Indenture, dated as of March 19, 2021, by and among the Issuer, the guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, related to the Companys 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Indenture Agreements
EX-4.2 3 d121906dex42.htm EX-4.2 EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

Execution Version

 

 

 

MATTEL, INC.,

as Issuer

and the Guarantors party hereto

3.750% Senior Notes due 2029

INDENTURE

Dated as of March 19, 2021

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I       
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference       

SECTION 1.1.

  Definitions      1  

SECTION 1.2.

  Other Definitions      29  

SECTION 1.3.

  Rules of Construction      30  
ARTICLE II       
The Notes       

SECTION 2.1.

  Form and Dating      31  

SECTION 2.2.

  Form of Execution and Authentication      34  

SECTION 2.3.

  Registrar and Paying Agent      35  

SECTION 2.4.

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      35  

SECTION 2.5.

  Lists of Holders of the Notes      36  

SECTION 2.6.

  Transfer and Exchange      36  

SECTION 2.7.

  Replacement Notes      45  

SECTION 2.8.

  Outstanding Notes      45  

SECTION 2.9.

  Treasury Notes      45  

SECTION 2.10.

  Temporary Notes      46  

SECTION 2.11.

  Cancellation      46  

SECTION 2.12.

  Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest      46  

SECTION 2.13.

  CUSIP and ISIN Numbers      47  

SECTION 2.14.

  Record Date      47  
ARTICLE III       
Covenants       

SECTION 3.1.

  Payment of Notes      47  

SECTION 3.2.

  Reports      48  

SECTION 3.3.

  Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock      48  

SECTION 3.4.

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      56  

SECTION 3.5.

  Liens      62  

SECTION 3.6.

  Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions      62  

SECTION 3.7.

  Change of Control Triggering Event      62  

SECTION 3.8.

  Maintenance of Insurance      64  

SECTION 3.9.

  Future Guarantors      65  

SECTION 3.10.

  Compliance Certificate; Statement by Officers as to Default      65  

SECTION 3.11.

  Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries      65  

SECTION 3.12.

  Covenant Suspension      66  

SECTION 3.13.

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      67  

 

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         Page  
ARTICLE IV       
Merger, Consolidation, Amalgamation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets       

SECTION 4.1.

  When the Issuer and Guarantors May Merge, Amalgamate or Otherwise Dispose of Assets      67  
ARTICLE V       
Redemption of Notes       

SECTION 5.1.

  Optional Redemption      70  

SECTION 5.2.

  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee of Optional and Mandatory Redemptions      70  

SECTION 5.3.

  Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed      70  

SECTION 5.4.

  Notice of Redemption      71  

SECTION 5.5.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      72  

SECTION 5.6.

  Notes Payable on Redemption Date      72  

SECTION 5.7.

  Notes Redeemed in Part      72  
ARTICLE VI       
Defaults and Remedies       

SECTION 6.1.

  Events of Default      73  

SECTION 6.2.

  Acceleration      74  

SECTION 6.3.

  Other Remedies      74  

SECTION 6.4.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      75  

SECTION 6.5.

  Control by Majority      75  

SECTION 6.6.

  Limitation on Suits      75  

SECTION 6.7.

  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      76  

SECTION 6.8.

  Collection Suit by Trustee      76  

SECTION 6.9.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      76  

SECTION 6.10.

  Priorities      76  

SECTION 6.11.

  Undertaking for Costs      77  
ARTICLE VII       
Trustee and Agents       

SECTION 7.1.

  Duties of Trustee      76  

SECTION 7.2.

  Rights of Trustee      78  

SECTION 7.3.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      80  

SECTION 7.4.

  Disclaimer      80  

SECTION 7.5.

  Notice of Defaults      80  

SECTION 7.6.

  Compensation and Indemnity      80  

SECTION 7.7.

  Replacement of Trustee      81  

SECTION 7.8.

  Successor Trustee by Merger      82  

SECTION 7.9.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      82  

SECTION 7.10.

  Limitation on Duty of Trustee      82  

SECTION 7.11.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer      82  

 

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         Page  

SECTION 7.12.

  Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes      82  
ARTICLE VIII       
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance       

SECTION 8.1.

  Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance      82  

SECTION 8.2.

  Conditions to Defeasance      84  

SECTION 8.3.

  Application of Trust Money      85  

SECTION 8.4.

  Repayment to Issuer      85  

SECTION 8.5.

  Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations      85  

SECTION 8.6.

  Reinstatement      85  
ARTICLE IX       
Amendments       

SECTION 9.1.

  Without Consent of Holders      85  

SECTION 9.2.

  With Consent of Holders      86  

SECTION 9.3.

  Effect of Consents and Waivers      87  

SECTION 9.4.

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      88  

SECTION 9.5.

  Trustee To Sign Amendments      88  
ARTICLE X       
Guarantees       

SECTION 10.1.

  Guarantees      88  

SECTION 10.2.

  Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge      90  

SECTION 10.3.

  Right of Contribution      91  

SECTION 10.4.

  No Subrogation      91  

SECTION 10.5.

  Execution and Delivery      91  

SECTION 10.6.

  Effectiveness of Guarantees      92  
ARTICLE XI       
INTENTIONALLY OMITTED       
ARTICLE XII       
Miscellaneous       

SECTION 12.1.

  Notices      92  

SECTION 12.2.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      93  

SECTION 12.3.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      93  

SECTION 12.4.

  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar      94  

SECTION 12.5.

  Days Other than Business Days      94  

SECTION 12.6.

  Governing Law      94  

SECTION 12.7.

  Jurisdiction and Service      94  

SECTION 12.8.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      94  

SECTION 12.9.

  No Recourse Against Others      94  

 

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         Page  

SECTION 12.10.

  Successors      94  

SECTION 12.11.

  Multiple Originals      94  

SECTION 12.12.

  Table of Contents; Headings      95  

SECTION 12.13.

  Force Majeure      95  

SECTION 12.14.

  USA Patriot Act      95  

SECTION 12.15.

  Communication by Holders with Other Holders      95  

SECTION 12.16.

  TIA § 314(d) Not Applicable      95  
ARTICLE XIII       
Measuring Compliance       

SECTION 13.1.

  Compliance in Connection with Certain Investments and Repayments      95  

 

EXHIBITS

  

EXHIBIT A

  

Form of Note

EXHIBIT B

  

Form of Certificate of Transfer

EXHIBIT C

  

Form of Certificate of Exchange

EXHIBIT D

  

Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of March 19, 2021, as amended or supplemented from time to time (this “Indenture”), among MATTEL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

Recitals

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the Notes (as defined herein):

ARTICLE I

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

SECTION 1.1. 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 shall be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

ABL Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement with respect to the asset-based revolving credit facility dated as of December 20, 2017, as amended as of the date hereof, among the Issuer, the guarantors and other borrowers, if any, from time to time party thereto, the financial institutions named therein and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, renewed or otherwise modified from time to time, and (if designated by the Issuer) as replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including (if designated by the Issuer) any agreement or indenture or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder permitted under Section 3.3 or altering the maturity thereof or adding Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers, issuers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders, investors or group of investors.

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

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, amalgamating or consolidating with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and

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

Additional Notes” means one or more series of additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 3.3, whether or not they bear the same CUSIP number as the Initial Notes.

 


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

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

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable Redemption Date, as calculated by the Issuer, the greater of:

 

  (1)

1% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and

 

  (2)

the excess, if any, of

(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at April 1, 2024, in the case of the Initial Notes, as set forth in paragraph 6 of Exhibit A, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through April 1, 2024 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to (but not including) the Redemption Date), in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points; over

(b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.

The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculation of the Applicable Premium.

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 that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, as the same may be amended, or any similar applicable Federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Below Investment Grade Rating Event” shall be deemed to occur if the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on the 60th day following the occurrence of a Change of Control (which date shall be extended if the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies on such 60th day, such extension to last until the date on which the Rating Agency considering such possible downgrade either (x) rates the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating or (y) publicly announces that it is no longer considering the Notes for possible downgrade; provided that no such extension shall occur if any of the Rating Agencies rates the Notes with an Investment Grade Rating that is not subject to review for possible downgrade on such 60th day).

beneficial owner” has the meaning given to that 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 not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of any securities that such “person” has the right to acquire or vote only upon the happening of any future event or contingency (including the passage of time) that has not yet occurred. The terms “beneficial ownership,” “beneficially owns” and “beneficially owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

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Board of Directors” means as to any Person, the board of directors, board of managers, sole member or managing member or other governing body of such Person, or if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, the board of directors, board of managers, sole member or managing member or other governing body of such entity, or in each case, any duly authorized committee thereof, and the term “directors” means members of the Board of Directors.

Borrowing Base” means, at the date of any Incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness in reliance upon the amount determined by this definition, the sum of (x) 85% of the aggregate book value of any accounts receivable of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) 80% of the aggregate book value of all inventory of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, that would be stated on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such measurement date, and in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the State of New York or, with respect to any payments to be made under this Indenture, the place of payment.

Capital Stock” means:

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

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

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

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person (it being understood and agreed, for the avoidance of doubt, that “cash-settled phantom appreciation programs” in connection with employee benefits that do not require a dividend or distribution shall not constitute Capital Stock).

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that any obligations relating to a lease that was accounted for by the Issuer as an operating lease as of November 20, 2019 and any similar lease entered into after November 20, 2019 shall be accounted for as an operating lease and not a Capitalized Lease Obligation for all purposes under this Indenture.

Cash Contribution Amount” means the aggregate amount of cash contributions made to the capital of the Issuer and designated as a “Cash Contribution Amount” as described in the definition of “Contribution Indebtedness.”

Cash Management Services” means any of the following to the extent not constituting a line of credit (other than an overnight draft facility that is not in default): automated clearing house transactions, treasury and/or cash management services, including, without limitation, treasury, depository, overdraft, credit, purchasing or debit card, non-card e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, treasury management services (including controlled disbursement services, overdraft automatic clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), other demand deposit or operating account relationships, foreign exchange facilities and merchant services.

 

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Change of Control” means any of the following events:

(i) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or more series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, other than to the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries;

(ii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any person becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Issuer’s outstanding Voting Stock or other Voting Stock into which the Issuer’s Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; or

(iii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under clause (ii) above if (i) the Issuer becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of a holding company and (ii)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Issuer’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction, the holders of the Issuer’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction (or another holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) are the beneficial owners, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company. The term “person,” as used in this definition, has the meaning given thereto in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking S.A., as currently in effect or any successor securities clearing agency.

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Issuer by any Officer of the Issuer.

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to

(a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus

 

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(b) (except in the case of clause (x) below) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income,

(i) provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, state, franchise, excise, property and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes paid or accrued, including giving effect to any penalties and interest with respect thereto, and state taxes in lieu of business fees (including business license fees) and payroll tax credits, income tax credits and similar tax credits and including an amount equal to the amount of tax distributions actually made to the holders of Equity Interests of such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such period (in each case, to the extent attributable to the operations of such Person and its Subsidiaries), which shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus

(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, plus

(iii) depreciation and amortization for such period, including amortization or expense recorded for upfront payments related to any contract signing and signing bonus and incentive payments, plus

(iv) the amount of any interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; plus

(v) earn-out obligations incurred in connection with any acquisition or other Investment and paid or accrued during the applicable period; plus

(vi) all charges, costs, expenses, accruals or reserves in connection with the rollover, acceleration or payout of equity interests held by management and all losses, charges and expenses related to payments made to holders of options or other derivative equity interests in the common equity of such Person or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to equityholders of such Person or any of its direct or indirect parents, which payments are being made to compensate such optionholders as though they were equityholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution; plus

(vii) all non-cash losses, charges and expenses, including any write-offs or write-downs; provided that if any such non-cash charge represents an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (i) such Person may determine not to add back such non-cash charge in the period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being calculated and (ii) to the extent such Person does decide to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period will be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA for such future period, plus

(viii) all costs and expenses in connection with pre-opening and opening and closure and/or consolidation of facilities that were not already excluded in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(ix) restructuring charges, accruals or reserves and business optimization expense, including any restructuring costs and integration costs incurred in connection with any acquisitions, dispositions or efforts to achieve cost savings, expense reductions, operating improvements or synergies, startup costs (including entry into new market/channels and new service offerings), costs related to the closure, relocation, reconfiguration and/or consolidation of facilities and costs to relocate employees, integration and transaction costs, retention charges, severance, contract termination costs,

 

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recruiting and signing bonuses and expenses, future lease commitments, systems establishment costs, conversion costs and excess pension charges and consulting fees, expenses attributable to the implementation of costs savings initiatives, costs associated with tax projects/audits and costs consisting of professional consulting or other fees relating to any of the foregoing; plus

(x) Pro Forma Cost Savings; plus

(xi) all adjustments of the nature used in connection with the calculation of “Adjusted EBITDA” (or similar pro forma non GAAP measures) as set forth in the “Summary” section in the Offering Memorandum that contains a reconciliation of net income to such measure to the extent such adjustments continue to be applicable during the period in which Consolidated EBITDA is being calculated; provided that any such adjustments that consist of reductions in costs and other operating improvements or synergies shall be calculated in accordance with, and satisfy the requirements specified in, the definition of “Pro Forma Basis”; plus

(xii) the amount of loss or discount on sale of receivables and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Receivables Financing; minus

(c) (without duplication and to the extent increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period) by (i) non-cash gains or income, excluding any non-cash gains that represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that were deducted (and not added back) in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for any prior period ending after the Issue Date and (ii) the amount of any minority interest income consisting of a Subsidiary loss attributable to minority equity interest of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary (to the extent not deducted from Consolidated Net Income for such period);

(d) increased (with respect to losses) or decreased (with respect to gains) by, without duplication, any net realized gains and losses relating to (i) amounts denominated in foreign currencies resulting from the application of FASB ASC 830 (including net realized gains and losses from exchange rate fluctuations on intercompany balances and balance sheet items, net of realized gains or losses from related Swap Contracts (entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice)) or (ii) any other amounts denominated in or otherwise trued-up to provide similar accounting as if it were denominated in foreign currencies; and

(e) increased (with respect to losses) or decreased (with respect to gains) by, without duplication, any gain or loss relating to Swap Contracts (excluding Swap Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice).

