Securities or New Securities, as applicable, covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or (C) the expiration of the time period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Act. The Issuers shall be deemed not to have used commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective during the Shelf Registration Period if they voluntarily take any action that would result in Holders of Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Securities at any time during the Shelf Registration Period, unless such action is (x) required by applicable law or otherwise undertaken by the Issuers in good faith and for valid business reasons (not including avoidance of

 

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the Issuers’ obligations hereunder), including the acquisition or divestiture of assets, or (y) permitted pursuant to Section 4(k)(ii) hereof.

 

(iii) The Issuers shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or such amendment or supplement, (A) to comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act; and (B) not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

4. Additional Registration Procedures. In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement and, to the extent applicable, any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the following provisions shall apply.

 

(a) The Issuers shall:

 

(i) furnish to each of the Representatives and to counsel for the Holders, not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any Shelf Registration Statement, and each amendment thereof and each amendment or supplement, if any, to the Prospectus included therein (including all documents incorporated by reference therein after the initial filing) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as the Representatives reasonably propose;

 

(ii) include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the cover page of the prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, in Annex B hereto in the forepart of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in a section setting forth details of the Exchange Offer, in Annex C hereto in the underwriting or plan of distribution section of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and in Annex D hereto in the letter of transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, in each case, subject to any changes, additions, deletions, or moving of such disclosure required or requested by the Commission or its staff;

 

(iii) if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; and

 

(iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include the names of the Holders that propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement as selling security holders.

 

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(b) The Issuers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that:

 

(i) any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Act; and

 

(ii) any Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(c) The Issuers shall advise the Representatives, the Holders of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement and any Exchanging Dealer under any Exchange Offer Registration Statement that has provided in writing to the Issuers a telephone or facsimile number and address for notices, and, if requested by any Representative or any such Holder or Exchanging Dealer, shall confirm such advice in writing (which notice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) of this subsection (c) shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the Issuers shall have remedied the basis for such suspension):

 

(i) when a Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

 

(ii) of any request by the Commission after the effective date for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information;

 

(iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose;

 

(iv) of the receipt by any Issuer of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the securities included therein for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and

 

(v) of the happening of any event that requires any change in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus so that, as of such date, they (A) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact and (B) do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

(d) The Issuers shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the qualification of the securities therein for sale in any jurisdiction and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

 

(e) The Issuers shall furnish to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least one copy of such Shelf Registration

 

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Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material incorporated therein by reference, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference therein).

 

(f) The Company shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver to each Holder of Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including the Preliminary Prospectus) included in such Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request. The Issuers consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(g) The Issuers shall furnish to each Exchanging Dealer which so requests, without charge, at least one conformed copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including all material incorporated by reference therein, and, if the Exchanging Dealer so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including exhibits incorporated by reference therein).

 

(h) The Issuers shall promptly deliver to each Initial Purchaser, each Exchanging Dealer and each other person required to deliver a Prospectus during the Exchange Offer Registration Period, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as any such person may reasonably request. The Issuers consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer and any such other person that may be required to deliver a Prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with the offering and sale of the New Securities covered by the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

(i) Prior to the Registered Exchange Offer or any other offering of Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement, the Issuers shall arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities or the New Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder shall reasonably request and shall maintain such qualification in effect so long as required; provided that in no event shall any Issuer be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the Initial Placement, the Registered Exchange Offer or any offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or to subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal amount in respect of doing business in such jurisdiction.

 

(j) The Company shall cooperate with the Holders of Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing New Securities or Securities to be issued or sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as Holders may reasonably

 

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request in writing at least three (3) Business Days prior to the closing date of any sales of New Securities.

 

(k) (i) Subject to paragraph (ii) below, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by subsections (c)(ii) through (v) above, the Issuers shall promptly (or within the time period provided for by clause (ii) hereof, if applicable) prepare a post-effective amendment to the applicable Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to the related Prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Initial Purchasers of the securities included therein, the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In such circumstances, the period of effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in Section 2 shall be extended by the number of days from and including the date of the giving of a notice of suspension pursuant to Section 4(c) to and including the date when the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Exchanging Dealer shall have received such amended or supplemented Prospectus pursuant to this Section 4(k).

