KOPPERS INC. KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC., as Guarantor AND EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

EX-4.1 2 dex41.htm INDENTURE DATED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2009 Indenture dated as of December 1, 2009

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

 

KOPPERS INC.

KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.,

as Guarantor

AND EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

7.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of December 1, 2009

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

 

 

.


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)

   6.11

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

317(a)(1)

   6.08

      (a)(2)

   6.09

      (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.

   26
Section 1.03  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

   26
Section 1.04  

Rules of Construction.

   27

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01  

Form and Dating.

   27
Section 2.02  

Execution and Authentication.

   28
Section 2.03  

Registrar and Paying Agent.

   28
Section 2.04  

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

   29
Section 2.05  

Holder Lists.

   29
Section 2.06  

Transfer and Exchange.

   29
Section 2.07  

Replacement Notes.

   41
Section 2.08  

Outstanding Notes.

   41
Section 2.09  

Treasury Notes.

   41
Section 2.10  

Temporary Notes.

   41
Section 2.11  

Cancellation.

   42
Section 2.12  

Defaulted Interest.

   42
Section 2.13  

CUSIP Numbers.

   42

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01  

Notices to Trustee.

   42
Section 3.02  

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

   43
Section 3.03  

Notice of Redemption.

   43
Section 3.04  

Effect of Notice of Redemption.

   44
Section 3.05  

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

   44
Section 3.06  

Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

   44
Section 3.07  

Optional Redemption.

   44
Section 3.08  

Mandatory Redemption.

   45
Section 3.09  

Net Proceeds Offer.

   45

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01  

Payment of Notes.

   47
Section 4.02  

Maintenance of Office or Agency.

   47
Section 4.03  

Reports.

   48
Section 4.04  

Compliance Certificate.

   49
Section 4.05  

Taxes.

   50
Section 4.06  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

   50
Section 4.07  

Restricted Payments.

   50
Section 4.08  

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

   53

 

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Page

Section 4.09  

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

   54
Section 4.10  

Asset Sales.

   57
Section 4.11  

Transactions with Affiliates.

   60
Section 4.12  

Liens.

   61
Section 4.13  

Business Activities.

   61
Section 4.14  

Corporate Existence.

   61
Section 4.15  

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

   61
Section 4.16  

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

   63
Section 4.17  

Additional Guarantees.

   63
Section 4.18  

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

   63
Section 4.19  

Special Interest Notice.

   64

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01  

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

   64
Section 5.02  

Successor Corporation Substituted.

   66

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01  

Events of Default.

   66
Section 6.02  

Acceleration.

   68
Section 6.03  

Other Remedies.

   68
Section 6.04  

Waiver of Past Defaults.

   69
Section 6.05  

Control by Majority.

   69
Section 6.06  

Limitation on Suits.

   69
Section 6.07  

Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.

   70
Section 6.08  

Collection Suit by Trustee.

   70
Section 6.09  

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

   70
Section 6.10  

Priorities.

   70
Section 6.11  

Undertaking for Costs.

   70

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01  

Duties of Trustee.

   71
Section 7.02  

Rights of Trustee.

   72
Section 7.03  

Individual Rights of Trustee.

   73
Section 7.04  

Trustee’s Disclaimer.

   73
Section 7.05  

Notice of Defaults.

   73
Section 7.06  

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

   73
Section 7.07  

Compensation and Indemnity.

   74
Section 7.08  

Replacement of Trustee.

   74
Section 7.09  

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

   75
Section 7.10  

Eligibility; Disqualification.

   75
Section 7.11  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer.

   76

ARTICLE 8

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE AND DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01  

Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

   76
Section 8.02  

Conditions to Defeasance.

   77
Section 8.03  

Application of Trust Money.

   78
Section 8.04  

Repayment to the Issuer.

   79

 

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Page

Section 8.05  

Indemnity for Government Obligations.

   79
Section 8.06  

Reinstatement.

   79

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01  

Without Consent of Holders.

   79
Section 9.02  

With Consent of Holders.

   80
Section 9.03  

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

   81
Section 9.04  

Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.

   81
Section 9.05  

Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

   81
Section 9.06  

Trustee To Sign Amendments.

   82

ARTICLE 10

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01  

Guarantee.

   82
Section 10.02  

Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

   83
Section 10.03  

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.

   83
Section 10.04  

Releases.

   83

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01  

Trust Indenture Act Controls.

   84
Section 11.02  

Notices.

   84
Section 11.03  

Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

   85
Section 11.04  

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

   86
Section 11.05  

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

   86
Section 11.06  

Rules by Trustee and Agents.

   86
Section 11.07  

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

   86
Section 11.08  

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction and Service.

   86
Section 11.09  

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

   87
Section 11.10  

Successors.

   87
Section 11.11  

Severability.

   87
Section 11.12  

Counterpart Originals.

   88
Section 11.13  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

   88
Section 11.14  

Force Majeure.

   88
Section 11.15  

U.S.A. Patriot Act.

   88

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A  

FORM OF NOTE

  
Exhibit B  

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

  
Exhibit C  

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

  
Exhibit D  

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

  
Exhibit E  

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

  
Exhibit F  

FORM OF INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE

  

 

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INDENTURE dated as of December 1, 2009 among Koppers Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, Koppers Holdings Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee.

The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 7.875% Senior Notes due 2019 (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 bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Indebtedness” means

(1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and

(2) with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person is merged with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of the stock or any asset or assets from another Person;

provided that such Indebtedness was not incurred by such Person in connection with or in contemplation of such merger or acquisition.

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

affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

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

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

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

 

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

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

Asset Sale” means any Transfer by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of (i) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares and, to the extent required by local ownership laws in foreign countries, shares owned by foreign shareholders), (ii) all or substantially all the assets of any division, business segment or comparable line of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) any other assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Asset Sale” shall not include:

(1) for purposes of Section 4.10, a Transfer (i) that constitutes a Permitted Investment or a Restricted Payment permitted by the covenant described under Section 4.07 or (ii) permitted by Section 5.01;

(2) sales of accounts receivable of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Securitization Transaction” to a Securitization Entity for the Fair Market Value thereof;

(3) sales or grants of non-exclusive licenses to use the patents, trade secrets, know-how and other intellectual property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that such licenses are granted in the ordinary course of business, and do not prohibit the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from using the technologies licensed and do not require the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay any fees for any such use;

(4) a Transfer pursuant to any foreclosure of assets or other remedy provided by applicable law by a creditor of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with a Lien on such assets, if such Lien is permitted under this Indenture;

(5) a Transfer involving only Temporary Cash Investments or Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(6) any Transfer of damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment in the ordinary course of business;

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

(8) a Transfer of assets having a Fair Market Value and a sale price of less than $2.0 million;

 

2


(9) any Transfer constituting a taking, condemnation or other eminent domain proceeding for which no proceeds are received;

(10) dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(11) dispositions of property to the extent that such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property which is concurrently purchased pursuant to a transaction otherwise permitted hereunder, in each case under Section 1031 of the Code; or

(12) dispositions of the equity interests of or other Investments in any joint venture to the extent required by the terms of customary buy/sell type arrangements entered into in connection with the formation of such joint venture.

Attributable Debt” means in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the implied interest rate in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

“Basket” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(a).

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

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

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of Parent.

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

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

Capital Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. The amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP (except for temporary treatment of construction-related expenditures paid by any Person other than the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under EITF 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction,” which will ultimately be treated as operating leases upon a sale-leaseback transaction), and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

 

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Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means Koppers Assurance, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (“Koppers Assurance”), but only for so long as (i) Koppers Assurance performs substantially the same self-insurance function for Parent and its Subsidiaries as it performed on the Issue Date and engages in only such business activities as are reasonably necessary in order to perform such function or that are complementary, incidental, ancillary or related thereto, or are reasonable extensions thereof, and (ii) all assets owned directly or indirectly by Koppers Assurance are owned for the purpose of facilitating the performance of its self-insurance function and any business activities related thereto.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and

(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(1) Issuer ceases to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Parent;

(2) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock representing 50% or more of the voting power of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer;

(3) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election to the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of Parent was approved by a vote of the majority of the directors of Parent then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in office;

 

4


(4) Parent consolidates with or merges with or into another Person or another Person merges with or into Parent, or all or substantially all the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Transferred to another Person, and, in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the securities of Parent that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of Parent are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless pursuant to such transaction such securities are changed into or exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration, securities of the surviving Person that represent immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person; or

(5) Parent or the Issuer liquidates or dissolves or the stockholder(s) of Parent or the Issuer adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution with respect to Parent or the Issuer.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Commodity Agreement” means any commodity swap agreement, commodity forward contract or similar financial agreement or arrangement.

Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (a) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such four fiscal quarters; provided that:

(1) if the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period and prior to the event for which the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is being calculated that remains outstanding prior to the event for which the calculation is being made, EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of such period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period (except that, in the case of Indebtedness used to finance working capital needs incurred under a revolving credit or similar arrangement, the amount thereof shall be deemed to be the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four-fiscal-quarter period);

(2) if since the beginning of such period the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have Transferred any assets in an Asset Sale, the EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Transfer for such period, or increased by an amount equal to the EBITDA (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period, and Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Fixed Charges directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased, assumed by a third person (to the extent the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness) or otherwise discharged with respect to the Issuer and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Transfer for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Issuer and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

 

5


(3) if since the beginning of such period the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, which acquisition constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit or division of a business, including any such Investment or acquisition occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be made hereunder, EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period;

(4) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Transfer of assets in an Asset Sale, any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2) or clause (3) above if made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Transfer, Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period; and

(5) if the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that no longer remains outstanding on such date of determination, EBITDA and Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the repayment of such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had repaid on the first day of such period as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the amount of income, earnings or expense relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Fixed Charges associated with any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be (i) based on the reasonable good faith judgment of a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer and (ii) set forth in a certificate delivered to the Trustee from such officer (it may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings and operating expense reductions resulting from such transaction (which are being given pro forma effect) that are reasonably expected to be realized in the twelve month period immediately subsequent to such transaction). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest of such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).

Consolidated Fixed Charges means, with respect to any period, the sum (without duplication) of:

(1) the interest expense of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, including, without limitation:

(i) amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount;

(ii) the net payments, if any, under Interest Rate Agreements (including amortization of discounts);

(iii) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation;

(iv) accrued interest;

 

6


(v) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letters of credit or bankers acceptance financings;

(2) the interest component of the Capital Lease Obligations paid or accrued during such period;

(3) all interest capitalized during such period;

(4) interest accrued during such period on Indebtedness of the type described in clause (6) or (7) of the definition of “Indebtedness”;

(5) the product of (i) the amount of all dividends on any series of Preferred Stock of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than dividends paid in Qualified Stock and other than dividends paid to the Issuer or to a Restricted Subsidiary) paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current effective consolidated Federal, state and local tax rate of the Issuer, expressed as a decimal; and

(6) fees related to a Qualified Securitization Transaction.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) any extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring gains or losses or expenses;

(2) any net income or loss of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except Consolidated Net Income shall be increased by the amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (3) below);

(3) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted, directly or indirectly, without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument and governmental regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

(4) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of (x) any assets (including pursuant to Sale and Leaseback Transactions) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business or (y) any Capital Stock of any Person;

(5) any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations; and

(6) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

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

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuer.

 

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Coverage Ratio Exception” has the meaning set forth in the proviso in Section 4.09(a).

Credit Agreement” means that certain $300,000,000 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 31, 2008, by and among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, PNC Bank National Association, as administrative agent, Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agent, and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, First Commonwealth Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as syndication agents, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities) in whole or in part from time to time.

Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), indentures providing for debt securities or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced in any manner (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or Refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time, including, without limitation, any agreement or agreements extending the maturity of, or Refinancing (including increasing the amount of borrowings or other Indebtedness outstanding or available to be borrowed thereunder) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under any such agreement.

Currency Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

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

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

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit 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.

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

Designated Noncash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an officer’s certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, executed by a senior financial officer of the Issuer, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.

 

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Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event:

(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise; or

(2) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes and for consideration that is not Qualified Stock;

provided that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that, by its terms, authorizes such Person to satisfy in full its obligations with respect to the payment of dividends or upon maturity, redemption (pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise) or repurchase thereof or otherwise by the delivery of Qualified Stock, and that is not convertible, puttable or exchangeable for Disqualified Stock or Indebtedness, will not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock so long as such Person satisfies its obligations with respect thereto solely by the delivery of Qualified Stock; provided further that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Capital Stock is convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to redeem or purchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change in control occurring prior to the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the change in control provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions of Section 4.15 and such Capital Stock specifically provides that the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary will not redeem or purchase any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions prior to the Issuer’s purchase of the Notes as required pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.15.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

EBITDA” for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, without duplication, the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) Consolidated Fixed Charges;

(2) income tax expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

(3) depreciation expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

(4) amortization expense determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

(5) all other non-cash items reducing such Consolidated Net Income for such period;

(6) cash dividends received from affiliates to the extent not included in determining Consolidated Net Income; and

 

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(7) non-recurring cash and non-cash charges to net income in an aggregate cumulative amount not greater than $10,000,000 related to discontinuation or sale of business operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries as such charges are incurred,

provided that EBITDA shall be reduced by all non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income and gains on the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization of, a Subsidiary of the Issuer shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of such Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended or otherwise distributed to the Issuer by such Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments and governmental regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders.

Equity Offering” means a public offering or private placement of Capital Stock of the Issuer or Parent (other than Disqualified Stock).

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

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

“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.

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value (other than of any asset with a public trading market) in excess of $10.0 million shall be determined by the Board of Directors acting reasonably and in good faith and shall be evidenced by a board resolution of the Board of Directors delivered to the Trustee.

Foreign Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than the United States or a State thereof or the District of Columbia.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect and adopted by the Issuer on the Issue Date.

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

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

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

 

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guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or

(2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

provided that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “guarantor” shall mean any Person guaranteeing any obligation.

Guarantee” means a full and unconditional senior guarantee of the Notes pursuant to this Indenture.

“Guarantors” means, collectively, Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

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

Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean, at any time, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is designated by the Issuer as an “Immaterial Subsidiary” if and for so long as such Restricted Subsidiary, together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, has (i) total assets at such time not exceeding 1% of the Issuer’s Total Assets as of the most recent fiscal quarter for which balance sheet information is available and (ii) total revenues and operating income for the most recent 12-month period for which income statement information is available not exceeding 1% of the Issuer’s consolidated revenues and operating income, respectively; provided that such Restricted Subsidiary shall be an Immaterial Subsidiary only to the extent that and for so long as all of the above requirements are satisfied.

incur” means issue, create, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. Neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of original issue discount shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness. The term “incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, and whether or not contingent:

(1) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of assets or services or which is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, to the extent it would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;

(3) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person;

(4) net obligations of such Person under Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements, or Commodity Agreements;

(5) all Disqualified Stock issued by such Person and all Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, in each case, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon;

(6) to the extent not otherwise included, any guarantee by such Person of any other Person’s indebtedness or other obligations described in clauses (1) through (5) above; and

(7) all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (x) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (y) the amount of such Indebtedness.

For the avoidance of doubt, “Indebtedness” shall not include:

(a) current trade payables or other accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary practices;

(b) deferred tax obligations;

(c) minority interest;

(d) non-interest bearing installment obligations and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

(e) obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to contracts for, or options, puts or similar arrangements relating to, the purchase of raw materials or the sale of Inventory at a time in the future entered into in the ordinary course of business.

For purposes of this Indenture, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by the Fair Market Value of, such Disqualified Stock, such Fair Market Value is to be determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Issuer of such Disqualified Stock. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations as described above at such date; provided that the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount shall be deemed to be the

 

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face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP; provided, further, that the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness incurred in accordance with this Indenture shall not include any accrued but unpaid interest in respect thereof until, in the case of interest paid in kind in the form of additional Indebtedness, such interest paid in kind shall have accreted or compounded to the principal amount such that additional interest accrues thereon. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Indenture.

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

Independent Financial Advisor” means a firm (i) which does not, and whose directors, officers or affiliates do not, have a material financial interest in the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries; and (ii) which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, is otherwise independent and qualified to perform the task for which it is to be engaged.

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

“Initial Notes” means the first $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means the initial purchasers of the Initial Notes, as set forth in the Offering Circular.

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

interest” means, with respect to the Notes, the sum of any interest and any Special Interest on the Notes.

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other similar financial agreement or arrangement.

Inventory” has the meaning provided in the UCC of the State of New York, as amended.

Investment” in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit (including by way of guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital contribution to, or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person. “Investment” excludes (a) any Restricted Payment of the type described in clause (2) of the definition “Restricted Payment” and (b) any purchase or acquisition of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries.

For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the definition of “Restricted Payment” and Section 4.07:

(1) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s direct and indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(2) any asset Transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such Transfer; and

(3) if the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary Transfers any Capital Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues Capital Stock, such that, after giving effect to any such Transfer or issuance, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such Transfer or issuance equal to the Fair Market Value of the Capital Stock of such Person held by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary immediately following any such Transfer or issuance.

Issue Date” means December 1, 2009.

Issuer” means Koppers Inc., and any and all successors thereto.

Issuer Surviving Entity” has the meaning set forth under Section 5.01(a).

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“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, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, debenture, security interest 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 any asset and any filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement under the UCC or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than to evidence a lease.

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

Net Available Proceeds” from an Asset Sale means the aggregate cash proceeds received by such Person and/or its affiliates in respect of such transaction, which amount is equal to the excess, if any, of:

(1) the cash received by such Person and/or its affiliates (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or monetization of, a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received) in connection with such transaction, over

(2) the sum of (a) the amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by such asset and which is repaid by such person in connection with such transaction, plus (b) all fees,

 

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commissions, and other expenses incurred by such Person in connection with such transaction, plus (c) provision for taxes, including income taxes, attributable to the transaction or attributable to required prepayments or repayments of Indebtedness with the proceeds of such transaction, including any withholding taxes imposed on the repatriation of proceeds plus (d) a reasonable reserve for the after-tax cost of any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities to purchaser in respect of such transaction undertaken by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such transaction, plus (e) if such Person is a Restricted Subsidiary, any dividends or distributions payable to holders of minority interests in such Restricted Subsidiary from the proceeds of such transaction, plus (f) any reasonable reserves established by, and reflected on the financial statements of, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP (other than any taxes deducted pursuant to clause (c) above) (x) associated with the assets that are the subject of such event and (y) retained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to fund contingent liabilities that are directly attributable to such event and that are reasonably estimated to be payable by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary within 18 months following the date that such event occurred (other than in the case of contingent tax liabilities, which shall be reasonably estimated to be payable within the current or immediately succeeding tax year); provided that any amount by which such reserves are reduced for reasons other than payment of any such contingent liabilities shall be considered “Net Available Proceeds” on the date of such reduction.

