SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED SSI CO-ISSUER LLC AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO $310,000,000 11.125% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018 INDENTURE Dated as of May 26, 2010 Wilmington TrustFSB Trustee TABLE OF CONTENTS

EX-4.2 27 dex42.htm INDENTURE DATED AS OF MAY 26,2010 Indenture dated as of May 26,2010

Exhibit 4.2

SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED

SSI CO-ISSUER LLC

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

$310,000,000

11.125% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 26, 2010

 

 

Wilmington Trust FSB

Trustee


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01

   Definitions    1

Section 1.02

   Other Definitions    30

Section 1.03

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    31

Section 1.04

   Rules of Construction    31
ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01

   Form and Dating    32

Section 2.02

   Execution and Authentication    34

Section 2.03

   Registrar and Paying Agent    34

Section 2.04

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    34

Section 2.05

   Holder Lists    35

Section 2.06

   Transfer and Exchange    35

Section 2.07

   Replacement Notes    47

Section 2.08

   Outstanding Notes    47

Section 2.09

   Treasury Notes    48

Section 2.10

   Temporary Notes    48

Section 2.11

   Cancellation    48

Section 2.12

   Defaulted Interest    48

Section 2.13

   CUSIP Numbers    49
ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01

   Notices to Trustee    49

Section 3.02

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased    49

Section 3.03

   Notice of Redemption    50

Section 3.04

   Effect of Notice of Redemption    50

Section 3.05

   Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price    51

Section 3.06

   Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part    51

Section 3.07

   Optional Redemption    51

Section 3.08

   Special Mandatory Redemption    52

Section 3.09

   Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds    52

Section 3.10

   Redemption for Changes in Taxes    55
ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01

   Payment of Notes    56

Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    56

Section 4.03

   Reports    57

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate    58

Section 4.05

   Taxes    58

Section 4.06

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws    58

Section 4.07

   Limitation on Restricted Payments    59

Section 4.08

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries    65

 

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Section 4.09    Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock    66
Section 4.10    Asset Sales    72
Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates    73
Section 4.12    Liens    75
Section 4.13    Corporate Existence    76
Section 4.14    Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control    76
Section 4.15    Additional Guarantees    78
Section 4.16    Limitation on Activities of the Issuers and Bidco Prior to the Escrow Release Date    78
Section 4.17    Covenant Suspension    79
Section 4.18    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries    80
Section 4.19    Additional Amounts.    80
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets    82
Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted    84
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01    Events of Default    85
Section 6.02    Acceleration    87
Section 6.03    Other Remedies    87
Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults    88
Section 6.05    Control by Majority    88
Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits    89
Section 6.07    Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment    89
Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee    89
Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    89
Section 6.10    Priorities    90
Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs    90
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee    90
Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee    91
Section 7.03    Individual Rights of Trustee    92
Section 7.04    Trustee’s Disclaimer    92
Section 7.05    Notice of Defaults    92
Section 7.06    Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes    93
Section 7.07    Compensation and Indemnity    93
Section 7.08    Replacement of Trustee    94
Section 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    95
Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification    95
Section 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers    95
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    95
Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge    95
Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance    96

 

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Section 8.04    Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance    96
Section 8.05    Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    97
Section 8.06    Repayment to Issuers    98
Section 8.07    Reinstatement    98
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes    98
Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders of Notes    100
Section 9.03    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    101
Section 9.04    Revocation and Effect of Consents    101
Section 9.05    Notation on or Exchange of Notes    102
Section 9.06    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    102
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01    Guarantee    102
Section 10.02    Limitation on Guarantor Liability    103
Section 10.03    Execution and Delivery of Guarantee    103
Section 10.04    Reserved    104
Section 10.05    Releases    104
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01    Satisfaction and Discharge    105
Section 11.02    Application of Trust Money    106
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01    Trust Indenture Act Controls    106
Section 12.02    Notices    106
Section 12.03    Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes    108
Section 12.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    108
Section 12.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    108
Section 12.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents    108
Section 12.07    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    108
Section 12.08    Governing Law    109
Section 12.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    109
Section 12.10    Successors    109
Section 12.11    Severability    109
Section 12.12    Counterpart Originals    109
Section 12.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    109

 

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EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A1    FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit A2    FORM OF REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D   

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED

INVESTOR

Exhibit E    FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

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INDENTURE dated as of May 26, 2010 among SSI Investments II Limited, an Irish private limited company (“Issuer”) and SSI Co-Issuer LLC (“Co-Issuer” and, together with Issuer, “Issuers”), a Delaware limited liability company, the Guarantors (as defined herein) and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee.

The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging or amalgamating with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Acquisition” means the acquisition of SkillSoft by Bidco pursuant to the Scheme, including payment of the consideration thereof.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

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

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any date of redemption, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; and

 

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(2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such date of redemption of (i) the redemption price of such Note at June 1, 2014 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07 hereof), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through June 1, 2014 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points; over (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction) of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale in the ordinary course of business (it being understood that the sale of inventory or goods (or other assets) in bulk in connection with the closing of any number of retail locations in the ordinary course of business shall be considered a sale in the ordinary course of business);

(2) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuers in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control hereunder;

(3) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, in accordance with Section 4.07 hereof or the making of any Permitted Investment;

(4) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $5.0 million;

(5) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer;

(6) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business;

(7) the lease, assignment, sublease, license or sublicense of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(8) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(9) foreclosures on or expropriations of assets;

(10) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility, or the disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business;

(11) the granting of a Lien that is permitted under Section 4.12 hereof;

(12) the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock that is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; and

(13) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations, permitted by this Indenture.

“Bank Products” means any services or facilities on account of credit or debit cards, purchase cards or merchant services constituting a line of credit.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

“Bidco” means SSI Investments III Limited.

Board of Directors” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Broker-Dealer” means any broker or dealer registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Stock” means:

 

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(1) in the case of a corporation, shares in the capital of such corporation;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars and Canadian dollars;

(2)(a) euro, or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or (b) in the case of any non-US Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, such local currencies held by them from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits and Eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination in the case of non-U.S. banks), and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (1) or (2) above;

(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3) and (4) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above, and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (1) or (2) above;

(6) commercial paper rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof, and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (1) or (2) above;

(7) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and in a currency permitted under clause (1) or (2) above;

 

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(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(9) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of A or higher from S&P or A2 or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (1) or (2) above;

(10) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and in each case in a currency permitted under clause (1) or (2) above;

(11) investment funds investing substantially all of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (10) above; and

(12) credit card receivables and debit card receivables so long as such are considered cash equivalents under GAAP and are so reflected on any the Issuer’s balance sheet.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) and (2) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

“Cash Management Services” means any of the following to the extent not constituting a line of credit: ACH transactions, treasury and/or cash management services, including, without limitation, controlled disbursement services, foreign exchange facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date.

(1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions (other than by way of merger or consolidation), of all or substantially all of the assets of any of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one or more Permitted Holders;

(2) the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by (A) any Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) or (B) Persons (other than one or more Permitted Holders) that are together (1) a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), or (2) are acting, for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), as a group, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies holding directly or indirectly 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer;

(3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Issuer are not Continuing Directors;

 

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(4) adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer, other than a transaction complying with Section 5.01 hereof; or

(5) the first day on which (a) the Co-Issuer ceases to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer or (b) the Issuer ceases to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of SSI Investments I (Ireland).

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

Closing Date” means (1) the Issue Date, if the Acquisition is completed on or prior to the Issue Date, or (2) the Escrow Release Date, if the Acquisition is completed after the Issue Date.

Companies Act” means the Companies Act 1963 of Ireland.

Consolidated Cash Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(1) consolidated cash interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (including (a) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (b) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (c) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness (other than costs associated with obtaining or terminating such Hedging Obligations), but for the avoidance of doubt, excluding accretion of original issue discount, amortization of deferred financing costs, and any commitment, agency and similar financing fees), net of cash interest income for such period; plus

(2) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock (other than Designated Preferred Stock) during such period; plus

(3) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of deferred financing fees of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur to (2) the Issuer’s EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur.

 

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In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is made (the “Consolidated Leverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, amalgamations, mergers and consolidations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Consolidated Leverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, amalgamations, mergers and consolidations (and any change in Consolidated Total Indebtedness or EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger or consolidation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation (including the Transactions) and the amount of income or earnings relating thereto, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized).

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that, without duplication,

(1) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses, Transaction Expenses, severance, relocation costs, integration costs, consolidation and closing costs for facilities, signing, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, costs incurred in connection with acquisitions after the Issue Date, restructuring costs, and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded,

(2) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period,

(3) any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations shall be excluded,

 

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(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by the Issuers, shall be excluded,

(5) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period by such Person,

(6) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(iii)(A) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded (unless such Net Income for such period represents a loss) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

(7) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the merchandise inventory, property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets, deferred revenue and debt line items in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

(8) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(9) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, in each case, pursuant to GAAP and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,

(10) any non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grant of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other equity-incentive programs, shall be excluded,

(11) any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Closing Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded,

 

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(12) accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the Closing Date that are so required to be established as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded,

(13) any net gain or loss resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk) and any foreign currency translation gains or losses shall be excluded, and

(14) any unrealized net gains and losses resulting from Hedging Obligations and the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 shall be excluded.

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than Section 4.07(a)(iii)(D) hereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(a)(iii)(D).

“Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur to (2) the Issuer’s EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all obligations relating to Receivables Facilities and Hedging Obligations incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(10) hereof) and (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries under any revolving credit facility as at any date of determination shall be determined using the Average Monthly Balance of such Indebtedness for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available as of such date of

 

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determination (the “Reference Period”). For purposes hereof, (a) the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Issuer, (b) “Average Monthly Balance” means, with respect to any Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries under a revolving facility, the quotient of (x) the sum of each Individual Monthly Balance for each fiscal month ended on or prior to such date of determination and included in the Reference Period divided by (y) 12, and (c) “Individual Monthly Balance” means, with respect to any Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries under a revolving credit facility during any fiscal month of the Issuer, the quotient of (x) the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness at the end of each day of such fiscal month divided by (y) the number of days in such fiscal month.

“Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,

(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

(2) to advance or supply funds

(a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or

(b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or

(3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer who:

(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the Issue Date;

(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election; or

(3) otherwise receives the vote, directly or indirectly, of one or more Investors in his or her election by the stockholders of SSI Investments I Limited.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuers.

 

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“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any Notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, Notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

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

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale, redemption, repurchase of, or collection or payment on, such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

“Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any parent company thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of each of the Issuers or the applicable parent company thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(iii) hereof.

“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock

 

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is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period

(1) increased (without duplication) by:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(b) consolidated interest expense of such Person for such period, to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including

(i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes and the Senior Credit Facilities and

(ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes and the Senior Credit Facilities, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(e) the amount of any restructuring charge or reserve deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(f) any other non-cash charges, including (i) any write offs or write downs, (ii) equity-based awards compensation expense, (iii) losses on sales, disposals or abandonment of, or any impairment charges or asset write off related to, intangible assets, long-lived assets and investments in debt and equity securities, (iv) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method, and (v) other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses or non-cash losses reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(g) the amount of any expense associated with minority interest consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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(h) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 4.11 hereof and deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(i) the amount of loss on sale of receivables and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Receivables Facility; plus

(j) any costs or expense incurred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(iii) hereof; plus

(k) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations; plus

(l) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (2) below for any previous period and not added back,

(2) decreased (without duplication) by:

(a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase EBITDA in such prior period, plus

(b) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations; and

(3) increased or decreased by (without duplication), as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Interpretation No. 45 (Guarantees).

“EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.

“Equity Contribution” means the cash contribution to the share capital of the Issuer made by the Investors on or prior to the Closing Date.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or, to the extent the net proceeds therefrom are contributed to the common equity capital of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, other than:

(1) any such public or private sale of Disqualified Stock;

 

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(2) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any of its direct or indirect parent companies’ common stock registered on Form S-8;

(3) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and

(4) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

“Escrow Account” means the account established under the Escrow Agreement in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

“Escrow Agent” means Wilmington Trust FSB, as escrow agent under the Escrow Agreement.

“Escrow Agreement” means that certain Senior Notes Escrow and Security Agreement, dated the Issue Date, by and among the Issuers, the Escrow Agent, the Trustee and the Initial Purchasers.

“Escrow Investment” means an investment in a money market mutual fund (including any such fund for which the Escrow Agent or an Affiliate provides investment advice or other services) that:

(1) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and operated in accordance with Rule 2a-7;

(2) is rated Aaa by Moody’s and/or AAAm by S&P; and

(3) invests solely in (x) marketable securities issued by the government of the United States of America and supported by the full faith and credit of the Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, either by statute or an opinion of the Attorney General of the United States, (y) marketable debt securities, rated Aaa by Moody’s and/or AAA by S&P, issued by enterprises sponsored by the government of the United States of America, federal agencies of the United States of America, federal financing banks of the United States of America, and international institutions whose capital stock has been subscribed for by the United States of America, or (z) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty days, 102 percent collateralized, for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (x) and (y) above, entered into with any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state, provided that, at the date of acquisition, such investment, and/or the commercial paper or other short term debt obligation of such bank or trust company or its respective Affiliate has a short-term credit rating or ratings from Moody’s and/or S&P, each at least P-1 or A-1.

For purposes of this definition, all rating requirements will be determined as of the time the applicable Escrow Investment is made.

“Escrow Release Date” means the date on which all funds are released from the Escrow Account pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

“euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

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

 

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Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Issuer from

(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and

(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Issuer) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(iii) hereof;

“Excluded Subsidiary” shall mean (a) any Immaterial Subsidiary, (b) the Co-Issuer, (c) any Restricted Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable law from guaranteeing the Notes (for so long as such prohibition exists) and (d) any Receivables Subsidiary.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by (i) an Officer of the Issuer or (ii) with respect to any transaction amount in excess of $15.0 million, the Board of Directors of the Issuer (in each case, unless otherwise provided hereunder).

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on the Closing Date.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 or Exhibit A2 hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

“Government Securities” means securities that are:

(1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

 

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(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

“guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations hereunder and the Notes.

“Guarantor” means, each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, commodity price or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrar’s books.

“IAI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor and that (a) individually either (i) contributed less than 3.0% of Consolidated Net Income for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination and/or (ii) has assets (excluding intercompany balances) representing less than 3.0% of Total Assets (but excluding intercompany balances) for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ended on or prior to the date of determination, or (b) when aggregated with all other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, (i) contributed less than 5% of Consolidated Net Income for the period of four fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination and/or (ii) has Total Assets (excluding intercompany balances), representing less than 5% or more of Total Assets (excluding intercompany balances) for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter ended on or prior to the date of determination.

 

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“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), except (i) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and is not paid after becoming due and payable; or

(4) representing any Hedging Obligations;

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (b) commercial letters of credit or (c) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Similar Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes” means the first $310 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Barclays Capital Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

“Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

 

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“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating for the Notes equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or, in either case, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

“Investment Grade Securities” means:

(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(2) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, credit card and debit card receivables, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

(1) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

  (a) the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; less

 

  (b) the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.

 

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Investors” means Berkshire Partners LLC, Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Advent International Corporation, each of their respective Affiliates and any investment funds advised or managed by any of the foregoing, but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

“Issue Date” means the date the Notes are first issued under this Indenture.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required to remain closed in the State of New York.

“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuers and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

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

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale or any amount placed in escrow until such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount returned to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) secured by a Lien on the assets disposed of required (other than required by Section 4.10(b)(1) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable

 

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state, federal or foreign law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors (or in the case of the Issuer, any Director), the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as the case may be.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer, by an Officer of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer.

Parent ” means any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

“Permitted Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any Net Proceeds received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof.

“Permitted Holders” means each of the Investors and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies. Any person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of Section 4.14 hereof (or would result in a Change of Control Offer in the absence of the waiver of such requirement by Holders in accordance with Section 4.14 hereof) will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

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(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, either of the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary,

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

(4) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10(a) or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5) any Investment existing on the Closing Date and any extension, modification, replacement or renewal of any such Investments existing on the Closing Date, but only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases thereof other than as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such Investment as in effect on the Closing Date (or as subsequently amended or otherwise modified in a manner not disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect);

(6) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

(a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable; or

(b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.09(b)(10);

(8) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed $25.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(9) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(iii) hereof;

(10) guarantees (including Guarantees) of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, performance guarantees and Contingent Obligations in the ordinary course of business and the creation of liens on the assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with Section 4.12 hereof;

(11) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in Sections 4.11(b)(2); 4.11(b)(5) and 4.11(b)(9) hereof);

 

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(12) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment;

(13) additional Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of, or have not been subsequently sold or transferred for, cash or marketable securities), not to exceed $50.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(14) Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect any Receivables Facility;

(15) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $5.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

(16) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof; and

(17) Investments consisting of licensing of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax and other social security laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent or deposits or other security securing liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(2) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(3) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice prior to the Closing Date;

(4) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections 4.09(b)(4), 4.09(b)(12)(b) or 4.09(b)(19) hereof provided that Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(19) hereof are solely on acquired property or the assets of the acquired entity, as the case may be;

 

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(5) Liens existing on the Closing Date;

(6) Liens existing on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(7) Liens existing on property at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; provided, further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(8) Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under this Indenture;

(9) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(10) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(11) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) financing statement filings regarding operating leases, consignments or accounts entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(13) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility;

(14) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (4), (5), (6) and (7); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (4), (5), (6) and (7) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

 

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(15) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 6.01(a)(5) hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(16) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements or other Cash Equivalents permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement or other Cash Equivalent;

(17) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(18) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted under this Indenture;

(19) Liens arising from Personal Property Security Act financing statement filings regarding leases entered into by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(20) rights of a supplier of unpaid goods to have access to and repossess such goods under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and under the provisions in the legislation of Canadian provinces;

(21) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(22) Liens to the extent attaching to properties and assets with an aggregate fair value at the time of attachment not in excess of, and securing liabilities not in excess of, $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.

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

“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Qualified Proceeds” means assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business; provided that the fair market value of any such assets or Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Issuer in good faith.

“Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

“Receivables Facility” means any of one or more receivables financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Receivables Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any accounts receivable or participation interest therein issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Facility.

“Receivables Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Receivables Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and/or a Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable or as the context may require.

“Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means, subject to Section 2.01(c), a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A2 hereto deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, provided that any assets received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, the Co-Issuer and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any non-US Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.

“Scheme” means the scheme of arrangement to be entered into pursuant to Section 201 of the Companies Act, by and between Bidco, SkillSoft and the holders of the issued share capital of SkillSoft and the related capital reduction in SkillSoft pursuant to Sections 72 and 74 of the Companies Act.

