INDENTURE Dated as of August 9, 2006 Between VNU GROUP B.V. and LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,

EX-4.2 71 dex42.htm INDENTURE, DATED AS OF AUGUST 9, 2006 Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006

Exhibit 4.2

 


EXECUTION VERSION

INDENTURE

Dated as of August 9, 2006

Between

VNU GROUP B.V.

and

LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,

as Trustee

11 1/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2016

 



CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

   Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

      (a)(2)

   7.10

      (a)(3)

   N.A.

      (a)(4)

   N.A.

      (a)(5)

   7.10

      (b)

   7.10

      (c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

      (b)

   7.11

      (c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

      (b)

   12.03

      (c)

   12.03

313(a)

   7.06

      (b)(1)

   N.A.

      (b)(2)

   7.06;7.07

      (c)

   7.06;12.02

      (d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03;12.02; 12.05

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)(1)

   12.04

      (c)(2)

   12.04

      (c)(3)

   N.A.

      (d)

   N.A.

      (e)

   12.05

      (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

      (b)

   7.05;12.02

      (c)

   7.01

      (d)

   7.01

      (e)

   6.14

316(a)(last sentence)

   2.09

      (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

      (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

      (a)(2)

   N.A.

      (b)

   6.07

      (c)

   2.12;9.04

317(a)(1)

   6.08

      (a)(2)

   6.12

      (b)

   2.04

318(a)

   12.01

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)

   12.01

N.A. means not applicable.

 


* This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01    Definitions    1
Section 1.02    Other Definitions    9
Section 1.03    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    9
Section 1.04    Rules of Construction    10
Section 1.05    Acts of Holders    10

ARTICLE 2

 

THE NOTES

Section 2.01    Form and Dating; Terms    12
Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication    13
Section 2.03    Registrar and Paying Agent    14
Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    14
Section 2.05    Holder Lists    14
Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange    15
Section 2.07    Replacement Notes    26
Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes    26
Section 2.09    Treasury Notes    27
Section 2.10    Temporary Notes    27
Section 2.11    Cancellation    27
Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest    28
Section 2.13    Common Code and ISIN Numbers    28

ARTICLE 3

 

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee    28
Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased    29
Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption    29
Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption    30
Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price    30
Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part    30
Section 3.07    Optional Redemption    31
Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption    32

ARTICLE 4

 

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Notes    32

 

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          Page

Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    32

Section 4.03

   [Reserved]    33

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate    33

Section 4.05

   Taxes    33

Section 4.06

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws    33

Section 4.07

   Negative Pledge    33

Section 4.08

   Corporate Existence    34

Section 4.09

   Withholding Taxes    34
ARTICLE 5   
RESERVED   
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01

   Events of Default    35

Section 6.02

   Acceleration    36

Section 6.03

   Other Remedies    36

Section 6.04

   Waiver of Past Defaults    37

Section 6.05

   Control by Majority    37

Section 6.06

   Limitation on Suits    37

Section 6.07

   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment    38

Section 6.08

   Collection Suit by Trustee    38

Section 6.09

   Restoration of Rights and Remedies    38

Section 6.10

   Rights and Remedies Cumulative    38

Section 6.11

   Delay or Omission Not Waiver    38

Section 6.12

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    38

Section 6.13

   Priorities    39

Section 6.14

   Undertaking for Costs    39
ARTICLE 7   
TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01

   Duties of Trustee    40

Section 7.02

   Rights of Trustee    41

Section 7.03

   Individual Rights of Trustee    42

Section 7.04

   Trustee’s Disclaimer    42

Section 7.05

   Notice of Defaults    42

Section 7.06

   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes    42

Section 7.07

   Compensation and Indemnity    43

Section 7.08

   Replacement of Trustee    43

Section 7.09

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    44

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification    44

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer    44

 

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          Page
ARTICLE 8   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

Section 8.01

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    45

Section 8.02

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge    45

Section 8.03

   Covenant Defeasance    45

Section 8.04

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance    46

Section 8.05

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    47

Section 8.06

   Repayment to Issuer    48

Section 8.07

   Reinstatement    48
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   

Section 9.01

   Without Consent of Holders of Notes    48

Section 9.02

   With Consent of Holders of Notes    49

Section 9.03

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    51

Section 9.04

   Revocation and Effect of Consents    51

Section 9.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes    51

Section 9.06

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    51

Section 9.07

   Payment for Consent    52
ARTICLE 10   
RESERVED   
ARTICLE 11   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 11.01

   Satisfaction and Discharge    52

Section 11.02

   Application of Trust Money    53
ARTICLE 12   
MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    53

Section 12.02

   Notices    53

Section 12.03

   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes    55

Section 12.04

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    55

Section 12.05

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    55

Section 12.06

   Rules by Trustee and Agents    56

Section 12.07

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    56

Section 12.08

   Governing Law    56

Section 12.09

   Waiver of Jury Trial    56

Section 12.10

   Force Majeure    56

 

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          Page

Section 12.11

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    56

Section 12.12

   Successors    56

Section 12.13

   Severability    56

Section 12.14

   Counterpart Originals    57

Section 12.15

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    57

Section 12.16

   Qualification of Indenture    57

Section 12.17

   Currency of Account; Conversion of Currency; Foreign Exchange Restrictions    57

Section 12.18

   Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunity    58

EXHIBITS

     