Net Cash Proceeds,” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

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

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

Obligations” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

“Offering Circular” means the Issuer’s Offering Circular, dated November 20, 2009, relating to the offering of the Initial Notes.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by two Officers of Parent, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of Parent, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer or the Trustee.

 

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Parent” means Koppers Holdings Inc., and any and all successors thereto.

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

Permitted Business” means (1) the same or a similar line of business as the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged in on the Issue Date as described in the Offering Circular, (2) such business activities as are complementary, incidental, ancillary or related to, or are reasonable extensions of, the foregoing, and (3) such other businesses as may be acquired from time to time, the majority of the business activities of which are complementary, incidental, ancillary or related to, or are reasonable extensions of, the foregoing.

Permitted Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.09(b).

Permitted Investment” means:

(1) any Investment in Temporary Cash Investments or the Notes or the Exchange Notes;

(2) any Investment in the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) any Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person (including by way of an acquisition of Capital Stock of such Person from a third-party seller) if as a result of such Investment:

(i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(ii) such Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or Transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) receivables owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(5) loans or advances to employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that are made in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate amount, taken together with all other loans or advances made pursuant to this clause (5) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed $5.0 million;

(6) Investments to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received in an Asset Sale as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10 or represents consideration received from the sale of assets not considered to be an Asset Sale for purposes of such covenant;

(7) Investments of cash or Temporary Cash Investments in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in the form of Indebtedness that is not subordinated by its terms to any other obligations;

 

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(8) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;

(9) Hedging Obligations incurred pursuant to clause (7) of Section 4.09(b);

(10) Additional Investments in an aggregate amount, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed $50.0 million;

(11) any Investment by the Issuer or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer in a Securitization Entity; provided that such Investment is in the form of a Purchase Money Note or an equity interest or interests in accounts receivable generated by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(12) any Indebtedness of the Issuer to any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the purchase of accounts receivable and related assets by the Issuer from any such Subsidiary which assets are subsequently conveyed by the Issuer to a Securitization Entity in a Qualified Securitization Transaction;

(13) any guarantees of Indebtedness permitted by clause (6) of Section 4.09(b);

(14) Investments consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements relating to products, services or commodities of a type that the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries uses or sells in the ordinary course of business;

(15) Investments existing on the Issue Date;

(16) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(17) advances to customers of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries to finance the construction of facilities for such customers which will use products supplied by the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding pursuant to this clause (17) not to exceed $10.0 million; and

(18) Investments in respect of Treasury Services Agreements permitted under clause (13) of Section 4.09(b).

The amount of any Permitted Investment made in assets other than cash shall be its Fair Market Value.

The amount of any Investments outstanding for purposes of clause (5), (10) or (17) above and the amount of Investments deemed made since the Issue Date for purposes of clause (14) of Section 4.07(b) shall be equal to the aggregate amount of Investments made pursuant to such clause reduced (but not below zero) by the following (to the extent not included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for purposes of determining the Basket and without duplication):

(a) the aggregate net proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of assets other than cash) received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon the sale or other disposition of any Investment made pursuant to such clause;

 

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(b) the net reduction in Investments made pursuant to such clause resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other Transfers of assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(c) to the extent that the amount available for Investments under such clause was reduced as the result of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated, or liquidated or merged into, a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(d) the net reduction in Investments made pursuant to such clause resulting from repayment of letters of credit or the expiration of letters of credit undrawn.

Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens on assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or when such assets are acquired (including by way of merger with such Person); provided that (a) such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Subsidiary or such assets were acquired and (b) such Lien does not extend to or cover any assets of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) Liens existing on the Issue Date other than Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under clause (3) of Section 4.09(b);

(3) Liens on assets acquired or constructed after the Issue Date securing Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations; provided that such Liens shall in no event extend to or cover any assets other than such assets acquired or constructed after the Issue Date with the proceeds of such Purchase Money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations;

(4) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness relating to Permitted Liens of the type described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of this definition; provided that such Liens extend only to the assets securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(5) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under clause (3) of Section 4.09(b);

(6) Liens securing Hedging Obligations of the type described in clause (7) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”;

(7) Liens securing Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries;

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

(9) Liens on assets or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that such Lien was not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Subsidiary;

(10) Liens arising or that may be deemed to arise in favor of a Securitization Entity arising in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction;

(11) Liens in favor of the issuers of surety, performance, judgment, appeal and like bonds or letters of credit that constitute Indebtedness issued in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(12) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under clause (19) of Section 4.09(b); and

(13) Liens securing Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be secured pursuant to one or more of the foregoing clauses (1)-(12) of this definition of Permitted Liens.

Permitted Payments to Parent” means any dividend, distribution or other payment by the Issuer to Parent in order to permit Parent to pay:

(1) franchise taxes and other fees necessary to maintain Parent’s corporate existence;

(2) operating costs of Parent up to $5.0 million in any calendar year;

(3) so long as Parent files federal, state or local consolidated income tax returns as the common parent of a group which includes the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, the actual federal state or local income taxes, respectively, due and owing by Parent and that would have been due and owing by Issuer had the Issuer filed a federal, state or local consolidated income tax return as the common parent of a group which includes the Subsidiaries;

(4) any employment, noncompetition, compensation or confidentiality arrangements entered into with its employees in the ordinary course of business to the extent such employees are primarily engaged in activities which relate to Issuer and its Subsidiaries; and

(5) customary fees and indemnities to directors and officers of Parent to the extent such directors and officers are primarily engaged in activities which relate to Parent and its Subsidiaries.

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

Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

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

Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (i) consisting of the deferred purchase price of assets, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations, mortgages and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds or similar Indebtedness and (ii) incurred to finance the acquisition by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of such asset, including additions and improvements or the installation, construction or improvement of such asset; provided that any Lien arising in connection with any such Indebtedness shall be limited to the

 

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specified asset being financed or, in the case of real property or fixtures, including additions and improvements, the real property on which such asset is attached; provided further that such Indebtedness is incurred within 120 days after such acquisition of, or the completion of construction of, such asset by the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary.

Purchase Money Note” means a promissory note evidencing a line of credit, which may be irrevocable, from, or evidencing other Indebtedness owed to, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction, which note shall be repaid from cash available to the maker of such note, other than amounts required to be established as reserves pursuant to agreements, amounts paid to investors in respect of interest, principal and other amounts owing to such investors and amounts paid in connection with the purchase of newly generated receivables.

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

Qualified Securitization Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Issuer, any Restricted Subsidiary or a Securitization Entity pursuant to which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or that Securitization Entity may, pursuant to customary terms, sell, convey or otherwise transfer to, or grant a security interest in for the benefit of, (1) a Securitization Entity or the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary which subsequently transfers to a Securitization Entity (in the case of a transfer by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary) and (2) any other Person (in the case of transfer by a Securitization Entity), any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising or acquired in the future) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary which arose in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, and any assets related thereto, including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and contract rights and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets (including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable.

Qualified Stock” means any Capital Stock of the Issuer other than Disqualified Stock.

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

Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, increase, replace, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Indebtedness incurred to Refinance, in whole or in part, such Indebtedness that does not:

(1) result in an increase in the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness being Refinanced as of the date of such proposed Refinancing (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing such Indebtedness and plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing) or

(2) create Indebtedness with (a) a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced or (b) a final maturity earlier than the final maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

 

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provided that (x) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment by its terms to the Notes or a Guarantee, then such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment by its terms to the Notes or such Guarantee at least to the same extent and in the same manner as the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (y) the obligor(s) on the Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include any Person that is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or a Person that is an obligor on the Indebtedness being Refinanced.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, 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 among the Issuer, the Guarantors 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 Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

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

Restricted Payment” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any dividend or other distribution declared or paid on any Capital Stock of the Issuer (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in Qualified Stock); or

(2) any payment to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Issuer;

(3) any payment to purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations prior to the Stated Maturity thereof (other than any Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred after the Issue Date upon the sale, condemnation or casualty of the related asset); or

(4) the making of an Investment (other than a Permitted Investment), including any Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including by the designation of any Subsidiary of the Issuer as an Unrestricted Subsidiary).