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

(1) the aggregate interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including pay in kind interest payments, amortization of original issue discount, the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Swap Contracts (other than in connection with the early termination thereof) but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments, all amortization and write-offs of deferred

 

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financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, discounts, fees and expenses and expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees, costs of surety bonds, charges owed with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities, and all discounts, commissions, fees and other charges associated with any Receivables Financing); plus

(2) consolidated capitalized interest of the referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(3) interest income of the referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

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

Consolidated Net Income” for any period, means the net income (or loss) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP; provided that (without duplication):

(a) all net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains, losses, income, expenses and charges, and in any event including, without limitation, all restructuring, severance, relocation, retention and completion payments, consolidation, integration or other similar charges and expenses, contract termination costs, system establishment charges, conversion costs, start-up or closure or transition costs, expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, fees, expenses or charges relating to curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans in connection with any acquisition or similar investment, expenses associated with strategic initiatives, facilities shutdown and opening costs, and any fees, expenses, charges or change in control payments related to any acquisition (including any transition-related expenses (including retention or transaction-related bonuses or payments) incurred before, on or after the Issue Date), will be excluded;

(b) all (i) losses, charges and expenses relating to the Transactions, the December 2017 Refinancing Transactions or the November 2019 Refinancing Transactions, (ii) transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of any equity issuances, investments, acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, mergers, option buyouts and the Incurrence, modification or repayment of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture (including any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) or any amendments, waivers or other modifications under the agreements relating to such Indebtedness or similar transactions, in each case, outside the ordinary course of business and (iii) without duplication of any of the foregoing, non-recurring professional fees, costs and expenses for such period will be excluded;

(c) all net after-tax income, loss, expense or charge from abandoned, closed or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gain or loss on the disposal of abandoned, closed or discontinued operations (and all related expenses) other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by such Person) will be excluded;

(d) all net after-tax gain, loss, expense or charge attributable to business dispositions and asset dispositions, including the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person, other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by such Person) will be excluded;

 

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(e) all net after-tax income, loss, expense or charge attributable to the early extinguishment or cancellation of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid) will be excluded;

(f) all non-cash gains, losses, expenses or charges attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Indebtedness, Swap Contracts or other derivative instruments will be excluded;

(g) any non-cash or unrealized currency translation gains and losses related to changes in currency exchange rates (including remeasurements of Indebtedness and any net loss or gain resulting from Swap Contracts for currency exchange risk), will be excluded;

(h) (i) the net income for such period of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or converted into cash) with respect to such equity ownership to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and (ii) the net income for such period will include any ordinary course dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or converted into cash) with respect to such equity ownership received from any such Person during such period in excess of the amounts included in subclause (i) above;

(i) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies will be excluded;

(j) the effects of purchase accounting, fair value accounting or recapitalization accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) resulting from the application of purchase accounting, fair value accounting or recapitalization accounting in relation to any acquisition consummated before, on or after the Issue Date, and the amortization, write-down or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, will be excluded;

(k) all non-cash impairment charges and asset write-ups, write-downs and write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising from the application of GAAP will be excluded;

(l) all non-cash expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or agreements or post-employment benefit plans or agreements, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other similar rights will be excluded;

(m) any costs or expenses incurred in connection with the payment of dividend equivalent rights to option holders pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or post-employment benefit plan or agreement will be excluded;

(n) all amortization and write-offs of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, costs of surety bonds, charges owed with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities, and expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees (including in connection with a transaction undertaken but not completed), will be excluded;

 

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(o) all discounts, commissions, fees and other charges (including interest expense) associated with any Receivables Financing will be excluded;

(p) (i) the non-cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense will be excluded and (ii) the cash portion of “straight-line” rent expense that exceeds the amount expensed in respect of such rent expense will be included;

(q) expenses and lost profits with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption will be disregarded to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer, but only to the extent that such amount (i) has not been denied by the applicable carrier in writing and (ii) is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date on which such liability was discovered or such casualty event or business interruption occurred (with a deduction for any amounts so added back that are not reimbursed within such 365-day period); provided that any proceeds of such reimbursement when received will be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Net Income to the extent the expense or lost profit reimbursed was previously disregarded pursuant to this clause (q);

(r) losses, charges and expenses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any asset disposition will be excluded to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement, but only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days);

(s) non-cash charges or income related to adjustments to deferred tax asset valuation allowances will be excluded; and

(t) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C) and without duplication of provisions under Section 3.4(a)(C) with respect to cash dividends or returns on Investments, the net income (or loss) for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor), to the limitation contained in this clause (t)).

For the purpose of Section 3.4 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from the sale or other disposition of Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, from repurchases or redemptions of Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, from repayments of loans or advances which constituted Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or from any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in each case to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 3.4(a)(C)(5) or 3.4(a)(C)(6).

 

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Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” has the meaning set forth in the Existing Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date.

Consolidated Secured Net Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) (x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date that is secured by Liens on any property of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries minus (y) the amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents that would be stated on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date and held by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination (other than the proceeds of any Indebtedness being incurred and giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Secured Net Debt Ratio), and in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, to (2) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

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

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (1) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent required to be recorded on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, consisting of funded Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness with respect to Cash Management Services, if any, or that are otherwise removed in consolidation) and (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and all Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and Maximum Fixed Repurchase Prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, in each case of clauses (1) and (2) above, based on internal financial statements that are available immediately preceding such date and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) (x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer as of such date minus (y) the amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents that would be stated on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date and held by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, and in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, to (2) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Issuer for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

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

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

 

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(2) to advance or supply funds:

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

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

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

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

Contribution Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than Excluded Contributions) made to the capital of the Issuer (other than contributions by any Restricted Subsidiary) after November 20, 2019 and designated as a Cash Contribution Amount; provided that such Contribution Indebtedness (a) is Incurred within 210 days after the making of such cash contributions and (b) is so designated as Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate on the Incurrence date thereof.

Controlled Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer (or of any Guarantor that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia) that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

Corporate Trust Office” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.1 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuer or Holders pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 12.1.

Current Assets” means any asset of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that would be classified as a current asset on an audited consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer prepared, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, on the date any Lien on such asset is incurred.

Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, examiner, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

December 2017 Refinancing Transactions means (i) the Issuer’s issuance of $1,000.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% Senior Notes due 2025, (ii) the repayment of all of the Issuer’s outstanding 1.700% Senior Notes due 2018, (iii) the repayment of all outstanding borrowings related to the Issuer’s commercial paper program, (iv) the repayment and termination of the Issuer’s then-existing revolving credit facility and (v) the payment of related transaction fees and expenses.

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 2.6 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

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Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depository institution hereinafter appointed by the Issuer.

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer, as applicable (other than Excluded Equity), that is issued after the Issue Date for cash and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.4(a)(C).

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interests of such Person that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is puttable, redeemable or exchangeable), in each case, at the option of the holder thereof or upon the happening of any event:

(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a change of control or asset sale; provided that the relevant change of control provisions, taken as a whole, are no more favorable in any material respect to holders of such Equity Interests than the change of control provisions applicable to the Notes and any purchase requirement triggered thereby may not become operative until compliance with the change of control provisions applicable to the Notes (including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto)),

(2) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, or

(3) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part,

in each case, prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes and the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided that only the portion of Equity Interests that so mature or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, that if such Equity Interests are issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability; provided, further, that any class of Equity Interests of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.

Dividing Person has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Division.”

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

Division Successor means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

 

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Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any Capital Stock that arises only by reason of the happening of a contingency or any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale on or after the Issue Date of capital stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:

(1) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or a successor form thereto;

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

(3) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution or Refunding Capital Stock.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system or any successor clearing agency.

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

Excluded Contributions” means the net cash proceeds and cash equivalents, or the Fair Market Value of other assets, received by the Issuer after November 20, 2019 from:

(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and

(2) the sale of Capital Stock (other than Excluded Equity) of the Issuer,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, or that are utilized to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 3.4(b)(ii). Excluded Contributions will be excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.4(a)(C).

Excluded Equity” means (i) Disqualified Stock, (ii) any Equity Interests issued or sold to a Restricted Subsidiary or any employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Subsidiary or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer) and (iii) any Equity Interest that has already been used or designated (x) as (or the proceeds of which have been used or designated as) a Cash Contribution Amount, Designated Preferred Stock, an Excluded Contribution or Refunding Capital Stock, or (y) to increase the amount available under Section 3.4(b)(iv)(a).

Existing Indenture” means the indenture, dated as of September 30, 2010 (and as amended and supplemented to date), between the Issuer and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as trustee.

Existing Non-Guaranteed Notes” means (i) the $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.150% Senior Notes due 2023, (ii) the $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.200% Senior Notes due 2040 and (iii) the $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.450% Senior Notes due 2041.

 

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Existing 2025 Notes” means the $1,500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.750% Senior Notes due 2025 issued by the Issuer.

Existing 2027 Notes” means the $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2027 issued by the Issuer.

Existing Notes” means (i) the Existing Non-Guaranteed Notes, (ii) the Existing 2025 Notes and (iii) the Existing 2027 Notes.

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price that could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction (as determined in good faith by the senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, whose determination will be conclusive for all purposes under this Indenture and the Notes).

FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standard Codifications as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including any renumbering of such standards or any successor or replacement section or sections promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the ratio of (1) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for such period to (2) the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period calculated on a Pro Forma Basis. In the event that the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs or redeems or repays any Indebtedness (other than in the case of revolving credit borrowings or revolving advances under any Qualified Receivables Financing unless the related commitments have been terminated and such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to, substantially simultaneously with, or in connection with, the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis; provided that, in the event that the Issuer shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as Incurred in part as Ratio Debt and in part pursuant to one or more clauses of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 3.3(b) (other than in respect of clause (xv) of Section 3.3(b)) as provided in Section 3.3(c), any calculation of Fixed Charges pursuant to this definition on such date (but not in respect of any future calculation following such date) shall not include any such Indebtedness (and shall not give effect to any repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition, retirement or discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) to the extent Incurred pursuant to any such other clause of such definition.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and

(2) the product of (a) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Foreign Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

FSHCO” means any Subsidiary of the Issuer (or of any Guarantor that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia) that owns no material assets other than the Capital Stock of (a) one or more Controlled Foreign Subsidiaries or (b) other such Subsidiaries that own no material assets other than the Capital Stock of Controlled Foreign Subsidiaries.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession (but excluding the policies, rules and regulations of the SEC applicable only to public companies); provided that at any time after the Issue Date, the Issuer may by written notice to the Trustee (a) elect to use GAAP as of the date specified in such notice and/or (b) elect to use IFRS in lieu of GAAP for financial reporting purposes and, upon any such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean (a) for periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice, IFRS as in effect on the date specified in such notice and (b) for prior periods, GAAP as defined in the first sentence of this definition prior to the proviso. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(b) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.1 or 2.6 hereof.

guarantee” means, as to any Person, a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantee” means a guarantee of the Obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Guarantors” means, collectively, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that executes (or otherwise becomes a party to) this Indenture on the Issue Date and each other Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that Incurs a Guarantee of the Notes; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Person automatically ceases to be a Guarantor.

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

IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

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Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or Lien, to issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for such Indebtedness, Capital Stock or Lien, as applicable; provided that any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or Lien of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

(1) the principal of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property, (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations or (e) representing any Swap Contracts, in each case, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Swap Contracts) would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any guarantee by such Person of the Indebtedness of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

(3) to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person.

The term “Indebtedness” shall not include any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) which would be considered an operating lease under GAAP as in effect on November 20, 2019, any prepayments of deposits received from clients or customers in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices, or obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or Guarantees given in respect of such obligations) Incurred prior to the Issue Date or in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices.

Notwithstanding the above provisions:

(A) in no event shall the following constitute Indebtedness for purposes of the foregoing:

(1) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices;

(2) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Financings;

(3) any balance that constitutes a trade payable, accrued expense or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(4) prepaid or deferred revenue arising in the ordinary course of business;

(5) Cash Management Services;

 

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(6) in connection with the purchase by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner;

(7) for the avoidance of doubt, any obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, early retirement or termination obligations, deferred compensatory or employee or director equity plans, pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, obligations or contributions or social security or wage taxes; or

(8) Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock); and

(B) notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, for purposes of the definition of “Permitted Liens,” the definition of Indebtedness shall be as set forth in the Existing Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date.

Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

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

Initial Notes” means the $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029 of the Issuer issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.

Initial Purchasers” means BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and M&T Securities, Inc. with respect to the offer and sale of the Initial Notes and such other initial purchasers party to future purchase agreements entered into in connection with an offer and sale of any Additional Notes.

Interest Payment Date” means, in the case of the Initial Notes, April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2021 and, in the case of any Additional Notes, such interest payment dates as may be designated by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 hereof and, in each case, ending at the Stated Maturity of the Notes.

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

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, (i) all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of (a) loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness), (b) advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit and advances or other payments made to customers, dealers, suppliers and distributors and payroll, commission, travel and similar advances to officers, directors, managers, employees, consultants and independent contractors made in the ordinary course of business), and (c) purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any such other Person and (ii) investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in

 

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clause (i) of this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Equity Interests, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, the Issuer shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Equity Interests of, and all other Investments in, such Person that are retained by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries. In no event shall a guarantee of an operating lease of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary be deemed an Investment. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 3.4:

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

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

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

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

The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time (including for purposes of calculating the amount of any Investment outstanding at any time under any provision of Section 3.4 and otherwise determining compliance with Section 3.4) shall be the original cost of such Investment (determined, in the case of any Investment made with assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, based on the Fair Market Value of the assets invested and without taking into account subsequent increases or decreases in value), reduced by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount received in cash by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment, and shall be net of any Investment by such Person in the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Issue Date” means March 19, 2021, the date the Notes were issued hereunder.

Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

joint venture” means any joint venture or similar arrangement (in each case, regardless of legal formation), including but not limited to collaboration arrangements, profit sharing arrangements or other contractual arrangements pursuant to which a Person that is not the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer has at least a 10% economic interest in such joint venture.

Lien” means any lien, security interest, charge, mortgage, pledge or other encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest).

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

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Non-Guarantor Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person, as defined in Regulation S.

Notes” means the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to the Global Note (as appointed by the Depositary), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

November 2019 Refinancing Transactions” means (i) the Issuer’s issuance of the Existing 2027 Notes, (ii) the redemption and retirement of all of the Issuer’s outstanding 4.350% Senior Notes due 2020 and 2.350% Senior Notes due 2021 and (iii) the payment of related prepayment premiums and transaction fees and expenses.

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum” means the Offering Memorandum related to the offering of the Initial Notes, dated March 9, 2021.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary (or any person serving the equivalent function of any of the foregoing) of such Person (or of the general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person) or any individual designated as an “Officer” for purposes of this Indenture by the Board of Directors of such Person (or the Board of Directors of the general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person).

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer or such parent entity that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

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

Ordinary Course Lien” means:

(1) Liens of taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on the property of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles shall have been set aside on the books of the Issuer;

(2) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlords’, materialmen’s and mechanics’ liens and other similar liens, arising in the ordinary course of business which secure obligations not more than 60 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles shall have been set aside on the books of the Issuer;

 

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(3) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) arising out of pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation;

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

(5) utility easements, building restrictions and such other encumbrances or charges against real property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character and which do not in any material way affect the marketability of the same or interfere with the use thereof in the business of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be;

(6) Liens relating to a judgment or other court-ordered award or settlement as to which the Issuer has not exhausted its appellate rights;

(7) (i) licenses and sublicenses granted by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) leases or subleases granted to or by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary as lessor or sublessor) to third parties not pursuant to a Sale/Leaseback Transaction, and (iii) franchise or co-development arrangements entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with third parties for the development, marketing and/or sale of the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s products and media content, in each case, in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary, not materially interfering with the business of the Issuer, taken as a whole, and not for the purpose of providing a lien, security interest, charge, mortgage, pledge or other such encumbrance to secure another obligation;

(8) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements and rights of first refusal and similar rights) with respect to Equity Interests of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

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

(10) Liens on copyrights with respect to film and episodic assets granted in the ordinary course of business.

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 or Clearstream).

Permitted Debt” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.3(b).

 

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Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens securing the ABL Credit Agreement) or arising under this Indenture;

(2) any extension, renewal, or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) of any Lien existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens securing the ABL Credit Agreement), if limited to the same property subject to, and securing not more than the amount secured by, the Lien extended, renewed or replaced;

(3) Liens on Current Assets (or on any promissory note received in satisfaction of any accounts receivable of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries which, immediately prior to such satisfaction, was subject to such a Lien) securing Indebtedness incurred to finance working capital requirements, provided, however, such Indebtedness (x) is secured by a Lien that does not mature later than 36 months from the date incurred, and (y) is permitted to be incurred under Section 3.3 (b)(i)(x);

(4) any Ordinary Course Lien arising, and only so long as continuing, in the ordinary course of the business of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(5) Liens upon any property hereafter acquired (including by reason of a merger or consolidation of another entity into the Issuer or a Subsidiary) existing thereon at the time of acquisition, provided that such Liens (A) are not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, the acquisition of the property acquired, except as permitted under clause (6) of this definition, and (B) do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Issuer or any Subsidiary other than the property so acquired;

(6) purchase money Liens upon or in any real or personal property (including fixtures and other equipment) acquired or held by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of such property or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing or refinancing the acquisition or improvement of or construction costs related to such property, provided that no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property or assets of the Issuer or any Subsidiary other than the property being acquired or improved;

(7) any interest or title of a lessor in the property subject to any Capitalized Lease Obligation (as defined in the Existing Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date) or Sale/Leaseback Transaction that is permitted under Section 3.6;

(8) other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount which, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all other Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens permitted under the terms of this clause (8), and the aggregate amount (before deducting expenses) of Sale/Leaseback Transactions which would otherwise be permitted under the provisions of Section 3.6(a), does not at the time such Liens are incurred exceed 10% of the Issuer’s Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as shown on the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

(9) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 3.3 (b)(i)(y); and

 

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(10) other Liens securing (x) Indebtedness, so long as on a Pro Forma Basis immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence or issuance of such Indebtedness, the granting of the Liens securing such Indebtedness and the application of proceeds therefrom, the Issuer’s Consolidated Secured Net Debt Ratio does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00, and (y) any Indebtedness that serves to modify, refund, refinance, replace, renew, redeem, repurchase, retire, defease, exchange and/or extend any Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under clause (10)(x), so long as such refinanced Indebtedness under this clause (10)(y) is (i) in an aggregate principal amount (or, if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than, such Indebtedness that is being refinanced plus any additional Indebtedness Incurred or issued to pay unpaid accrued interest and the aggregate amount of fees and premiums (including tender premiums) and penalties (if any), and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs and other fees and expenses in connection therewith and (ii) not secured by any property or assets that do not secure such Indebtedness that is being refinanced.

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

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

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(c) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions hereof.

Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to the calculation of any test, financial ratio, basket or covenant under this Indenture, including the Consolidated Secured Net Debt Ratio, Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio, and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and the calculation of Consolidated Total Assets and the Borrowing Base, of any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of any date, that pro forma effect will be given to the Transactions, any acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, Investment, any issuance, Incurrence, assumption or repayment or redemption of Indebtedness (including Indebtedness issued, Incurred or assumed or repaid or redeemed as a result of, or to finance, any relevant transaction and for which any such test, financial ratio, basket or covenant is being calculated, including, without limitation, the Transactions), any issuance or redemption of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock, all sales, transfers and other dispositions or discontinuance of any Subsidiary, line of business, division, segment or operating unit, any operational change (including the entry into any material contract or arrangement) or any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case that have occurred during the four consecutive fiscal quarter period of such Person being used to calculate such test, financial ratio, basket or covenant (the “Reference Period”), or subsequent to the end of the Reference Period but prior to such date or prior to or substantially simultaneously with the event for which a determination under this definition is made (including any such event occurring at a Person who became a Restricted Subsidiary of the subject Person or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the subject Person or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the subject Person after the commencement of the Reference Period), as if each such event occurred on the first day of the Reference Period; provided that (x) pro forma effect will be given to factually supportable and quantifiable pro forma cost savings, expense reductions, improvements or synergies related to operational efficiencies (including the entry into any material contract or arrangement), strategic initiatives or purchasing improvements and other cost savings, expense reductions, improvements or synergies, in each case, reasonably expected to have a continuing impact and that have been realized, or reasonably expected to be realized, by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries based upon actions to be taken within 18 months of the date of such calculation as if such cost savings, expense reductions, improvements and synergies occurred on the first day of the Reference Period subject, in the case of unrealized cost savings, expense reductions, improvements or synergies that are not calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, to the limitation set forth in the definition of “Pro Forma Cost Savings” and (y) no amount shall be added back pursuant to this definition to the extent duplicative of amounts that are otherwise included in computing Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period.

 

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For purposes of making any computation referred to above:

(1) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date for which a determination under this definition is made had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Contracts applicable to such Indebtedness if such Swap Contracts has a remaining term in excess of 12 months);

(2) interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer, in his or her capacity as such and not in his or her personal capacity, of the Issuer or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP;

(3) interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate;

(4) interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility or a Qualified Receivables Financing computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period; and

(5) to the extent not already covered above, any such calculation may include adjustments calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

Pro Forma Cost Savings” means, without duplication of any amounts referenced in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis,” an amount equal to the amount of cost savings, expense reductions, improvements (including the entry into any material contract or arrangement) and synergies, in each case, reasonably expected to have a continuing impact and projected in good faith to be realized (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such items had been realized on the first day of such period) as a result of actions taken or to be taken by the Issuer (or any successor thereto) or any Restricted Subsidiary, net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expected to be realized during such period that are otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA from such actions; provided that such cost savings, expense reductions, improvements and synergies are factually supportable and reasonably identifiable (as determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer, in his or her capacity as such and not in his or her personal capacity, of the Issuer (or any successor thereto) or of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer and are reasonably anticipated to be realized within 18 months after the consummation of any change that is expected to result in such cost savings, expense reductions, improvements or synergies; provided that (i) no cost savings, expense reductions, improvements and synergies shall be added pursuant to this definition to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges otherwise added to Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA, whether through a pro forma adjustment, add back exclusion or otherwise, for such period and (ii) the aggregate amount of unrealized cost savings, expense reductions, improvements or synergies that are not calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act to be added to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this definition and the definition of “Pro Forma Basis” for any period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to such permitted cost savings addbacks).

 

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QIB” means any “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A).

Qualified Receivables Financing” means any Receivables Financing of a Receivables Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:

(1) the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Receivables Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is, in the aggregate, economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries,

(2) all sales of accounts receivable and related assets by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Receivables Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer), and

(3) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings.

The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) to secure any Indebtedness shall not be deemed a Qualified Receivables Financing.

Rating Agency” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Issuer’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3 under the Exchange Act selected by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

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

Receivables Financing” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Receivables Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries), and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and any Swap Contracts entered into by the Issuer or any such Subsidiary in connection with such accounts receivable.

Receivables Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

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Receivables Subsidiary” means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in a Qualified Receivables Financing with the Issuer in which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer makes an Investment and to which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries or a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer and all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings,

(2) with which neither the Issuer nor any other Subsidiary of the Issuer has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Issuer reasonably believes to be 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, and

(3) to which neither the Issuer nor any other Subsidiary of the Issuer 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 of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means, in the case of the Initial Notes, March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day).

Reference Period” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis.”

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

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

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note 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 Regulation S Temporary Global Note sold in reliance on Rule 903.

 

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Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note 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 initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

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 in an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Restricted Period” means, in relation to the Initial Notes, the 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (A) the day on which the Initial Notes are offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) and (B) the Issue Date; and, in relation to any Additional Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend, the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of a Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer.

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

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

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

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

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person (other than the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries of any property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Subsidiary to such Person or to any Person (other than the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) to which funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of the leased property.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.

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

Significant Subsidiary” means (i) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on November 20, 2019, or (ii) any group of direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Issuer that, taken together as a group, would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on November 20, 2019.

 

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Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer which the Issuer has determined in good faith to be customary in a Receivables Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Receivables Subsidiary, it being understood that any Receivables Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.

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 Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee.

Subsidiary” (A) except for purposes of Sections 3.5 and 3.6, means, with respect to any Person (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, (2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity and (3) any Person that is consolidated in the consolidated financial statements of the specified Person in accordance with GAAP and (B) for purposes of Sections 3.5 and 3.6, has the meaning set forth in the Existing Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date.

Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement.

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the Issue Date.

Transactions” means (i) the offering of the Notes contemplated by the Offering Memorandum, (ii) the application of proceeds therefrom to fund the partial redemption of $1,225 million of the Issuer’s Existing 2025 Notes, and the payment of redemption premium, fees and expenses relating thereto, and (iii) the amendment of the ABL Credit Agreement as further described in the Offering Memorandum.

 

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Treasury Rate” means the weekly average for each Business Day during the most recent week that has ended at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date of the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or, if such statistical release is not so published or available, any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Issuer in good faith)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 1, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to April 1, 2024, is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a yield is given, the applicable Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to such applicable date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Triggering Indebtedness” means (i) any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of the Guarantors under the U.S. Subfacility of the ABL Credit Agreement and (ii) any other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor with an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50.0 million.

Trust Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust administration department of the Trustee, with direct responsibility for performing the Trustee’s duties under this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who is directly responsible for the administration of this Indenture.

Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Issuer that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.11; and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:

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

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

 

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

U.S. Subfacility” means the facilities under the ABL Credit Agreement in effect on the Issue Date, pursuant to which loans may be made and/or letters of credit may be issued to the Issuer and certain U.S. subsidiaries of the Issuer, as the U.S. borrowers under the ABL Credit Agreement.

Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the number of years (and/or portion thereof) obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment, in respect of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary” means any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” means any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

SECTION 1.2. Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in

Section

“actual knowledge”

   7.2(g)

“Agent Members”

   2.1(e)

“Authentication Order”

   2.2

“Change of Control Offer”

   3.7(b)

“Change of Control Payment”

   3.7(a)

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   3.7(b)(iii)

“covenant defeasance option”

   8.1(b)

 

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Term

  

Defined in

Section

“Covenant Suspension Date”

   3.12(a)

“Defaulted Interest”

   2.12

“definitive agreement”

   13.1(a)

“DTC”

   2.1(b)

“EDGAR”

   3.2(a)

“ERISA”

   2.1(d)

“Event of Default”

   6.1

“Guarantor Obligations”

   10.1(a)

“legal defeasance option”

   8.1(b)

“Maximum Fixed Repurchase Price”

   13.1(b)

“OID Legend”

   2.1(e)

“Paying Agent”

   2.3

“Permitted Debt”

   3.3(b)

“Ratio Debt”

   3.3(a)

“Redemption Date”

   5.4

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

   3.3(b)(xiv)

“Refunding Capital Stock”

   3.4(b)(ii)(a)

“Registrar”

   2.3

“Resale Restriction Termination Date”

   2.1(d)

“Restricted Payments”

   3.4(a)

“Retired Capital Stock”

   3.4(b)(ii)(a)

“Reversion Date”

   3.12(b)

“Similar Laws”

   2.1(d)

“Special Interest Payment Date”

   2.12(a)

“Special Record Date”

   2.12(a)

“Successor Company”

   4.1(a)(i)

“Successor Guarantor”

   4.1(c)(i)

“Suspended Covenants”

   3.12(a)

“Suspension Period”

   3.12(b)

“Transaction Agreement Date”

   13.1(a)

“Unpaid Amount”

   3.4(b)(ii)(c)

SECTION 1.3. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) “including” means including without limitation;

(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

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(f) (i) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness; (ii) Secured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinated or junior to other Secured Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral; and (iii) Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral;

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

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

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

(j) “$,” “Dollars” and “U.S. Dollars” each refer to U.S. dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

ARTICLE II

The Notes

SECTION 2.1. Form and Dating.

(a) The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated in and made a part hereof. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements approved as to form by the Issuer, and required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuer is subject or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) The Notes shall initially be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes and The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), its nominees, and their respective successors, shall act as the Depositary with respect thereto. Each Global Note (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions, and (iii) shall bear a Global Note Legend in substantially the following form:

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“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 IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

 

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THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. THIS NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE 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) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

(c) Except as permitted by Section 2.6(g), any Note not registered under the Securities Act shall bear the following Private Placement Legend on the face thereof:

THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (i) (a) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), (ii) TO THE ISSUER, OR (iii) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.

 

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(d) The Regulation S Temporary Global Notes shall bear a legend (the “Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend”) in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S, ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS NOTE CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED

 

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(THE “CODE”) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT, OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS NOTE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAW.

(e) Notes issued with original issue discount shall bear a legend (the “OID Legend”) in substantially the following form:

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED SOLELY FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THIS NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH “ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 1273 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED), AND THIS LEGEND IS REQUIRED BY SECTION 1275(C) OF THE CODE. HOLDERS MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF OID, THE ISSUE PRICE, THE ISSUE DATE AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY RELATING TO THE NOTES BY CONTACTING THE ISSUER AT MATTEL, INC., 333 CONTINENTAL BOULEVARD, EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245-5012, ATTENTION: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

Members of, or Participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or the Trustee as its custodian and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever, including but not limited to notices and payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary impair, or as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any notice to be delivered to DTC (including, but not limited to, a notice of redemption) may be delivered electronically by the Trustee or the Issuer in accordance with applicable procedures of DTC.

SECTION 2.2. Form of Execution and Authentication. An Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual, facsimile or other electronic signature.

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

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

The Trustee shall authenticate (i) Initial Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000 and (ii) subject to compliance with Section 3.3, Additional Notes for original issue after the Issue Date (such Notes to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto) in an unlimited amount, in each case upon written order of the Issuer signed by an Officer of the Issuer (an “Authentication Order”), which Authentication Order shall, in the case of any issuance of Additional Notes, certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 3.3. In addition, each such Authentication

 

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Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether the securities are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes and the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding on the date of authentication, and shall further specify the amount of such Notes to be issued as Global Notes or Definitive Notes. Such Notes shall initially be in the form of one or more Global Notes, which (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Notes to be issued, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and (iii) shall be held by the Trustee as Notes Custodian.

The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be resold initially only to (A) QIBs and (B) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes and Additional Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, 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 the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer.

SECTION 2.3. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (including any co-registrar, the “Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency in the United States where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Issuer initially appoints U.S. Bank National Association as the Registrar and to act as Notes Custodian with respect to the Notes and U.S. Bank National Association hereby accepts such appointment. The Issuer initially appoints U.S. Bank National Association as the Paying Agent and U.S. Bank National Association hereby accepts such appointment. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange and, upon written request from the Issuer, the Registrar shall provide the Issuer with a copy of such register to enable them to maintain a register of the Notes at their registered offices. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change the Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing and the Trustee shall notify the Holders of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar. The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions hereof that relate to such Agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such, and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.6.

SECTION 2.4. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing 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 such Paying Agent to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, such Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee. If the Issuer acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any Event of Default under Section 6.1(v) and (vi), the Trustee shall automatically become the Paying Agent unless otherwise prohibited by applicable Bankruptcy Law.

 

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SECTION 2.5. Lists of Holders of the Notes. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders, including the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by each thereof, and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

SECTION 2.6. 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. Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Notes, subject to any applicable laws, only (i) if the Issuer delivers to the Trustee written notice from the Depositary that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Notes or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, the Issuer fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; (ii) if 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; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Temporary Global Note be exchanged by the Issuer for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act; or (iii) upon request of Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes if there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. In any such case, the Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing that, upon surrender by the Participants and Indirect Participants of their interests in such Global Note, certificated Notes shall be issued to each Person that such Participants, Indirect Participants and DTC jointly identify as being the beneficial owner of the related Notes. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.7 and 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.6 or Section 2.7 or Section 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 2.6(a). However, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.6(b) or Section 2.6(c) below.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth in this Indenture to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with the applicable subparagraphs below.

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, no transfer of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note may be made to a U.S. Person or for

 

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the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser) unless permitted by applicable law and made in compliance with Sections 2.6(b)(ii) and (iii) below. 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 2.6(b)(i) unless specifically stated above.

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.6(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the 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 (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase, or (B) (1) if Definitive Notes are at such time permitted to be issued pursuant to this Indenture, 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 (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903 under the Securities Act. Upon 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 2.6(i) below.

(iii) 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 2.6(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

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

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

(iv) 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 2.6(b)(ii) above, and

(A) the Registrar receives the following:

(y) 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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(z) 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 applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Registrar or the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer (except in the case the Issuer has so requested) in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture 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 (A) 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 2.2, 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 (A) 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 and Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.6(a), 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 under the Securities Act, 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 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

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

(E) [reserved];

 

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(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 2.6(i) below, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the certificate a Restricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.6(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 Restricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Restricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Section 2.6(c)(i)(A) and Section 2.6(c)(i)(C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.6(a), 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) the Registrar receives the following:

(y) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(z) 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 applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Registrar or the Issuer so request or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer (except in the case the Issuer has so requested) in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes for Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Subject to Section 2.6(a), if any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.6(b)(ii) above, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.6(i) below, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the certificate an Unrestricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.6(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

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

(i) Transfer and Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes for 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 under the Securities Act, 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 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

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

(E) [reserved];

(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;

 

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the Trustee shall 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, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Transfer and Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes for 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) the Registrar receives the following:

(y) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes 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)(c) thereof; or

(z) 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 an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Registrar or the Issuer so request or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer (except in the case the Issuer has so requested) in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture 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 2.6(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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

If any such exchange or transfer from an Unrestricted Definitive Note or a Restricted Definitive Note, as the case may be, to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to Sections 2.6(d)(ii)(A) or (d)(iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.2, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes, as the case may be, 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 2.6(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of such Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar such Definitive

 

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Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.6(e).

(i) Transfer of 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 shall be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, 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 shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer shall 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, if the Issuer so requests, a certification and/or Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.

(ii) Transfer and Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes for 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 only if:

(A) the Registrar receives the following:

(y) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note 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

(z) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Note 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 applicable certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (A), if the Registrar or the Issuer so request, an Opinion of Counsel of the Holder or the Issuer (except in the case the Issuer so requests) in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Transfer of 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.

 

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(f) Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

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

(ii) During the Restricted Period, beneficial ownership interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Notes may only be sold, pledged or transferred (A) to the Issuer, (B) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for an interest in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note) or (C) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States; and beneficial interests in a 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Restricted Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable).

(iii) Within a reasonable period after expiration or termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note upon delivery to DTC of the certification of compliance and the transfer of applicable Notes pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of the corresponding Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.6, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(g) Private Placement Legend.

(i) Except as permitted by subparagraph (ii) below, each Restricted Global Note and each Restricted Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the Private Placement Legend.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.6 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(h) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear the Global Note Legend.

(i) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned

 

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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 shall 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 shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall 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 shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(j) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.2 or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.10, 3.7, 3.9, 5.7 and 9.4).

(iii) [reserved].

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits hereof, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(v) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business on a Business Day 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of 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.

(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2.

(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.6 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronically.

 

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(ix) 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 Participants or Indirect Participants) 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.

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

(xi) Affiliates of the Issuer, may acquire, hold and dispose of the Notes and exercise voting, consent and other similar rights with respect to such Notes (subject to the express restrictions contained in this Indenture).

SECTION 2.7. Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Issuer and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements for replacements of Notes are met. The Holder must supply indemnity or security sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee (with respect to the Trustee) and the Issuer (with respect to the Issuer) to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge for their fees and expenses in replacing a Note including amounts to cover any tax, assessment, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto. The provisions of this Section 2.7 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

Every replacement Note is an obligation of the Issuer.

SECTION 2.8. 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 and those described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, 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 3.1 hereof, it shall cease to be outstanding and interest on it shall cease to accrue.

Subject to Section 2.9, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer, a Subsidiary of the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note.

SECTION 2.9. Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite majority of outstanding Notes have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, waiver or consent (other than in respect of any action pursuant to Section 9.2(a), which requires the consent of each Holder of an affected Note), Notes owned by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded and considered as though not outstanding, except that for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Trust Officer actually knows to be owned by the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be considered as not outstanding.

 

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Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall promptly furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons, and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes. Until Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Authentication Order authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until such exchange, temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges as Definitive Notes.

SECTION 2.11. Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of all canceled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act and the Trustee), and upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall deliver evidence of such cancellation to the Issuer. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has redeemed or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.12. Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest. Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3.

Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not paid when the same becomes due and payable and such nonpayment continues for a period of 30 days shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by such Notes (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) shall be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

(a) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date (as defined below) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall 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 “Special Interest Payment Date”), and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Issuer shall fix a record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than ten days prior to the Special Interest Payment Date and not less than ten days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date and shall, or at the written request

 

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and in the name and expense of the Issuer, the Trustee shall, cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in Section 12.1, not less than ten days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid on the Special Interest Payment Date to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

(b) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

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

SECTION 2.13. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” and/or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use). The Trustee shall not be responsible for the use of CUSIP or ISIN numbers, and the Trustee makes no representation as to their correctness as printed on any Note or notice to Holders. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers. A separate CUSIP or ISIN number will be issued for any Additional Notes, unless the Initial Notes and such Additional Notes are treated as “fungible” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

SECTION 2.14. Record Date. The Record Date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Indenture shall be determined as provided for in TIA § 316(c).

ARTICLE III

Covenants

SECTION 3.1. Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall promptly pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if by 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. A Paying Agent shall not be obliged to make a payment until it has received funds sufficient to make such payment. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent of its failure to so act.

The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes.

 

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SECTION 3.2. Reports.

(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after it files them with the SEC copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Issuer is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that any such annual reports, information, documents or other reports filed or furnished with the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system or any successor system shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such annual reports, information, documents or other reports are filed or furnished via EDGAR; provided, further, that (a) the Issuer shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any materials for which the Issuer has sought confidential treatment by the SEC and (b) such reports and information shall not be required to comply with the requirements of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision). The Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine whether any filings have been made on EDGAR.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the reports, information and other documents required to be filed and furnished to Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.2 may, at the option of the Issuer, be those of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer so long as it is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the one hand, and such parent and its other subsidiaries, on the other hand. For the avoidance of doubt, the consolidating information referred to in the preceding sentence need not be audited or comply with the requirements of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

(c) Delivery of annual reports, information, documents and other reports (including, without limitation, reports contemplated under this Section 3.2) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such 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 Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Issuer’s compliance with the covenants hereunder or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC on EDGAR or any website under this Indenture, or participate in any conference calls.

SECTION 3.3. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock, and the Issuer will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock and any Restricted Subsidiary may issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, calculated as of the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been 2.00 to 1.00 or greater (“Ratio Debt”); provided, further, that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that may be Incurred and Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that may be issued pursuant to the foregoing by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries shall not exceed (when aggregated with the amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries incurred pursuant to clause (xv) of the following paragraph (excluding Indebtedness existing at the time of the relevant acquisition and not created in contemplation thereof) and Refinancing Indebtedness of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries incurred under Section 3.3(b)(xiv) in respect of any of the foregoing) the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets, at any one time outstanding, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted under this proviso or any portion thereof, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.

 

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(b) The foregoing limitations will not apply to (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(i) the Incurrence or issuance by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness that, at the election of the Issuer (which election may be made or changed from time to time), either: (x) is secured (or would be permitted to be secured) by Liens permitted by clause (3) or (8) of the definition of “Permitted Liens,” or (y) is in an aggregate principal amount at the time of Incurrence or issuance that does not exceed the greater of (i) $1,600.0 million and (ii) the Borrowing Base;

(ii) the Incurrence by the Issuer and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (not including any Additional Notes) and the Guarantees thereof, as applicable;

(iii) Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) above);

(iv) Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capitalized Lease Obligations and mortgage financings as purchase money obligations) Incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock issued by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to finance all or any part of the purchase, lease, construction, installation, repair, restoration or improvement of property (real or personal), plant or equipment or other fixed or capital assets (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock arising from the conversion of the obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary under or pursuant to any “synthetic lease” transactions to on-balance sheet Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, including all Indebtedness Incurred and Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this clause (iv) (together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof pursuant to clause (xiv) below), not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 1.5% of Consolidated Total Assets, at any one time outstanding, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted under this clause (iv) or any portion thereof or any such Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding pursuant to this clause (iv) but shall be deemed Incurred and outstanding as Ratio Debt from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, could have Incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as Ratio Debt (to the extent the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are able to Incur any Liens related thereto as Permitted Liens after such reclassification));

(v) Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock issued by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, warehouse receipts, guarantees, statutory, export or import indemnities, customs, revenue bonds or similar instruments issued in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, (i) letters of credit or performance

 

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or surety bonds in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (whether current or former) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits (whether current or former) or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance and (ii) guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by customers in connection with the purchase or other acquisition of equipment or supplies in the ordinary course of business;

(vi) the Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock arising from agreements of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, earn-outs, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary of the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(vii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (x) such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Issuer’s Obligations with respect to this Indenture or the Guarantee of the Guarantors with respect to the Obligations under this Indenture and (y) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness or an issuance of such Disqualified Stock not permitted by this clause (vii);

(viii) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);

(ix) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (x) if a Guarantor Incurs such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is subordinated in right of payment to the Issuer’s Obligations with respect to this Indenture or the Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable and (y) any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any Restricted Subsidiary lending such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (ix);

(x) Swap Contracts Incurred not for speculative purposes and Cash Management Services incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xi) obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments) in respect of customs, self-insurance, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(xii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) (when aggregated with the amount of Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof outstanding pursuant to clause (xiv) below), does not exceed the greater of (x) $400.0 million and (y) 7.5% of Consolidated Total Assets, at any one time outstanding, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted under this clause (xii) or any portion thereof or any such Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred, issued or outstanding pursuant to this clause (xii) but shall be deemed Incurred or issued and outstanding as Ratio Debt from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, could have Incurred such Indebtedness or issued such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as Ratio Debt);

(xiii) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, Preferred Stock or other obligations of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, Preferred Stock or other obligations of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that this clause (xiii) shall not apply to any Existing Non-Guaranteed Notes or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof pursuant to clause (xiv) below;

(xiv) the Incurrence by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or the issuance of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to modify, refund, refinance, replace, renew, redeem, repurchase, retire, defease, exchange and/or extend, and is in an aggregate principal amount (or, if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than, Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as Ratio Debt or pursuant to clause (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), this clause (xiv), (xv), (xviii), (xx) or (xxix) of this paragraph, plus any additional Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to pay unpaid accrued interest and the aggregate amount of fees and premiums (including tender premiums) and penalties (if any), and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs and other fees and expenses in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “Refinancing Indebtedness”); provided, however, that:

(1) to the extent that such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being refunded, refinanced, replaced, redeemed, repurchased or retired or (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and has a Weighted Average

 

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Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced, replaced, redeemed, repurchased or retired (or, if shorter, that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Notes);

(2) to the extent that such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances Existing Notes or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof pursuant to this clause (xiv), such Refinancing Indebtedness (i) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Existing Notes or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof being refunded, refinanced, replaced, redeemed, repurchased or retired (or, if shorter, that is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Notes) and (ii) in the case of Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Existing Non-Guaranteed Notes and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, shall not include Refinancing Indebtedness (including a guarantee in respect thereof) of a Restricted Subsidiary that was not a guarantor of the Existing Non-Guaranteed Notes or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof being refinanced; and

(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(xv) (1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (i) of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred or assumed in connection with an acquisition of any assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person and (ii) of any Person that is acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and (2) Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued or, in each case, assumed in anticipation of, or in connection with, an acquisition of any assets, business or Person; provided, however, that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation and the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, either:

(1) the Issuer would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness as Ratio Debt; or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

provided, further, that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred and Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that may be issued pursuant to the foregoing by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (xv) (excluding Indebtedness existing at the time of the relevant acquisition and not created in contemplation thereof) shall not exceed (when aggregated with the amount of Ratio Debt of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described above in this proviso incurred under clause (xiv) above) the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets, at any one time outstanding, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted under this proviso or any portion thereof or any such Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing;

 

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(xvi) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to any credit facility permitted by clause (i) or (xx) of this Section 3.3(b), so long as such letter of credit has not been terminated and is in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit or bank guarantee;

(xviii) Contribution Indebtedness;

(xix) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (x) the financing of insurance premiums or (y) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(xx) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount, when aggregated with the amount of Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof pursuant to clause (xiv) above, not to exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets, at any one time outstanding, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted under this clause (xx) or any portion thereof or any such Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses Incurred in connection with such refinancing, outstanding at any one time (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this clause (xx) shall cease to be deemed Incurred, issued or outstanding pursuant to this clause (xx) but shall be deemed Incurred or issued and outstanding as Ratio Debt from and after the first date on which such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary could have Incurred such Indebtedness or issued such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as Ratio Debt (to the extent the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are able to Incur any Liens related thereto as Permitted Liens after such reclassification));

(xxi) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a joint venture to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and to the other holders of Equity Interests or participants of such joint venture, so long as the percentage of the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of such joint venture owed to such holders of its Equity Interests or participants of such joint venture does not exceed the percentage of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Equity Interests of such joint venture held by such holders or such participant’s participation in such joint venture;

(xxii) Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by a Receivables Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Financing that is not recourse to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Receivables Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings);

 

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(xxiii) Indebtedness owed or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued on a short-term basis to banks and other financial institutions in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements, including cash management, cash pooling arrangements and related activities to manage cash balances of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and joint ventures including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit, purchasing or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements and Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protection, credit card programs, automatic clearinghouse arrangements and similar arrangements;

(xxiv) (i) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock consisting of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to future, current or former officers, directors, managers, employees, consultants and independent contractors thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, trustees, administrators, executors, powers of attorney, assignees, heirs, family members, beneficiaries spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to the extent permitted under Section 3.4 or (ii) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(xxv) customer deposits and advance payments (including progress premiums) received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business;

(xxvi) Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock issued by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange, warehouse receipts or similar facilities or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case Incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business;

(xxvii) Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock issued by any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited with the Trustee to satisfy and discharge the Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

(xxviii) guarantees Incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations to suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors, licensees, sub-licensees and distribution partners;

(xxix) the incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued on behalf, or representing guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by, joint ventures; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred or guaranteed or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued or guaranteed pursuant to this clause (xxix), when aggregated with the amount of Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof pursuant to clause (xiv) above, does not exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets, at any one time outstanding, plus, in the case of any refinancing of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted under this clause (xxix) or any portion thereof, the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this clause (xxix) shall cease to be deemed Incurred, issued or outstanding pursuant to this clause (xxix) but shall be deemed Incurred or issued and outstanding as Ratio Debt from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred or guaranteed such Indebtedness or issued or guaranteed such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as Ratio Debt (to the extent the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are able to Incur any Liens related thereto as Permitted Liens after such reclassification));

 

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(xxx) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock consisting of obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements Incurred by such Person in the ordinary course of business;

(xxxi) unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities to the extent that they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable law;

(xxxii) any Indebtedness arising under guarantees entered into pursuant to Section 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of a Dutch Subsidiary and any residual liability with respect to such guarantees arising under Section 2:404 of the Dutch Civil Code;

(xxxiii) any joint and several liability arising as a result of (the establishment) of a Dutch fiscal unity (Nederlandse fiscale eenheid) between a Dutch Subsidiary and one or more of its subsidiaries or its equivalent in any other relevant jurisdiction;

(xxxiv) earnest money deposits required in connection with a purchase agreement, letter of intent, or other acquisitions to the extent not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture;

(xxxv) obligations or commitments to public utilities or to any municipalities or governmental or other public authorities in connection with the maintenance of or supply of services or utilities to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

(xxxvi) endorsement of instruments or other payment items by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary for deposit.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3.3, in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt or is entitled to be Incurred or issued as Ratio Debt, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, at the time of Incurrence or issuance, divide, classify or reclassify, or at any later time divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant, provided that (i) all Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement Incurred on or prior to the Issue Date shall be initially deemed to have been Incurred pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(i) and the Issuer shall not be permitted to reclassify all or any portion of Indebtedness Incurred on or prior to the Issue Date and (ii) the Existing Notes shall be deemed to have been Incurred pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(iii) and the Issuer shall not be permitted to reclassify all or any portion of such Indebtedness. Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the same class, the accretion of liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness that are otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 3.3.

 

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(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. Dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness or the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the U.S. Dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. Dollar-equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt, or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued; provided that if such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, being refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest and the aggregate amount of premiums (including tender premiums) and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs and fees, discounts and expenses in connection therewith).

(e) The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, if Incurred or issued in a different currency from the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

SECTION 3.4. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

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

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Issuer (other than (A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);

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

(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case (i) prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clause (vii), (viii) or (ix) of Section 3.3(b)) or (ii) solely to the extent directly or indirectly funded by any material disposition of assets (other than cash and cash equivalents) of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business, any Existing Non-Guaranteed Notes or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; or

 

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(iv) make any Restricted Investment;

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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

(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a Pro Forma Basis, the Issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness as Ratio Debt; and

(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after November 20, 2019 (including Restricted Payments permitted by Section 3.4(b)(i), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 3.4(b)), is less than the sum of, without duplication,

(1) (x) $50.0 million plus (y) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning October 1, 2019 to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case that such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit, plus

(2) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value of assets (other than cash), received by the Issuer after November 20, 2019 from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity), including such Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options, plus

(3) 100% of the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Issuer received in cash and the Fair Market Value of assets (other than cash) after November 20, 2019 (other than Excluded Equity), plus

(4) the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or Maximum Fixed Repurchase Price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock, in each case, of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof issued after November 20, 2019 (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary)) that, in each case, has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity), plus

(5) 100% of the aggregate amount received after November 20, 2019 by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value of assets (other than cash) received after November 20, 2019 by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from:

 

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(A) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances that constituted Restricted Investments,

(B) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent such employee stock ownership plan or trust has been funded by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary)) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or

(C) any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (to the extent such distribution or dividend is not already included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income), plus

(6) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after November 20, 2019, the Fair Market Value of the Investment of the Issuer in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 3.4(b)(ix).

(b) The provisions of Section 3.4(a) will not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or distribution or consummation of any redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of a redemption notice related thereto, if at the date of declaration or notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) (a) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Retired Capital Stock”) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the issuance or sale of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or contributions to the equity capital of the Issuer (other than Excluded Equity) (collectively, including any such contributions, “Refunding Capital Stock”);

(b) the declaration and payment of accrued dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock; and

(c) if immediately prior to the retirement of the Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted pursuant to this Section 3.4 and has not been made as of such time (the “Unpaid Amount”), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount no greater than the Unpaid Amount (with the payment of such Unpaid Amount being treated as a payment under the applicable provision);

 

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(iii) the prepayment, redemption, defeasance, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the Incurrence of, Refinancing Indebtedness thereof;

(iv) the purchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition (or Restricted Payments to the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to finance any such purchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition) for value of Equity Interests (including related stock appreciation rights or similar securities) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer held directly or indirectly by any future, present or former employee, officer, director, manager, consultant or independent contractor of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or their estates, heirs, family members, spouses or former spouses, domestic partners or former domestic partners, or permitted transferees (including for all purposes of this clause (iv), Equity Interests held by any entity whose Equity Interests are held by any such future, present or former employee, officer, director, manager, consultant or independent contractor or their estates, heirs, family members, spouses or former spouses, domestic partners or former domestic partners, or permitted transferees) pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement or any stock subscription or shareholder or similar agreement; provided, however, that the aggregate amounts paid under this clause (iv) shall not exceed (x) $20.0 million in any fiscal year, plus (y) any unutilized portion of such amount in all preceding fiscal years commencing after November 20, 2019 so long as the aggregate amount paid under clause (x) and (y) of this clause (iv) in any year shall not exceed $40.0 million; provided, further, however, that such amount in any fiscal year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(a) the cash proceeds received by the Issuer from the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent contributed to the Issuer), in each case, to any future, present or former employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants or independent contractors of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer that occurs on or after November 20, 2019; provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.4(a)(C); plus

(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (to the extent contributed to the Issuer) after November 20, 2019; plus

(c) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to employees, officers, directors, managers, consultants or independent contractors of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer that are foregone in return for the receipt of Equity Interests after November 20, 2019; less

(d) the amount of cash proceeds described in subclause (a), (b) or (c) of this clause (iv) previously used to make Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (iv); provided that the Issuer may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by subclauses (a), (b) and (c) above in any fiscal year;

 

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provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any future, current or former officer, director, employee, manager, consultant or independent contractor (or any permitted transferees thereof) of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer from such Persons will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provisions of this Indenture;

(v) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any class or series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiaries issued or Incurred in accordance with Section 3.3;

(vi) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and the declaration and payment of dividends to the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer issued after the Issue Date; provided, however, that (A) for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer is 2.00 to 1.00 or greater and (B) the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (vi) does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by the Issuer from the sale (or the contribution of the net cash proceeds from the sale) of Designated Preferred Stock;

(vii) [reserved];

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

(ix) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (ix) not to exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;

(x) the payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Section 3.7; provided that, prior to such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, the Issuer (or a third party to the extent permitted by this Indenture) has made a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Notes, and has repurchased, redeemed, defeased, acquired or retired all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in connection with such Change of Control Offer;

(xi) (i) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants or similar equity awards if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or similar equity awards, (ii) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable or expected to be payable by any future, present or former director, officer, employee, manager, consultant or independent contractor of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (or their respective Affiliates, estates or immediate family members) in connection with the exercise of stock options or the grant, vesting or delivery of Equity Interests and (iii) loans or advances to officers, directors, employees, managers, consultants and independent contractors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided that no cash is actually advanced pursuant to this subclause (iii) other than to pay taxes due in connection with such purchase, unless immediately repaid;

 

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(xii) purchases of receivables pursuant to a Receivables Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Receivables Financing and the payment or distribution of Receivables Fees;

(xiii) payments or distributions to satisfy dissenters’ rights, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer of assets that complies with the provisions of this Indenture;

(xiv) [reserved];

(xv) the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Equity Interests in connection with any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination, or in connection with any dividend, distribution or split of or upon exercise, conversion or exchange of Equity Interests, warrants, options or other securities exercisable or convertible into, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer;

(xvi) Investments in joint ventures that are Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (xvi) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $250.0 million and (y) 4.0% of Consolidated Total Assets (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); and

(xvii) any additional Restricted Payment so long as immediately after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, the Issuer’s Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio does not exceed 3.75 to 1.00;

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (ix) and (xvii) of this Section 3.4(b), no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries will be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture.

(d) For purposes of this Section 3.4, if any Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) would be permitted pursuant to one or more provisions described above, the Issuer may divide and classify such Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and may later divide and reclassify any such Investment or Restricted Payment so long as the Investment or Restricted Payment (as so divided and/or reclassified) would be permitted to be made in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.

 

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SECTION 3.5. Liens. The Issuer will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist, except in favor of the Issuer, any Lien of or upon any of the properties or assets, real, personal or mixed (including stock and other securities of its Subsidiaries), of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or of or upon any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.

SECTION 3.6. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Issuer will not and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction unless either:

(a) the Issuer or such Subsidiary would be permitted, pursuant to the terms of clause (8) of the definition of “Permitted Liens,” to incur Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or exceeding the aggregate amount (before deducting expenses) of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction secured by a Lien on the property subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction; or

(b) the Issuer or such Subsidiary within 90 days of the effectiveness of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction applies or unconditionally agrees to apply to the retirement of Indebtedness an amount equal to the greater of (A) the net proceeds of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction or (B) the fair value, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, of the subject property of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction at the time of such transaction (in either case adjusted to reflect the remaining term of the lease subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction).

SECTION 3.7. Change of Control Triggering Event.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder will have the right to require the Issuer to purchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the purchase date), except to the extent the Issuer has previously elected to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 5.1.

(b) Prior to or within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, except to the extent that the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem all the Notes as described under Section 5.1, the Issuer shall deliver a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, describing:

(i) that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred or, if the Change of Control Offer is being made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, that a Change of Control Triggering Event is expected to occur, and that such Holder has, or upon such occurrence will have, 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 (but not including) the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the purchase date);

(ii) the transaction or transactions that constitute, or are expected to constitute, such Change of Control Triggering Event;

(iii) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered, except that such notice may be given more than 60 days prior to the purchase date if the purchase price is delayed as provided in clause (ix) of this Section 3.7(b) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

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

(v) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

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

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the expiration time of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, e-mail or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(viii) that if a Holder (other than a Holder of a Global Note) is tendering for purchase less than all of its Notes, the Issuer will issue new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered and the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(ix) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event and that the Change of Control Payment Date may, in the Issuer’s discretion, be delayed until such time as the Change of Control Triggering Event; and

(x) the other instructions determined by the Issuer, consistent with this covenant, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

While the Notes are in global form and the Issuer makes an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes to be made through the facilities of DTC, in accordance with the rules and regulations thereof.

(c) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the Change of Control Payment Date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives not later than prior to the expiration of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, telex facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount at maturity of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his selection to have such Note purchased.

(d) On the Change of Control Payment Date, all Notes purchased by the Issuer under this Section 3.7 shall be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuer shall pay through the Paying Agent the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the Change of Control Payment Date, to the Holders entitled thereto. With respect to any Note purchased in part (other than a Global Note), the Issuer shall issue a new Note in a principal amount equal at maturity to the unpurchased portion of the original Note in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note.

 

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(e) The Issuer will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event 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 Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(f) Prior to any Change of Control Offer, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Issuer to make such offer have been complied with.

(g) The Issuer will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 3.7. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 3.7, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 3.7 by virtue of such compliance.

(h) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, and conditioned upon such Change of Control Triggering Event.

(i) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent permitted by law,

(i) accept for payment all Notes issued by the Issuer or portions thereof validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

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

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

(j) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any Change of Control, if at least 90% of the Notes outstanding are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in such Change of Control Offer and the Issuer, or a third party making such Change of Control Offer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, the Issuer will have the right, upon notice given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to such Change of Control Offer, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) 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 falling prior to or on the redemption date).

SECTION 3.8. Maintenance of Insurance. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Issuer, insurance with respect to their properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

 

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SECTION 3.9. Future Guarantors. If, after the Issue Date, (a) any Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any newly formed, newly acquired or newly redesignated Restricted Subsidiary, but excluding any Receivables Subsidiary, a Foreign Subsidiary, a FSHCO or a Subsidiary of a Controlled Foreign Subsidiary or of a FSHCO) that is not then a Guarantor guarantees or Incurs any Triggering Indebtedness or (b) the Issuer otherwise elects to have any Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer become a Guarantor, then, in each such case, the Issuer shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor under this Indenture providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary on the same terms and conditions as those set forth in this Indenture and applicable to the other Guarantors; provided that, in the case of clause (a), such supplemental indenture shall be executed and delivered to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date that such Indebtedness has been guaranteed or Incurred by such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary.

Each Guarantee shall be released upon the terms and in accordance with Section 10.2(b).

SECTION 3.10. Compliance Certificate; Statement by Officers as to Default. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, an Officer’s 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 Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his 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 hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge).

So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, upon any Officer of the Issuer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days of such officer becoming aware of such Default or Event of Default (unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured or waived within such 30-day time period), an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 3.11. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Issuer) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Issuer or any other Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that the Subsidiary to be so designated and its Subsidiaries do not at the time of designation have any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, however, that either:

(i) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less; or

(ii) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 3.4.

 

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(b) The Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation:

(x) (1) the Issuer could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness as Ratio Debt or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a Pro Forma Basis taking into account such designation, and

(y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(c) Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer pursuant to this Section 3.11 shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with this Section 3.11.

SECTION 3.12. Covenant Suspension.

(a) If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from two of out the three Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Date”), then beginning on such date and continuing until the Reversion Date (as defined below), the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the following covenants (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”): Sections 3.3, 3.4, 3.9 and 4.1(a)(iv).

(b) In the event that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time pursuant to Section 3.12(a) and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes cease to have an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the three Rating Agencies, then the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to future events. The period of time between (and including) the Covenant Suspension Date and the Reversion Date (but excluding the Reversion Date) is referred to as the “Suspension Period.”

(c) In the event of any such reinstatement, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture; provided that (1) with respect to Restricted Payments made on or after the Reversion Date, the amount of Restricted Payments made will be calculated as though Section 3.4 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period, (2) all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been Incurred or issued pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(iii) and (3) no Subsidiaries will be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary during any Suspension Period.

(d) Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated after the Reversion Date, (1) no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind will be deemed to exist under this Indenture with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising during any Suspension Period, in each case as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (or, upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based solely on any action taken or event that occurred

 

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during the Suspension Period), and (2) following a Reversion Date, the Issuer and each Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted, without causing a Default or Event of Default or breach of any of the Suspended Covenants (notwithstanding the reinstatement thereof), to honor, comply with or otherwise perform any contractual commitments or obligations arising during any Suspension Period following the Reversion Date and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.

(e) The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the ratings of the Notes, shall not be deemed to have any knowledge of the ratings of the Notes and shall have no duty to notify Holders if the Notes achieve an Investment Grade Rating or of the occurrence of a Reversion Date.

SECTION 3.13. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

ARTICLE IV

Merger, Consolidation, Amalgamation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

SECTION 4.1. When the Issuer and Guarantors May Merge, Amalgamate or Otherwise Dispose of Assets.

(a) The Issuer may not consummate a Division as a Dividing Person, consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) the Issuer is (x) the Division Successor surviving any Division or the surviving Person, as applicable, or (y) the Person formed by or surviving any such Division, consolidation, merger, amalgamation or winding up (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (the Issuer or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”);

(ii) (x) the Successor Company (if other than the Issuer) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments or (y) in the case of a Division, where the Issuer is the Dividing Person, the Division Successor shall remain or become a co-issuer of the Notes;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

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(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either:

(1) the Issuer (or a Successor Company or the Division Successor to the Issuer, if applicable) would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness as Ratio Debt; or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer (or a Successor Company or the Division Successor to the Issuer, if applicable) and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(v) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

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

(b) The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes, and, except in the case of a lease, the Issuer will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 4.1(a), (A) the Issuer may consolidate or amalgamate with, merge into or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to any Guarantor, (B) the Issuer may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate of the Issuer incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Issuer in another state of the United States or the District of Columbia, so long as the principal amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby (unless such increase is permitted by this Indenture), (C) the Issuer may convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer or the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (D) the Issuer or any Guarantor may change its name and (E) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Issuer; provided that the Issuer is the Successor Company in such merger, amalgamation or consolidation.

(c) Subject to Section 10.2, each Guarantor will not, and the Issuer will not permit any Guarantor to, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person (whether or not the Issuer or such Guarantor is the surviving Person), consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

(i) such Guarantor is the (x) the Division Successor or surviving Person, as applicable, or (y) the Division Successor or Person formed by or surviving any such Division, consolidation, merger, amalgamation or winding up (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made, as applicable, is a corporation, partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or, in the case of a Guarantor organized or existing under the laws or any other jurisdiction, the laws of such jurisdiction (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Guarantor”);

 

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(ii) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Guarantor or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(iv) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such Division, consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

(d) Subject to Article X, the Successor Guarantor will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee, and such Guarantor will, except in the case of a lease, automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Guarantor may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate of the Issuer incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing such Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, so long as the principal amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby (unless such increase is permitted by this Indenture), (2) a Guarantor may (A) consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into or wind up into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, the Issuer or a Guarantor or (B) dissolve if such Guarantor sells, assigns, transfers, leases, conveys or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to another Person and after giving effect to such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition has no or a de minimis amount of assets, (3) a Guarantor may convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership or limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor or the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia, (4) a Guarantor may change its name and (5) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate into any Guarantor; provided, in the case of this clause (5), that the surviving Person (i) is a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or trust organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or the jurisdiction of organization of such Restricted Subsidiary or Guarantor and (ii) is or becomes a Guarantor upon consummation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation.

(e) For purposes of this Section 4.1, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer, which properties and assets, if held by the Issuer instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer.

 

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ARTICLE V

Redemption of Notes

SECTION 5.1. Optional Redemption.

(a) The Notes may be redeemed, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 6 of the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

(b) In connection with any redemption of the Notes (including with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering), any such redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, consummation of any related Equity Offering or consummation of a Change of Control. In addition, if such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be modified or rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. In addition, such notice of redemption may be extended if such conditions precedent have not been met by providing notice to Holders.

(c) The Issuer or its affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes. Any such purchases may be made through open market or privately negotiated transactions with third parties or pursuant to one or more tender or exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as well as with such consideration as the Issuer or any such Affiliates may determine.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, this Article V shall not apply to any repurchase of any Notes pursuant to Paragraph 6(d) of the form of Note.

SECTION 5.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee of Optional and Mandatory Redemptions. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 5.1, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least three Business Days for Global Notes and ten calendar days for Definitive Notes before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders the redemption notice and pursuant to Section 5.4, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (a) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (b) the Redemption Date, (c) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (d) the redemption price. The Issuer may also include a request in such Officer’s Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at their expense and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 5.4. The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.3.

SECTION 5.3. Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Paying Agent in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are listed (so long as the Paying Agent knows of such listing), or if such Notes are not so listed, by lot (and in such manner as complies with the procedures of the Depositary), in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; provided that, in either case, the selection of Notes for redemption shall not result in a Holder of Notes with a principal amount of Notes less than the minimum denomination

 

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of $2,000. If any Note is to be purchased or redeemed in part only, the notice of purchase or redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased or redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note in accordance with Section 5.7. On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuer has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes to be redeemed.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Notes shall relate, in the case of any Note redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Note which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 5.4. Notice of Redemption. The Issuer shall deliver to each Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed not less than ten nor more than 60 days prior to a date fixed for redemption (whether or not a Business Day) (a “Redemption Date”); provided, however, that redemption notices may be delivered more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued pursuant to Article VIII. At the Issuer’s written request, the Trustee may give notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense.

All notices of redemption shall be prepared by the Issuer and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date,

(b) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 5.6, if any,

(c) if less than all outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Notes (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption,

(d) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Note shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, the Holder shall receive, without charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(e) that on the Redemption Date the redemption price (and accrued interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 5.6, if any) shall become due and payable upon each such Note, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed, and, unless the Issuer defaults in making the redemption payment, that interest on Notes called for redemption (or the portion thereof) shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(f) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and accrued interest, if any,

(g) the name and address of the Paying Agent,

 

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

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

(j) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes are to be redeemed, and

(k) any conditions to the Issuer’s obligations to redeem the Notes on such Redemption Date.

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to when the notice of the redemption is to be given, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph in the form of such notice. Such Officer’s Certificate shall state that all conditions precedent to the delivery of such notice have been complied with.

SECTION 5.5. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as their own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.4) an amount of money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all the Notes which are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 5.6. Notes Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Notes so to be redeemed shall, subject to the provisions of Section 5.1(b), on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the redemption price therein specified (together with accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date) such Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Note for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Note shall be paid by the Issuer at the redemption price, together with accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date).

If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Notes.

If a Redemption Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no further interest shall be payable to Holders whose Notes shall be subject to redemption by the Issuer.

SECTION 5.7. Notes Redeemed in Part. Any Note which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article) shall be surrendered at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3 (with, if the Issuer so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of an Authentication Order shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder of such Note at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note so surrendered; provided that each such new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Defaults and Remedies

SECTION 6.1. Events of Default. Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(i) a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, continued for 30 days;

(ii) a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption (in the case of optional redemption, to the extent such Event of Default arises from the failure to pay the redemption price that is then due and is not subject to any conditions in connection with such optional redemption on all the Notes), upon required purchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;

(iii) the failure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply for 60 days after receipt of written notice referred to below with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default pursuant to Sections 6.1(i) or 6.1(ii)) contained in the Notes or this Indenture; provided that in the case of a failure to comply with Section 3.2, such period of continuance of such default or breach shall be 75 days after written notice described in this clause (iii) has been given;

(iv) the failure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the principal amount of any Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money owing to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid at final maturity or acceleration exceeds $100.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent;

(v) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(1) commences a voluntary case;

(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in any voluntary case;

(3) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

(vi) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

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(1) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(2) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

(3) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary;

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(vii) failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final and non-appealable judgments aggregating in excess of $100.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent insurance companies), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days after such judgment becomes final and, in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed; or

(viii) the Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof or of this Indenture), or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination or discharge of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, and such Default continues for ten days.

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is affected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

However, a default under Section 6.1(iii) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes notify in writing the Issuer of the default and such default is not cured within the time specified in Section 6.1(iii) after receipt of such notice.

SECTION 6.2. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) above with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by written notice to the Issuer (with a copy to the Trustee, if given by such Holders) may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest, on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default arising from Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) of the Issuer occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

SECTION 6.3. 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, this Indenture (including sums owed to the Trustee and its agents and counsel) and the Guarantees.

 

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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 cumulative.

SECTION 6.4. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee and the Issuer may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive, rescind or cancel any declaration of an existing or past Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture if such waiver, rescission or cancellation would not conflict with any judgment or decree, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes (other than such nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due as a result of such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

In the event of any Event of Default arising from Section 6.1(iv), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if prior to 20 days after such Event of Default arose, (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the requisite amount of Holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has otherwise been cured.

SECTION 6.5. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to security or indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses, liabilities and expenses that may be caused by taking or not taking such action.

SECTION 6.6. Limitation on Suits. In case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered, and if requested, provided to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

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

(ii) Holders of at least 30% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested in writing the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(iii) such Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it in respect of any loss, liability or expense;

 

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(iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

SECTION 6.7. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, 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 6.8. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.1(i) or (ii) 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 7.6.

SECTION 6.9. 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 (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, its Subsidiaries or their respective creditors or properties and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders (pursuant to the written direction of Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes) 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 7.6. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10. Priorities. The Trustee shall pay out any money or property received by it in the following order:

First: to the Trustee and the Agents for amounts due under this Indenture;

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

Third: to the Issuer or, to the extent the Trustee receives any amount for any Guarantor, to such Guarantor as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuer (or the Trustee) shall deliver to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

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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 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 6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

ARTICLE VII

Trustee and Agents

SECTION 7.1. Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall, in the exercise of its rights and powers under this Indenture, use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise of such rights and powers as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs, subject to the provisions of clause (h) below.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default of which a Trust Officer has actual knowledge, the Trustee and the Agents:

(i) undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee or the Agents; and

(ii) in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part, 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 under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees, as applicable. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees as the case may be (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee and the Agents shall not be relieved from liability for their own negligent action, their own negligent failure to act or their own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Section 7.1(c) does not limit the effect of Section 7.1(b);

(ii) the Trustee and the Agents shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer or Trust Officers unless it is proved in a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee and the Agents were negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee and the Agents shall not be liable with respect to any action they take or omit to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5.

(d) The Trustee and the Agents shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee and the Agents may agree in writing with the Issuer.

 

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(e) Money held in trust by the Trustee or the Agents need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(f) No provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees shall require the Trustee or an Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee and the Agents shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.1.

(h) The Trustee shall 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 shall have offered, and if requested, provided to the Trustee, security, prefunding or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), losses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(i) The Agents shall have the right to become Holders as freely as if they were not a party to this Indenture.

(j) The Agents shall act solely as agents of the Issuer and need not act in the best interests of the Holders.

(k) The obligations of the Agents under this Indenture shall be several and not joint.

SECTION 7.2. Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee and the Agents may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond or any other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person or Persons. The Trustee and the Agents need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee or an Agent acts or refrains from acting (except in connection with (x) the issuance of the Initial Notes on the Issue Date and (y) with respect to an Opinion of Counsel, the execution of any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture), it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee or an Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

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

(d) Neither the Trustee nor an Agent shall be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s or such Agent’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined in a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(e) The Trustee or an Agent may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder or under the Notes and the Guarantees in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f) The Trustee and the Agents shall not be bound to make any investigation into any statement, warranty or representation, or the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond or other paper or document made or in connection with this Indenture; moreover, the Trustee and the Agents shall not be bound to make any investigation into (i) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (ii) the occurrence of any default, or the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Indenture or any other agreement, instrument or document or (iii) the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee or an Agent, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee or an Agent, as applicable, 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 and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except any Default or Event of Default of which a Trust Officer shall have (x) received written notification from the Issuer or a Holder at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture or (y) obtained “actual knowledge.” “Actual knowledge” shall mean the actual fact or statement of knowing by a Trust Officer without independent investigation with respect thereto.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee or an Agent 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 or Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

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

(j) 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.

(k) The Trustee shall not have any duty (A) to see to any recording, filing, or depositing of this Indenture or any agreement referred to herein, or to see to the maintenance of any such recording or filing or depositing or to any rerecording, re-filing or redepositing of any thereof or (B) to see to any insurance.

(l) The right of the Trustee or an Agent to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.

 

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SECTION 7.3. Individual Rights of Trustee. Subject to the TIA, the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer, the Guarantors or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.9. In addition, the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Issuer; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest the Trustee must (i) eliminate such conflict within 90 days of acquiring such conflicting interest, (ii) apply to the SEC for permission to continue acting as Trustee or (iii) resign.

SECTION 7.4. Disclaimer. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall be responsible for and none of them makes any representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees, neither of them shall be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the Notes or the proceeds from the Notes, and neither of them shall be responsible for any statement of the Issuer in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication or for the use or application of any funds received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 7.5. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to each Holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it is known to the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders.

SECTION 7.6. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee and the Agents from time to time such compensation for their services as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee and the Agents upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including, but not limited to, costs of collection, costs of preparing and reviewing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including as Paying Agent, Registrar or as an Agent, as applicable), and each of their officers, directors, employees, counsel and agents, against any and all loss, liability or expense (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of their duties hereunder and under the Notes and the Guarantees, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.6), the Notes and the Guarantees and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or otherwise). The Trustee and the Agents shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee or an Agent to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee and the Agents may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee or an Agent as a result of its own willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined in a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.

To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. The right of the Trustee to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.6 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Issuer.

 

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The Issuer’s obligations pursuant to this Section and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee or an Agent. When the Trustee or an Agent incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) with respect to the Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Pursuant to Section 10.1, the obligations of the Issuer hereunder are jointly and severally guaranteed by the Guarantors.

SECTION 7.7. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Issuer and the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.9;

(ii) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(iv) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.6. All costs reasonably incurred in connection with any resignation or removal hereunder shall be borne by the Issuer.

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

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.9, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.6 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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SECTION 7.8. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

SECTION 7.9. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent filed annual report of condition.

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

SECTION 7.10. Limitation on Duty of Trustee. The Trustee shall not have any duty to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms of this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees by the Issuer, the Guarantors or any other Person.

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the 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.

SECTION 7.12. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes. Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with May 15, 2022, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders 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 shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

ARTICLE VIII

Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

SECTION 8.1. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

(a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect and any collateral then securing the Notes shall be released (except as to surviving rights of registration or transfer or exchange of Notes and certain rights of the Trustee with respect to compensation and indemnity (and the Issuer’s obligations with respect thereto), as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes when:

 

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(1) either (i) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Notes pursuant to Section 2.7 which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (ii) all of the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (a) have become due and payable, (b) shall become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (c) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of a full redemption by the Paying Agent in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and, in the case of this clause (c), the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Paying Agent funds, in cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be, together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuer directing the Paying Agent to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(2) the Issuer and/or the Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and

(3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

(b) Subject to Section 8.2, the Issuer at any time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) and have each Guarantor’s obligation discharged with respect to its Guarantee and cure any then-existing Events of Default (“legal defeasance option”) or (ii) its obligations under Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13 and 3.14 and the operation of Section 4.1 (other than Sections 4.1(a)(i), (ii) and (vi) and Section 4.1(c)(iv)) and Sections 6.1(iii) (with respect to any Default under Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13 and 3.14 and the operation of Section 4.1 (other than Sections 4.1(a)(i), (ii) and (iv) and Section 4.1(c)(iv)), 6.1(iv), 6.1(v) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only), 6.1(vi) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries of the Issuer only) and 6.1(vii) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. In the event that the Issuer terminates all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (with respect to such Notes) by exercising the legal defeasance option or the covenant defeasance option, the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee of such Notes shall be terminated simultaneously with the termination of such obligations.

If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes so defeased may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(b).

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) above, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 7.6, 7.7 and in this Article VIII shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuer’s obligations in Sections 7.6, 8.5 and 8.6 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

 

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SECTION 8.2. Conditions to Defeasance.

(a) The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(i) the Issuer irrevocably deposits or causes to be deposited in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in an amount in the opinion of a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm sufficient to pay the principal and the premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; provided that if such redemption is made pursuant to Paragraph 6(b) of the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto, then (x) the amount of money or U.S. Government Obligations that the Issuer must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited will be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit, as calculated by the Issuer in good faith, and (y) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money in trust on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined on such date;

(ii) 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 shall provide cash at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(iii) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Sections 6.1(v) or (vi) with respect to the Issuer occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(iv) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuer;

(v) 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 advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940;

(vi) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount 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 U.S. federal income tax law since the issuance of the Notes); and

(vii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.

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

 

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SECTION 8.3. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.

SECTION 8.4. Repayment to Issuer. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon Company Order any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable; provided that the Trustee shall not be required to liquidate any U.S. Government Obligations in order to comply with the provisions of this Section 8.4.

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 of or interest on the Notes that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer for payment as general creditors.

SECTION 8.5. Indemnity for U.S. 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.

SECTION 8.6. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations, in accordance with this Article VIII 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 obligations of the Issuer and each Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII 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 VIII; provided, however, that, if the Issuer or the Guarantors has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as the case may be, 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 the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

SECTION 9.1. Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.2 hereof, this Indenture, the Notes and Guarantees may be amended or supplemented by the Issuer, any Guarantor (with respect to this Indenture or a Guarantee to which it is a party) and the Trustee without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency identified in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee;

(ii) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum;

(iii) to comply with Section 4.1;

 

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(iv) to provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or Guarantee, as the case may be;

(v) 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;

(vi) (A) to add or release Guarantees in accordance with the terms of this Indenture with respect to the Notes or (B) to add co-issuers of the Notes to the extent it does not result in adverse tax consequences to the Holders;

(vii) to secure the Notes;

(viii) to add to the covenants of the Issuer for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(ix) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate certifying the absence of such adverse effect;

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

(xi) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;

(xii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee; provided that the successor Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms of this Indenture; or

(xiii) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture.

SECTION 9.2. With Consent of Holders.

(a) This Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes) and any existing or past Default or compliance with any provisions of such documents may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes). However, without the consent of each Holder of a Note affected (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Notes held by Affiliates), no amendment, supplement or waiver may (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(i) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

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(ii) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(iii) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Note;

(iv) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes with respect to a nonpayment default by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration;

(v) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed as described under Section 5.1;

(vi) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

(vii) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(viii) make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions of this Indenture that require each Holder’s consent, as described in clauses (i) through (vii) or (ix) and (x) of this Section 9.2(a);

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

(x) make the Notes or any Guarantee subordinated in right of payment to any other obligations.

(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to, or deletion of any of the covenants contained in Article III of this Indenture shall be deemed to impair or affect any rights of Holders of Notes to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes.

(c) After an amendment under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Issuer shall (or shall cause the Trustee, at the expense of and at the written request of the Issuer, to) mail or electronically deliver to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure of the Issuer to deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not in any way impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.2.

SECTION 9.3. 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. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder unless it makes a change described in clauses (i) through (x) of Section 9.2(a), in which case the amendment or waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Notes. An amendment or waiver made pursuant to Section 9.2 shall become effective upon receipt by the Trustee of the requisite number of written consents.

 

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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 take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.

SECTION 9.4. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee, at the request of the Issuer, may require the Holder to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee, at the request of the Issuer, may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuer 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 9.5. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not, in the sole determination of the Trustee, adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing any amendment, supplement or waiver pursuant to this Article IX, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by or complies with this Indenture, that all conditions precedent to such amendment required by this Indenture have been complied with and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture or a release of a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.2(b).

ARTICLE X

Guarantees

SECTION 10.1. Guarantees.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article X, each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably, fully and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, as guarantor and not as a surety, with each other Guarantor, to each Holder, to the extent lawful, and the Trustee, the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other Obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes (including, without limitation, interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding and the obligations under Section 7.6) (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guarantor Obligations”). Each Guarantor agrees (to the extent lawful) that the Guarantor Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it shall remain bound under this Article X notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guarantor Obligation.

(b) Each Guarantor waives (to the extent lawful) presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guarantor Obligations and also waives (to the extent lawful) notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives (to the extent lawful) notice of any default under the Notes or the Guarantor Obligations.

 

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(c) Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Guarantor Obligations.

(d) Except as set forth in Section 10.2 and Article VIII, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Guarantor Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not (to the extent lawful) be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guarantor Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not (to the extent lawful) be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (a) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder for the Guarantor Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy against any other Guarantor; (f) any change in the ownership of the Issuer; (g) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guarantor Obligations; or (h) any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

(e) Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee herein shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guarantor Obligations or such Guarantor is released from its Guarantee in compliance with Section 4.1, Section 10.2 and Article VIII. Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Guarantor Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.

(f) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Issuer to pay any of the Guarantor Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Trustee or the Trustee on behalf of the Holders an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Guarantor Obligations then due and owing and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guarantor Obligations then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) (including interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, examinership, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Issuer or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding).

(g) Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guarantor Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guarantor Obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such Guarantor Obligations, such Guarantor Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purposes of this Guarantee.

 

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(h) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or the Holders in enforcing any rights under this Section.

(i) Neither the Issuer nor the Guarantors shall be required to make a notation on the Notes to reflect any Guarantee or any release, termination or discharge thereof and any such notation shall not be a condition to the validity of any Guarantee.

(j) Each Guarantee shall be subject to limitations in accordance with local law in the jurisdiction of organization of the applicable Guarantor and defenses generally available to guarantors in such jurisdiction. For the avoidance of doubt, such limitations and defenses may include, but are not limited to, (i) those related to fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, corporate benefit, capital maintenance, earnings stripping, retention of title claims and similar laws, regulations and defenses affecting the rights of creditors generally, (ii) such limitations and defenses as are described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Limitations on Validity and Enforceability of the Guarantees and the Security Interests” and (iii) other considerations under applicable law.

SECTION 10.2. Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge.

(a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law or the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

(b) A Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and each Guarantor and its obligations under the Guarantee and this Indenture shall be released and discharged upon:

(1) the sale, exchange, disposition or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation or dissolution) of (x) the Capital Stock of such Guarantor, if after such transaction the Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor if such sale, exchange, disposition or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation or dissolution) is made in compliance with this Indenture;

(2) the Issuer designating such Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 3.4 and Section 3.11 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;

(3) the Issuer’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described under Article VIII or if the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture are discharged (including through redemption or repurchase of all the Notes or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

 

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(4) the release or discharge (including a simultaneous release or discharge) of the Guarantee by, or direct obligation of, such Guarantor of the Obligations under all Triggering Indebtedness, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment in connection with the enforcement of remedies under such guarantee or direct obligation.

(c) In the case of Section 10.2(b), to the extent the Issuer requests evidence of the release of a Guarantor through a supplemental indenture or amendment to this Indenture or other documentation, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(d) The release of a Guarantor from its Guarantee and its obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.2 shall not preclude the future applications of Section 3.9 to such Person.

SECTION 10.3. Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that any such Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made on the obligations under its Guarantee, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against the Issuer or any other Guarantor who have not paid their proportionate share of such payment. The provisions of this Section 10.3 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of each Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

SECTION 10.4. No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by each Guarantor hereunder, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Issuer or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Guarantor Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Issuer or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Trustee and the Holders by the Issuer on account of the Guarantor Obligations are paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Guarantor Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Guarantor Obligations.

SECTION 10.5. Execution and Delivery.

(a) To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer or person holding an equivalent title.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(c) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantees shall be valid nevertheless.

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

 

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(e) If required by Section 3.9, the Issuer shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 3.9 and this Article X, to the extent applicable.

SECTION 10.6. Effectiveness of Guarantees. This Indenture shall be effective upon its execution and delivery by the parties hereto.

ARTICLE XI

INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

ARTICLE XII

Miscellaneous

SECTION 12.1. Notices. Notices given by publication shall be deemed given on the first date on which publication is made, and notices given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed given five calendar days after mailing. Notices personally delivered will be deemed given at the time delivered by hand. Notices given by facsimile or e-mail will be deemed given when receipt is acknowledged. Notices given by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery will be deemed given the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier and notices given to DTC shall be sufficiently given if given according to the applicable procedures of DTC. Any notice or communication shall be in writing in the English language and delivered in person, by facsimile or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

if to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

Mattel, Inc.

333 Continental Boulevard

El Segundo, California 90245-5012

Facsimile: (310) 252-2567

Attention: General Counsel

if to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank National Association

633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor,

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Facsimile: (213) 615-6197

Attention: Bradley E. Scarbrough (Mattel)

The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed or delivered to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.

 

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Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

The Trustee and the Agents may, in their sole discretion, accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from such Depositary.

SECTION 12.2. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture (except in connection with (x) the original issuance of Notes on the date hereof and (y) with respect to clause (ii) below, the execution of any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture or the release of a Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.2(b)), the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

(i) an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 12.3. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and also shall include:

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

(ii) 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;

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

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

 

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In giving such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officer’s Certificate or on certificates of public officials.

SECTION 12.4. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 12.5. Days Other than Business Days. If a payment date, Redemption Date or purchase date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.

SECTION 12.6. Governing Law. This Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 12.7. Jurisdiction and Service. In relation to any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer and each Guarantor that is organized under laws other than the United States or a state thereof hereby (i) irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in the City, County and State of New York, United States and (ii) consent that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same.

SECTION 12.8. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 12.9. No Recourse Against Others. No manager, managing director, incorporator, director, officer, employee or holder of any Equity Interests in the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. This waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

SECTION 12.10. Successors. All agreements of the Issuer and each Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee and the Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

SECTION 12.11. Multiple Originals. This Indenture may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures (including, without limitation, facsimile and .pdf) and shall be considered an original, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. This Indenture may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same agreement. The authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance of a manually signed paper communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned

 

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into PDF format), or an electronically signed communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing, provided that any communication sent to the Trustee hereunder that is required to be signed must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign, AdobeSign or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative of the Issuer. The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

SECTION 12.12. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 12.13. 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, epidemics, pandemics, 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 12.14. USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee and the Trust Officers, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they shall provide the Trustee and the Trust Officers with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

SECTION 12.15. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrars and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

SECTION 12.16. TIA § 314(d) Not Applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not be subject to TIA § 314(d).

ARTICLE XIII

Measuring Compliance

SECTION 13.1. Compliance in Connection with Certain Investments and Repayments.

(a) With respect to any (x) Investment or acquisition, in each case, for which the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer may not terminate its obligations (or may not do so without incurring significant expense) due to a lack of financing for such Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise), as applicable, and (y) repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness with respect to which an irrevocable notice of repayment (or similar irrevocable notice) has been delivered, in each case for purposes of determining:

 

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(1) whether any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is being incurred in connection with such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred in compliance with Section 3.3;

(2) whether any Lien being incurred in connection with such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness or to secure any such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 3.5 or the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(3) whether any other transaction undertaken or proposed to be undertaken in connection with such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness complies with the covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or the Notes; and

(4) any calculation of the ratios, including Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Net Debt Ratio, Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio, Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, Consolidated Total Assets, Borrowing Base and/or Pro Forma Cost Savings and, whether a Default or Event of Default exists in connection with the foregoing,

at the option of the Issuer, using the date that the definitive agreement for such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness is entered into or irrevocable notice of such repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness is given to the holders of such Indebtedness (the “Transaction Agreement Date”) may be used as the applicable date of determination, as the case may be, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis” or “Consolidated EBITDA.” For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the Issuer elects to use the Transaction Agreement Date as the applicable date of determination in accordance with the foregoing, (a) any fluctuation or change in the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Net Debt Ratio, Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio, Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, Consolidated Total Assets, Borrowing Base and/or Pro Forma Cost Savings of the Issuer from the Transaction Agreement Date to the date of consummation of such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness, will not be taken into account for purposes of determining whether any Indebtedness or Lien that is being incurred in connection with such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness, or in connection with compliance by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries with any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes or any other transaction undertaken in connection with such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness, is permitted to be Incurred and (b) until such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness is consummated or such definitive agreements are terminated, such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness and all transactions proposed to be undertaken in connection therewith (including the incurrence of Indebtedness and Liens) will be given pro forma effect when determining compliance of other transactions (including the incurrence of Indebtedness and Liens unrelated to such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness) that are consummated after the Transaction Agreement Date and on or prior to the date of consummation of such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness and any such transactions (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) will be deemed to have occurred on the date the definitive agreements are entered and outstanding thereafter for purposes of calculating any baskets or ratios under this Indenture after the date of such agreement and before the date of consummation of such Investment, acquisition or repayment, repurchase or refinancing of Indebtedness and (ii) a

 

-96-


definitive commitment letter that provides for debt financing shall constitute a “definitive agreement” for purposes of the foregoing, notwithstanding that such commitment letter provides that such financing will ultimately be provided under or governed by another loan agreement, credit agreement, indenture or other instrument. However, the Consolidated Net Income (and any other financial term derived therefrom) of or attributable to the target company or assets associated with any Investment or acquisition referred to in clause (x) of this paragraph shall be excluded for the purposes of calculating the ability to make any Restricted Payment under Sections 3.4(a) and 3.4(b) unless and until the closing of such Investment or acquisition shall have actually occurred. The compliance with any requirement relating to the absence of a Default or Event of Default may be determined as of the Transaction Agreement Date and not as of any later date as would otherwise be required under this Indenture.

(b) For purposes hereof, the “Maximum Fixed Repurchase Price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Issuer.

(c) For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment but giving effect to any returns or distributions of capital or repayment of principal actually received in cash by such Person with respect thereto.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

-97-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

MATTEL, INC.
By:  

/s/ Mandana Sadigh

  Name: Mandana Sadigh
  Title: Senior Vice President & Treasurer
AMERICAN GIRL, LLC
AMERICAN GIRL BRANDS, LLC
AMERICAN GIRL PUBLISHING, INC.
AMERICAN GIRL RETAIL, INC.
FISHER-PRICE, INC.
MATTEL DIRECT IMPORT, INC.
MATTEL FINANCE, INC.
MATTEL INVESTMENT, INC.
MATTEL OVERSEAS, INC.
MATTEL REALTY CORPORATION
MATTEL SALES CORP.
MATTEL IMPORT SERVICES, LLC
as Guarantors
By:  

/s/ Mandana Sadigh

  Name: Mandana Sadigh
  Title: Senior Vice President & Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Bradley E. Scarbrough

  Name: Bradley E. Scarbrough
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

Global Note Legend, if applicable

Private Placement Legend, if applicable

Regulation S Temporary Legend, if applicable

OID Legend, if applicable

 

A-1


No. [___]    Principal Amount $[________________], as revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note attached hereto1
   CUSIP NO. _________________2

MATTEL, INC.

3.750% Senior Notes due 2029

Mattel, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the initial principal amount set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note attached hereto, as revised by the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note attached hereto, on April 1, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1.

Record Dates: March 15 and September 15.

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

1 

Insert Global Notes only

2 

144A – 577081 BF8

 

Reg S – U57619 AG0

 

A-2


MATTEL, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF      
AUTHENTICATION      
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the      
Notes referred to in the Indenture.      
By:   

 

     
   Authorized Signatory    Date:   

 

A-4


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

3.750% Senior Notes due 2029

1. Interest

Mattel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture, hereinafter referred to as the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above.

The Issuer shall pay interest semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, with the first interest payment to be made on October 1, 2021.3 Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Notes or, if no interest has been paid, from March 19, 2021.4 The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any (plus interest on such interest to the extent lawful), at the rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at 2% per annum in excess of the above rate and shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at such higher rate to the extent lawful.

2. Method of Payment

By no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note is due and payable, the Issuer shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest. The Issuer shall pay interest (except Defaulted Interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 15 and September 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date unless Notes are cancelled, repurchased or redeemed after the record date and before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuer shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by the Paying Agent by the transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depositary. The Issuer shall make all payments in respect of a Definitive Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) through the Paying Agent by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof.

3. Paying Agent and Registrar

Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America and having a corporate trust office at 633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (“Trustee”), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may appoint and change the Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

 

 

 

3 

With respect to the Initial Notes.

4 

With respect to the Initial Notes.

 

A-5


4. Indenture

The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 19, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Securities Act for a statement of those 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 senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer. This Note is one of the 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029 referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include (i) $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029 issued under the Indenture on March 19, 2021 (herein called “Initial Notes”) and (ii) if and when issued, Additional Notes of the Issuer that may be issued from time to time under the Indenture subsequent to March 19, 2021.

5. Guarantee

To guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest (including post-filing or post-petition interest) on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, the Guarantors have unconditionally Guaranteed (and future guarantors shall unconditionally Guarantee), jointly and severally, such obligations on a senior unsecured basis, subject to the limitations described in Article X of the Indenture.

6. Optional Redemption

(a) On and after April 1, 20245, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon notice as described in Section 5.4 of the Indenture, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) 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 falling prior to or on the redemption date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on April 1 6 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2024

     101.875

2025

     100.938

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

(b) At any time prior to April 1, 2024, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon notice as described in Section 5.4 of the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of the date of the redemption notice, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the applicable 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 falling prior to or on the redemption date).

 

5 

With respect to the Initial Notes.

6 

With respect to the Initial Notes.

 

A-6


(c) At any time and from time to time prior to April 1, 2024, upon notice as described in Section 5.4 of the Indenture, the Issuer may redeem in the aggregate up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with an amount not to exceed the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of the Issuer or used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer through an issuance of Capital Stock by the Issuer, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) equal to 103.750%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) 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 falling prior to or on the redemption date); provided, however, that at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that for purposes of calculating the maximum principal amount of the Notes able to be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of such Equity Offering or Equity Offerings, such amount shall include only the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus the premium on such Notes to be redeemed; provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 120 days after the date on which such Equity Offering is consummated.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any Change of Control Offer, if at least 90% of the Notes outstanding are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in such Change of Control Offer and the Issuer, or a third party making such Change of Control Offer, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, the Issuer will have the right, upon notice given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to such Change of Control Offer, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) 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 falling prior to or on the redemption date).

(e) In connection with any redemption of the Notes (including with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering), any such redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, consummation of any related Equity Offering or consummation of a Change of Control or refinancing of Indebtedness. In addition, if such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be modified or rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuer in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. In addition, such notice of redemption may be extended if such conditions precedent have not been met by providing notice to the Holders.

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

(g) Except for any repurchase pursuant to paragraph 6(d), any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 6 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Indenture.

 

A-7


7. Change of Control Triggering Event

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuer will be required to make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 3.7 of the Indenture.

8. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of principal amount of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Notes for a period beginning 15 Business Days before an Interest Payment Date and ending on such Interest Payment Date.

9. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

10. Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or the Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuer at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuer and not to the Trustee for payment.

11. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Issuer at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm) for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

12. Amendment, Waiver

The Indenture and the Notes may be amended or waived as set forth in Article IX of the Indenture.

13. Defaults and Remedies

Events of Default shall be as set forth in Article VI of the Indenture.

14. Trustee Dealings with the Issuer

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuer or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

A-8


15. No Recourse Against Others

No manager, managing director, director, officer, employee, incorporator or Holder of any Equity Interests in the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under the Notes or the Indenture or any Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. This waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

16. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent acting on its behalf) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

17. 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 entirety), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian) and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

18. CUSIP Numbers

The Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Notes and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

19. Successor Entity

When a successor entity assumes, in accordance with the Indenture, all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, and immediately before and thereafter no Default or Event of Default exists and all other conditions of the Indenture are satisfied, the predecessor entity shall be released from those obligations.

20. Governing Law

This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

A-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint ____________ agent 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 other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee: _________________________

    (Signature must be guaranteed)

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.

 

A-10


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of the Note shall be $[ ]. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

   Amount of decrease
in Principal Amount
of this Global Note
   Amount in 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
Notes Custodian

 

A-11


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.7 of the Indenture, check the box:

☐ 3.7

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.7 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount (must be in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof): $

 

Date: ______________    Your Signature:   

 

      Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee: _________________________

    (Signature must be guaranteed)

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.

 

 

A-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Mattel, Inc.

333 Continental Boulevard

El Segundo, California 90245-5012

Facsimile: (310) 252-2567

Attention: General Counsel

U.S. Bank National Association

633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor,

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Attention: Bradley E. Scarbrough (Mattel)

Re: 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 19, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among Mattel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture, hereinafter referred to as the “Issuer”), the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

__________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount 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 shall take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and 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 shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-1


2.      Check if Transferee shall take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
3.      Check and complete if Transferee shall take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
     (a)       such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
           or
     (b)       such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof;
           or
     (c)       such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
4.      Check if Transferee shall 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

 

B-2


           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 shall 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 shall 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 shall 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

 

(b)

     

  

a Restricted Definitive Note.

2.

 

After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold:

[CHECK ONE]
 

(a)

  

  

a beneficial interest in the:

    

(i)

  

  

144A Global Note (CUSIP [             ]), or

    

(ii)

  

  

Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [                 ]), or

    

(iii)

  

  

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

Mattel, Inc.

333 Continental Boulevard

El Segundo, California 90245-5012

Facsimile: (310) 252-2567

Attention: General Counsel

U.S. Bank National Association

633 West 5th Street, 24th Floor,

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Attention: Bradley E. Scarbrough (Mattel)

Re: 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029

(CUSIP [             ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of March 19, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among Mattel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture, hereinafter referred to as the “Issuer”), the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_______________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note.

(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. 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 United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. 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.

 

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(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 shall 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 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 shall 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.

 

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[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: ________________

 

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIS [ ] SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 20__ (this “Supplemental Indenture”), is by and among Mattel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture, hereinafter referred to as the “Issuer”), each of the parties identified as a New Guarantor on the signature pages hereto (each, a “New Guarantor” and collectively, the “New Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Trustee are parties to an indenture dated as of March 19, 2021 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer’s 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, Section 3.9 (Future Guarantors) of the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the New Guarantors shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantors shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 (Without Consent of Holders) 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 Issuer, the New Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Agreements to Become Guarantors. Each of the New Guarantors hereby unconditionally guarantees the Issuer’s obligations for the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes and the performance and observance of each other obligation and covenant set forth in the Indenture to be performed or observed on the part of the Issuer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article X of the Indenture and agrees to be bound by all other provisions of the Indenture and the Notes applicable to a Guarantor therein.

3. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

4. No Recourse Against Others. No manager, managing director, director, officer, employee, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in the Issuer, any Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the New 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 the Notes, by accepting a Note, waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

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This waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

5. Notices. For purposes of Section 12.1 (Notices) of the Indenture, the address for notices to each of the New Guarantors shall be:

Mattel, Inc.

333 Continental Boulevard

El Segundo, California 90245-5012

Facsimile: (310) 252-2567

Attention: General Counsel

6. Governing Law. This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

7. Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures (including, without limitation, facsimile and .pdf) and shall be considered an original, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same agreement. The authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance of a manually signed paper communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing, provided that any communication sent to the Trustee hereunder that is required to be signed must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign, AdobeSign or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative of the Issuer. [The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.]7

8. Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

9. 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 Issuer and the New Guarantors.

[remainder of page intentionally blank]

 

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NTD: To be confirmed.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

MATTEL, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[                 ], as a New Guarantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:  

                          

  Name:
  Title:

 

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