“Scheme Effective Date” means the date on which an office copy of the order of the High Court of Ireland sanctioning the Scheme and the associated minute on the reduction of the share capital of SkillSoft Public Limited Company is registered by the Registrar of Companies in Ireland for the purposes of Section 201(5) of the Companies Act of 1963 of Ireland.

“Scheme Transaction Agreement” means the Transaction Agreement entered into between Bidco and SkillSoft in respect of the Scheme.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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“Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Senior Credit Facilities” means the Credit Facilities established pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2010, by and among the Issuer, Bidco, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the other Lenders named therein, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced, restated, substituted or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, including any agreement extending the maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of the issuer as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Closing Date.

“Similar Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture or any business that is a reasonable extension, development or expansion of any of the foregoing or is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any sourcing companies created in connection with any of the foregoing).

“SkillSoft” means SkillSoft PLC, together with any successor thereto.

“Special Interest” has the meaning assigned to that term pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Sponsor Management Agreement” means the management agreements between certain of the management companies associated with the Investors, and the Issuer, as in effect on the Closing Date and as amended, supplemented, amended and restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time; provided, however, that the terms of any such amendment, supplement, amendment and restatement or replacement agreement are not, taken as a whole, less favorable to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement in effect on the Closing Date.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the date of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

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“Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,

(1) any Indebtedness of the Issuers which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and

(2) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee by such entity of the Notes.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or is consolidated under GAAP with such Person at such time; and

(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which

(x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

(y) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

“Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer or such other Person as may be expressly stated.

“Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, including payments to officers, employees and directors as change of control payments, severance payments, special or retention bonuses and charges for repurchase or rollover of, or modifications to, stock options.

“Transactions” means (1) the offering, sale and issuance of the Notes and the incurrence of Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities, (2) the Acquisition and other transactions contemplated by the Scheme, (3) the transactions contemplated by the Senior Debt Pushdown, and (4) the payment of fees, costs and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

“Treasury Rate” means, as of any date of redemption, the yield to maturity as of such date of redemption of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date of redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the date of redemption to June 1, 2014; provided, however, that if the period from the date of redemption to June 1, 2014 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

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“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

“Trustee” means Wilmington Trust FSB, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuer, as provided below); and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that

(1) the Co-Issuer may not be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(2) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer;

(3) such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof;

(4) each of: (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (b) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, (x) create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (y) guarantee or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:

(1) the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof; or

(2) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be less than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

 

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Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of each of the Issuer or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

“US Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

(2) the sum of all such payments.

White Wash Requirements” means the requirements of Section 60 of the Companies Act with respect to the provision of financial assistance.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section

“Additional Amounts”

   4.19

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Asset Sale Offer”

   3.09

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.14

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“Covenant Suspension Event”

   4.17

“Change in Tax Law”

   3.10

“Documentation”

   4.19

“DTC”

   2.03

“Escrow Termination Date”

   3.08

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“incur” and “incurrence”

   4.09

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Permitted Debt”

   4.09

“Pari Passu Indebtedness”

   3.09

“Payment Default”

   6.01

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

   4.09

“Refunding Capital Stock”

   4.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Restricted Payments”

   4.07

“Reversion Date”

   4.17

“Suspended Covenants”

   4.17

“Suspension Period”

   4.17

“Treasury Capital Stock”

   4.07

“Taxes”

   4.19

“Tax Jurisdiction”

   4.19

“Tax Redemption Date”

   3.10

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

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

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

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

“obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.

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

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

 

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(5) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or Exchange Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

(8) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(9) words implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

(10) the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”;

(11) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(12) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock at any time shall be determined in a manner consistent with clause (2) of the definition of “Consolidated Total Indebtedness”; and

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

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibits A1 and A2 hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibits A1 or A2 hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S will be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which will be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

Following the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note will be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. At any time following the expiration of the Restricted Period, a Regulation S Permanent Global Note shall be authenticated for this purpose if requested by the Depositary and may be authenticated for this purpose at the Issuers’ option; simultaneously with such authentication of a Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee will cancel the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

Notwithstanding anything herein or in any Regulation S Global Note to the contrary, following the expiration of the Restricted Period, unless and until a Permanent Regulation S Global Note is authenticated to replace the Temporary Regulation S Global Note as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall be deemed to be in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto and shall be deemed to be the Permanent Regulation S Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture.

The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuer without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes; provided that the Issuers’ ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuers’ compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

 

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Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer from each Issuer must sign the Notes for the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.

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

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuers signed by two Officers of each Issuer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Issuers pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued hereunder is otherwise unlimited, subject to compliance with the other covenants of this Indenture (including Section 4.09).

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuers will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Issuers initially appoint said office or agency to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuers will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuers will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuers or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuers, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

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Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably request of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Issuers shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes if:

(1) the Issuers delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2) the Issuers in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Temporary Global Note be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and the Depositary has requested that Definitive Notes be issued.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note (except for Definitive Notes issued in accordance with this paragraph). A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

 

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(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either clauses (1) or (2) of this Section 2.06(b), as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, in addition to compliance with all other provisions of this Indenture, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both:

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B) both:

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above;

provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903 under the Securities Act.

Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for

 

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transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall, upon its receipt of an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such requirements have been satisfied, adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note or the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

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(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(b)(4)(D), if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to Section 2.06(b)(4)(B) or (D) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to Section 2.06(b)(4)(B) or (D) hereof.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in clauses (B) through (D) of this Section 2.06(c)(1), a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(d) thereof, if applicable; or

 

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(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(1)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(3) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

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(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(c)(3)(D)if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(4) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(4) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in clauses (B) through (D) of this Section 2.06(d)(1), a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) of this Section 2.06(d)(1), the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) of this Section 2.06(d)(1), the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) of this Section 2.06(d)(1), the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(d)(2)(D), if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

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(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(e)(2)(D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers; and

 

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(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers.

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”)), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES (OR HAS FURNISHED ON ITS BEHALF BY A U.S. BROKER-DEALER) TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUERS A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER IS ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE INDENTURE RELATING TO THE NOTES), (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (G) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE

 

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ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO THE FOREGOING CLAUSES (C) OR (F), THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUERS SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUEST TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE SECURITY IS TRANSFERABLE ONLY IN AMOUNTS OF $100,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(3), (c)(4), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(g) OF THE INDENTURE MAY BE MADE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(3) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note will bear a Legend in substantially the following form:

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.”

 

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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof.

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers will be required:

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part;

 

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(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer; or

(D) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuers or an Affiliate of the Issuers holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Issuers or a Subsidiary of the Issuers shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuers, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

 

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Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent, and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation. Certification of the cancellation of all cancelled Notes will be delivered to the Issuers. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuers will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuers will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

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Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices to Holders as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice to Holders and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2) the redemption date;

(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.10 or a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.14, subject to the customary procedures of the Depositary (including the Applicable Procedures), the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form pursuant to Article 2 hereof, based on a method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and in amounts of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not in a principal amount of at least $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

 

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Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 hereof.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6) that, unless the Issuers defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee, at least 5 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or cause to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

 

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Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

Prior to 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuers will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, accrued interest and Special Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, accrued interest and Special Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption or purchase date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest, accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note pursuant to Article 3.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 111.125% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date) with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering by the Issuers; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption.

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2014, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder of Notes or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the applicable date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(c) Except pursuant to Sections 3.07(a) and 3.07(b), the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to June 1, 2014.

(d) On or after June 1, 2014, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2014

   105.563

2015

   102.781

2016 and thereafter

   100.000

 

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Unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof. Any redemption and notice may, in the discretion of the Issuers, be subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

Section 3.08 Special Mandatory Redemption.

(a) The Issuers shall redeem all and not less than all of the Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest to, but not including, the redemption date if

(1) the Acquisition is not completed on or prior to the earlier of (a) the date that is 14 days after the Scheme Effective Date or (b) July 30, 2010,

(2) the Issuers determine that any of the conditions to the completion of the Acquisition are not reasonably capable of being satisfied on or prior July 30, 2010 or

(3) the Scheme Transaction Agreement is terminated

(the date of any such occurrence, the “Escrow Termination Date”).

The Issuer shall mail notice of the redemption no later than the second Business Day following the Escrow Termination Date to the Trustee (with an instruction to the Trustee to deliver the same to each holder of the Notes) and the Notes shall be redeemed on the date that is no later than five Business Days after such notice is mailed. Upon the completion of the Acquisition, the foregoing provisions regarding the special mandatory redemption will cease to apply.

(b) Except as described in Section 3.08(a), the Issuers are not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuers are required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the Holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes (in amounts of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth hereunder.

 

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The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by sending the notice described below. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). Promptly after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuers will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness (i) if the aggregate amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness that has been tendered is greater than the Offer Amount, on a pro rata basis as provided in the next succeeding paragraph or (ii) if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer.

If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered in an Asset Sale Offer exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased (in amounts of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), and the Issuers shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased, in each case on a pro rata basis based on (i) the accreted value or principal amount of such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered and (ii) the principal amount of the Notes tendered.

Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero (regardless of whether there are any remaining Excess Proceeds upon such completion). To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to compliance with the other covenants contained in this Indenture.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

If and for so long as the Notes are listed on the GEM and the rules of the GEM so require, the Issuers will publish notices relating to the Asset Sale Offer in a leading newspaper of general circulation in Ireland or, to the extent and in the manner permitted by such rules, post such notices on the official website of the Irish Stock Exchange.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuers will send, by first class mail or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

 

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(2) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrete or accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrete or accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(6) that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuers, a Depositary, if appointed by the Issuers, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuers will select the Notes and other Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes in denominations of $100,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, in amounts of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuers in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to

 

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authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note), in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Section 3.10 Redemption for Changes in Taxes

(a) The Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at their discretion at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 90 days’ prior notice to the Holders of the Notes, with a copy to the Trustee (which notice will be irrevocable and given in accordance with the procedures described in Section 3.03), at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed by the Issuers for redemption (a “Tax Redemption Date”) and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the Tax Redemption Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise (subject to the right of Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date and Additional Amounts (if any) in respect thereof), if on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, the Issuers or the Guarantors are or would be required to pay Additional Amounts, and the Issuers or the Guarantors cannot avoid such payment obligation by taking reasonable measures available, and the requirement arises as a result of:

(1) any change in, or amendment to, the laws or treaties (or any regulations, or rulings promulgated thereunder) of the relevant Tax Jurisdiction affecting taxation; or

(2) any change in, or amendment to, the existing official position or the introduction of an official position regarding the application, administration or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings (including a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in published practice) (each of the foregoing in clauses (1) and (2), a “Change in Tax Law”).

(b) The Issuers will not give any such notice of redemption earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuers would be obligated to make such payment or withholding if a payment in respect of the Notes were then due, and at the time such notice is given, the obligation to pay Additional Amounts must remain in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers may not redeem the Notes under this provision if the Tax Jurisdiction changes under this Indenture and either Issuer or a Guarantor is obligated to pay any Additional Amounts as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or treaties (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder), or any change in official position regarding the application, administration or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings, of the then current Tax Jurisdiction which, at the time such Tax Jurisdiction became the applicable Tax Jurisdiction under this Indenture, was formally proposed (by the appropriate taxing or government authority). Prior to the publication or, where relevant, mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing, the Issuers will deliver the Trustee (a) an opinion of independent tax counsel to the effect that the circumstances referred to above exist and (b) an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that the Issuers or the Guarantors cannot avoid their obligation to pay Additional Amounts by taking reasonable measures available to them. Such Officer’s Certificate and opinion of independent tax counsel shall be sufficient evidence of the existence and satisfaction of the conditions precedent as described above, and will be conclusive and binding on the Holders of the Notes.

(c) For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 3.07 do not apply to redemptions that are made due to a Change in Tax Law.

 

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Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.10, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.10 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Issuers will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due. The Issuers will pay all Special Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuers will maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers 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 Issuers fail to maintain any such required office or agency or fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee its Agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Issuers of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Issuers 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.

The Issuers hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

 

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Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will furnish to the Holders of Notes and file with the Trustee, and/or post on its website or file with the SEC for public availability:

(1) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuers, audited year-end consolidated financial statements of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries (including a balance sheet, statement of operations and statement of cash flows) prepared in accordance with GAAP, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations;”

(2) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Issuers, unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries (including a balance sheet, statement of operations and statement of cash flows) prepared in accordance with GAAP, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and

(3) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other reports containing substantially the same information required to be contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no such report shall be required to be furnished if the Issuers determines in their good faith judgment that such event is not material to the Holders of the Notes or the business, assets, operations, financial positions or prospects of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

To the extent that the Issuers fail to furnish any such information within the time periods specified above and such information is subsequently furnished prior to the time such failure results in an Event of Default, the Issuers will be deemed to have satisfied their obligations with respect thereto and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured.

(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time they are not required to file with the SEC the reports required by clause (a) of this Section 4.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. The Issuers may satisfy their obligation to furnish such information to the Holders of the Notes at any time by filing such information with the SEC. The Issuers are not required to file periodic reports with the SEC until after effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement.

(c) If the Issuers have designated any of their Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by clause (a) of this Section 4.03 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers.

(d) If at any time Parent becomes a Guarantor (there being no obligation of Parent to do so), and Parent holds no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the Issuers or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuers (and performs the related incidental activities associated with such ownership) and complies with the requirements of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor provision), the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and furnished to Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.03 may, at the option of the Issuers, be filed by and be those of Parent rather than the Issuers.

 

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Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (which is January 31 as of the date hereof) an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuers are taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) Reserved.

(c) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Issuers will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

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

 

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Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment having the effect thereof or any distribution on account of the Issuers’ or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger or consolidation other than

(a) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or

(b) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;

(2) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger or consolidation;

(3) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than:

(a) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (7) and (8) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

(b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) of this Section 4.07(a) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

 

  (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

  (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

 

  (iii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Closing Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (9) and (14) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(A) 50% of Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Closing Date occurs to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in the case where such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit); plus

 

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(B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer since immediately after the Closing Date (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant Section 4.09(b)(12)(a) hereof) from the issue or sale of:

(i)(A) Equity Interests of the Issuer, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of (x) Equity Interests to members of management, directors or consultants of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer and the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Closing Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(b)(4) hereof; and (y) Designated Preferred Stock; and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.07(b)(4); or

(ii) debt securities of the Issuer that have been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests of the Issuer;

provided, however, that this clause (B) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock, (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Issuer sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(C) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Issuer following the Closing Date other than (X) net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(12)(a), (Y) by a Restricted Subsidiary and (Z) from any Excluded Contributions; plus

(D) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the Fair Market Value, of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Closing Date; or

 

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(ii) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(7) or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date; plus

(E) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date, the Fair Market Value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or the assets transferred), as determined by the Issuer in good faith or, if such Fair Market Value may exceed $50.0 million, in writing by an Independent Financial Advisor, at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(7) or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2)(a) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) of the Issuer or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale or issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”), (b) the declaration and payment of dividends on Treasury Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale or issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock, and (c) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under Section 4.07(b)(6) hereof, the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(3) the redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, which is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

(a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired and any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with such redemption, repurchase, exchange, acquisition or retirement and the issuance of such new Indebtedness;

 

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(b) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so repurchased, exchanged, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

(c) such new Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired; and

(d) such new Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(4) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies, or any of their respective estates, spouses or former spouses pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any Notes issued by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company in connection with any such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement); provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this Section 4.07(b)(4) do not exceed in any calendar year $4.0 million (which shall increase to $8.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) with any unused amounts in any calendar year after 2010 under this Section 4.07(b)(4), being carried over to succeeding calendar years, subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $10.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $20.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(a) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to members of management, directors or consultants of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Closing Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of Section 4.07(a)(3), plus, in respect of any sale of Equity Interests in connection with an exercise of stock options, an amount equal to the amount required to be withheld by the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with such exercise under applicable law to the extent such amount is repaid to the Issuer or its direct or indirect parent company, as applicable, constituted a Restricted Payment and has not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of Section 4.07(a)(3); plus

 

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(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Closing Date; less

(c) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 4.07(b)(4);

and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer from employees, directors or consultants of the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(5) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Consolidated Cash Interest Expense;”

(6)(a) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Issuer after the Closing Date; or

(b) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to a direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of such parent company issued after the Closing Date;

provided , however, in the case of each of (a) and (b) of this Section 4.07(b)(6), that (A) at the time such payment is made, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof and (B) the amount of dividends paid on such Designated Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (a) or (b), as applicable shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to or received by the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock;

(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this Section 4.07(b)(7) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of, or have not been subsequently sold or transferred for, cash or marketable securities, not to exceed $25.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(8) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity to fund a payment of dividends on such entity’s common stock), following the first public offering of the Issuer’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after the Closing Date, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Issuer in or from any public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s common stock registered on Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

 

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(10) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this Section 4.07(b)(11) that are at the time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Investment to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of, or have not been subsequently sold or transferred for, cash or marketable securities) not to exceed $50.0 million;

(12) distributions or payments of Receivables Fees;

(13) any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the fees and expenses related thereto or owed to Affiliates, in each case with respect to any Restricted Payment to or owed to an Affiliate, to the extent permitted by Section 4.11 hereof;

(14) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4.10 and 4.14 hereof; provided that all Notes tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(15) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Issuer to, or the making of loans to, any group company in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent companies or group companies to pay, in each case without duplication,

(a) franchise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence;

(b) Irish or other taxes, to the extent such taxes are attributable to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the excess (if any) of (A) the amount that the Issuer and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of such taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries, and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent company over (B) the aggregate amount paid by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to such taxes;

(c) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(d) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(e) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Issuer related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent company; and

 

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(16) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer; provided, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 4.07;

provided , however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under Section 4.07(b)(11), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or

(b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, including pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities and the related documentation;

(2) this Indenture and the Notes;

(3) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in Section 4.08(a)(3) on the property so acquired;

(4) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(5) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries;

(6) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

 

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(7) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(8) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(9) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of non-Guarantor Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred or issued subsequent to the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof;

(10) customary provisions in any joint venture agreement and other similar agreement relating solely to such joint venture;

(11) customary provisions contained in leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(12) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 4.08(a) imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1)-(11) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrances and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing;

(13) any other agreement governing Indebtedness entered into after the Closing Date that contains encumbrances and other restrictions that are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect taken as a whole with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those encumbrances and other restrictions that are in effect on the Closing Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Closing Date; and

(14) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect such Receivables Facility.