 

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

Restricted Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

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

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

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary Transfers such property to a Person and Parent or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

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 Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securitization Entity” means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer (or another Person in which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer makes an Investment and to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer Transfers accounts receivable) that engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable and that is designated by the Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Securitization Entity and:

(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which

(a) is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Entity) (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness)) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings),

(b) is recourse to or obligates the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Entity) in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or

(c) subjects any asset of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Entity), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings and other than any interest in the accounts receivable (whether in the form of an equity interest in such assets or subordinated indebtedness payable primarily from such financed assets) retained or acquired by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(such Indebtedness described in this clause (1), “Non-Recourse Securitization Entity Indebtedness”);

(2) with which neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than such Securitization Entity) has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other

 

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than on terms no less favorable to the Issuer or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not affiliates of the Issuer, other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing receivables of such entity; and

(3) to which neither the Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than such Securitization Entity) has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

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

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

Significant Subsidiary” means (1) any Restricted Subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Issuer on a consolidated basis within the meaning of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC or (2) any Restricted Subsidiary that, when aggregated with all other Restricted Subsidiaries that are not otherwise Significant Subsidiaries and as to which any event described in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary under clause (1) of this definition.

“Special Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries which are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable securitization transaction.

Starting Amount” means $139.3 million.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred) which is subordinated by its terms in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Guarantor.

Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which Voting Stock representing more than 50% of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of such Person is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Subsidiary Guarantors” means (i) World-Wide Ventures Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (ii) Koppers Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (iii) Koppers Concrete Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (iv) Concrete Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (v) Koppers Asia LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and (vi) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that issues a Guarantee of the Notes, in each case, until such Person is released from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.

 

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Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following:

(1) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof;

(2) investments in time or demand deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $50,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A-2” or higher by Moody’s, “A” or higher by S&P or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor;

(3) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (1) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (2) above;

(4) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 90 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an affiliate of the Issuer) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is “P-2” or higher from Moody’s, “A-2” or higher from S&P or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined above);

(5) investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by Moody’s or “A” by S&P; and

(6) shares of any money market mutual fund rated at least AAA or the equivalent thereof by S&P, at least Aaa or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or any other mutual fund at least 95% of whose assets consist of the type specified in clauses (1) through (5) above.

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

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer.

Transfer” means to sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of, whether by consolidation, merger or otherwise, in one transaction or a series of transactions. “Transferred,” “Transferor” and “Transferee” have correlative meanings.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two

 

24


Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to December 1, 2014; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to December 1, 2014 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Treasury Services Agreements” means, with respect to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of cash pooling services, cash management services (including treasury, depository, overdraft (daylight and temporary), credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements), including obligations for the payment of fees, interest, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in connection therewith to the extent provided for in the documents evidencing such cash management services.

“Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.

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

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (i) each of Koppers Mauritius, Koppers (Beijing) Chemical Co., Ltd., Koppers (China) Carbon & Chemical Co Ltd. and Koppers India Carbon Materials and Chemicals Private Limited, in each case unless and until such Person shall have been designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.18, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Issuer that at the time of determination shall have been designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.18 and (iii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable at the issuer’s option.

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

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness into

 

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(2) the sum of the total of the products obtained by multiplying (x) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (y) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one- twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Issuer and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
  

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.15

“covenant defeasance option”

   8.01

“defeasance trust”

   8.01

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“IAIs”

   2.03

“legal defeasance option”

   8.01

“Net Proceeds Offer”

   4.10

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offered Price”

   4.10

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Net Proceeds Deficiency”

   4.10

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Permitted Indebtedness”

   4.09

“Payment Default”

   6.01

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

“Redemption Date”

   3.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Replacement Assets”

   4.10

“Useful Assets”

   4.10

“QIBs”

   2.03

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

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

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

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

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

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

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

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

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

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

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

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

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

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

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

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of

 

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outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Regulation S Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S will be issued in the form of the Regulation S Global Note, which will be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, at its New York office, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

Two Officers shall sign the Notes for 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 will nevertheless be valid.

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

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer signed by two Officers (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes up to the aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes plus Notes issued to pay Special Interest pursuant to paragraph 2 of the Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Issuer pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

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 will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes 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 and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer will 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.

 

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

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

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

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer will furnish to the Trustee at least five 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 TIA §312(a).

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

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

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

(2) the Issuer in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged

 

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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. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

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

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

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

(A) both:

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

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

(B) both:

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

 

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

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)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for 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 of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

and, in each such case set forth in this 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 equal to the aggregate principal amount 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.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

and, in each such case set forth in this 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

and, in each such case set forth in this 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.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

(1) Private Placement Legend.

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

“THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) (1) TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501 OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS.”

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

 

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

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE 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 DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

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

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

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

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the 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 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

 

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(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the 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.

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

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

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

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

(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the 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 principal of and interest 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.

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

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

(9) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Notes) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(10) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

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Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuer and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. 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 an additional obligation of the Issuer and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

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

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

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

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

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

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

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, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

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

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its then customary procedures. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

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

Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” 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 a 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 promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

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

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

 

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(2) the redemption date;

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

(4) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form pursuant to Article 2 hereof, based on a method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate) unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements.

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

The Trustee will promptly notify the 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 thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder 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.

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

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP number(s)) and will state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date, or such shorter period as to which the Trustee shall have consented in its sole discretion, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

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. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

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

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

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuer will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time on or prior to December 1, 2012 the Issuer may, at its option on any one or more occasions, redeem Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate

 

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principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 107.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries); and

(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(b) At any time prior to December 1, 2014, 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 or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of the holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(c) Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to December 1, 2014.

(d) The Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Issuer, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 1, 2014 at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders 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 December 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price

2014

   103.938%

2015

   102.625%

2016

   101.313%

2017 and thereafter

   100.000%

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

(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 is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Net Proceeds Offer.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuer is required to commence Net Proceeds Offer, it will follow the procedures specified below.

 

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The Net Proceeds Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Net Proceeds Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuer will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Net Proceeds Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer.

Upon the commencement of a Net Proceeds Offer, the Issuer will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Net Proceeds Offer, will state:

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

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

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

(4) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

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

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

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuer will select the

 

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Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuer so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

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

On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Issuer, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Net Proceeds Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Issuer will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due. The Issuer will pay all Special Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

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

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuer will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where

 

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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 will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails 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, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The 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 Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will furnish to the Holders of Notes or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders of Notes (or file with the SEC for public availability), within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:

(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports; and

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuer were required to file such reports.

The availability of the foregoing materials on the SEC’s EDGAR service (or any successor to the EDGAR service) shall be deemed to satisfy the Issuer’s delivery obligations; provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility to verify whether the Issuer has filed such materials.

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements by the Issuer’s certified independent public accountants. In addition, the Issuer will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing).

If, at any time after consummation of the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Issuer will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraphs with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The Issuer will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Issuer’s filings for any reason, the Issuer will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Issuer were required to file those reports with the SEC.

 

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

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that (i) the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Issuer and Parent, or any other direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and (ii) such parent entity of the Issuer is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the Capital Stock of the Issuer, the information and reports required by this covenant may be those of such parent company on a consolidated basis.

(d) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time Issuer and Guarantors are not required to file with the SEC the reports required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 4.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(e) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.03 and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the year-end financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.03 above shall be accompanied by a written statement of the Issuer’s independent public accountants (who shall be a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination necessary for certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that the Issuer has violated any provisions of Article 4 or Article 5 hereof or, if any such violation has occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.

 

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(c) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after any Officer becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

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

Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

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

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, declare or make a Restricted Payment if:

(1) a Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

(2) the Issuer could not incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception; or

(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment, together with all other Restricted Payments (the amount of any Restricted Payments made in assets other than cash to be valued at its Fair Market Value) declared or made since the Issue Date (other than any Restricted Payment described in clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13) or (14) of Section 4.07(b)), would exceed the sum (the “Basket”) of

(A) the sum of (i) the Starting Amount and (ii) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from January 1, 2010 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which internal financial statements are available (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

(B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of, and the Fair Market Value of any property received in exchange for, Qualified Stock received by the Issuer subsequent to the Issue Date or from the issue or sale of debt securities of the Issuer that have been converted or exchanged into Qualified Stock, together with the aggregate cash and Temporary Cash Investments received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of such conversion

 

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or exchange; provided that any determination that the Fair Market Value of property received (other than of any asset with a public trading market) is in excess of $50.0 million shall be made by an Independent Financial Advisor, which determination shall be evidenced by an opinion addressed to the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; plus

(C) the amount by which Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock incurred or issued subsequent to the Issue Date is reduced on the Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Issuer) into Qualified Stock (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other asset, distributed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange); provided that such amount shall not exceed the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date from the issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; plus

(D) to the extent not included in the calculation of the Consolidated Net Income referred to in (a), an amount equal to, without duplication:

(i) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of assets) received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary upon the sale or other disposition of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the Issue Date; plus

(ii) the net reduction in Investments (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other Transfers of assets subsequent to the Issue Date, in each case to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Person (including by way of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary); plus

(iii) if the Basket was reduced as the result of the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated, or liquidated or merged into, a Restricted Subsidiary;

provided that the foregoing shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the amount of all Investments which previously reduced the Basket.

