REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT by and among KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC., as Issuer, and MERRILL LYNCH & CO.,

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Registration Rights Agreements
EX-4.2 3 dex42.htm REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF JUNE 30, 2004 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2004

Exhibit 4.2

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.,

 

as Issuer,

 

and

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.,

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMTIH

INCORPORATED,

 

as Initial Purchaser

 

Dated as of June 30, 2004

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of June 30, 2004 by and among Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), and Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the “Initial Purchaser”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated June 24, 2004 (the “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and the Initial Purchaser. In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

 

The Company agrees with the Initial Purchaser, (i) for its benefit as Initial Purchaser and (ii) for the benefit of the beneficial owners (including the Initial Purchaser) from time to time of the Notes (as defined herein) and the beneficial owners from time to time of the Underlying Common Stock (as defined herein) issued upon conversion of the Notes (each of the foregoing a “Holder” and together the “Holders”), as follows:

 

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

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified person, an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 144, of such person.

 

“Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

 

“Amount of Registrable Securities” means (i) with respect to the Notes, the aggregate principal amount of all such Notes outstanding; (ii) with respect to the Underlying Common Stock, the aggregate number of such shares of Common Stock outstanding multiplied by the Conversion Price or, if no Notes are then outstanding, the last Conversion Price that was in effect under the Indenture when any Notes were last outstanding; and (iii) with respect to combinations thereof, the sum of (i) and (ii) for the relevant Registrable Securities (without duplication).

 

“Applicable Conversion Price” as of any date of determination means the Conversion Price in effect as of such date of determination or, if no Notes are then outstanding, the Conversion Price that would be in effect were Notes then outstanding.

 

“Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

“Common Stock” means the shares of common stock, without par value, of the Company and any other shares of common stock as may constitute “Common Stock” for purposes of the Indenture, including the Underlying Common Stock.

 

- 2 -

“Conversion Price” has the meaning assigned such term in the Indenture.

 

“Damages Accrual Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

 

“Damages Payment Date” means each interest payment date under the Indenture in the case of Notes, and each June 30, 2004 and December 30, 2004 in the case of the Underlying Common Stock.

 

“Deferral Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(i) hereof.

 

“Deferral Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(i) hereof.

 

“Effectiveness Deadline Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Effectiveness Period” means the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the date that all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities.

 

“Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

 

“Event Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

 

“Event Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

 

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

 

“Filing Deadline Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Holder” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of June 30, 2004 between the Company and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued.

 

“Initial Purchaser” means Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

 

“Initial Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Issue Date” means the first date of original issuance of the Notes.

 

“Liquidated Damages Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e) hereof.

 

- 3 -

“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a) hereof.

 

“Material Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(i) hereof.

 

“Notes” means the 1% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2010 of the Company to be purchased pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

“Notice and Questionnaire” means a written notice delivered to the Company containing substantially the information called for by the Selling Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Annex A to the Offering Memorandum of the Company dated June 24, 2004 relating to the Notes.

 

“Notice Holder” means, on any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.

 

“Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including post-effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

“Record Holder” means (i) with respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to any Notes as to which any such Liquidated Damages Amount has accrued, the holder of record of such Note on the record date with respect to the interest payment date under the Indenture on which such Damages Payment Date shall occur and (ii) with respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to the Underlying Common Stock as to which any such Liquidated Damages Amount has accrued, the registered holder of such Underlying Common Stock 15 days prior to such Damages Payment Date.

 

“Registrable Securities” means the Notes until such Notes have been converted into or exchanged for the Underlying Common Stock and, at all times subsequent to any such conversion or exchange, the Underlying Common Stock and any securities into or for which such Underlying Common Stock has been converted or exchanged, and any security issued with respect thereto upon any stock dividend, split or similar event until, in the case of any such security, (A) the earliest of (i) its effective registration under the Securities Act and resale in accordance with the Registration Statement covering it, (ii) expiration of the holding period that would be applicable thereto, under Rule 144(k) and (iii) its sale to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act, and (B) as a result of the event or circumstance described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), the legend with respect to transfer restrictions required under the Indenture is removed or removable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture or such legend, as the case may be.

 

- 4 -

“Registration Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.

 

“Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

“Restricted Securities” means “Restricted Securities” as defined in Rule 144.

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Special Counsel” means Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation or one such other successor counsel as shall be specified by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, but which may, with the written consent of the Initial Purchaser (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), be another nationally recognized law firm experienced in securities law matters designated by the Company, the reasonable fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company pursuant to Section 5 hereof.

 

“Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

“Trustee” means J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, the trustee under the Indenture.

 

- 5 -

“Underlying Common Stock” means the Common Stock into which the Notes are convertible or issued upon any such conversion.

 

Section 2. Shelf Registration. (a) The Company shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed with the SEC, as soon as practicable but in any event by the date (the “Filing Deadline Date”) 120 days after the Issue Date, a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale from time to time by Holders thereof of all of the Registrable Securities (the “Initial Shelf Registration Statement”). The Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form selected by the Company permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such Holders in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is practicable but in any event by the date (the “Effectiveness Deadline Date”) that is 210 days after the Issue Date, and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective under the Securities Act until the expiration of the Effectiveness Period. At the time the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder that became a Notice Holder on or prior to the date 10 Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a selling securityholder in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law. None of the Company’s security holders (other than the Holders of Registrable Securities) shall have the right to include any of the Company’s securities in the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(b) If the Initial Shelf Registration Statement or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because all Registrable Securities registered thereunder shall have been resold pursuant thereto or shall have otherwise ceased to be Registrable Securities), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Shelf Registration Statement covering all of the securities that as of the date of such filing are Registrable Securities (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as is practicable after such filing and to keep such Registration Statement (or subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective until the end of the Effectiveness Period.

 

- 6 -

(c) The Company shall supplement and amend the Shelf Registration Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement, if required by the Securities Act or as reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(d) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that if such Holder wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus, it will do so only in accordance with this Section 2(d) and Section 3(h) hereof. Each Holder of Registrable Securities wishing to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company at least three Business Days prior to any intended distribution of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement. From and after the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is delivered, and in any event upon the later of (x) 15 Business Days after such date or (y) 15 Business Days after the expiration of any Deferral Period in effect when the Notice and Questionnaire is delivered, or put into effect within 15 Business Days of such delivery date, (i) if required by applicable law, file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or prepare and, if required by applicable law, file a supplement to the related Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire is named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law and, if the Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is practicable, but in any event by the date (the “Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date”) that is 45 days after the date such post-effective amendment is required by this clause to be filed; (ii) provide such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) hereof; and (iii) notify such Holder as promptly as practicable after the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) hereof; provided that if such Notice and Questionnaire is delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the actions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in accordance with Section 3(i) hereof. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (i) the Company shall be under no obligation to name any Holder that is not a Notice Holder as a selling securityholder in any Registration Statement or related Prospectus and the (ii) Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date shall be extended by up to 10 Business Days from the expiration of a Deferral Period (and the Company shall incur no obligation to pay Liquidated Damages during such extension) if such Deferral Period shall be in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date.

 

- 7 -

(e) The parties hereto agree that the Holders of Registrable Securities will suffer damages, and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision, if: (i) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not been filed on or prior to the Filing Deadline Date; (ii) the Initial Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Deadline Date; (iii) the Company has failed to perform its obligations set forth in Section 2(d) hereof within the time period required therein; or (iv) the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days permitted in respect of such period pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof (each of the events of a type described in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) are individually referred to herein as an “Event,” and the next day following the Filing Deadline Date in the case of clause (i), the next day following the Effectiveness Deadline Date in the case of clause (ii), the next day following the date by which the Company is required to perform its obligations set forth in Section 2(d) hereof in the case of clause (iii) (including the filing of any post-effective amendment on or prior to the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline Date), and the date on which the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in any period exceeds the number of days permitted by Section 3(i) hereof in the case of clause (iv), being referred to herein as an “Event Date”). Events shall be deemed to continue until the “Event Termination Date,” which shall be the following dates with respect to the respective types of Events: the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is filed in the case of an Event of the type described in clause (i), the date the Initial Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act in the case of an Event of the type described in clause (ii), the date the Company performs its obligations set forth in Section 2(d) hereof in the case of an Event of the type described in clause (iii) (including, without limitation, the date the relevant post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act), and termination of the Deferral Period that caused the limit on the aggregate duration of Deferral Periods in a period set forth in Section 3(i) hereof to be exceeded in the case of the commencement of an Event of the type described in clause (iv).

 

Accordingly, commencing on (and including) any Event Date and ending on (but excluding) the next date on which there are no Events that have occurred and are continuing (a “Damages Accrual Period”), the Company agrees to pay, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount (the “Liquidated Damages Amount”), payable in cash on the Damages Payment Dates to Record Holders of Notes that are Registrable Securities and of shares of Underlying Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes that are Registrable Securities, as the case may be, accruing, for each portion of such Damages Accrual Period beginning on and including a Damages Payment Date (or, in respect of the first time that the Liquidated Damages Amount is to be paid to Holders on a Damages Payment Date as a result of the occurrence of any particular Event, from the Event Date) and ending on but excluding the first to occur of (A) the date of the

 

- 8 -

end of the Damages Accrual Period or (B) the next Damages Payment Date, at a rate equal to (i) 0.25% per annum of the Amount of Registrable Securities with respect to the first 90-day period during which an Event shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) 0.50% per annum of the Amount of Registrable Securities with respect to the period commencing on the 91st day following the day an Event shall have occurred and be continuing, in each case determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the next Damages Payment Date; provided that in no event shall the Liquidated Damages Amount accrue at a rate per annum exceeding 0.50% of the Amount of Registrable Securities; provided, further, that in the case of a Damages Accrual Period that is in effect solely as a result of an Event of the type described in Section 2(e)(iii) hereof, such Liquidated Damages Amount shall be paid only to the Holders that have delivered Notice and Questionnaires that caused the Company to incur the obligations set forth in Section 2(d) hereof the non-performance of which is the basis of such Event; provided, further, that any Liquidated Damages Amount accrued with respect to any Note (or portion thereof) submitted for purchase on a purchase date or converted into Underlying Common Stock on a conversion date prior to the Damages Payment Date, shall, in any such event, be paid instead to the Holder who submitted such Note (or portion thereof) for purchase or conversion on the applicable purchase date or conversion date, as the case may be, on such date (or promptly following the conversion date, in the case of conversion). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Liquidated Damages Amounts shall accrue as to any Registrable Security from and after the earlier of (x) the date such security is no longer a Registrable Security and (y) expiration of the Effectiveness Period. Notwithstanding the occurrence of multiple concurrent Events, the rate of accrual of the Liquidated Damages Amount with respect to any period shall not exceed the rate per annum of 0.50% of the Amount of Registrable Securities. Following the cure of all Events requiring the payment by the Company of Liquidated Damages Amounts to the Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section, accrual of Liquidated Damages Amounts will cease (without in any way limiting the effect of any subsequent Event requiring the payment of Liquidated Damages Amount by the Company).

 

The Trustee shall be entitled, on behalf of Holders of Notes or Underlying Common Stock, to seek any available remedy for the enforcement of this Agreement, including for the payment of any Liquidated Damages Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the sole damages payable for a violation of the terms of this Agreement with respect to which liquidated damages are expressly provided shall be such liquidated damages. Nothing shall preclude a Notice Holder or Holder of Registrable Securities from pursuing or obtaining specific performance or other equitable relief with respect to this Agreement.

 

All of the Company’s obligations set forth in this Section 2(e) that are outstanding with respect to any Registrable Security at the time such security ceases to be a Registrable Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security have been satisfied in full (notwithstanding termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8(k) hereof).

 

- 9 -

The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for in this Section 2(e) constitute a reasonable estimate of the damages that may be incurred by Holders of Registrable Securities by reason of the failure of the Shelf Registration Statement to be filed or declared effective or available for effecting resales of Registrable Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

Section 3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the registration obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof, the Company shall:

 

(a) Prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on any appropriate form under the Securities Act selected by the Company available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided that before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC, the Company shall furnish to the Initial Purchaser and the Special Counsel of such offering, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and use its reasonable best efforts to reflect in each such document when so filed with the SEC such comments as the Special Counsel reasonably shall propose within five Business Days of the delivery of such copies to the Initial Purchaser and the Special Counsel.

 

(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable period specified in Section 2(a) hereof; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; and use its reasonable best efforts to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the Effectiveness Period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or such Prospectus as so supplemented.

 

(c) As promptly as practicable give notice to the Notice Holders, the Initial Purchaser and the Special Counsel, (i) when any Prospectus, Prospectus supplement, Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared effective, (ii) of any request, following

 

- 10 -

the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act, by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the occurrence of a Material Event (but not the nature of or details concerning such Material Event) and (vi) of the determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement will be filed with the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the Company (or as required pursuant to Section 3(i) hereof), state that it constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which event the provisions of Section 3(i) hereof shall apply.

 

(d) Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been qualified for sale, in either case at the earliest possible moment, and provide immediate notice to each Notice Holder and the Initial Purchaser of the withdrawal of any such order.

 

(e) If reasonably requested by the Initial Purchaser or any Notice Holder, as promptly as practicable incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement such information as the Initial Purchaser and the Special Counsel, or such Notice Holder shall on the basis of an opinion of nationally-recognized counsel experienced in such matters, determine to be required to be included therein by applicable law and make any required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment.

 

(f) As promptly as practicable furnish to each Notice Holder, the Special Counsel and the Initial Purchaser, without charge, at least one conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, including financial statements but excluding schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits (unless requested by such Notice Holder, Special Counsel, Initial Purchaser or underwriter).

 

(g) During the Effectiveness Period, deliver to each Notice Holder, the Special Counsel and the Initial Purchaser, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses relating

 

- 11 -

to such Registrable Securities (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Notice Holder may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents (except during such periods that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by each Notice Holder in connection with any offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner set forth therein.

 

(h) Prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Notice Holders and the Special Counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Notice Holder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be included in the Notice and Questionnaire); prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use its reasonable best efforts to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in connection with such Notice Holder’s offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in the relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

(h) Upon (A) the issuance by the SEC of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of proceedings with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any fact (a “Material Event”) as a result of which any Registration Statement shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any Prospectus shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development (including, without limitation, a potential acquisition or divestiture, a financing or the review by the SEC of the Company’s prior filings) that, in the reasonable discretion of the Company,

 

- 12 -

makes it appropriate to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus for a discrete period of time, (i) in the case of clause (B) above, subject to the next sentence, as promptly as practicable prepare and file, if necessary pursuant to applicable law, a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document that would be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement, subject to the next sentence, use its reasonable best efforts to cause it to be declared effective as promptly as is practicable, and (ii) give notice to the Notice Holders, the Special Counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, that the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement is suspended (a “Deferral Notice”) and, upon receipt of any Deferral Notice, each Notice Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement until such Notice Holder’s receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x) in the case of clause (A) above, as promptly as is practicable, (y) in the case of clause (B) above, as soon as, in the sole judgment of the Company, public disclosure of such Material Event would not be prejudicial to or contrary to the interests of the Company or, if necessary to avoid unreasonable burden or expense, as soon as practicable thereafter and (z) in the case of clause (C) above, as soon as in the reasonable discretion of the Company, such suspension is no longer appropriate. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(i) to suspend the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement or any Prospectus, without incurring or accruing any obligation to pay liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof, no more than an aggregate of 45 days in any three-month period or an aggregate of 90 days in any twelve-month period (each such period during which the availability of the Registration Statement and any Prospectus is suspended, a “Deferral Period”); provided that in the case of a Material Event relating to an acquisition or a probable acquisition or financing,

 

- 13 -

recapitalization, business combination or other similar transaction, or the review by the SEC of the Company’s prior filings, the Company may, without incurring any obligation to pay liquidated damages pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof, deliver to Notice Holders a second notice to the effect set forth above, which shall have the effect of extending the Deferral Period to an aggregate of up to 60 days in any three-month period, or such shorter period of time as is specified in such second notice.

 

(j) If requested in writing in connection with a disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours by a representative for the Notice Holders of such Registrable Securities, and any broker-dealers, attorneys and accountants retained by such Notice Holders or underwriter, all relevant financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to make reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours on reasonable notice all relevant information reasonably requested by such representative for the Notice Holders, or any such broker-dealers, attorneys or accountants in connection with such disposition, in each case as is customary for similar “due diligence” examinations; provided that such persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such persons and shall be used solely for the purposes of exercising rights under this Agreement, unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of any Registration Statement or the use of any prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such information becomes available to any such person from a source other than the Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement; and provided that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall, to the greatest extent possible, be coordinated on behalf of all the Notice Holders and the other parties entitled thereto by the counsel referred to in Section 5 hereof.

 

(k) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earning statements (which need not be audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any three-month period (or 90 days after the end of any twelve-month

 

- 14 -

period if such period is a fiscal year) commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company commencing after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said periods.

 

(l) Cooperate with each Notice Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities sold or to be sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends, and cause such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations as are permitted by the Indenture and registered in such names as such Notice Holder may request in writing at least one Business Day prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities.

 

(m) Provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement and provide the Trustee and the transfer agent for the Common Stock with printed certificates for the Registrable Securities that are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

 

(n) Cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

 

(o) Upon (i) the filing of the Initial Registration Statement and (ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, announce the same, in each case by release to Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News.

 

Section 4. Holder’s Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the Registrable Securities, that no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire as required pursuant to Section 2(d) hereof (including the information required to be included in such Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence. Each Notice Holder agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Notice Holder not misleading and any other information regarding such Notice Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request. Any sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder shall constitute a representation and warranty by such Holder that the information relating to such Holder and its plan of distribution is as set forth in the Prospectus delivered by such Holder in connection with such disposition, that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale contain any untrue statement of a material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan of distribution and that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale omit to state any material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan of distribution necessary to make the statements in such Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

- 15 -

Section 5. Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance by the Company of its obligations under Section 2 and Section 3 hereof whether or not any of the Registration Statements are declared effective. Such fees and expenses shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of compliance with federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the Special Counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as Notice Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement may designate), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company), (iii) duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration Statement or Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Special Counsel in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement; provided that the Company shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm for all parties participating in any transaction hereunder, (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel and of the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock and (vi) Securities Act liability insurance obtained by the Company in its sole discretion. In addition, the Company shall pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing by the Company of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which similar securities of the Company are then listed and the fees and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, each seller of Registrable Securities shall pay selling expenses and all registration expenses to the extent required by applicable law.

 

Section 6. Indemnification.

 

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Notice Holder and each person, if any, who controls any Notice Holder (within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) from and against any losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) (collectively, “Losses”), arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or

 

- 16 -

alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Losses arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement contained in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and conformity with any of the information relating to the Holders furnished to the Company in writing by a Holder expressly for use therein; provided, further, that the indemnification contained in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder of Registrable Securities (or to the benefit of any person controlling such Holder) on account of any such Losses arising out of or based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any preliminary prospectus provided in each case the Company has performed its obligations under Section 3(a) hereof if either (A) (i) such Holder failed to send or deliver a copy of the Prospectus with or prior to the delivery of written confirmation of the sale by such Holder to the person asserting the claim from which such Losses arise and (ii) the Prospectus would have corrected such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or such omission or alleged omission, or (B) (x) such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission is corrected in an amendment or supplement to the Prospectus and (y) having previously been furnished by or on behalf of the Company with copies of the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, such Holder thereafter fails to deliver such Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, with or prior to the delivery of written confirmation of the sale of a Registrable Security to the person asserting the claim from which such Losses arise.

 

(b) Indemnification by Holders of Registrable Securities. Each Holder agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who controls the Company (within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) or any other Holder, from and against all Losses arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

- 17 -

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof, such person (the “indemnified party”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such separate firm shall be designated in writing by, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, the Holders of a majority (with Holders of Notes deemed to be the Holders, for purposes of determining such majority, of the number of shares of Underlying Common Stock into which such Notes are or would be convertible or exchangeable as of the date on which such designation is made) of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement held by Holders that are indemnified parties pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this Section 6(c), the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 60 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

 

- 18 -

(d) Contribution. To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 hereof is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 6(a) or 6(b) hereof in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold such indemnified party harmless, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party or parties on the other hand or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the initial placement pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (before deducting expenses) of the Registrable Securities to which such Losses relate. Benefits received by any Holder shall be deemed to be equal to the value of receiving Registrable Securities that are registered under the Securities Act. The relative fault of the Holders on the one hand and the Company on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Holders or by the Company, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Holders’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 6(d) are several in proportion to the respective number of Registrable Securities they have sold pursuant to a Registration Statement, and not joint.

 

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method or allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to in this Section 6(d) shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding this Section 6(d), an indemnifying party that is a selling Holder of Registrable Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities sold by such indemnifying party and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such indemnifying party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

- 19 -

(e) The indemnity, contribution and expense reimbursement obligations of the parties hereunder shall be in addition to any liability any indemnified party may otherwise have hereunder, under the Purchase Agreement or otherwise.

 

(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person controlling any Holder, or the Company, or the Company’s officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) the sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder.

 

Section 7. Information Requirements. The Company covenants that, if at any time before the end of the Effectiveness Period the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, it will cooperate with any Holder of Registrable Securities and take such further reasonable action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in writing (including, without limitation, making such reasonable representations as any such Holder may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act and customarily taken in connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions. Upon the written request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such filing requirements, unless such a statement has been included in the Company’s most recent report filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities (other than the Common Stock) under any section of the Exchange Act.

 

Section 8. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) No Conflicting Agreements. The Company is not, as of the date hereof, a party to, nor shall it, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that conflicts with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement. The Company represents and warrants that the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder do not in any way conflict with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s securities under any other agreements.

 

(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Underlying Common Stock

 

- 20 -

constituting Registrable Securities (with Holders of Notes deemed to be the Holders, for purposes of this Section, the number of outstanding shares of Underlying Common Stock into which such Notes are or would be convertible or exchangeable as of the date on which such consent is requested). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. Each Holder of Registrable Securities outstanding at the time of any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent or thereafter shall be bound by any such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 8(b) whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent appears on the Registrable Securities or is delivered to such Holder.

 

(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, by telecopier, by courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by first-class mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed given (i) when made, if made by hand delivery, (ii) upon confirmation, if made by telecopier, (iii) one Business Day after being deposited with such courier, if made by overnight courier or (iv) on the date indicated on the notice of receipt, if made by first-class mail, to the parties as follows:

 

  (x) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company in a Notice and Questionnaire or any amendment thereto;

 

  (y) if to the Company, to:

 

Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.

2101 Blair Mill Road

Willow Grove, PA 19090

Attention: David J. Anderson, Esq.

Facsimile No.: 215 ###-###-####

 

and

 

- 21 -

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: F. Douglas Raymond III, Esq.

Facsimile No.: 215 ###-###-####

 

  (z) if to the Initial Purchaser, to:

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

and

101 California Street, Suite 1420

San Francisco, California 94111

Attention: Investment Banking Counsel

 

and

 

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional

Corporation

650 Page Mill Road

Palo Alto, California 94304

Attention: Robert A. Claassen, Esq.

Facsimile No.: (650) 493-6811

 

or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the other persons identified in this Section 8(c) in writing in accordance herewith.

 

(d) Approval of Holders. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (other than the Initial Purchaser or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

 

(e) Successors and Assigns. Any person who purchases any Registrable Securities from the Initial Purchaser shall be deemed, for purposes of this Agreement, to be an assignee of the Initial Purchaser. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each Holder of any Registrable Securities.

 

- 22 -

(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(i) Severability. If any term provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. Except as provided in the Purchase Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein, with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings among the parties with respect to such registration rights. No party hereto shall have any rights, duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth in this Agreement. In no event will such methods of distribution take the form of an underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities without the prior agreement of the Company.

 

(k) Termination. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate upon the end of the Effectiveness Period, except for any liabilities or obligations under Section 4, 5 or 6 hereof and the obligations to make payments of and provide for liquidated damages under Section 2(e) hereof to the extent such damages accrue prior to the end of the Effectiveness Period, each of which shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.

 

- 23 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.

By:

  

/s/ Maurice E. Carson

Name:

   Maurice E. Carson

Title:

  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

Confirmed and accepted as of

the date first above written:

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED

By:

   MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
    By:  

/s/ Gopal Garuda

       

Authorized Signatory

VICE PRESIDENT