Section 4.09 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuers will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or to issue, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Co-Issuer, Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Issuers may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been no greater than 5.50

 

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to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of the proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided that the amount of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock that may be incurred or issued, as applicable, pursuant to the foregoing by Restricted Subsidiaries other than the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor shall not exceed $30.0 million at any one time outstanding.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1) Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this Section 4.09(b)(1) and then outstanding does not exceed $365.0 million less the aggregate of all principal payments with respect to such Indebtedness made following the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.10(b)(1) hereof;

(2) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including any Guarantee) and Exchange Notes issued in respect of the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (and any Guarantee);

(3) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Closing Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 4.09(b);

(4) the incurrence by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property (real or personal), plant or equipment used in the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(4), not to exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $10.0 million or (ii) 2% of Total Assets;

(5) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(6) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that

(a) such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this Section 4.09(b)(6)(a); and

 

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(b) the maximum assumable liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds including non-cash proceeds (the Fair Market Value of such non-cash proceeds being measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value) actually received by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

(7) Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this Section 4.09(b)(7);

(8) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this Section 4.09(b)(8);

(9) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary, provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any pledge of such Capital Stock constituting a Permitted Lien) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this Section 4.09(b)(9);

(10)(x) Hedging Obligations for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk and not for speculative purposes, and (y) Indebtedness in respect of Cash Management Services entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees or obligations in respect of letters of credit related thereto provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12)(a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuers and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary equal to 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuers since immediately after the Closing Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuers or cash contributed to the capital of the Issuers (in each case, other than proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (iii)(b) and (iii)(c) of Section 4.07(a)

 

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hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments and will not be applied to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof) and (b) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuers and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(12)(b), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $60.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(12)(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this Section 4.09(b)(12)(b) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof, from and after the first date on which the Issuers or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) without reliance on this Section 4.09(b)(12)(b));

(13) the incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or issuance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge, prior to its respective maturity, any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (2), (3), (12)(a), (13), (14) or (19) of this Section 4.09(b) (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(a) is incurred in a principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) that does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

(b) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced,

(c) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, and

(d) shall not include:

(A) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor or a co-issuer that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of either of the Issuers;

(B) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor or a co-issuer that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Guarantor; or

 

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(C) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(14) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or amalgamated or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (other than Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred in contemplation of, or in connection with, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person is acquired by or otherwise merged into or amalgamated or consolidated with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, either

(a) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a), or

(b) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is less than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(15) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

(16) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

(17)(a) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture, or

(b) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Issuers provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof;

(18) Reserved;

(19) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Guarantor incurred or issued to finance or assumed in connection with an acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, together with all Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock permitted under this Section 4.09(b)(19), $200.0 million at any one time outstanding (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(19) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this Section 4.09(b)(19) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Guarantor could have incurred such Indebtedness or issued such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under the Section 4.09(a) without reliance on this Section 4.09(b)(19));

 

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(20) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

(21) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors, employees and consultants thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in Section 4.07(b)(4) hereof.

The Issuers will not incur, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be. Unsecured Indebtedness will not be treated for purposes of this Indenture as subordinated to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured and senior Indebtedness will not be treated for purposes of this Indenture subordinated to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, (1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (21) of Section 4.09(b), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Issuers, in their sole discretion, will classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Credit Facilities on the Closing Date will at all times be deemed to be outstanding in reliance on Section 4.09(b)(1); and (2) at the time of incurrence, the Issuers will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Sections 4.09(a) and 4.09(b) hereof.

Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

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Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1) the Issuer (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:

(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto), of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Issuer and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing;

(B) any securities received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale; and

(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.10(a)(2)(C), not to exceed the greater of (i) 2% of Total Assets and (ii) $20.0 million at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

(b) Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be), at its option, may apply such Net Proceeds:

(1) to permanently reduce:

(a) Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities and, with respect to any revolving credit Indebtedness repaid thereunder, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(b) Obligations under Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted hereunder, and, with respect to any revolving credit Indebtedness repaid thereunder, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(c) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

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(d) Obligations under other Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided that the Issuers shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided under Section 3.07 hereof, through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; or

(2) to make (a) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) capital expenditures or (c) acquisitions of other assets, in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c), used or useful in a Similar Business or that replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

provided that, in the case of the foregoing Section 4.10(b)(2), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Issuer or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any transaction with respect to an Acceptable Commitment is not consummated for any reason and the Net Proceeds are not otherwise applied in accordance with this Section 4.10 within such 180 day period, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 3.09 within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million.

(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.10, the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary holding such Net Proceeds may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under a revolving credit facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of related transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $5.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; and

(2) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $25.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.11(a); and

 

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(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.07 hereof and Investments constituting Permitted Investments;

(3) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and termination fees and related indemnities and expenses pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date;

(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;

(6) any agreement as in effect as of the Closing Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Closing Date);

(7) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Closing Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing agreement or any similar agreement entered into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this Section 4.11(b)(7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous in any material respect to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries when taken as a whole as compared to the original agreement in effect on the Closing Date;

(8) the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including Transaction Expenses;

(9) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the board of directors of the Issuer or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as would reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

 

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(10) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or to any Permitted Holder or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;

(11) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

(12) customary payments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any of the Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including, without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures);

(13) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants of the Issuers, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Issuers in good faith; and

(14) investments by the Investors in securities of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as (i) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

Section 4.12 Liens.

(a) The Issuers will not, and will not permit any Guarantor (or SkillSoft or any of its Subsidiaries that will guarantee the Notes within 30 days of completion of the Acquisition or upon satisfaction of the White Wash Requirements) to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee, on any asset or property of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

(2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to or restrict (a) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees, (b) Liens securing (x) Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(1) and (y) both (i) Indebtedness described in clause (x) or in respect of the Credit Facilities secured by Liens pursuant to subclause (c) below or pursuant to clause (6) of the definition of Permitted Liens and (ii) obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor in respect of any Bank Products or Cash Management Services provided by any lender party to any Credit Facilities or any Affiliate of such lender (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of a lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products or Cash Management Services are provided were entered into) and (c) Liens incurred to secure Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Obligations permitted under this subclause (c), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 3.5 to 1.0.

 

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(b) Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each of the Liens described in clauses (1) and (2) of Section 4.12(a) hereof.

Section 4.13 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuers shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1) its corporate, partnership or other existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuers or any such Subsidiary; and

(2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuers and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Issuers shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuers and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuers will make an offer (the “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all Notes (in amounts equal to $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within thirty days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will send notice of such Change of Control Offer by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, with the following information:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

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

(3) that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

 

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(4) that, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

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

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(7) that if the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Notes tendered, the Holders of Notes that were tendered but not accepted for payment will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $100,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; and

(8) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14, that a Holder must follow.

The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase by the Issuers of the Notes pursuant to a Change in Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.14 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent permitted by law:

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

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any. The Issuers will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.14, the Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.14 and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

Section 4.15 Additional Guarantees.

If, following the consummation of the Acquisition, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, that guarantees the payment of any Indebtedness in a principal amount in excess of $10.0 million of the Issuer or any Guarantor, then that newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary will become a Guarantor and, within 30 days of the date on which it was acquired or created, (1) execute a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution of such supplemental indenture have been satisfied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.15 shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary. The form of such supplemental indenture is attached as Exhibit E hereto.

Any guarantee of Subordinated Indebtedness in a principal amount in excess of $10.0 million of the Issuer or any Guarantor by a Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph must be subordinated to such new Guarantor’s Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.

The Issuers may elect, in their sole discretion, to cause any Restricted Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor. Each Guarantee shall be released in accordance with Section 10.05 hereof.

Section 4.16 Limitation on Activities of the Issuers and Bidco Prior to the Escrow Release Date.

If the proceeds from the sale of the Notes are deposited in the Escrow Account, prior to the Escrow Release Date:

(a) the Issuers and Bidco will not engage in any business activity or undertake any other activity, except any activity (a) relating to the Transactions, (b) undertaken with the purpose of, and directly related to, fulfilling any other obligations under this Indenture (including for the avoidance of doubt, any repurchase or purchase, repayment, redemption, prepayment of such Indebtedness, in each case, as permitted by this Indenture), the Senior Credit Facilities or any other document relating to the Notes or the Senior Credit Facilities, (c) undertaken with the purpose of, and directly related to, fulfilling any obligation under the Scheme or facilitating the transactions contemplated thereby, (d) directly related or reasonably incidental to the establishment and/or maintenance of any of the Issuers’ corporate existence or (e) required by any of the Irish courts, the Irish Takeover Panel, or the Irish Stock Exchange in connection with the Scheme;

 

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(b) the Issuers and Bidco shall not incur any liabilities other than liabilities related to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, this Indenture, the Senior Credit Facilities, the Scheme, the Equity Contribution and any commitments with respect to the Hedging Obligations in respect of the Notes or the Senior Credit Facilities;

(c) the Issuers and Bidco shall not transfer or assign in any manner any of their assets, except as contemplated under this Indenture or the Senior Credit Facilities or as part of the Scheme;

(d) the Issuers and Bidco shall not create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets except in the Escrow Account in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Escrow Agreement and except pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities and any commitments with respect to the Hedging Obligations in respect of the Notes or the Senior Credit Facilities; and

(e) the Issuers and Bidco shall not commence or take any action or facilitate a winding-up, liquidation or other analogous proceeding.

