EX-4.5: REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Registration Rights Agreements
EX-4.5 3 y56861exv4w5.htm EX-4.5: REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT EX-4.5
 

EXECUTION VERSION
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
     This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated April 30, 2008 (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and among Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (“JPMorgan”), Banc of America Securities LLC (“BAS”), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (“Morgan Stanley”), Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“GS”) and UBS Securities LLC (“UBS” and together with JPMorgan, BAS, Morgan Stanley and GS, the “Representatives”). Upon consummation of the Separation Transaction (as defined below), each Guarantor (as defined below) will become party to this Agreement by execution of a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (“Registration Rights Joinder Agreement”).
     The Company and the Representatives, on behalf of the initial purchasers thereunder (the “Initial Purchasers”) are parties to the Purchase Agreement dated April 25, 2008 (the “Purchase Agreement”), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $250,000,000 principal amount of its 6.12% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”), $1,200,000,000 principal amount of its 6.82% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) and $250,000,000 principal amount of its 7.45% Senior Notes due 2038 (the “2038 Notes” and together with the 2013 Notes and 2018 Notes, the “Securities”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
     In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
     “2013 Notes” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “2018 Notes” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “2038 Notes” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “BAS” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

 

     “Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
     “Cadbury” shall mean Cadbury Schweppes plc, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales.
     “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors.
     “Escrow Agreement” shall mean the Escrow Deposit and Disbursement Agreement, dated April 30, 2008, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as escrow agent and as trustee under the Indenture.
     “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
     “Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.
     “Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
     “Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
     “Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.
     “Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities shall not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
     “GS” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Free Writing Prospectus” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or

 

 

used or referred to by the Company in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities.
     “Guarantors” mean each Subsidiary that becomes a guarantor of the company’s payment obligations on the Securities under the Indenture by execution of a supplemental indenture thereto.
     “Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 6 of this Agreement, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.
     “Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.
     “Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.
     “Indenture” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities dated April 30, 2008 among the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee and as the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
     “Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble.
     “Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiii) hereof.
     “Issue Date” shall mean the date on which the Securities are originally issued.
     “Issuer Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.
     “JPMorgan” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided, further, that if the Company shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to which this

 

 

Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained.
     “Morgan Stanley” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Participating Broker-Dealers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.
     “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
     “Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a part of, a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein.
     “Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) on the date that is two years after the later of the date hereof or the date of issuance of any securities of the same series as any of the Securities, provided that any Security that is not eligible to be sold by the Holder thereof on such date under Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act without being subject to any restrictions under such rule shall remain a “Registrable Security” until such time as it is so eligible to be sold, or (iii) when such Securities cease to be outstanding.
     “Registration Actions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.
     “Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any

 

 

Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of the Company and the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees incurred by the Company (including with respect to maintaining ratings on the Securities), (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers), and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.
     “Registration Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.
     “Registration Rights Agreement Joinder” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.
     “Representatives” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
     “Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

 

     “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
     “Separation Transaction” shall mean the distribution of all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company to shareholders of Cadbury pursuant to a Separation and Distribution Agreement, among the Company and Cadbury.
     “Shelf Additional Interest Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.
     “Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.
     “Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.
     “Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities (but no other securities unless approved by a majority of the Holders whose Registrable Securities are to be covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.
     “Shelf Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.
     “Subsidiary Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees of the Securities and Exchange Securities by the Guarantors under the Indenture.
     “Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC.
     “Subsidiaries” means each subsidiary of the Company.
     “Suspension Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.
     “Suspension Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.
     “Target Registration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

 

 

     “Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.
     “Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.
     “Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof.
     “Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.
     2. Registration Under the Securities Act. (a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause to be filed on or prior to 360 days after the Issue Date an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to have such Registration Statement remain effective until 180 days after the last Exchange Date for use by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers. The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use commercially reasonable efforts to issue on or prior to 390 days after the Issue Date, or longer if required by the federal securities laws, Exchange Securities in exchange for all Registrable Securities tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer.
     The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following:
(i)   that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn shall be accepted for exchange;
 