(b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph shall not prohibit the following:

(1) dividends paid within 90 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would have been permitted under this Indenture;

(2) any repurchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligations made in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of, Qualified Stock or, with respect to any such Subordinated Obligations, in exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent incurrence and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer) of Refinancing Indebtedness thereof; provided that (x) no such exchange or issuance and sale shall increase the Basket and (y) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

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(3) payments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owed to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options or warrants if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof and repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the withholding of a portion of the Capital Stock granted or awarded to an employee to pay for the taxes payable by such employee upon such grant or award;

(5) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of the covenant described under this subheading (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors);

(6) repurchases and other acquisitions of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or to satisfy federal income tax obligations of option holders upon exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price of such options;

(7) Restricted Payments to finance dividends on the Capital Stock of Parent in an amount not to exceed $20.0 million in any fiscal year;

(8) in the event of a Change of Control, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Obligations and Preferred Stock of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount, face amount or liquidation preference, as applicable of such Subordinated Obligations or Preferred Stock, plus accrued and unpaid interest or dividends thereon, provided that prior to such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Issuers (or a third party to the extent permitted by this Indenture) has consummated a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Notes as a result of such Change of Control and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn in connection with such Change of Control Offer;

(9) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of shares of Capital Stock of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from consultants, former consultants, employees, former employees, directors or former directors of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such Capital Stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (7) (excluding amounts representing cancellation of Indebtedness) shall not exceed $3.0 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to the next succeeding calendar year);

(10) Restricted Payments to finance the repurchase or redemption of Parent’s existing 9 7/8% Senior Discount Notes due 2014 and any transaction fees or expenses in connection therewith;

 

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(11) the declaration and payments of dividends on Disqualified Stock issued pursuant Section 4.09; so long as at the time of payment of such dividend, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);

(12) Permitted Payments to Parent;

(13) advances to subcontractors and suppliers of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of business; and

(14) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount since the Issue Date not to exceed $25.0 million pursuant to this clause (14).

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary;

(b) make any loans or advances to, or guarantee any Indebtedness of, the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or

(c) Transfer any of its assets to the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary,

except:

(1) any encumbrance or restriction (A) pursuant to an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date (including this Indenture and the Credit Agreement), as such encumbrance or restriction is in effect on the Issue Date and (B) in the Credit Agreement having the effect of restricting Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from taking any of the actions described in clauses (a), (b), or (c) above with respect to Parent or any intermediate holding company between the Issuer and Parent;

(2) any Lien permitted under this Indenture that restricts the Transfer of assets which are subject to such Lien;

(3) restrictions on the Transfer of assets imposed under any agreement to sell such assets permitted under this Indenture pending the closing of such sale;

(4) any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the assets of any Person, other than the Person or the assets of the Person so acquired;

(5) customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that restrict the Transfer of ownership interests in or the payment of dividends or distributions from such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or similar Person;

 

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(6) Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations incurred pursuant to clause (8) of Section 4.09(b) that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (c) above on the assets acquired;

(7) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or Refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clause (1), (4) or (6) above or clause (11) below; provided that such amendments or Refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, no more materially restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or Refinancing;

(8) covenants to maintain net worth, total assets or liquidity and similar financial responsibility covenants under contracts with customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

(9) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary provisions in leases governing leasehold interests to the extent such provisions restrict the Transfer of the lease or the property leased thereunder;

(10) customary provisions in leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses and service contracts in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and its customers and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof;

(11) any agreement as in effect at the time any Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer; provided that such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(12) any agreement with respect to Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary permitted under this Indenture so long as such prohibitions or limitations are only with respect to the properties and revenues of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary;

(13) any encumbrance or restriction existing under Non-Recourse Securitization Entity Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a Securitization Entity in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction; provided that such restrictions only apply to such Securitization Entity; and

(14) indentures, agreements, notes, instruments and other documents governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture so long as the restrictions imposed pursuant to such Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those restrictions contained in the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness if, immediately after giving effect to such incurrence, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is at least 2.0 to 1.0 (determined on a pro forma basis, including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom, as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, and the application of the proceeds therefrom, had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period), so long as the aggregate Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this proviso by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors does not exceed $50.0 million at any one time outstanding (this proviso, the “Coverage Ratio Exception”).

 

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(b) Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit incurrence of the following Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Indebtedness”):

(1) the Notes issued on the Issue Date and any related Guarantees;

(2) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness under Credit Facilities);

(3) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary under Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (3) (after giving effect to the application of any proceeds of such Indebtedness as of the date of the incurrence thereof), taken together with the aggregate amount outstanding at such time pursuant to clause (19) below, not to exceed the greater of (i) $400.0 million; and (ii) the sum of (x) $100.0 million, (y) 65% of the net book value of the Inventory of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) 85% of the net book value of the accounts receivable of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any transactions consummated in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(4) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, clause (1) of this Section 4.09(b) (including the Exchange Notes and any Guarantees thereof), clause (2) of this Section 4.09(b) (other than any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), this clause (4), or clause (16) of this Section 4.09(b);

(5) Indebtedness owed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such Indebtedness owed by the Issuer shall be subordinated by its terms to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, and any such Indebtedness owed by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be subordinated by its terms to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; and (ii) if such Indebtedness becomes held by a Person other than the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (5);

(6) (x) the guarantee by the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (y) the guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, in each case, the Indebtedness being guaranteed is incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or is Permitted Indebtedness;

(7) Hedging Obligations;

(8) Purchase Money Indebtedness and Capital Lease Obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any assets (including capital expenditures of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor) incurred within 180 days of such acquisition, construction or improvement, and Refinancings thereof, in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (8) not to exceed $25.0 million;

(9) Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (9) (after giving effect to the application of any net proceeds of such Indebtedness as of the date of the incurrence thereof) not to exceed the greater of (A) $30.0 million and (B) the sum of (i) 60% of the book value of the inventory of the Foreign

 

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Subsidiaries and (ii) 80% of the book value of the accounts receivables of the Foreign Subsidiaries (as determined on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any transactions consummated in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness);

(10) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary represented by standby, trade or documentary letters of credit or letters of credit issued to provide security for worker’s compensation claims or other statutory or regulatory obligations or for payment obligations in connection with self-insurance or similar requirements of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(11) customary indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any assets or Capital Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such assets for the purpose of financing such acquisition);

(12) obligations in respect of performance bonds and completion, guarantee, surety and similar bonds in the ordinary course of business;

(13) Indebtedness in respect of Treasury Services Agreements (including Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds); provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five business days of incurrence;

(14) Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(15) Indebtedness consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements relating to products, services or commodities of a type that the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries uses or sells in the ordinary course of business;

(16) Acquired Indebtedness; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either (i) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception; or (ii) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

(17) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums;

(18) Indebtedness consisting of Guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business under repurchase agreements or similar agreements in connection with the financing of sales of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(19) Non-Recourse Securitization Entity Indebtedness incurred by a Securitization Entity in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction; provided, however, that at the time of such incurrence, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer would have been able to incur the same amount of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (3) of this Section 4.09(b); and

 

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(20) additional Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75.0 million at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (20).

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (20) of Section 4.09(b) or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described and may later reclassify such item into any one or more of the categories of Indebtedness described above (provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories); provided, however, that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred under clause (3) of Section 4.09(b). The maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 will not be deemed to be exceeded solely as the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. In determining the amount of Indebtedness outstanding under one of the clauses above, the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness of any Person shall be counted only once and any obligation of such Person or any other Person arising under any guarantee, Lien, letter of credit or similar instrument supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded so long as it is permitted to be incurred by the Person or Persons incurring such obligation.

Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, of the same class will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Consolidated Fixed Charges of the Issuer as accrued.

For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness incurred pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.09, any other obligation of the obligor on such Indebtedness (or of any other Person who could have incurred such Indebtedness under this Section 4.09) arising under any Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded to the extent that such Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation secures the principal amount of such Indebtedness.

(d) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, incur any Indebtedness that purports to be by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement or instrument governing such Indebtedness) subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or of such other Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms made subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, to at least the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to such other Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

(1) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets (the value of such consideration and the value of such assets both measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) included in such Asset Sale; and

 

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(2) at least 75% of the total consideration received in such Asset Sale consists of cash, Temporary Cash Investments or assets referred to in Section 4.10(c)(2), in each case, valued at the Fair Market Value thereof, or a combination of the foregoing.

For purposes of clause (2) of this Section 4.10(a), the following shall be deemed to be cash:

(A) the amount (without duplication) of any Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Obligations) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly assumed by the Transferee in such Asset Sale and with respect to which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is unconditionally released by the holder of such Indebtedness;

(B) the amount of any obligations received from such Transferee that are within 180 days repaid, converted into or sold or otherwise disposed of for cash or Temporary Cash Investments (to the extent of the cash or Temporary Cash Investments actually so received); and

(C) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause since the Issue Date that is at the time outstanding and held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, not to exceed the greater of (x) $20.0 million or (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

(b) If at any time any non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any Asset Sale is repaid, converted into or sold or otherwise disposed of for cash or Temporary Cash Investments (other than interest received with respect to any such non-cash consideration), then the date of such repayment, conversion, sale or other disposition shall be deemed to constitute the date of an Asset Sale hereunder and the Net Available Proceeds thereof shall be applied in accordance with this Section 4.10.