Exhibit A

   Form of Note   

Exhibit B

   Form of Certificate of Transfer   

Exhibit C

   Form of Certificate of Exchange   

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of August 9, 2006, between VNU Group B.V. a company incorporated in the Netherlands with a corporate seat in Haarlem (the “Issuer”) and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the creation of an issue of €343,000,000 aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of 11 1/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2016 (the “Initial Notes”); and

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of 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 A hereto, as the case may be, bearing the Global Note Legend, the OID Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Common Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at Stated Maturity of Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Accreted Value” means, as of any date (the “Specified Date”), the amount provided below for each €1,000 principal amount at Stated Maturity of Notes:

(a) if the Specified Date occurs on one of the following dates (each, a “Semi-Annual Accrual Date”), the Accreted Value will equal the amount set forth below for such Semi-Annual Accrual Date:

 

Semi-Annual Accrual Date

   Accreted Value

February 1, 2007

   614.35

August 1, 2007

   648.52

February 1, 2008

   684.59

August 1, 2008

   722.67

February 1, 2009

   762.87

August 1, 2009

   805.31

February 1, 2010

   850.10

August 1, 2010

   897.39

February 1, 2011

   947.31

August 1, 2011

   1,000.00

The foregoing Accreted Values shall be increased, if necessary, to reflect any accretion of Additional Interest.


(b) if the Specified Date occurs before the first Semi-Annual Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (A) the original issue (€583.37 for each €1,000 principal amount at Stated Maturity) price of a Note and (B) the amount equal to the product of (x) the Accreted Value for the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less such original issue price multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the Issue Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is the number of days from the Issue Date to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(c) if the Specified Date occurs between two Semi-Annual Accrual Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (A) the Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such Specified Date and (B) an amount equal to the product of (x) the Accreted Value for the immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such Specified Date multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is 180; or

(d) if the Specified Date occurs on or after August 1, 2011, the Accreted Value will equal €1,000.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes and other than Exchange Notes issued for such Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.

Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

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 or Paying Agent.

Applicable Currency Equivalent” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than euros at any time for the determination thereof, the amount of euros obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into euros at the spot rate for the purchase of euros with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters at approximately 10:00 A.M. (London time) on the date not more than two Business Days prior to such determination.

Applicable Premium” means on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(a) 1.0% of the Accreted Value of such Note on such Redemption Date; and

(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of the redemption price of such Note at August 1, 2011 (each such redemption price being set forth in Section 3.07(d) hereof, computed using a discount rate equal to the Bund Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (ii) the Accreted Value of such Note.

 

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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 Common Depositary, Euroclear and/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

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

Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Bund Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of direct obligations of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bunds or Bundesanleihen) with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent financial statistics) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such financial statistics are no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2011; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2011 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded direct obligations of the Federal Republic of German adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

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

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme.

Common Depositary” means Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch as common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream and depositary for the Notes, together with its successors in such capacity.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall 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 Holders and the Issuer.

Custodian” means the Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, 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(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A 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.

 

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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 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 in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

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

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.

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

Euroclear” means Euroclear 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.

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.

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

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) 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, substantially in the form of Exhibit A issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.

Government Securities” means non-callable government obligations of any member nation of the EMU whose official currency is the Euro, rated AAA or better by S&P and Aaa or better by Moody’s.

Group” means the Issuer and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

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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.

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

Indebtedness” means any present or future indebtedness with a remaining maturity of more than twelve months and with a principal amount of more than €15,000,000 (including any liability, whether conditional or unconditional, actual or contingent, under any guarantee or indemnity or any other legally binding assurance against financial loss) in respect of any notes, bonds, or other debt securities that are, or are intended to be, from time to time quoted, listed or ordinarily dealt in on any stock exchange, automated trading system, over the counter or other securities market.

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

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

Initial Notes” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Initial Purchasers” means Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd., ABN AMRO Incorporated and ING Bank N.V.

Interest Payment Date” means February 1 and August 1 of each year to stated maturity.

Issue Date” means August 9, 2006.

Issuer” means VNU Group B.V., a company incorporated in the Netherlands with a corporate seat in Haarlem.

Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by Officers of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in Luxembourg.

Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuer 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.

Material Subsidiary” means, at any particular time, a Subsidiary whose total revenues (consolidated if such Subsidiary has Subsidiaries and excluding intercompany revenues from other Subsidiaries

 

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in the Group) attributable to the Issuer (having regard to its direct and/or indirect beneficial interest in the shares, or the like, of such Subsidiary) represents at least 15% of the consolidated total revenues of the Group. A report of the auditors for the Issuer or an Officer’s Certificate whether or not addressed to the Trustee that in their opinion a Subsidiary is or is not a Material Subsidiary may be relied upon by the Trustee without further enquiry or evidence and, if relied upon by the Trustee, shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding. Any certificate or report of the auditors for the Issuer or an Officer’s Certificate called for by or provided to the Trustee in accordance with or for the purposes of these presents, may be relied upon by the Trustee as sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein notwithstanding that such certificate or report and/or any engagement letter or other document entered into by the Trustee in connection therewith contains a monetary or other limit on the liability of the auditors for the Issuer thereof.