(ii)   the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Exchange Dates”);
 
(iii)   that any Registrable Security not tendered shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but shall not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified herein;
 
(iv)   that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to (A) surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan,

 

 

    The City of New York) and in the manner specified in the notice, or (B) effect such exchange otherwise in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Security, in each case prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and
 
(v)   that any Holder shall be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by (A) sending to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged or (B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for the Registrable Securities.
     As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder shall be required to represent to the Company and the Guarantors that (i) any Exchange Securities to be received by it shall be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company or any Guarantor and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder shall deliver a Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.
     As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(i)   accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and
 
(ii)   deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities tendered by such Holder.
     The Company and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. The

 

 

Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff.
     (b) In the event that (i) the Company and the Guarantors determine upon advice of counsel that they are not permitted to consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated for any reason within 390 days from the Issue Date, (iii) prior to the 20th business day following the consummation of the Exchange Offer (A) the Company receives a written request (a “Shelf Request”) from any Initial Purchaser representing that it holds Registrable Securities that are or were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer, (B) any Holder (other than any Initial Purchaser) is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer, or (C) any Initial Purchaser that participates in the Exchange Offer or acquires Exchange Securities, such Initial Purchaser does not receive freely tradable Exchange Securities in exchange for Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment (clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) each constituting a “Shelf Registration Trigger Event”), the Company and the Guarantors will use commercially reasonable efforts file a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof on or prior to 90 days after such Shelf Registration Trigger Event and to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 90 days after filing such Shelf Registration Statement, provided that the Company is under no obligation to file any such Shelf Registration Statement before it is obligated to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to paragraph 2(a) above.
     In the event that the Company and the Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding paragraph, the Company and the Guarantors shall also cause to be filed and have become effective both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement if so permitted by applicable law and SEC rules and policy at the time) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.
     The Company and the Guarantors agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until all the Securities registered thereunder cease to be Registrable Securities (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”). The Company and the Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with

 

 

respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required, and such Shelf Registration Statement and Prospectus to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Company and the Guarantors agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
     (c) The Company and the Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and, except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, any fees and disbursements of counsel or experts retained by such Holder in connection with any registration pursuant hereto (other than any such fees and disbursements included within the definition of Registration Expenses).
     (d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof shall not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC. A Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC as provided by Rule 462 under the Securities Act.
     (e) In the event that (i) there is a failure to file any Registration Statement on or before the date specified for such filing pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective on or before the date specified for effectiveness thereof pursuant to this Agreement, or (iii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 390 days from the Issue Date (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) above, a “Registration Default”) the Company shall pay additional interest on the Registrable Securities as described below. With respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default, additional interest shall be paid in an amount equal to a per annum rate of 0.25% on the principal amount of such Securities. The amount of the additional interest shall increase by an additional per annum rate of 0.25% on the principal of such Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day period while a Registration Default is continuing until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of additional interest for all Registration Defaults of 1.00% per annum on the principal amount of such Securities. During the continuance of any Registration Default, the additional interest accruing pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall continue to accrue on any Securities that were Registrable Securities on the initial date of the first Registration Default notwithstanding that such Securities may have thereafter ceased to be Registrable Securities pursuant to clause (ii) of the proviso to the definition of Registrable Securities. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of additional interest will cease.

 

 