(c) If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall, no later than 365 days following the consummation thereof, apply an amount equal to the Net Available Proceeds therefrom in any combination of one or more of the following:

(1) to repay or otherwise retire Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Obligations) owing under a Credit Facility that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by this Indenture, and if such Indebtedness that is repaid or otherwise retired is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(2) to make (i) an Investment in or expenditure for assets (including Capital Stock of any Person) that replace the assets that were the subject of the Asset Sale (“Replacement Assets”), (ii) an Investment in or expenditure for assets (including Capital Stock of any Person) that will be used in the Permitted Business and (iii) capital expenditures with respect to assets that will be used in the Permitted Business (assets described in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this Section 4.10(c) being referred to as “Useful Assets”); provided, however, that if the assets that were the subject of

 

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the Asset Sale were assets of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Replacement Assets or Useful Assets, as the case may be, shall be assets of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor immediately following the application of the Net Available Proceeds pursuant to this clause (2) (but may thereafter be transferred in accordance with this Indenture); and/or

(3) to enter into a binding commitment with respect to any Investment, expenditure for assets or capital expenditure pursuant to clause (2) of this Section 4.10(c); provided that such binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Available Proceeds from the date of such commitment until and only until the earlier of (x) the date on which such investment or expenditure is consummated and (y) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 365-day period, and if the Investment or expenditure contemplated by such binding commitment is not consummated on or before the 180th day, such commitment shall be deemed not to have been a permitted application of Net Available Proceeds.

The amount of Net Available Proceeds not applied or invested as provided in this Section 4.10(c) will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

(d) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuer will be required, within 5 days of any such occurrence, to make an offer to purchase from all Holders of Notes an aggregate principal amount of Notes and, if the Issuer is required to do so under the terms of any other Indebtedness ranking pari passu with such Notes, such other Indebtedness on a pro rata basis with the Notes, equal to the amount of such Excess Proceeds (a “Net Proceeds Offer”) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09.

(e) The offer price for the Notes will be payable in cash and will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest thereon, if any, to the date such Net Proceeds Offer is consummated (the “Offered Price”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. If the aggregate Offered Price of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by Holders of Notes thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, Notes to be purchased will be selected on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such Net Proceeds Offer in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reduced to zero.

(f) To the extent that the aggregate Offered Price of Notes tendered pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer (and if applicable, the aggregate amount of pari passu Indebtedness being repaid, on a pro rata basis with the Notes) is less than the Excess Proceeds (such shortfall constituting a “Net Proceeds Deficiency”), the Issuer may use the Net Proceeds Deficiency, or a portion thereof, for any purpose not prohibited by this Indenture.

(g) In the event of the Transfer of substantially all (but not all) of the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a Person in a transaction covered by and effected in accordance with Section 5.01, the Transferee shall be deemed to have sold for cash at Fair Market Value the assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries not so Transferred for purposes of this covenant, and shall comply with the provisions of this covenant with respect to such deemed sale as if it were an Asset Sale (with such Fair Market Value being deemed to be Net Available Proceeds for such purpose).

(h) The Issuer shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.10. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this 4.10, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Indenture by virtue of this compliance.

 

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Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or series of related transactions, Transfer any of its assets to, or purchase any assets from, or enter into any contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any affiliate of the Issuer (an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless the terms thereof are no less favorable to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person that is not such an affiliate.

(b) The Board of Directors must approve each Affiliate Transaction that involves aggregate payments or other assets or services with a Fair Market Value in excess of $10.0 million. This approval must be evidenced by a board resolution that states that such board has determined that the transaction complies with the foregoing provisions.

(c) If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary enters into an Affiliate Transaction that involves aggregate payments or other assets or services with a Fair Market Value in excess of $25.0 million, then prior to the consummation of that Affiliate Transaction, the Issuer must obtain a favorable opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor that it has determined such Affiliate Transaction to be fair, from a financial point of view, to the Holders of Notes, and deliver that opinion to the Trustee.

(d) The provisions of clauses (a)-(c) of this Section 4.11 will not prohibit the following:

(1) transactions exclusively between or among (i) the Issuer and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, in each case, that no affiliate of the Issuer (other than another Restricted Subsidiary) owns more than 10% of the Capital Stock in any such Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) customary director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including retirement, health, stock option and other benefit plans) and indemnification arrangements, and agreements to register securities of directors, officers, employees or other affiliates, in each case approved by the Board of Directors;

(3) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practices of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, but in any event not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(4) Restricted Payments which are made in accordance with Section 4.07 and Investments constituting Permitted Investments;

(5) any issuance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Qualified Stock;

(6) transactions between the Issuer or any Subsidiary and any Securitization Entity in connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction, in each case provided that such transactions are not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture;

(7) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) that is an affiliate solely because the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary owns Capital Stock in, or controls, such Person;

 

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(8) the sale to an Affiliate of the Issuer of Indebtedness of the Issuer in connection with an offering of such Indebtedness in a market transaction and on terms substantially identical to those of other purchasers in such market transaction; and

(9) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto or renewal or replacement thereof (so long as any such amendment, renewal, or replacement is not disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date).

Section 4.12 Liens.

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens, unless the Notes and the Guarantees are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by such a Lien; provided that if the obligations so secured are subordinated in right of payment by their terms to the Notes or a Guarantee, the Lien securing such obligations will, by its terms, be junior in priority to the Lien securing the Notes and the Guarantees. Any Lien created for the benefit of the holders of the Notes pursuant to the preceding sentence will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each Lien which gave or would give rise to the obligation to create such Lien for the benefit of the holders of the Notes.

Section 4.13 Business Activities.

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than the Permitted Business.

Section 4.14 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:

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

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

Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Issuer to purchase all or a portion (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus

 

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accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date fixed for redemption), in accordance with the terms contemplated in Sections 3.09 and 4.15(b) (a “Change of Control Offer”).

(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall mail a notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, stating

(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Issuer to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date fixed for purchase);

(2) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

(3) the instructions as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.15, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

(c) On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuer under this Section 4.15 shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.

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

(d) The Issuer shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under any covenant of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

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

 

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Section 4.16 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction; provided that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Leaseback Transaction if:

(1) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have

(a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.09 and

(b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12;

(2) the gross cash proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the asset that is the subject of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction; and

(3) the Transfer of the asset in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is permitted by, and Issuer applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the covenant described under Section 4.10.

Section 4.17 Additional Guarantees.

If at any time after the Issue Date:

(1) the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary);

(2) any Immaterial Subsidiary that is both a Restricted Subsidiary and a Domestic Subsidiary ceases to meet the definition of Immaterial Subsidiary; or

(3) any Captive Insurance Company ceases to meet the definition thereof and is not designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Indenture,

then, in each case, that newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary, former Immaterial Subsidiary or former Captive Insurance Company shall, within 10 Business Days of the date on which it was acquired or created or ceases to meet the applicable definition, as the case may be, execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (it being agreed that the form of supplemental indenture attached as Exhibit E hereto is in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) pursuant to which such Person shall fully and unconditionally guarantee all of Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture on the terms set forth in Section 10.01. Thereafter, such Person shall be a Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of this Indenture until released in accordance with the terms of Section 10.04.

Section 4.18 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(a) After the Issue Date, the Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any assets of, the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided that:

(1) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

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(2) (x) the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception or (y) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such designation; and

(3) either (x) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (y) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under Section 4.07 (treating the Fair Market Value of the Issuer’s proportionate interest in the net worth of such Subsidiary on such date calculated in accordance with GAAP as the amount of the Investment).

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Issuer as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07.

(b) The Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that:

(1) no Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(2) Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and all Liens on any asset of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such redesignation would, if incurred at such time, be permitted to be incurred under this Indenture.

Section 4.19 Special Interest Notice.

In the event that the Issuer is required to pay Special Interest to holders of Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer will provide written notice (“Special Interest Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Special Interest no later than fifteen days prior to the proposed payment date for the Special Interest, and the Special Interest Notice shall set forth the amount of Special Interest to be paid by the Issuer on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any holder of Notes to determine the Special Interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Special Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Special Interest.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.

(a) The Issuer will not, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into any Person, or Transfer (or cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to Transfer) all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Subsidiaries) whether as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless

(1) either

(A) the Issuer is the surviving or continuing Person; or

 

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(B) the Person (if other than the Issuer) formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or the Transferee of such assets (the “Issuer Surviving Entity”):

(i) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation; and

(ii) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture (in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee) executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Notes and the performance of every covenant under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed; and

(iii) each of the conditions specified in paragraph (c) below is satisfied.

For purposes of the foregoing, the Transfer in a single transaction or series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer, the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer (determined on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Subsidiaries), shall be deemed to be the Transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer.

(b) No Guarantor will, and the Issuer will not cause or permit any such Guarantor to, consolidate with or merge with or into any Person unless

(1) either

(A) such Guarantor shall be the surviving or continuing Person; or

(B) the Person (if other than a Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or into which such Guarantor is merged shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture (in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee) executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee and the performance of every covenant under such Guarantor’s Guarantee and this Indenture on the part of such Guarantor to be performed or observed; and

(C) each of the conditions specified in paragraph (c) below (other than clause (1) thereof) is satisfied.

The requirements of clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 shall not apply to (x) a consolidation or merger of any Guarantor with and into the Issuer or any other Guarantor, so long as the Issuer or a Guarantor survives such consolidation or merger, or (y) a Transfer of any Subsidiary Guarantor that complies with Section 4.10.