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development or any other material event that, in the reasonable judgment of the Issuers, makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of a Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, the Issuers shall give notice (without notice of the nature or details of such events) to the Holders that the availability of the Shelf Registration is suspended and, upon actual receipt of any such notice, each Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration until such Holder’s receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in Section 3(i) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The period during which the availability of the Shelf Registration and any Prospectus is suspended (the “Deferral Period”) shall not exceed 60 days in any three-month period or 120 days in any twelve-month period. Any Registration Default Interest payable pursuant to Section 8 shall cease to accrue during any Deferral Period.

 

(l) Not later than the effective date of any Registration Statement, the Issuers shall provide a CUSIP number for the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, registered under such Registration Statement and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for such Securities or New Securities, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

 

(m) The Issuers shall comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and shall make generally available to their security holders an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act as soon as practicable after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement.

 

(n) The Issuers shall cause the New Securities Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act as required by applicable law in a timely manner.

 

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(o) The Issuers may require each Holder of securities to be sold pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Issuers such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such securities as the Issuers may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in such Registration Statement. The Issuers may exclude from such Shelf Registration Statement the Securities of any Holder that fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

(p) In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, upon the request of the Majority Holders, the Issuers shall enter into customary agreements (including, if requested, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other appropriate actions, if any, as the Majority Holders may reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of the Securities, and in connection therewith, if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in Section 6 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to the Majority Holders and the Managing Underwriters, if any) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to Section 7.

 

(q) In the case of any Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers shall, if requested:

 

(i) make reasonably available for inspection by the Holders of Securities to be registered thereunder, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Issuers and their subsidiaries; provided that any such inspection of any such records and documents shall be coordinated on behalf of the Holders by the counsel designated as described in Section 5; provided further that, if such information is deemed confidential by the Issuers, each person receiving such information shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to take all actions reasonably necessary to protect such confidentiality;

 

(ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with any such Registration Statement as is customary for similar due diligence examinations; provided that any such inspection of any such records and documents shall be coordinated on behalf of the Holders by the counsel designated as described in Section 5; provided further that, if such information is deemed confidential by the Issuers, each person receiving such information shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to take all actions reasonably necessary to protect such confidentiality;

 

(iii) in connection with an underwritten offering pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, make such representations and warranties to the Holders of Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance

 

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and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings;

 

(iv) in connection with an underwritten offering pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, obtain opinions of counsel to the Issuers and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Underwriters, if any) addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering such matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Holders and underwriters;

 

(v) in connection with an underwritten offering pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, obtain “comfort” letters and updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each selling Holder of Securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings; and

 

(vi) in connection with an underwritten offering pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Majority Holders or the Managing Underwriters, if any, including those to evidence compliance with Section 4(k) and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Issuers.

 

The actions set forth in clauses (iii), (v) and (vi) of this paragraph (q) shall be performed at (A) the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and each post-effective amendment thereto. The actions set forth in clause (iv) shall be performed at, and the actions set forth in clauses (iii), (v) and (vi) shall be reaffirmed at, each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent required thereunder.

 

(r) If a Registered Exchange Offer is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Securities by Holders to the Issuers (or to such other person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the New Securities, the Issuers shall mark, or cause to be marked, on the Securities so exchanged that such Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the New Securities. In no event shall the Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

 

(s) In the event that any Broker-Dealer shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the NASD Rules) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect

 

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thereof, or otherwise, the Issuers shall assist such Broker-Dealer in complying with the NASD Rules.

 

(t) The Issuers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Securities or the New Securities, as the case may be, covered by a Registration Statement.