Following the Escrow Release Date or if the Escrow Agreement is not entered into on the date of this Indenture, this Section 4.16 will be of no force or effect.

Section 4.17 Covenant Suspension.

(a) If on any date following the Closing Date (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the covenants (the “Suspended Covenants”) described under:

(1) Section 4.10;

(2) Section 4.07;

(3) Section 4.09;

(4) Section 5.01(a)(4);

(5) Section 4.11;

(6) Section 4.08; and

(7) Section 4.15.

(b) In the event that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under Section 4.17(a) for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) (i) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating or (ii) the Issuer or any of its Affiliates enter into an agreement to effect a transaction that would result in a Change of Control and one or more of the Rating Agencies indicate that if consummated, such transaction (alone or together with any related recapitalization or refinancing transactions) would cause such Rating Agency to withdraw its Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the ratings assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events. The period beginning on

 

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the day of a Covenant Suspension Event and ending on a Reversion Date is called a “Suspension Period.” On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Closing Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.09(b)(3). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof will be made as though Section 4.07 hereof had been in effect since the Closing Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a) (but will not reduce any amounts available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(b)).

(c) No Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date (or thereafter) under any Suspended Covenant solely as a result of any actions taken by the Issuers or their Restricted Subsidiaries, or events occurring, during the Suspension Period. For purposes of Section 4.10, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.

(d) The Issuers will give notice (in the form of an Officer’s Certificate) to the Trustee of any Covenant Suspension Event and any Reversion Date, and absent receipt of such notice or notice from the Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such event.

Section 4.18 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the second to last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Investments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 4.07(a) or under clause (7), (10) or (11) of Section 4.07(b), or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.19 Additional Amounts.

(a) All payments made under or with respect to the Notes (whether or not they are definitive Notes in registered certificated form) or with respect to any Guarantee will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (including penalties and interest related thereto) (“Taxes”) unless the withholding or deduction of such Taxes is then required by law or by the official interpretation or administration thereof. If any deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any Taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Issuers or any Guarantor (including any surviving corporation), is then incorporated or resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision thereof or therein or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Issuers or any Guarantor (each, a “Tax Jurisdiction”), will at any time be required to be made from any payments made under or with respect to the Notes or with respect to any Guarantee, including, without limitation, payments of principal, redemption price, interest or premium, the Issuers, the relevant Guarantor or other payor, as applicable, will pay such additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received in respect of such payments by each Holder (including Additional Amounts) after such withholding, deduction or imposition will equal the respective amounts that would have been received in respect of such payments in the absence of such withholding or deduction; provided, however, that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to:

(1) any Taxes that would not have been imposed but for the Holder or the beneficial owner of the Notes being a citizen or resident or national of, incorporated in or carrying on a business, in the relevant Tax Jurisdiction in which such Taxes are imposed or having any other present or former connection with the relevant Tax Jurisdiction other than the mere acquisition, holding, enforcement or receipt of payment in respect of the Notes or with respect to any Guarantee;

 

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(2) any Taxes that are imposed or withheld as a result of the failure of the Holder or the beneficial owner of the Notes to comply with any certification, identification, documentation, or other reporting requirements (including, without limitation, with respect to the nationality, residence, identity or connection with a Tax Jurisdiction of the Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes) (“Documentation”), if (i) such compliance would, under the applicable law, administrative decision of the taxing or governmental authority, or published administrative practice of the Tax Jurisdiction, have entitled the Holder, beneficial owner, Issuer, Co-Issuer, Paying Agent, or any of the Guarantors to an exemption from deduction or withholding or the requirement to deduct or withhold all or part of any such Taxes and (ii) the Issuer, Co-Issuer, Paying Agent, or any of the Guarantors requests, at least 60 days prior to any payment under or with respect to the Notes, such Documentation from the Holder and the Holder or beneficial owner does not provide such Documentation within 30 days of the date of the request;

(3) any Note presented for payment (where presentation is required) more than 30 days after the relevant payment is first made available for payment to the Holder (except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the Note been presented during such 30 day period);

(4) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar Taxes;

(5) any Taxes on a payment to an individual and that are required to be made pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any other directive implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of 26 and 27 November 2000 on the taxation of savings income or any law implementing or complying with or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive;

(6) any Note presented for payment by or on behalf of a Holder of Notes who would have been able to avoid such Taxes by presenting the relevant Note to another Paying Agent in a member state of the European Union;

(7) any Taxes payable other than by deduction or withholding from payments under, or with respect to, the Notes or with respect to any Guarantee; or

(8) any Taxes that are United States backup withholding taxes.

Such Additional Amounts will also not be payable where, had the beneficial owner of the Note been the Holder of the Note, it would not have been entitled to payment of Additional Amounts by reasons of any of clauses (1) to (8) inclusive of this section.

(b) In addition to the foregoing, the Issuers and the Guarantors will also pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which are levied by any Tax Jurisdiction on the execution, delivery, or registration of any of, or any payment under, the Notes, this Indenture, any Guarantee, or any other document or instrument referred to herein or therein (other than a transfer of the Notes).

 

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(c) If the Issuers or any Guarantor, as the case may be, becomes aware that they will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any payment under or with respect to the Notes or any Guarantee, the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor, as the case may be, will deliver to the Trustee on a date that is at least 30 days prior to the date of that payment (unless the obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises shortly before or after the 30th day prior to that payment date, in which case the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor shall notify the Trustee promptly thereafter) an Officer’s Certificate stating the fact that Additional Amounts will be payable and the amount estimated to be so payable. The Officer’s Certificate must also set forth any other information reasonably necessary to enable the Paying Agents to pay Additional Amounts to Holders on the relevant payment date. Each such Officer’s Certificate shall be relied upon until receipt of a further Officer’s Certificate addressing such matters. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely solely on each such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive proof that such payments are necessary and may assume that no Additional Amounts are due in the absence of delivery of such Officer’s Certificate.

(d) The Issuers or the relevant Guarantor will make all withholdings and deductions required by law and will remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Tax Jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law. Upon request, the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor will provide to the Trustee an official receipt or, if official receipts are not obtainable using reasonable efforts, other documentation evidencing the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld. The Issuers or the relevant Guarantor will attach to each official receipt or other document a certificate stating the amount of such Taxes paid per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Upon request, copies of those receipts or other documentation, as the case may be, will be made available by the Trustee to the Holders of the Notes.

(e) Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of amounts based upon the principal amount of the Notes or of principal, interest or of any other amount payable under, or with respect to, any of the Notes or Guarantee, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) The Issuers shall not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”);

(2) the Successor Company, if other than the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable, under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to supplemental indentures and/or other documents or instruments;

 

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(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

(a) the Successor Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio test set forth Section 4.09(a) hereof, or

(b) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be less than the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(d)(1)(b) shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(6) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) Neither of the Issuers will, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of it and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

(c) Any Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for the Issuer, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable, pursuant to Section 5.02.

Clauses (3), (4), (5) and (6) in Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to the transactions contemplated by the Scheme Transaction Agreement in order to effect the Acquisition. Notwithstanding clauses (3) and (4) in Section 5.01(a),

(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer, and

(2) the Issuer may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer, as the case may be, solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Issuer in a State of the United States so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

 

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(d) No Guarantor will, and the Issuer will not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer or Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1)(i) such Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(ii) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture (including the Guarantee provided for herein) and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to supplemental indentures and/or other documents or instruments;

(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(iv) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with Section 5.01 hereof; or

(2) the transaction is made in compliance with clauses (1) and (2) of Section 4.10(a) hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clause (d) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuers or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuers or another Guarantor.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuers in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01(a) and (b) hereof, the Successor Company formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuers are merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Issuers” shall refer instead to the Successor Company and not to the Issuers), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuers under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor Company had been named as the Issuers herein.

In case of any consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance pursuant to Section 5.01(d) and upon the assumption by the Successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such Successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Any such Guarantee so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1) default in the payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of the principal of, or premium on, if any, the Notes;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due and payable of interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes;

(3) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.10, 4.14, or 5.01 hereof;

(4) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this Section 6.01(a)) under this Indenture or the Notes;

(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if both:

(a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay any principal at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(6) failure by either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(7) failure by either of the Issuers to comply with any material term of the Escrow Agreement that is not cured within 10 days of receipt by either of the Issuers of notice of such non-compliance under the Escrow Agreement from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes, to the extent that such non-compliance would reasonably be expected to adversely impact the Holders of the Notes;

 

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(8) the Escrow Agreement or any Lien purported to be granted thereby on the Escrow Account or the cash or Escrow Investments therein is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid, other than pursuant to a release that is delivered or becomes effective as set forth in the Escrow Agreement or Indenture, and such Default is not cured within 10 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes;

(9) the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

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

(C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

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

(A) is for relief against the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a custodian of the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Issuers or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

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(11) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, denies that it has any further liability under its or their Guarantee(s) or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with Section 10.05 hereof.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clauses (9) or (10) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Issuers, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuers that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing hereunder, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders).

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders of all the Notes, rescind an acceleration and its consequences hereunder, (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default have been cured, waived, annulled or rescinded except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration; (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid; and (iv) if the Issuers have paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances and all other amounts due to the Trustee hereunder.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

(a) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers hereunder at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

(b) Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) Holders of the Notes have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

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(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain restrictions, under this Indenture the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

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

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

(a) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase) held by any non-consenting Holder. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default 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 thereon.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default under Section 6.01(a)(5), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged;

(2) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may also take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with the Holders direction.

 

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Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

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

(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

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

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), 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 specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to 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 the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian 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 for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07

 

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hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, respectively; and

Third: to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

 

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

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

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

(1) this Section 7.01(c) does not limit the effect of clause (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) If the Acquisition is not completed on or prior to the Issue Date, the Trustee is authorized to enter into the Escrow Agreement.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

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

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuers.

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

(g) In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any Person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.

(h) In the event the Issuers are required to pay Special Interest, the Issuers will provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuers’ obligation to pay Special Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next interest payment date (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Trustee), which notice shall set forth the amount of the Special Interest to be paid by the Issuer (but the failure to provide such notice shall not effect the Issuers’ obligations to pay such Special Interest when due). The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Special Interest is payable and the amount thereof.

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

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Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA §313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA §313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Issuers and filed by the Issuers with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Issuers and the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuers, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers will not relieve the Issuers or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuers nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(c) The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(d) To secure the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

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(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clauses (9) or (10) of Sections 6.01 hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA §313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed, becomes incapable of acting, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

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

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.

The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuers may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

 

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(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, and 4.18 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(d) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Guarantees, the Issuers and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (11) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel located in the United States who may be counsel to the Issuers confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions:

(A) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

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(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel located in the United States, who may be counsel to the Issuers, confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities;

(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such Opinion of Counsel and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, following the deposit the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

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

(8) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Issuers will, jointly and severally, pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuers.

Subject to applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on its request or (if then held by the Issuers) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee to which it is a party or this Indenture) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and any Guarantee or the Notes without the consent of any Holder:

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

 

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(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to comply with Section 5.01;

(4) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Issuers or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers or any Guarantor;

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee in accordance with the terms herein;

(9) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferrable;

(10) to add a Guarantor under the Indenture;

(11) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Issuers’ Offering Memorandum dated May 21, 2010, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in the “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Notes (it being understood that the Trustee, as evidence of compliance with this clause (11), shall be fully authorized, protected and entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate of the Issuers stating that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Notes);

(12) to make any amendment relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted hereunder, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes, provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes;

(13) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof; or

(14) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture with respect to the Notes.

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee will join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), in each case, other than Notes beneficially owned by the Issuers or their Affiliates.

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee will join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

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

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Issuers with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof or the notice periods relating to optional redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 so long as such notice periods comply with DTC’s procedures, if applicable);

 

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(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all affected Holders);

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or Events of Default or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes;

(7) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(8) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders;

(9) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes; or

(10) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

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

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such 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 Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

 

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Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Issuers approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully authorized and protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1) the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders and/or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

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(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder and under the Notes). Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes this Indenture or by release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until the indefeasible payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. Without limiting any provision herein, the Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent any of the foregoing are applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.

To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof) shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

 

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Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof) no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates a Note, the Guarantee of such Guarantor shall be valid nevertheless.

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

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.04 Reserved.

Section 10.05 Releases.

The Guarantee of any Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1)(a) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (x) all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor, after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor, which sale, exchange, disposition or transfer in each is made in compliance with Section 4.10; (b) in the case of any Guarantor whose Guarantee was created pursuant to Section 4.15, the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of the Indebtedness which resulted in the creation of such Guarantee (except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee); (c) the proper designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or (d) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof; and

(2) the Issuers delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such release have been satisfied.

Any Guarantor not released from its Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1) either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b)(i) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will 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 by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers and the Issuers or any Guarantor have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(ii) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Senior Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuers or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuers or any Guarantor is bound;

(iii) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(iv) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 10.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

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Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, interest and Special Interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof 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 Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuers and/or any Guarantor:

SSI Investments II Limited

SSI Co-Issuer LLC

c/o Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, MA 02116

Attn: Sharlyn C. Heslam, Esq. and Michael C. Ascione

Fax No. (617)  ###-###-####

 

106


And with a copy to:

Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, MA 02116

Attn: Matt Janchar

Fax No. (617)  ###-###-####

And

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036-8704

Facsimile No.: (646)  ###-###-####

Attention: Steven Rutkovsky

If to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Attention: Mr. Joseph O’Donnell

Facsimile No.: (203)  ###-###-####

E-mail: ***@***

The Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar or in accordance with Depositary procedures for Global Notes. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

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

If the Issuers mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures for such Depositary.

 

107


Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

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

Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

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

(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.05 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 a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and must include:

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

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

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact).

Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

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

Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuers or any Guarantor or any of their direct or indirect parent companies will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes or this Indenture, the

 

108


Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 12.08 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuers or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.10 Successors.

All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

Section 12.11 Severability.

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

Section 12.12 Counterpart Originals.

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

Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

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

[Signatures on following page]

 

109


Dated as of May 26, 2010

Issuer:

SSI Investments II Limited

PRESENT when the Common Seal

of SSI INVESTMENTS II LIMITED was affixed hereto:

 

WITNESS:  

/s/ LAURA KEARNEY

 

/s/ MICHAEL C. ASCIONE

ADDRESS:  

South Bank House

  Director
 

Barrow Street

 

/s/ IMELDA SHINE

 

Dublin 4

  Director / Secretary
DESCRIPTION:  

Chartered Secretary

 

Co-Issuer:

 

SSI CO-ISSUER LLC

/s/ MICHAEL C. ASCIONE

Name:   Michael C. Ascione
Title:   Authorized Signatory

Initial Guarantor:

SSI Investments III Limited

PRESENT when the Common Seal

of SSI INVESTMENTS III LIMITED was affixed hereto:

 

WITNESS:  

/s/ LAURA KEARNEY

 

/s/ MICHAEL C. ASCIONE

ADDRESS:  

South Bank House

  Director
 

Barrow Street

 

/s/ IMELDA SHINE

 

Dublin 4

  Director / Secretary
DESCRIPTION:  

Chartered Secretary

 


Initial Guarantor:

    Books24x7.com, Inc.
    By:  

/s/ ANTHONY P. AMATO

      Name: Anthony P. Amato
      Title:   Vice President
Initial Guarantor:     SkillSoft Corporation
    By:  

/s/ ANTHONY P. AMATO

      Name: Anthony P. Amato
      Title:   Chief Accounting Officer
Initial Guarantor:     SkillSoft UK Limited
    By:  

/s/ ANTHONY P. AMATO

      Name: Anthony P. Amato
      Title:   Director
Initial Guarantor:     SkillSoft Finance Limited
    By:  

/s/ ANTHONY P. AMATO

      Name: Anthony P. Amato
      Title:   Director
Initial Guarantor:     SkillSoft Canada, Ltd.
    By:  

/s/ ANTHONY P. AMATO

      Name: Anthony P. Amato
      Title:   Director


WILMINGTON TRUST FSB
as Trustee
By:  

/s/ JOSEPH P. O’DONNELL

  Name: Joseph P. O’Donnell
  Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT A1

[Face of Note]

 

CUSIP/CINS             

11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

 

No.        $            *

SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC

promises to pay to              or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                                                                                                                                                                      DOLLARS

on June 1, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1

Record Dates: May 15 and November 15

Dated:             , 20[    ]

 

SSI Investments II Limited
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SSI Co-Issuer LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

Wilmington Trust FSB,

    as Trustee

 

By:   

 

  
   Authorized Signatory   

 

 

  

 

A[1]-1


[Back of Note]

11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. SSI Investments II Limited, an Irish private limited company (“Issuer”) and SSI Co-Issuer LLC (“Co-Issuer” and, together with Issuer, “Issuers”), a Delaware limited liability company, promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 11.125% per annum from             ,          until maturity and shall pay the Special Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Special Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be             ,         . The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Special Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 15 or November 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided that Special Interest may be paid through the issuance of additional Notes having an accreted value at the time of issuance equal to the amount of Special Interest so paid.

 

A[1]-2


(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust FSB, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(4) INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May 26, 2010 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 111.125% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date) with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering by the Issuers; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2014, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder of Notes or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the applicable date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(c) Except pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to June 1, 2014.

(d) On or after June 1, 2014, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2014

   105.563

2015

   102.781

20016 and thereafter

   100.000

 

A[1]-3


Unless the Issuers defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

(6) SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

(a) The Notes are subject to special mandatory redemption as provided in Section 3.08 of the Indenture. Upon the completion of the Acquisition, the foregoing provisions regarding the special mandatory redemption will cease to apply.

(b) Except as described above, the Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Issuers will make an offer (the “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all Notes (in amounts equal to $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”).

(b) If the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuers consummates certain Asset Sales, within ten days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes, to all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes in accordance with Section 4.10 and Section 3.09 of the Indenture.