 

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(c) The following additional conditions shall apply to each transaction described in Sections 5.01(a) or 5.01(b), except that clause (1) below shall not apply to a transaction described in Section 5.01(b):

(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption contemplated above (including giving effect to any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction):

(A) the Issuer (or the Issuer Surviving Entity, if applicable) could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Coverage Ratio Exception; or

(B) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Issuer (or the Issuer Surviving Entity, if applicable) and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

(2) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption contemplated above (including giving effect to any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred and any Lien granted in connection with or in respect of the transaction), no Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(3) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such transaction and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied and that supplemental indenture is enforceable.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

The Indenture provides that upon any consolidation or merger in which the Issuer is not the continuing Person, or any Transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01, the Issuer Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement with the same effect as if such the Issuer Surviving Entity had been named as such; provided, however, that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes except in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

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

(2) default in the payment when due of principal on any Note, whether upon maturity, acceleration, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise;

 

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(3) failure by the Issuer to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.15;

(4) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to perform or comply with any covenant, agreement or warranty in this Indenture (other than any specified in clauses (1), (2) or (3) of this Section 6.01) which failure continues for 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;

(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is created after the Issue Date, which

(A) is caused by a failure to pay such Indebtedness at Stated Maturity (after giving effect to any grace period related thereto) (a “Payment Default”); or

(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity;

and in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness as to which a Payment Default or acceleration shall have occurred, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more;

(6) one or more final and non-appealable judgments, orders or decrees for the payment of money of $20.0 million or more, individually or in the aggregate, shall be entered against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective properties and which final and non-appealable judgments, orders or decrees are not covered by third party indemnities or insurance as to which coverage has not been disclaimed and are not paid, discharged, bonded or stayed within 60 days after their entry;

(7) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters (x) a decree or order for relief in respect of Parent, the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (y) a decree or order adjudging Parent, the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of Parent, the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of Parent, the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

(8) Parent, the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries:

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent; or

 

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(B) consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or

(C) files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law; or

(D) consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or of any substantial part of its property; or

(E) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

(F) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or

(G) takes corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or

(9) the Guarantee of Parent or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or is found invalid or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Guarantee).

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default described in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 with respect to Parent, Issuer or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary), the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest and Special Interest, if any, shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described in clause (7) or (8) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to Parent, Issuer or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, the principal of and interest on all the Notes will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders of the Notes. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

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 of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

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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 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. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are, to the extent permitted by law, cumulative.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may waive any past or existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note or (ii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the 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. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no duty to make such determination) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to reasonable indemnification from the Holders satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal or interest when due, a Holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested in writing that the Trustee pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it 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) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to any Holder).

 

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Section 6.07 Rights of Holders To Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates therefor, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to Issuer, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

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

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: to the Issuer.

The Trustee may, upon prior written notice to the Issuer, fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuer shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing

 

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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 and expenses, 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 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

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

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

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, 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 be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

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

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting 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. However, 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 Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the opinion or written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security satisfactory to it against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive 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.

(h) 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.

(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,

 

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(j) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(k) The Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which shall be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit F attached hereto.

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 (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the 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 will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of Notes notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA §313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA §313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Issuer and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Issuer will pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Issuer and the Guarantors will jointly and severally indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses (including taxes, other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee will notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer will not relieve the Issuer or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuer or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, on, particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA §313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

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

 

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(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

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

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

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

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

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will 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 will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate 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 $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

 

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Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer.

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

ARTICLE 8

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE AND DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

(a) This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1) either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2) in respect of subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 8.01(a), no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than with respect to the borrowing of funds to be applied concurrently to make the deposit required to effect such satisfaction and discharge and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and in each case the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

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

(4) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 8.01(a), the provisions of Sections 8.03 and 8.04 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 8.01(a) will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(b) Subject to Sections 8.02 and 8.03, the Issuer at any time may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (“legal defeasance option”) or (ii) its obligations under Sections 3.09, 4.03, 4.05, 4.07 through 4.13, inclusive, 4.15 through 4.18, inclusive, and the operation of Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(7) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(8) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(9), 5.01(c)(1) and 5.01(c)(2) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated due to a failure to comply with any of Sections 3.09, 4.03, 4.05, 4.07 through 4.13, inclusive, 4.15 through 4.18, inclusive, and the operation of Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(7) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(8) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries) or 6.01(9), 5.01(c)(1) and 5.01(c)(2). If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations under Article 10.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b)(i) above, the Issuer’s obligations in Article II, 7.07, 7.08, 8.03, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.

Section 8.02 Conditions to Defeasance. the Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(a) the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust (the “defeasance trust”) with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide cash (without reinvestment) at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest on the Notes (except Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) to redemption or maturity, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all outstanding Notes (except Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Issuer occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no default exists under any Indebtedness of Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(e) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(f) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or change in applicable Federal income tax law);

(g) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with; and

(h) the Issuer shall have paid or duly provided for payment under terms mutually satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee all amounts then due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07.

Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Section may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required and counsel delivering such Opinions of Counsel may rely on certificates of the Issuer or government or other officials customary for opinions of the type required, including certificates certifying as to matters of fact.

Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3.

Section 8.03 Application of Trust Money.

The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations either directly or through the Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine) and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.05 hereof, all money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to this Article 8 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 principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with this Article 8 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 and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest or Special Interest, if any, 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.

 

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Section 8.04 Repayment to the Issuer.

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall notify the Issuer of any excess money or securities held by them at any time and shall promptly turn over to the Issuer upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuer upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors.

Section 8.05 Indemnity for Government Obligations.

The Issuer shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the defeased Notes; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to charge any such tax, fee or other charge to such Holders’ account.

Section 8.06 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that (a) if the Issuer has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes 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 or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall return all such money and U.S. Government Obligations to the Issuer promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Issuer’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Notes without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under this Indenture in accordance with Article 5;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);

 

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(d) to add a Guarantor;

(e) to release any Guarantor from its Guarantee when permitted by this Indenture;

(f) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(g) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(h) to make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or

(i) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Circular, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes, which intent may be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate to that effect.

The consent of the Holders is not necessary under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment or waiver.

After an amendment or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Issuer is required to mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment or waiver. However, the failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of the amendment or waiver under this Section.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

The Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes) and any past default or compliance with any provision may also be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected thereby, no amendment or waiver may:

(a) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note;

(b) alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or purchase provisions of any Note or this Indenture in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes (other than the provisions of this Indenture relating to any offer to purchase required under Section 4.15);

(c) waive a redemption or purchase payment due with respect to any Note;

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

(e) waive a Default in the payment of principal or interest on the Notes (except that Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may (x) rescind an acceleration of the Notes that resulted from a non-payment default and (y) waive the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

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(f) make the principal of or interest on any Note payable in money other than United States Dollars;

(g) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Notes;

(h) make the Notes or any Guarantee subordinated by their or its terms in right of payment to any other Indebtedness;

(i) release Parent or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary from its Guarantee except in compliance with this Indenture; or

(j) make any change in the amendment and waiver provisions of this Indenture.

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

After an amendment or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment or waiver. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment or waiver.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.

A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. An amendment or waiver becomes effective once the requisite number of consents are received by the Issuer or the Trustee. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder.

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, 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.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder.

 

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Alternatively, if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

Section 9.06 Trustee To Sign Amendments.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 (other than Section 9.01(4)) if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and shall receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment complies with the provisions of this Article 9.

ARTICLE 10

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1) the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

 

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(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.

The execution on behalf of each Guarantor of this Indenture or a supplement thereto by one of its Officers shall be sufficient to evidence its Guarantee as set forth in Section 10.01 hereof.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

In the event that, after the date of this Indenture, any Person is required by Section 4.17 to Guarantee the Notes, the Issuer will cause each such Person to comply with the provisions of Section 4.17 and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Releases.

(a) The Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon any of the following:

(1) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10;

 

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(2) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 and the Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer as a result of the sale or other disposition;

(3) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or

(4) the legal defeasance, covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 9,

provided, in each such case, that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted under this Indenture.

(b) The Guarantee of Parent will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged only upon the legal defeasance, covenant defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 9; provided, in each such case, that the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transactions have been complied with and that such release is authorized and permitted under this Indenture.

(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.04 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 11.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

Koppers Inc.

436 Seventh Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Facsimile No.: (412)  ###-###-#### and (412)  ###-###-####

Attention: Steven R. Lacy, Esq. and Louann E. Tronsberg-Deihle

 

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With a copy to:

Reed Smith LLP

435 Sixth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA ###-###-####

Facsimile No.: (412)-288-3063

Attention: Hannah Thompson Frank, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

45 Broadway, 14th Floor

New York, NY 10006

Facsimile No.: (212)  ###-###-####

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

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

Section 11.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

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

 

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Section 11.04 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:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and must include:

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

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

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

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

Section 11.06 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 11.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 11.08 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction and Service.

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

86


EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS 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 TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Issuer hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any Federal or State court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Notes and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. The Issuer irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. The Issuer agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, and may be enforced in any courts to the jurisdiction of which the Issuer is subject by a suit upon such judgment, provided, that service of process is effected upon the Issuer in the manner specified herein or as otherwise permitted by law. The Issuer hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Corporation Service Company (the “Process Agent”) as its authorized agent for purposes of this section, it being understood that the designation and appointment of the Process Agent as such authorized agent shall become effective immediately without any further action on the part of the Issuer. The Issuer further agrees that service of process upon the Process Agent and written notice of said service to the Issuer, mailed by prepaid registered first class mail or delivered to the Process Agent at its principal office, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Issuer, in any such suit or proceeding. The Issuer further agrees to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments as may be necessary, to continue such designation and appointment of the Process Agent in full force and effect so long as the Issuer, has any outstanding obligations under this Indenture. To the extent the Issuer has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, executor or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, the Issuer hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Indenture to the extent permitted by law.