 

5. Registration Expenses. The Issuers shall bear all expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their obligations under Sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof and, in the event of any Shelf Registration Statement, will reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm or counsel (which shall initially be Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, but which may be another nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities matters designated by the Majority Holders) to act as counsel for the Holders in connection therewith, in each case which counsel shall be approved by the Company (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld). Each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel other than as set forth in the preceding sentence, underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Securities or New Securities.

 

6. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Issuers, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Registration Statement, each Initial Purchaser and, with respect to any Prospectus delivery as contemplated in Section 4(h) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer, the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents of each such Holder, Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer and each person who controls any such Holder, Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Issuers will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of the party claiming indemnification specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability that the Issuers may otherwise have. The Issuers shall not be liable under this Section 6 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are

 

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actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the Issuers, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

The Issuers also agree to indemnify as provided in this Section 6(a) or contribute as provided in Section 6(d) hereof to Losses of each underwriter, if any, of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, registered under a Shelf Registration Statement, their directors, officers, employees, Affiliates or agents and each person who controls such underwriter on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Initial Purchasers and the selling Holders provided in this Section 6(a) and shall, if requested by the Majority Holders, enter into an underwriting agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in Section 4(p) hereof.

 

(b) Each Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement (including each Initial Purchaser that is a Holder, in such capacity) severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, each of their respective directors, each of their respective officers who signs such Registration Statement and each person who controls any Issuer within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each such Holder, but only with reference to written information relating to such Holder furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that any such Holder may otherwise have.

 

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 or notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6 unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (which shall be one firm and any necessary local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize

 

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the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

 

(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party shall have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, liability, damage or action) (collectively “Losses”) to which such indemnified party may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement and the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses; provided, however, that in no case shall any Initial Purchaser be responsible, in the aggregate, for any amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to such Security, or in the case of a New Security, applicable to the Security that was exchangeable into such New Security, as set forth in the Purchase Agreement, nor shall any underwriter be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the securities purchased by such underwriter under the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of such indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Issuers shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the Initial Placement (before deducting expenses) as set forth in the Final Memorandum. Benefits received by the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase discounts and commissions as set forth in the Purchase Agreement, and benefits received by any other Holders shall be deemed to be equal to the value of receiving Securities or New Securities, as applicable, registered under the Act. Benefits received by any underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the indemnifying party, on the one hand, or by the indemnified party, on the other hand, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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For purposes of this Section 6(d), each person who controls a Holder within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of such Holder shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls any Issuer within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of any Issuer who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of any Issuer shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

 

(e) The provisions of this Section will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or the Issuers or any of the indemnified persons referred to in this Section 6, and will survive the sale by a Holder of securities covered by a Registration Statement.

 

7. Underwritten Registrations. (a) If any of the Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, covered by any Shelf Registration Statement are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Managing Underwriters shall be selected by the Majority Holders, subject to the consent of the Issuers (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Holders of Securities or New Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement shall be responsible for all underwriting commissions and discounts.

 

(a) No person may participate in any underwritten offering pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement, unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements; and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

8. Registration Defaults. If any of the following events shall occur, then the Company shall pay additional interest (the “Registration Default Interest”) to the Holders of Securities in respect of the Securities as follows:

 

(a) if any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in this Agreement, then Registration Default Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Securities at a rate of .25% per annum for the first 90 days from and including such specified date and by .25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such rate exceed 1.00% per annum; or

 

(b) if any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date by which commercially reasonable best efforts are to be used to cause such effectiveness under this Agreement, then commencing on the day after such specified date, Registration Default Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Securities at a rate of .25% per annum for the first 90 days from and including such specified date and by .25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such rate exceed 1.00% per annum; or

 

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(c) subject to the last sentence of Section 4(k)(ii), if any Registration Statement required by this Agreement has been declared effective but ceases to be effective at any time at which it is required to be effective under this Agreement, then commencing on the day the Registration Statement ceases to be effective, Registration Default Interest shall accrue on the Registrable Securities at a rate of .25% per annum for the first 90 days from and including such date on which the Registration Statement ceases to be effective and by .25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such rate exceed 1.00% per annum;

 

provided, however, that (1) upon the filing of the Registration Statement (in the case of paragraph (a) above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (in the case of paragraph (b) above), or (3) upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of paragraph (c) above), Registration Default Interest shall cease to accrue.

 

9. No Inconsistent Agreements. No Issuer has entered into, and agrees not to enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or that otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

10. Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers have obtained the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities outstanding; provided that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Issuers shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser against which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent is to be effective; provided, further, that no amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to Section 8 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registered Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder; and provided, further, that the provisions of this Section 10 may not be amended, qualified, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Issuers have obtained the written consent of the Initial Purchasers and each Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing (except the foregoing provisos), a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by the Majority Holders, determined on the basis of Securities or New Securities, as the case may be, being sold rather than registered under such Registration Statement.

 

11. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail, telex, telecopier or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

 

(a) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such holder to the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11, which address initially is, with respect to each Holder, the address of such Holder maintained by the Registrar under the Indenture;

 

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(b) if to the Representatives, initially at the address or addresses set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and

 

(c) if to any Issuer, initially at its address set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when received.

 

The Initial Purchasers or the Issuers by notice to the other parties may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

12. Remedies. Each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided to it herein, in the Indenture or in the Purchase Agreement or granted by law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Issuers agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive in any action for specific performance the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

13. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns, including, without the need for an express assignment or any consent by the Issuers thereto, subsequent Holders of Securities and the New Securities, and the indemnified persons referred to in Section 6. The Issuers hereby agree to extend the benefits of this Agreement to any Holder of Securities and the New Securities, and any such Holder may specifically enforce the provisions of this Agreement as if an original party hereto.

 

14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

15. Headings. The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

16. Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PARTIES HERETO EACH HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH ISSUER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST AN ISSUER BROUGHT BY ANY HOLDER OR INITIAL PURCHASER, THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES AND AGENTS OF ANY HOLDER OR INITIAL PURCHASER, OR BY ANY PERSON WHO CONTROLS ANY HOLDER OR INITIAL PURCHASER, ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY MAY BE INSTITUTED IN ANY STATE OR U.S. FEDERAL COURT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE

 

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NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

 

17. Severability. In the event that any one of more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

18. Securities Held by Any Issuer, etc. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities or New Securities is required hereunder, Securities or New Securities, as applicable, held by any Issuer or any Affiliate of any Issuer (other than subsequent Holders of Securities or New Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be Affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities or New Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

 

19. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate if the Company completes a Special Mandatory Redemption (as defined in the Indenture).

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement by and among the Issuer and the several Initial Purchasers.

 

Very truly yours,

ACCO FINANCE I, INC.

By:   /s/    NEAL V. FENWICK        
   

Name:

   Neal V. Fenwick
   

Title:

   Vice President and Assistant Treasurer

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby

confirmed and accepted as of the

date first above written.

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

ABN AMRO Incorporated

Harris Nesbitt Corp.

NatCity Investments, Inc.

Piper Jaffray & Co.

As Initial Purchasers

By:  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

By:   /s/    BARBARA R. MATAS        
   

Name:

   Barbara R. Matas
   

Title:

   Managing Director
   

For itself and the other Initial Purchasers.

By:  

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

By:  

/s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.

   

(Goldman, Sachs & Co.)

   

For itself and the other Initial Purchasers

 

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SCHEDULE I

 

Initial Purchasers

   

Principal Amount
of Securities

to be Purchased

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    $ 149,939,300

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

      114,660,700

ABN AMRO Incorporated

      66,150,000

Harris Nesbitt Corp.