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 and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

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

Notes” means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall also include any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture. For purposes of this Indenture, all references to Notes to be issued or authenticated upon transfer, replacement or exchange shall be deemed to refer to Notes.

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated August 1, 2006, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuer.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

OID Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iv) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture.

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

Participant” means a Person who has an account with Euroclear or Clearstream.

Permitted Encumbrance” means:

(i) an encumbrance on any asset securing indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing the acquisition of such asset (provided the amount secured thereby is not subsequently increased); or

 

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(ii) an encumbrance existing on any asset prior to its acquisition (through shares or through assets) and not created in contemplation of such event (provided the amount secured thereby is not subsequently increased); or

(iii) an encumbrance not otherwise permitted by the above securing indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding €25,000,000.

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)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

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

Record Date” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means January 15 or July 15 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer and the Initial Purchasers, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Issuer and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Issuer to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

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

Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as the case may be, bearing the Global Note Legend, the OID Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the applicable Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note of the applicable series upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as the case may be, bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend, the OID Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the applicable Common Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

 

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Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) hereof.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

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

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.

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

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 facility under the credit agreement to be entered into as of the Issue Date by and among the Issuer, the subsidiaries of the Issuer party thereto, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors 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 borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof.

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

Stated Maturity” means the date specified in the Note as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of the Note is due and payable.

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness” means

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

(2) any Indebtedness of any Person who guarantees the Notes after the Issue Date which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the guarantee by such entity of the Notes.

Subsidiary” means at any particular time, any company which is then directly or indirectly controlled or more than one half of whose issued equity share capital (or equivalent) is then beneficially owned by the Issuer and/or one or more of the Subsidiaries.

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

Trustee” means Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee, 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 one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Common Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in

Section

“Additional Amounts”

   4.09

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Base Currency”

   12.17

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Note Register”

   2.03

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Redemption Date”

   3.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

 

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The following Trust Indenture Act 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 means the Issuer and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

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

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

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

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

(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

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

(h) 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; and

(i) 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.

Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become

 

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effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Issuer may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount at Stated Maturity of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount at Stated Maturity. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount at Stated Maturity pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including the Common Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders and the Common Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(h) The Issuer may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by the Common Depositary entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this

 

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Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of €2,000 and integral multiples of €1,000 in excess of €2,000.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached 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 shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached 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 shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, 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 at Stated Maturity of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall 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 shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Common Depositary, and registered in the name of the Common Depositary or the nominee of the Common Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Restricted Period shall be terminated upon the receipt by the Trustee of:

(i) a written certificate from the Common Depositary, together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of each Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof); and

(ii) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer.

 

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Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of a Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a 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 Common Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

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

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer 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.

The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.

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. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. 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 shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Notes.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer 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 shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto by the manual or facsimile signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall upon an Authentication Order authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes and Exchange Notes for an aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity and with an Accreted Value specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued hereunder.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer 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 Issuer.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the State of New York and London, England where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar. For so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s Euro MTF Market and such market’s rules so require, the Issuer shall maintain a co-registrar in Luxembourg where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. The term “Paying Agent” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Issuer initially appoints Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch as the Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Issuer initially appoints Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as Paying Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. All Agents appointed under this Indenture shall be appointed pursuant to agency agreements among the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agent, as applicable.

The Issuer initially appoints Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as Common Depositary.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuer shall require the Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of Accreted Value, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or, without duplication, interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require the 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 Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall 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 Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall 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 Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a).

 

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Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Common Depositary or to a successor Common Depositary or a nominee of such successor Common Depositary. A Global Note shall be exchangeable for a Definitive Note if (x) Euroclear or Clearstream notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as clearing agency or (y) the Common Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Common Depositary for such Global Note, and, in either case, a successor Common Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days or (z) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to a Global Note. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Common Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). 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 subsequent to any of the preceding events and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Common Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the applicable rules and procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall 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 shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) 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 a 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 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)(i).

(ii) 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)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Common Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Common Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Common Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the

 

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Common Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Common 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 a 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. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) 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 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 adjust the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a 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)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a 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, in each case if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof 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 (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(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

 

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(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) 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 of the same series, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) 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 of the same series, 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 subparagraph (D), if the Registrar 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 subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer 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 at Stated Maturity equal to the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

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.

(i) 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 the occurrence of any of the events in paragraph (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and 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 substantially 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 substantially in the form of 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount at Stated Maturity. 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 Common Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail 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)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in a 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) of 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.

(iii) 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 upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and 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 (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(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

 

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(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar 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.

(iv) 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 the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (i) or (ii) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount at Stated Maturity. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) 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 or through the Common Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail 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)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

(i) 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 Note 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 substantially 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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(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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) 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 (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(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:

(1) 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) 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 substantially 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 subparagraph (D), if the Registrar 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)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) 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 shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity 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 subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer 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 at Stated Maturity equal to the principal amount at Stated Maturity 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 shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall 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 shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) 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 pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially 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; or

(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 required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

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(ii) 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 (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;

(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:

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

(2) 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (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.

(iii) 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 Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity equal to the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes of the same series tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive

 

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Notes in an aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity equal to the principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Restricted Definitive Notes of the same series tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount at Stated Maturity. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

(g) Legends. The following legends shall 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:

(i) 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) OR (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, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), OR (F) 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. 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.”

 

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(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE COMMON 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 (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR COMMON DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. 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 COMMON DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY TO THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR BY THE COMMON DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR COMMON DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF BT GLOBENET NOMINEES LIMITED OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO BT GLOBENET NOMINEES LIMITED OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMON DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, BT GLOBENET NOMINEES LIMITED, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall 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).”

 

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(iv) OID Legend. Each Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED WITH “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT”. FOR EACH €1,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT STATED MATURITY OF THIS NOTE, THE ISSUE PRICE IS €583.37, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS €416.63, THE ISSUE DATE IS AUGUST 9, 2006 AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS 11 1/8% PER ANNUM VNU GROUP B.V. WILL PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE HOLDER HEREOF INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, ISSUE DATE, YIELD TO MATURITY, AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE HOLDER PURSUANT TO U.S. TREASURY REGULATIONS), UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF SUCH HOLDER DIRECTED TO VNU GROUP B.V., 770 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, ATTENTION: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

(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 shall 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 at Stated Maturity of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Common 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 shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Common Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall 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 Issuer 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 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14 and 9.05 hereof).

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

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, 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.

 

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(v) The Issuer shall not 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 so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer 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 Accreted Value of (and premium, if any) and, without duplication, interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuer designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

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

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuer and shall 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 Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note.

 

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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 bona fide purchaser.

If the Accreted Value of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding, and interest (or accretion) on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, or one of its Subsidiaries 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 shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest (or accretion).

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount at Stated Maturity of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer, or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Issuer or of such other obligor.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

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

Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall 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 shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy cancelled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall 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 of Notes of such series on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on the Notes and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch shall promptly notify the Issuer of such special record date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13 Common Code and ISIN Numbers

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

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, at least 5 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the Accreted Value of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

 

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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 offer to purchase at any time, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch shall select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased (a) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed or (b) on a pro rata basis or, to the extent that selection on a pro rata basis is not practicable, by lot or by such other method Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch considers fair and appropriate. In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch shall promptly notify the Issuer 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 at Stated Maturity thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in principal amounts at Stated Maturity of €2,000 or whole multiples of €1,000 Notes of €2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, 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 a 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.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

The Issuer shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s 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 Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.

The notice shall state:

(a) the redemption date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the Accreted Value of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in Accreted Value equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Notes upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

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

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

 

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

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

At the Issuer’s request, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, at least 5 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch 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.

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. The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

Prior to 10:00 a.m. (London time) on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest (or accretion) shall 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 a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then, without duplication, 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 shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid (or accretion shall continue) on the unpaid Accreted Value, from the redemption or purchase date until such Accreted Value is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid Accreted Value, 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 Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in Accreted Value to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same

 

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indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that Note will be in a principal amount at Stated Maturity of €2,000 or an integral multiple of €1,000. 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.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to August 1, 2011, the Issuer may 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 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”) and, without duplication, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(b) The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time, on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to the Holders (which notice shall be irrevocable) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of the Notes redeemed plus, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, and including all additional amounts, if any, that will become due as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if

(i) the Issuer satisfies the Trustee immediately before the giving of such notice that it has or will become obliged to pay Additional Amounts as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the Netherlands or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the Issue Date (but before August 1, 2016), and

(ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due.

Before the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this clause (b), the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the obligation referred to in (i) above cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such certificate as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the condition precedent set out in (ii) above in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on Holders. A copy of such notice of redemption will be sent to the Luxembourg Stock Exchange prior to the date for such redemption.

(c) Except pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this Section 3.07, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to August 1, 2011.

(d) On and after August 1, 2011, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder at the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Interest, if any, to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2011

   105.563 %

2012

   103.708 %

2013

   101.854 %

2014 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

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(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and, without duplication, interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Accreted Value, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary, holds as of 10:00 A.M. London Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all Accreted Value, premium, if any, and, without duplication, interest then due.

The Issuer shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuer shall maintain the office or agency required under Section 2.03 where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall 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 Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Issuer 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 that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the

 

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Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency required under Section 2.03. The Issuer shall 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 Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 [Reserved].

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than five (5) Business Days) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

The Issuer shall pay, and shall cause each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or 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 Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall 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 Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Negative Pledge.

So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, neither the Issuer nor any of its Material Subsidiaries will secure any Indebtedness by any lien, pledge, charge, or other security device upon any of its assets or revenues unless it shall, simultaneously with or prior to the creation of such security, take

 

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any and all action necessary to secure the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and the Indenture equally and ratably with such indebtedness to the satisfaction of the Trustee or provide such other security for the Notes and the Indenture as the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall deem to be not materially less beneficial to the relevant Holders or as shall be approved by the Holders of a majority in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes of the relevant Holders, except for any Permitted Encumbrance.

Section 4.08 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuer; provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer.

Section 4.09 Withholding Taxes.

All payments of Accreted Value and interest by or on behalf of the Issuer in respect of the Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for, any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or within the Netherlands or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In that event, the Issuer shall pay such additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) as shall result in receipt by the Holders of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no such additional amounts shall be payable with respect to any Note:

(i) to, or to a third party on behalf of, a Holder who is liable to such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges in respect of such Note by reason of his having some connection with the Netherlands other than the mere holding of the Note; or

(ii) to, or to a third party on behalf of, a Holder who could lawfully avoid (but has not so avoided) such deduction or withholding by complying or procuring that any third party complies with any statutory requirements or by making or procuring that any third party makes a declaration of non-residence or other similar claim for exemption to any tax authority in the place where the relevant Note is presented for payment; or

(iii) presented for payment more than 30 days after the Relevant Date except to the extent that the Holder of it would have been entitled to such additional amounts on presenting it for payment on the thirtieth day; or

(iv) where such withholding or deduction is imposed on a payment to an individual and is required to be made pursuant to any European Union Directive on the taxation of savings implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of November 26-27, 2000 or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive; or

(v) presented for payment by or on behalf of a Holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant Note to another paying agent in a member state of the European Union.

As used in herein, “Relevant Date” in respect of any Note means the date on which payment in respect of it first becomes due or (if any amount of the money payable is improperly withheld or refused) the date on which payment in full of the amount outstanding is made or (if earlier) the date seven days after that on which notice is duly given to the Holder that, upon further presentation of the Note, such payment will be made, provided that payment is in fact made upon such presentation.

 

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ARTICLE 5

RESERVED

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) An “Event of Default” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) in the event of default in any payment on the Notes, if such default shall remain unremedied for a period of 15 Business Days after notice in writing thereof is given by the Trustee to the Issuer;

(2) in the event of default in the due performance of any other provision of the Notes or this Indenture, if such default shall remain unremedied for a period of 30 Business Days after written notice thereof is given by the Trustee to the Issuer;

(3) in the event of bankruptcy (faillissement) of the Issuer or any Material Subsidiary or in the event that the Issuer or any Material Subsidiary files a petition for a moratorium (suréance van betaling);

(4) in the event of dissolution (ontbinding) of the Issuer or any Material Subsidiary prior to the payment of the Notes in full (except for (a) in any such case, a dissolution for the purpose of and followed by a reconstruction, reorganization or amalgamation the terms of which have previously been approved in writing by the Trustee or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes, (b) in the case of the Issuer, the substitution in the place of the Issuer of a substituted obligor the terms of which have previously been approved as aforesaid, or (c) in the case of a Material Subsidiary, whereby the undertaking and assets of the Material Subsidiary are transferred to or otherwise vested in the Issuer or another of its subsidiaries); or

(5) in the event of the default of the Issuer or any Material Subsidiary as to due and punctual payment of Accreted Value, premium (if any) or interest on any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Material Subsidiary, as and when the same shall become due and payable, if such default shall continue for more than the longer of (i) fifteen days or (ii) the period of grace (if any) specified in the terms thereof, and the time for payment of such Accreted Value, premium (if any) and interest has not been validly extended;

provided that in the case of the happening of any of the events mentioned in paragraph (2) above, only if the Trustee shall have certified in writing that such event is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Holders.

 

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(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (5) above, 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 6.02 Acceleration.

(a) If any Event of Default (other than of a type specified in clause (3) of Section 6.01(a) hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that so long as any Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities shall be outstanding, no such acceleration shall be effective until the earlier of:

(1) acceleration of any such Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities; or

(2) five Business Days after the giving of written notice of such acceleration to the Issuer and the administrative agent under the Senior Credit Facilities.

(b) Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal (or Accreted Value) and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (3) of the first paragraph of this section, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, the Trustee shall have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the best judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the best interest of the Holders of the Notes

(c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity 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 and its consequences hereunder except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal (or Accreted Value) of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

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.

 

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Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal (or Accreted Value) of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder; provided, subject to Section 6.02 hereof, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. 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 impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then total outstanding Notes may 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 the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, 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 30% in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) Holders of the Notes have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

(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 at Stated Maturity of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

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.

 

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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 (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, 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(a)(1) 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 Issuer for the whole amount of principal (or Accreted Value) of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and, without duplication, interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal (or Accreted Value) 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 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

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

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

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

Section 6.12 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 Issuer (or any other obligor

 

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upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and 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 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 6.13 Priorities.

If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(i) to the Trustee, any Agent, their 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 or any Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

(ii) to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and, without duplication, interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and, without duplication, interest, respectively; and

(iii) to the Issuer 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 6.13.

Section 6.14 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 6.14 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 principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes.

 

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ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

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

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall 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

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall 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:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(ii) the Trustee shall 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

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 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 paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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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, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(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 shall 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 of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall 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.

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

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within 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 Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

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

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

(j) In the event the Issuer is required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuer will provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuer’s obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuer. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable and the amount thereof.

 

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Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer 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 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 shall 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 Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall 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 occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of Accreted Value, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default 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. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

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 shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

 

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Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such 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 shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall 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 shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder or the Issuer, or liability in connective with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall 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 Accreted Value and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(3) or (4) 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.

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(b) 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;

 

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(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuer’s expense), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

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.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall 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 Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

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 shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall 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 trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer.

The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof 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 Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall 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 (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal (or Accreted Value) of, premium, if any, and, without duplication, interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer 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 Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08 and 4.09 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall 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 shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding

 

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Notes, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall 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 shall 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 shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(a)(2), 6.01(a)(5), 6.01(a)(3) (solely with respect to Material Subsidiaries) and 6.01(a)(4) (solely with respect to Material Subsidiaries).

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(1) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, euro or Government Securities, in each case in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the Accreted Value of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the redemption date, as the case may be, of such Accreted Value, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuer must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(a) the Issuer has received from, or there have been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(b) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the 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 and (ii) an opinion of counsel in the Netherlands reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that (a) the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Dutch income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject Dutch 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 and (b) payments from the defeasance trust will be free and exempt from any and all withholding and other income taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Netherlands or any political subdivision thereof or therein having the power to tax;

 

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(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such 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 and (ii) an opinion of counsel in the Netherlands reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that (a) the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Dutch income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to Dutch 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 and (b) payments from the defeasance trust will be free and exempt from any and all withholding and other income taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Netherlands or any political subdivision thereof or therein having the power to tax;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(6) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion 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 Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or others; and

(8) the Issuer shall have delivered 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 provided for or 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 Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch (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 shall be held in trust and applied by Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer 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 Accreted Value, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and, without duplication, interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee and Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the Accreted Value and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or 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 Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) 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 Issuer.

Any money deposited with Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the Accreted Value of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or, without duplication, interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such Accreted Value, and premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any euro or 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 Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall 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 that, if the Issuer makes any payment of Accreted Value of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or, without duplication, interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or Notes without the consent of any Holder:

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

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes of such series in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

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(3) [Reserved];

(4) to provide the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to the Holders;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon an Issuer;

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof;

(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 transferable;

(10) to add a guarantor under this Indenture;

(11) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Senior Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of Senior Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or Notes; or

(12) making any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, 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 Notes.

Upon the request of the Issuer 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 the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer 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 shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuer and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding 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

 

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Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the Accreted Value of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or, without duplication, interest 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 principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuer 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 the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer 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, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

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

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the Accreted Value of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the Accreted Value of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes;

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(4) waive a Default in the payment of Accreted Value of or premium, if any, or (without duplication) interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of Accreted Value of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

 

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(7) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of Accreted Value 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;

(9) make any change to the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(10) change the method of calculating Accreted Value.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the Trust Indenture Act 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 waiver, supplement or amendment 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.

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 Issuer 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 shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver 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 Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the

 

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documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a guarantor under this Indenture.

Section 9.07 Payment for Consent.

Neither the Issuer nor any Affiliate of the Issuer shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

ARTICLE 10

RESERVED

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2)(A) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption and redeemed by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer and the Issuer has 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 euro, 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 Accreted Value, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(B) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit) 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 any material agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness (other than this Indenture) to which

 

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the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

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

(D) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at Stated Maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer 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 shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (A) of clause (2) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive.

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 Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the Accreted Value (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and (without duplication) interest 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 Issuer’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 Issuer has made any payment of Accreted Value of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or (without duplication) interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer 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 Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Issuer, the Trustee or the Paying Agent to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified,

 

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return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuer:

c/o VNU, Inc.

770 Broadway

New York, NY

Fax No.: (646)  ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

If to the Trustee:

Law Debenture Trust Company of New York

767 Third Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, New York 10017

Fax No.: (212)  ###-###-####

Attention: Boris Treyger

If to Deustche Bank AG, London Branch:

Deutsche Bank AG London

Winchester House

1 Great Winchester Street

London EC2N 2DB

Fax: 0207 ###-###-####

Attention: Trust and Securities Services

The Issuer, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, 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) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall 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. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. So long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and it is required by the rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, such notice to the Holders of the Euro Notes will be published in English in a leading newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the d’ Wort) or, if such publication is not practicable, in one other leading English language daily newspaper with general circulation in Europe, such newspaper being published on each business day in morning editions, whether or not it shall be published in Saturday, Sunday or holiday editions. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

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

Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

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

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall 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

(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall 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 Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

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

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

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

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

 

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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 director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any of its parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 12.08 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial.

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

Section 12.10 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 12.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.12 Successors.

All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All references to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch in this Indenture shall include its successors and assigns.

Section 12.13 Severability.

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

 

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Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals.

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

Section 12.15 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 shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.16 Qualification of Indenture.

The Issuer shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuer and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Issuer any such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 12.17 Currency of Account; Conversion of Currency; Foreign Exchange Restrictions.

(a) Euros are the sole currency of account and payment for all sums payable by the Issuer under or in connection with the Notes or this Indenture to the extent it relates to the Notes, including damages related thereto. Any amount received or recovered in a currency other than Euro (whether as a result of, or of the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any jurisdiction, in the winding-up or dissolution of the Issuer or otherwise) in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Issuer shall only constitute a discharge to the Issuer to the extent of the Euro amount which the recipient is able to purchase with the amount so received or recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery (or, if it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on which it is practicable to do so). If that Euro amount is less than the Euro amount expressed to be due to the recipient under the Notes, the Issuer shall indemnify it against any loss sustained by it as a result as set forth in Section 11.16(b). In any event, the Issuer shall indemnify the recipient against the cost of making any such purchase. For the purposes of this Section 12.17, it will be sufficient for the Holder of a Note to certify in a satisfactory manner (indicating sources of information used) that it would have suffered a loss had an actual purchase of Euros been made with the amount so received in that other currency on the date of receipt or recovery (or, if a purchase of Euros on such date had not been practicable, on the first date on which it would have been practicable, it being required that the need for a change of date be certified in the manner mentioned above). The indemnities set forth in this Section 12.17 constitute separate and independent obligations from other obligations of the Issuer shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by any Holder of the Notes and shall continue in full force and effect despite any other judgment, order, claim or proof for a liquidated amount in respect of any sum due under the Notes.

(b) The Issuer covenants and agrees that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of currency in the case of the Notes and this Indenture:

(1) (A) If for the purpose of obtaining judgment in, or enforcing the judgment of, any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into a currency (the “Judgment

 

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Currency”) an amount due in any other currency (the “Base Currency”), then the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).

(B) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or an order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (or such other date as a court shall determine), and the date of receipt of the amount due, the Issuer will pay such additional (or, as the case may be, such lesser) amount, if any, as may be necessary so that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt will produce the amount in the Base Currency originally due.

(2) In the event of the winding-up of the Issuer at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Notes and this Indenture, or any judgment or order rendered in respect thereof, shall remain outstanding, the Issuer shall indemnify and hold the Holders and the Trustee harmless against any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the Applicable Currency Equivalent of the amount due or contingently due under the Notes and this Indenture (other than under this subsection (b)(2)) is calculated for the purposes of such winding-up and (ii) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in such winding-up. For the purpose of this subsection (b)(2), the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in the winding-up of the Issuer shall be the date fixed by the liquidator or otherwise in accordance with the relevant provisions of applicable law as being the latest practicable date as at which liabilities of the Issuer may be ascertained for such winding-up prior to payment by the liquidator or otherwise in respect thereto.

(c) The obligations contained in subsections (a), (b)(1)(B) and (b)(2) of this Section 12.17 shall constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture, shall give rise to separate and independent causes of action against the Issuer, shall apply irrespective of any waiver or extension granted by any Holder or the Trustee or either of them from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order or the filing of any proof of claim in the winding-up of the Issuer for a liquidated sum in respect of amounts due hereunder (other than under subsection (b)(2) above) or under any such judgment or order. Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Holders or the Trustee, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuer or the liquidator or otherwise or any of them. In the case of subsection (b)(2) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.

(d) The term “rate(s) of exchange” shall mean the rate of exchange quoted by Reuters at 10:00 a.m. (London time) for spot purchases of the Base Currency with the Judgment Currency other than the Base Currency referred to in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2) above and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable.

Section 12.18 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunity.

(a) By the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer (A) acknowledges that it will, by separate written instrument, designate and appoint Nielsen Finance LLC (and any successor entity) as its authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture that may be instituted in any Federal or state court in the State of New York,

 

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New York County, or brought under Federal or state securities laws, and acknowledges that Nielsen Finance LLC will accept such designation, (B) submits for itself and its property to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit or proceeding, (C) consents that any such proceeding may be brought in any such court and waives trial by jury and any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such proceeding in any such court or that such proceeding was brought in any inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same, (D) agrees that service of process upon Nielsen Finance LLC and written notice of said service to the Issuer in accordance with Section 12.02 shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Issuer in any such suit or proceeding and (E) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction.

(b) To the extent that the Issuer may be entitled, in any jurisdiction in which judicial proceedings may at any time be commenced with respect to or arising out of this Indenture, to claim for itself or its revenues, assets or properties immunity (whether by reason of sovereignty or otherwise) from suit, from the jurisdiction of any court (including but not limited to any court of the United States of America or the State of New York), from attachment prior to judgment, from set-off, from execution of a judgment or from any other legal process, and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed such an immunity (whether or not claimed), the Issuer hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim and hereby irrevocably waives such immunity to the extent permitted by law.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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VNU GROUP B.V.
By:  

/s/ Authorized Signatory

Name:  
Title:  

Signature Page to Senior Indenture


LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,

    as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Authorized Signatory

Name:  
Title:  

Signature Page to Senior Indenture


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

[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]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert OID Legend]

 

A-1


Common Code [                    ]

ISIN [                    ]1

[[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

representing up to

                        ]

11 1/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2016

 

No.      

   [€                        ]

VNU GROUP B.V.

promises to pay to BT GLOBENET NOMINEES LIMITED or registered assigns the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of                                          euro] on August 1, 2016.

Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1

Record Dates: January 15 and July 15

 


1

Rule 144A Note Common Code: 26356148

Rule 144A Note ISIN: XS0263561481

Regulation S Note Common Code: 26356105

Regulation S Note ISIN: XS0263561051

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: August 9, 2006

 

VNU GROUP B.V.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,

    as Trustee
By:  

 

                  Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


[Back of Note]

11 1/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2016

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. VNU Group B.V., a company incorporated in the Netherlands with a corporate seat in Amsterdam, promises to pay interest on the principal amount at Stated Maturity of this Note at 11 1/8% per annum in the manner specified below. Until August 1, 2011, interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate of 11 1/8% per annum in the form of an increase in the Accreted Value (representing amortization of original issue discount from the date of original issuance to August 1, 2011), such that the Accreted Value of each Note shall be equal to its principal amount at Stated Maturity at such date. Beginning on February 1, 2012, the Issuer will pay cash interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 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 August 1, 2011. The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

For purposes of the preceding paragraph, the following term shall have the following definition:

Accreted Value” means, as of any date (the “Specified Date”), the amount provided below for each €1,000 principal amount at Stated Maturity of Notes:

(a) if the Specified Date occurs on one of the following dates (each, a “Semi-Annual Accrual Date”), the Accreted Value will equal the amount set forth below for such Semi-Annual Accrual Date:

 

Semi-Annual Accrual Date

   Accreted Value

February 1, 2007

   614.35

August 1, 2007

   648.52

February 1, 2008

   684.59

August 1, 2008

   722.67

February 1, 2009

   762.87

August 1, 2009

   805.31

February 1, 2010

   850.10

August 1, 2010

   897.39

February 1, 2011

   947.31

August 1, 2011

   1,000.00

The foregoing Accreted Values shall be increased, if necessary, to reflect any accretion of Additional Interest.

 

A-5


(b) if the Specified Date occurs before the first Semi-Annual Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (A) the original issue (€583.37 for each €1,000 principal amount at Stated Maturity) price of a Note and (B) the amount equal to the product of (x) the Accreted Value for the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less such original issue price multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the Issue Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is the number of days from the Issue Date to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(c) if the Specified Date occurs between two Semi-Annual Accrual Dates, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (A) the Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such Specified Date and (B) an amount equal to the product of (x) the Accreted Value for the immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the Accreted Value for the Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such Specified Date multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is 180; or

(d) if the Specified Date occurs on or after August 1, 2011, the Accreted Value will equal €1,000.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuer will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the January 15 or July 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, 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. After August 1, 2011, payment of interest and Additional 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 and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuer or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in euro.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”) between the Issuer and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 11 1/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2016. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). 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.

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) Except as described below under clause 5(b) hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option before August 1, 2011.

 

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(b) At any time prior to August 1, 2011, the Issuer may 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, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, and, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of Dollar Notes on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(c) The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time, on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to the Holders (which notice shall be irrevocable) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the Accreted Value of the Notes redeemed plus, without duplication, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, and including all additional amounts, if any, that will become due as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if

(i) the Issuer satisfies the Trustee immediately before the giving of such notice that it has or will become obliged to pay Additional Amounts as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the Netherlands or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having the power to tax, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the Issue Date (but before August 1, 2016), and

(ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due.

(d) On and after August 1, 2011, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Interest, if any, to the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Dollar Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on August 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2011

   105.563 %

2012

   103.708 %

2013

   101.854 %

2014 and thereafter

   100.000 %

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the

 

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redemption date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than €2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of €1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Dollar Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

8. [RESERVED]

9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of €2,000 and integral multiples of €1,000. 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 Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer 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 Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal (or Accreted Value), premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that so long as any Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities shall be outstanding, no such acceleration shall be effective until the earlier of:

(1) acceleration of any such Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities; or

(2) five Business Days after the giving of written notice of such acceleration to the Issuer and the administrative agent under the Senior Credit Facilities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of Accreted Value, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal (or Accreted Value) of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuer is required to

 

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deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer is required within five (5) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

13. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

14. 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 shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2006, among the Issuer and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

15. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES.

16. COMMON CODES. The Issuer has caused common codes to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use common codes 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.

The Issuer 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 the Issuer at the following address:

VNU Group N.V.

c/o VNU, Inc.

770 Broadway

New York, NY

Fax No.: (646)  ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

 

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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’ 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 Issuer. 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).

le to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE

GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is €             . 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 or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease

in Principal

Amount at Stated

Maturity

  

Amount of increase

in Principal

Amount at Stated

Maturity of this

Global Note

  

Principal Amount

at Stated Maturity

of this Global Note

following such

decrease or

increase

  

Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Note Custodian

           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

VNU Group N.V.

c/o VNU, Inc.

770 Broadway

New York, NY

Fax No.: (646)  ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.

2 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer

L-1511 Luxembourg

Telephone: 00 352 460241

Fax: 00 352 473136

Telex: 3392 BTL LU

Re: [11 1/8% Senior Notes due 2016]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”), between VNU Group B.V. and the 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 at maturity 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 RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States 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.

2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A 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

 

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was 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 Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 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 Issuer 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.

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

 

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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.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

 

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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 (Common Code — 26356148), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note (Common Code — 26356105), 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 (Common Code — 26356148), or

 

  (ii) [    ] Regulation S Global Note (Common Code — 26356105), or

 

  (iii) [    ] Unrestricted Global Note; or

 

  (b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

VNU Group B.V.

c/o VNU, Inc.

770 Broadway

New York, NY

Fax No.: (646)  ###-###-####

Attention: General Counsel

Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.

2 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer

L-1511 Luxembourg

Telephone: 00 352 460241

Fax: 00 352 473136

Telex: 3392 BTL LU

Re: 11 1/8% Senior Dollar Notes due 2016

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”), between VNU Group B.V. and the 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 OF THE SAME SERIES. 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 of the same series 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 United States 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 OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange

 

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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) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, 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 OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, 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 OF THE SAME SERIES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES OF THE SAME SERIES

a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series 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 OF THE SAME SERIES. 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 of the same series, 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

 

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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.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated                                 .

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

 

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