     If the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, or any Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed hereby, has become effective and thereafter either ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement, at any time prior to 180 days after the last Exchange Date in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, or during the Shelf Effectiveness Period in the case of the Shelf Registration Statement, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period, then the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum for each 90-day period commencing on the 31st day in such 12-month period, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum on the principal amount of such Securities, and ending on such date that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, has again become effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable. Any additional interest payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall continue to accrue on all Securities that were Registrable Securities on the initial date that any such additional interest began to accrue notwithstanding that such Securities may have thereafter ceased to be Registrable Securities pursuant to clause (ii) of the proviso to the definition of Registrable Securities.
     Subject to the limitation set forth in the next succeeding paragraph and subject to the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to delay the initial filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, suspend its obligation to file any amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, furnish any supplement or amendment to a Prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement, make any other filing with the SEC that would be incorporated by reference into the Shelf Registration Statement, cause the Shelf Registration Statement to remain effective or take any similar action (collectively, “Registration Actions”) if there is a possible acquisition or business combination or other transaction, business development or event involving the Company and its subsidiaries that may require disclosure in the Shelf Registration Statement and the Company determines in the exercise of its reasonable judgment that such disclosure is not in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders or obtaining any financial statements relating to any such acquisition or business combination required to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement would be impracticable. Upon the occurrence of any of the conditions described in (the foregoing sentence, the Company shall give prompt notice (a “Suspension Notice”) thereof to the Holders. Upon the termination of such condition, the Company shall give prompt notice thereof to the Holders and shall promptly proceed with all Registration Actions that were suspended pursuant to this paragraph.
     The Company may suspend Registration Actions pursuant to the preceding paragraph for one or more periods (each, a “Suspension Period”) not to exceed 90 days in the aggregate during any twelve month period, during which

 

 

no additional interest shall be payable pursuant to this Section 2(e) as a result thereof. If one or more Suspension Periods exceed 90 days in the aggregate during any twelve month period, then additional interest shall begin to accrue on 91st day until such Registration Default is cured. Each Suspension Period shall be deemed to begin on the date the relevant Suspension Notice is given to the Holders and shall end on the date on which the Company gives the Holders a notice that the Suspension Period has terminated. The Company shall extend the Shelf Effectiveness Period by the total number of days during which a Suspension Period was in effect, so long as there are Registrable Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the foregoing, the Company shall at all times use its commercially reasonable efforts to end any Suspension Period at the earliest possible time.
     (f) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.
     (g) The Company represents, warrants and covenants that it (including its agents and representatives) will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any Free Writing Prospectus in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement.
     3. Registration Procedures. (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall as soon as practicable:
     (i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Company and the Guarantors, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include or incorporate by reference all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;
     (ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any

 

 

required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(3) of, and Rule 174 under, the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;
     (iii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus or preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and the Company and the Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;
     (iv) use their commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement becomes effective; cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;
     (v) notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities and counsel for such Holders promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective and when any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order

 

 

suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the SEC to the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Company or any Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by the Company or any Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus would be appropriate;
     (vi) use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2), including by filing an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement on the proper form, as soon as practicable and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order or such resolution;
     (vii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, upon request, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);
     (viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends (other than as required by applicable law) and enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Holders may reasonably request at least one Business Day prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;
     (ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-

 

 

effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company and the Guarantors shall notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company and the Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;
     (x) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Company and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Company and the Guarantors shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file any Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) shall object;
     (xi) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement;
     (xii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
     (xiii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, prior to the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement and throughout the Shelf Effectiveness Period, make

 

 

available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities (an “Inspector”), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorneys and accountants designated by a majority of the Holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration and any attorneys and accountants designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Company and the Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement and due diligence related to the offering and sale of Securities thereunder; provided that if any such information is identified by the Company or any Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall take actions to maintain it in confidence and such information shall not be disclosed to any other Person until such time as (1) the disclosure of such information is required to be set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to such Prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus, amendment or supplement as the case may be, does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, (in which case the subject information may only be disclosed to another Person following such time as the Shelf Registration Statement in which such information is included is publicly filed by the Company with the SEC), (2) such Person shall be legally compelled to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction (but only after such Person shall have given the Company prior written notice of such requirement, and provided that such Person uses reasonable efforts to allow the Company at the Company’s expense to undertake to contest the compulsion to disclose such information), (3) the information has been made generally available to the public. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Person receiving such information may disclose the information to any governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Person (other than pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, which disclosure shall be subject to clause (2) of the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence) without notice to or consent from the Company if such Person advises such authority of the confidential nature of the information.
     (xiv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company or any Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

 

 