Section 11.09 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 its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 11.10 Successors.

All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.04.

Section 11.11 Severability.

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

 

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Section 11.12 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in two or more counterparts, which when so executed shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 11.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

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

Section 11.14 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its 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 and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 11.15 U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of December 1, 2009

 

Issuer:
KOPPERS INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name:   Steven R. Lacy
  Title:   Senior Vice President, Administration, General Counsel & Secretary
Parent:
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name:   Steven R. Lacy
  Title:  

Senior Vice President, Administration,

General Counsel & Secretary

[Signatures continue on following page]


Subsidiary Guarantors:
WORLD-WIDE VENTURES CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name: Steven R. Lacy
  Title: Secretary
KOPPERS DELAWARE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name: Steven R. Lacy
  Title: Secretary
KOPPERS CONCRETE PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name: Steven R. Lacy
  Title: Secretary
CONCRETE PARTNERS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name: Steven R. Lacy
  Title: Secretary
KOPPERS ASIA LLC
By:  

/s/ Steven R. Lacy

  Name: Steven R. Lacy
  Title: Secretary

[Signatures continue on following page]


Trustee:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Martin Reed

  Name: Martin Reed
  Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

 

          CUSIP                     
      ISIN                       
      CINS                     
   7.875% Senior Notes due 2019   
No.            $                    

KOPPERS INC.

promises to pay to                  or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                                                                                                                                                     DOLLARS

on December 1, 2019.

Interest Payment Dates: December 1 and June 1, beginning                     

Record Dates: November 15 and May 15

 

KOPPERS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

This is one of the Notes referred to

in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Dated:                     

 

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[Back of Note]

7.875% Senior Notes due 2019

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

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

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

(1) INTEREST. Koppers Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Issuer”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 7.875% per annum from                      until maturity and shall pay the Special Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuer will pay interest and Special Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on December 1 and June 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be                     . The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Special Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuer will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Special Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the November 15 or May 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Issuer, payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuer or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

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(4) INDENTURE. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of December 1, 2009 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) At any time on or prior to December 1, 2012 the Issuer may, at its option on any one or more occasions, redeem Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 107.875% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries); and

(ii) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(b) At any time prior to December 1, 2014, 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 or otherwise delivered in accordance with the procedures of DTC, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of the holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(c) Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to December 1, 2014.

(d) The Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Issuer, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 1, 2014 at the redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders 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 December 1 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
 

2014

   103.938

2015

   102.625

2016

   101.313

2017 and thereafter

   100.000

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

 

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

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) If there is a Change of Control, the Issuer will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Issuer will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer consummates any Asset Sales, within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuer will make a Net Proceeds Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets in accordance with the Indenture to purchase, prepay or redeem the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Net Proceeds Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of a Net Proceeds Offer, the Issuer may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered in (or required to be prepaid or redeemed in connection with) such Net Proceeds Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis, based on the amounts tendered or required to be prepaid or redeemed. Upon completion of each Net Proceeds Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive a Net Proceeds Offer from the Issuer prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuer will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article 8 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.

 

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(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, the Issuer and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes) and any past default or compliance with any provision may also be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of Issuer or any Guarantor under the Indenture in accordance with Article 5; to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code); to add a Subsidiary Guarantor; to release any Guarantor from its Guarantee when permitted by the Indenture; to add to the covenants of Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA; to make any other change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or to conform the text of the Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Circular, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes, which intent may be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate to that effect.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest and Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes; (ii) default in the payment when due of principal on any Note, whether upon maturity, acceleration, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise; (iii) failure by the Issuer to comply with the provisions of Sections 4.15 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to perform or comply with any covenant, agreement or warranty in this Indenture (other than any specified in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii)) which failure continues for 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or is created after the Issue Date, which (A) is caused by a Payment Default; or (B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity; and in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness as to which a Payment Default or acceleration shall have occurred, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more; (vi) one or more final and non-appealable judgments, orders or decrees for the payment of money of $20.0 million or more, individually or in the aggregate, shall be entered against the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective properties and which final and non-appealable judgments, orders or decrees are not covered by third party indemnities or insurance as to which coverage has not been disclaimed and are not paid, discharged, bonded or stayed within 60 days after their entry; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to Parent, the Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or (viii) the Guarantee of Parent or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the

 

A-5


terms of such Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or is found invalid or Parent or any Guarantor denies its liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor from its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Guarantee). 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 of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any,) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all the Holders, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its respective consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase). The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH ISSUER. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuer or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 1, 2009, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof [or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Issuer and the Guarantors to the purchasers of any Additional Notes] ([collectively], the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

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(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

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:

Koppers Inc.

436 Seventh Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Facsimile No.: (412)  ###-###-#### and (412)  ###-###-####

Attention: Steven R. Lacy, Esq. and

Louann E. Tronsberg-Deihle

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

 

   (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint   

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the 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).

 

A-8


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¬Section 4.10                    ¬Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

   $                           

Date:                     

 

   Your Signature:   

 

  

    (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

   Tax Identification No.:   

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:   

 

        

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of
this Global Note
   Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of
this Global Note
   Principal Amount
of this Global Note
following such
decrease

(or increase)
   Signature of authorized
signatory of Trustee or
Custodian

 

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

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Koppers Inc.

436 Seventh Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Facsimile No.: (412)  ###-###-#### and

(412) 227-2159

Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.

MAC N9303-121

608 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Telephone No.: (877)  ###-###-####

Fax No.: (866)  ###-###-####

Email: ***@***

Re: 7.875% Senior Notes due 2019

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2009 (the “Indenture”), among Koppers Inc., as issuer (the “Issuer”), Koppers Holdings Inc., as Guarantor, and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                            , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note(s) or interest in such Note(s) specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $             in such Note(s) or interests (the “Transfer”), to                              (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1.  ¨  Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2.  ¨  Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was 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

 

B-1


knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3.  ¨  Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)  ¨  such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b)  ¨   such Transfer is being effected to the 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;

or

(d)  ¨   such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-2


4.  ¨  Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a)  ¨  Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b)  ¨  Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c)  ¨  Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

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

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.    The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)
      (a)    ¨    a beneficial interest in the:
         (i)       ¨    144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
         (ii)       ¨    Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
         (iii)       ¨    IAI Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
      (b)    ¨    a Restricted Definitive Note.
2.    After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
CHECK ONE
      (a)    ¨    a beneficial interest in the:
         (i)       ¨    144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
         (ii)       ¨    Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
         (iii)       ¨    IAI Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
         (iv)       ¨    Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
      (b)    ¨    a Restricted Definitive Note; or
      (c)    ¨    an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
      in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Koppers Inc.

436 Seventh Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Facsimile No.: Facsimile No.: (412)  ###-###-#### and

(412) 227-2159

Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.

MAC N9303-121

608 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Telephone No.: (877)  ###-###-####

Fax No.: (866)  ###-###-####

Email: ***@***

Re: 7.875% Senior Notes due 2019

(CUSIP [            ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2009 (the “Indenture”), among Koppers Inc., as issuer (the “Issuer”), Koppers Holdings Inc. as Guarantor, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                    , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note(s) or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note(s) or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a)  ¨  Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b)  ¨  Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(c)  ¨  Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d)  ¨  Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a)  ¨  Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b)  ¨  Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Note, ¨ Regulation S Global Note, ¨ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

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

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

C-2


By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-3


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

Koppers Inc.

436 Seventh Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Facsimile No.: Facsimile No.: (412)  ###-###-#### and

(412) 227-2159

Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.

MAC N9303-121

608 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Telephone No.: (877)  ###-###-####

Fax No.: (866)  ###-###-####

Email: ***@***

Re: 7.875% Senior Notes due 2019

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2009 (the “Indenture”), among Koppers Inc., as issuer (the “Issuer”), Koppers Holdings Inc. as Guarantor, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $             aggregate principal amount of:

(a) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b) ¨ a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Issuer or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Issuer a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

 

E-1


3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Issuer such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Issuer may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Issuer are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

E-2


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , among                              (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Koppers Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Issuer”), the Issuer, Koppers Holdings Inc., as Guarantor, the other subsidiary guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of December 1, 2009 providing for the issuance of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

4. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

5. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

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

 

E-1


7. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

8. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Issuer.

 

E-2


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

Dated:                     ,

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
KOPPERS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION]
as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

E-3


EXHIBIT F

INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE

The undersigned,                     , being the                      of Koppers Inc. (the “Company”) does hereby certify that the individuals listed below are qualified and acting officers of the Company as set forth in the right column opposite their respective names and the signatures appearing in the extreme right column opposite the name of each such officer is a true specimen of the genuine signature of such officer and such individuals have the authority to execute documents to be delivered to, or upon the request of, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) under the Indenture dated as of December 1, 2009, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee.

 

Name

  

Title

  

Signature

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

  

 

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Certificate as of the      day of             , 20    .

 

 

Name:
Title:

 

F-1