      12,250,000

NatCity Investments, Inc

      3,500,000

Piper Jaffray & Co

      3,500,000
    

Total

    $ 350,000,000
    

SCHEDULE II

 

Guarantors

 

ACCO Brands USA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Boone International, Inc., a California corporation

Day-Timers, Inc., a Delaware corporation

General Binding Corporation, a Delaware corporation

GBC International, Inc., a Nevada corporation

VeloBind, Inc., a Delaware corporation

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Joinder Agreement

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of                 , 2005, among ACCO Brands Corporation (f/k/a ACCO World Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, as defined below, and, together with the Company, the “Joinder Parties”) and the Representatives (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), in connection with the ACCO Assumption (as defined the registration rights agreement dated August 5, 2005, as amended from time to time, among ACCO Finance I, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ACCO Finance”), and the Initial Purchasers named therein (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the corresponding meanings assigned to them in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, ACCO Finance and the Initial Purchasers have heretofore executed and delivered the Registration Rights Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the escrow agreement, dated as of August 5, 2005, among ACCO Finance, the Company, Wachovia Bank, National Association and Citbank, N.A., Agency & Trust as a condition to the release of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes, each of the Company and the Guarantors is required to become a party to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby agree for the benefit of the Holders, as follows:

 

1. Each of the Joinder Parties hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Registration Rights Agreement and all other documents it has requested in connection with entering into this joinder agreement (the “Joinder”), and acknowledges and agrees, as indicated by its signature below, to (i) join and become a party to the Registration Rights Agreement; (ii) be bound by all covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgments attributable to it under the Registration Rights Agreement as if made by, and with respect to, such signatory hereto; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of it pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

2. Each of the Joinder Parties hereby represents and warrants to and agrees with the Initial Purchasers that it has all the requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Joinder and that when this Joinder is executed and delivered, it will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement enforceable against each of the undersigned in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a preceding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

A-1

3. This Joinder may be signed in one or more counterparts (which maybe delivered in original form or telecopier), each of which shall constitute an original when so executed and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

4. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Joinder, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties thereto.

 

5. THIS JOINDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE PARTIES HERETO EACH HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS JOINDER. EACH JOINDER PARTY AGREES THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST A JOINDER PARTY BROUGHT BY ANY HOLDER OR INITIAL PURCHASER, THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES AND AGENTS OF ANY HOLDER OR INITIAL PURCHASER, OR BY ANY PERSON WHO CONTROLS ANY HOLDER OR INITIAL PURCHASER, ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS JOINDER MAY BE INSTITUTED IN ANY STATE OR U.S. FEDERAL COURT IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement this      day of                     , 2005.

 

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

ACCO BRANDS USA LLC

BOONE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

DAY-TIMERS, INC.

GENERAL BINDING CORPORATION

GBC INTERNATIONAL, INC.

VELOBIND, INC.

By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

 

The foregoing Joinder is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
By:    
   

Name:

   

Title:

   

For itself and the other Initial Purchasers.

   

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

By:    
   

(Goldman, Sachs & Co.)

   

For itself and the other Initial Purchasers

 

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ANNEX A

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new securities received in exchange for securities where such securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuers have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution”.

 

A-1

ANNEX B

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account in exchange for securities, where such securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. See “Plan of Distribution”.

 

B-1

ANNEX C

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Each broker-dealer that receives new securities for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new securities received in exchange for securities where such securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuers have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business 180 days after the expiration date, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. [In addition, until                 ,             , all dealers effecting transactions in the new securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.]

 

The Issuers will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new securities by broker-dealers. New securities received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new securities. Any broker-dealer that resells new securities that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such new securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit of any such resale of new securities and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

For a period of 180 days after the expiration date, the Company will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. The Issuers have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of the securities) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the securities (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

[If applicable, add information required by Regulation S-K Items 507 and/or 508.]

 

C-1

ANNEX D

 

Rider A

 

PLEASE FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS BELOW IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

 

Name:    ___________________________
Address:    ___________________________
     ___________________________

 

Rider B

 

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it acquired the new securities in the ordinary course of its business, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of new securities and it has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in a distribution of the new securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive new securities for its own account in exchange for securities, it represents that the securities to be exchanged for new securities were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.