(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except that if all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amounts of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

A[1]-4


(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture, to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Issuers or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 of the Indenture, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder, to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers or any Guarantor, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee in accordance with the terms herein; to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable; to add a Guarantor under the Indenture; to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Issuers’ Offering Memorandum dated May 21, 2010, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture or the Notes, to make any amendment relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted hereunder, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes, provided, however, that (i) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes; to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the date thereof or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default in the payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of the principal of, or premium on, if any, the Notes; (ii) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due and payable of interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.10, 4.14, or 5.01 hereof; (iv) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture) under the Indenture or the Notes; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed

 

A[1]-5


by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, if both (A) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and (B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay any principal at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding; (vi) failure by either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed; (vii) failure by either of the Issuers to comply with any material term of the Escrow Agreement that is not cured within 10 days of receipt by either of the Issuers of notice of such non-compliance under the Escrow Agreement from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes, to the extent that such non-compliance would reasonably be expected to adversely impact the Holders of the Notes; (viii) the Escrow Agreement or any Lien purported to be granted thereby on the Escrow Account or the cash or Escrow Investments therein is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid, other than pursuant to a release that is delivered or becomes effective as set forth in the Escrow Agreement or Indenture, and such Default is not cured within 10 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes; (ix) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; (x) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, denies that it has any further liability under its or their Guarantee(s) or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of the Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with Section 10.05 of the Indenture. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Issuers, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuers that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH ISSUERS. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuers or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

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(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuers or any of the Guarantors or any of their direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

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

(17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement [or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders thereof will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, [between/among] the Issuers [, the Guarantors] and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Issuers [and the Guarantors] to the purchasers of any Additional Notes ([collectively,] the “Registration Rights Agreement”)].

(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC

c/o Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attention: Sharlyn C. Heslam, Esq. and Michael C. Ascione

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:  

 

  (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint  

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:             

 

  Your Signature:  

 

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                  

*     Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

¨  Section 4.10

 

¨  Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$        

Date:                     

 

  Your Signature: ______________________________________
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
  Tax Identification No.: _____________________________

Signature Guarantee*:                             

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of

this Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of

this Global Note

 

Principal Amount

of this Global Note

following such

decrease

(or increase)

 

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Custodian

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

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Face of Regulation S Temporary Global Note

 

CUSIP/CINS             

11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

 

No.     

  $        

SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC

promises to pay to              or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                                                                                                    DOLLARS on June 1, 2018.

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1

Record Dates: May 15 and November 15

Dated:             , 20[    ]

 

SSI Investments II Limited
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SSI Co-Issuer LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

Wilmington Trust FSB,

as Trustee

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

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Back of Regulation S Temporary Global Note

11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(g) OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUERS OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER,

 

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FURNISHES (OR HAS FURNISHED ON ITS BEHALF BY A U.S. BROKER-DEALER) TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUER A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER IS ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE INDENTURE RELATING TO THE NOTES), (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (G) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO THE FOREGOING CLAUSES (C) OR (F), THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUERS SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUEST TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE SECURITY IS TRANSFERABLE ONLY IN AMOUNTS OF $100,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. SSI Investments II Limited, an Irish private limited company (“Issuer”) and SSI Co-Issuer LLC (“Co-Issuer” and, together with Issuer, “Issuers”), a Delaware limited liability company, promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 11.125% per annum from             ,          until maturity and shall pay the Special Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Special Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be             ,         . The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

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Until this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Special Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 15 or November 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided that Special Interest may be paid through the issuance of additional Notes having an accreted value at the time of issuance equal to the amount of Special Interest so paid.

(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust FSB, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(4) INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May 26, 2010 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time prior to June 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 111.125% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date) with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering by the Issuers; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2014, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to the registered address of each Holder of Notes or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the applicable date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

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(c) Except pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to June 1, 2014.

(d) On or after June 1, 2014, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2014

   105.563

2015

   102.781

20016 and thereafter

   100.000

Unless the Issuers defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

(6) SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

(a) The Notes are subject to special mandatory redemption as provided in Section 3.08 of the Indenture. Upon the completion of the Acquisition, the foregoing provisions regarding the special mandatory redemption will cease to apply.

(b) Except as described above, the Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Issuers will make an offer (the “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all Notes (in amounts equal to $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”).

(b) If the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuers consummates certain Asset Sales, within ten days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes, to all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes in accordance with Section 4.10 and Section 3.09 of the Indenture.

 

A2-5


(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date the Issuers will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except that if all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amounts of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

This Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the termination of the 40-day distribution compliance period (as defined in Regulation S) and (ii) upon presentation of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required by Article 2 of the Indenture. Upon exchange of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture, to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Issuers or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 of the Indenture, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder, to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers or any Guarantor, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee in accordance with the terms herein; to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that

 

A2-6


they are not freely transferable; to add a Guarantor under the Indenture; to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Issuers’ Offering Memorandum dated May 21, 2010, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture or the Notes, to make any amendment relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted hereunder, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes, provided, however, that (i) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer the Notes; to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the date thereof or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default in the payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of the principal of, or premium on, if any, the Notes; (ii) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due and payable of interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.10, 4.14, or 5.01 hereof; (iv) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture) under the Indenture or the Notes; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, if both (A) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and (B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay any principal at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding; (vi) failure by either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed; (vii) failure by either of the Issuers to comply with any material term of the Escrow Agreement that is not cured within 10 days of receipt by either of the Issuers of notice of such non-compliance under the Escrow Agreement from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes, to the extent that such non-compliance would reasonably be expected to adversely impact the Holders of the Notes; (viii) the Escrow Agreement or any Lien purported to be granted thereby on the Escrow Account or the cash or Escrow Investments therein is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid, other than pursuant to a release that is delivered or becomes effective as set forth in the Escrow Agreement or Indenture, and such

 

A2-7


Default is not cured within 10 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes; (ix) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; (x) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Issuers), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, denies that it has any further liability under its or their Guarantee(s) or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of the Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with Section 10.05 of the Indenture. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Issuers, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuers that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuers (excluding the Co-Issuer) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH ISSUERS. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuers or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuers or any of the Guarantors or any of their direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

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

(17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement [or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders thereof will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, [between/among] the Issuers [, the Guarantors] and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Issuers [and the Guarantors] to the purchasers of any Additional Notes ([collectively,] the “Registration Rights Agreement”)].

 

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(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

SSI Investments II Limited and SSI Co-Issuer LLC

c/o Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attention: Sharlyn C. Heslam, Esq. and Michael C. Ascione

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:  

 

  (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

and irrevocably appoint  

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

¨  Section 4.10    ¨  Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$         

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this  Note)
Tax Identification No.:  

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:    

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A2-11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for an interest in another Global Note, or exchanges of a part of another other Restricted Global Note for an interest in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of decrease in

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

  

Amount of increase in

Principal Amount of

this Global Note

  

Principal Amount

of this Global Note

following such

decrease

(or increase)

  

Signature of authorized

officer of Trustee or

Custodian

 

A2-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

SSI Investments II Limited

SSI Co-Issuer LLC

c/o Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attn: Sharlyn C. Heslam, Esq. and Michael C. Ascione

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Attention: Mr. Joseph O’Donnell

Facsimile No.: (203)  ###-###-####

E-mail: ***@***

Re: 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among SSI Investments II Limited, an Irish private limited company (“Issuer”) and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Co-Issuer” and, together with Issuer, “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                             , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $          in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                                               (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, the Regulation S Permanent Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was

 

B-1


originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to the Issuers or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

or

(d) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-2


4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

 

  [Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)    ¨   a beneficial interest in the:
   (i)   ¨    144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (ii)   ¨    Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (iii)   ¨    IAI Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
(b)    ¨   a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

   [CHECK ONE]
(a)    ¨   a beneficial interest in the:
   (i)   ¨    144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (ii)   ¨    Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (iii)   ¨    IAI Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
   (iv)   ¨    Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
(b)    ¨   a Restricted Definitive Note; or
(c)    ¨   an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
   in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

SSI Investments II Limited

SSI Co-Issuer LLC

c/o Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attn: Sharlyn C. Heslam, Esq. and Michael C. Ascione

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Attention: Mr. Joseph O’Donnell

Facsimile No.: (203)  ###-###-####

E-mail: ***@***

Re: 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

(CUSIP [    ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among SSI Investments II Limited, an Irish private limited company (“Issuer”) and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Co-Issuer” and, together with Issuer, “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                             , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Note, ¨ Regulation S Global Note, ¨ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C-2


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

 

 

  [Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

SSI Investments II Limited

SSI Co-Issuer LLC

c/o Berkshire Partners LLC

200 Clarendon Street, 35th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attn: Sharlyn C. Heslam, Esq. and Michael C. Ascione

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Attention: Mr. Joseph O’Donnell

Facsimile No.: (203)  ###-###-####

E-mail: ***@***

Re: 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among SSI Investments II Limited, an Irish private limited company (“Issuer”) and SSI Co-Issuer LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Co-Issuer” and, together with Issuer, “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $             aggregate principal amount of:

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b) ¨ a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein within one year after the original issuance of the Notes, we will do so only (A) to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any of their respective subsidiaries, (B) to a person we reasonably believe is a QIB that is purchasing for its own account or the account of another QIB in a transaction complying with Rule 144A, (C) to institutional “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to the Trustee and the Issuer a signed letter substantially to the effect of this letter, (D) outside the United States in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available), (F) in accordance with another exemption from the registration

 

D-1


requirements of the Securities Act) or (G) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (F) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein. In addition, we understand that the Notes may only be transferred in denominations of $100,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Issuers such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Issuers may reasonably request to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Issuers are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

  [Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

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EXHIBIT E

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among                      (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of [            ] (or its permitted successor), a [Delaware] corporation (the “Company”), the Issuers and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of May 26, 2010 providing for the issuance of 11.125% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

3. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuers or any Guarantor or any of their direct or indirect parent companies, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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7. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Issuers.

 

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

Dated:                     ,

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SSI Investments II Limited
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
SSI Co-Issuer LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Wilmington Trust FSB,

 

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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