     (xv) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly include or incorporate by eference in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing;
     (xvi) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (2) in connection with any Underwritten Offering, obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Guarantor, or of any business acquired by the Company or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus or Prospectus and (4) in connection with an Underwritten Offering, deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement; and

 

 

     (xvii) so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor to execute a Registration Rights Agreement Joinder in the form attached hereto as Annex A at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor and to deliver such counterpart to the Initial Purchasers no later than two Business Days following the execution thereof.
     (b) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require, as a condition to including such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Shelf Registration Statements, each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Company and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably request in writing.
     (c) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of Registrable Securities covered in such Shelf Registration Statement agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company and the Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(v)(2) through and including 3(a)(v)(6) hereof, such Holder shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(ix) hereof and, if so directed by the Company and the Guarantors, such Holder shall deliver to the Company and the Guarantors all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice.
     (d) If the Company and the Guarantors shall give any notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. Additional interest on the Securities shall be payable as provided in Section 2(e) during any period of such suspension (subject to the ability of the Company to suspend payment of additional interest during the time periods specified in the final paragraph of such Section).
     (e) The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers (each an “Underwriter”) that shall administer the offering shall be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering, subject in

 

 

each case to the consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
     4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer. (a) The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.
     The Company and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.
     (b) In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(d) of this Agreement), if requested by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above. The Company and the Guarantors further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period (but not thereafter) in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.
     (c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) above.
     5. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities

 

 

(including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus used in violation of this Agreement or any “issuer information” (“Issuer Information”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through any Initial Purchaser or any selling Holder, respectively, expressly for use therein.
     (b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Company and the Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Guarantors who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement and any Prospectus.
     (c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under this Section 5 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under this Section 5. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person

 

 

and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by JPMorgan, (y) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on

 

 

claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.
     (d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors or by the Holders and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
     (e) The Company, the Guarantors and the Holders that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal fees or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5 in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5 are several and not joint.

 

 

     (f) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
     (g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company or the Guarantors or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Company or the Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.
     6. General.
     (a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the Guarantors represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii) neither the Company nor any Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement shall enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
     (b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder. Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.
     (c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Company and the Guarantors,

 

 

initially at the Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section (7)(c); and (iii) to such other persons at their respective addresses as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.
     (d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company or the Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.
     (e) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.
     (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
     (g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

 

     (h) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
     (j) Entire Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.
     (k) Termination. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate if the Company completes the Special Mandatory Redemption (as defined in the Indenture) in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Escrow Agreement.

 

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
             
    Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.    
 
            
 
  By: /s/ John O.Stewart        
 
  Name: John O. Stewart        
 
  Title: Executive Vice President & CFO        
Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
UBS SECURITIES LLC
For themselves and on behalf of the
several Initial Purchasers
         
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.    
 
        
By
  /s/ Maria Sramek     
 
       
 
  Name: Maria Sramek    
 
  Title: Executive Director    
 
        
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC    
 
        
By
   /s/ Lily Chang     
 
       
 
  Authorized Signatory    
 
        
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.    
 
        
By
   /s/ Goldman Sachs    
 
       
 
  Goldman, Sachs & Co.    
 
        
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED    
 
        
By
   /s/ Yurij Slyz    
 
       
 
  Authorized Signatory    

 

 

         
UBS SECURITIES LLC    
 
        
By
   /s/ Christian Stewart    
 
       
 
  Authorized Signatory    
 
        
By
   /s/ Jordan Matusow    
 
       
 
  Authorized Signatory    

 

 

Exhibit A
Form of Registration Rights Agreement Joinder
     With respect to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 30, 2008 by and among the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and UBS Securities LLC, (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), each of the undersigned under the heading “Guarantor” below agrees to be bound by such Registration Rights Agreement in the capacity as “Guarantor” thereunder, in each case, as of the effective time of the expiration of the Escrow Period (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), on May [___], 2008. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Registration Rights Agreement Joinder shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Rights Agreement.
             
    Guarantor:    
 
            
    [Guarantor]    
 
            
 
  By:        
 
     
 
Name: 		   
 
      Title: