CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT among NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Credit Agreements
EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.1

 


CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

among

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

as Borrower

THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN

as Lenders

and

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Lead Arranger, Sole Book Runner and Administrative Agent

SILICON VALLEY BANK

as Co-Syndication Agent

WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC

as Co-Syndication Agent

and

COMERICA BANK

as Documentation Agent

 


dated as of

December 21, 2007

 


 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS    1

Section 1.1.

   Definitions    1

Section 1.2.

   Accounting Terms    26

Section 1.3.

   Terms Generally    27
ARTICLE II. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT    27

Section 2.1.

   Amount and Nature of Credit    27

Section 2.2.

   Revolving Credit    28

Section 2.3.

   Term Loan    32

Section 2.4.

   Interest    32

Section 2.5.

   Evidence of Indebtedness    34

Section 2.6.

   Notice of Credit Event; Funding of Loans    34

Section 2.7.

   Payment on Loans and Other Obligations    35

Section 2.8.

   Prepayment    36

Section 2.9.

   Commitment and Other Fees; Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitment    37

Section 2.10.

   Computation of Interest and Fees    37

Section 2.11.

   Mandatory Payments    38
ARTICLE III. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EURODOLLAR LOANS; INCREASED CAPITAL; TAXES    41

Section 3.1.

   Requirements of Law    41

Section 3.2.

   Taxes    42

Section 3.3.

   Funding Losses    43

Section 3.4.

   Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful; Inability to Determine Rate    44

Section 3.5.

   Change of Lending Office    44

Section 3.6.

   Replacement of Lenders    45

Section 3.7.

   Discretion of Lenders as to Manner of Funding    45
ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT    45

Section 4.1.

   Conditions to Each Credit Event    45

Section 4.2.

   Conditions to the First Credit Event    46

Section 4.3.

   Post-Closing Conditions    48
ARTICLE V. COVENANTS    49

Section 5.1.

   Insurance    49

Section 5.2.

   Money Obligations    49

Section 5.3.

   Financial Statements and Information    49

Section 5.4.

   Financial Records    50

Section 5.5.

   Franchises; Change in Business    51

Section 5.6.

   ERISA Pension and Benefit Plan Compliance    51

Section 5.7.

   Financial Covenants    52

Section 5.8.

   Borrowing    52

Section 5.9.

   Liens    53

Section 5.10.

   Regulations T, U and X    54

Section 5.11.

   Investments, Loans and Guaranties    54

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

Section 5.12.

   Merger and Sale of Assets    55

Section 5.13.

   Acquisitions    56

Section 5.14.

   Notice    57

Section 5.15.

   Restricted Payments    57

Section 5.16.

   Environmental Compliance    57

Section 5.17.

   Affiliate Transactions    58

Section 5.18.

   Use of Proceeds    58

Section 5.19.

   Corporate Names and Locations of Collateral    58

Section 5.20.

   Subsidiary Guaranties, Security Documents and Pledge of Stock or Other Ownership Interest    58

Section 5.21.

   Collateral    59

Section 5.22.

   Property Acquired Subsequent to the Closing Date and Right to Take Additional Collateral    61

Section 5.23.

   Restrictive Agreements    61

Section 5.24.

   Other Covenants    61

Section 5.25.

   Amendment of Organizational Documents    62

Section 5.26.

   Further Assurances    62
ARTICLE VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    62

Section 6.1.

   Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualification    62

Section 6.2.

   Corporate Authority    62

Section 6.3.

   Compliance with Laws and Contracts    63

Section 6.4.

   Litigation and Administrative Proceedings    63

Section 6.5.

   Title to Assets    64

Section 6.6.

   Liens and Security Interests    64

Section 6.7.

   Tax Returns    64

Section 6.8.

   Environmental Laws    64

Section 6.9.

   Locations    65

Section 6.10.

   ERISA Plans    65

Section 6.11.

   Consents or Approvals    65

Section 6.12.

   Solvency    66

Section 6.13.

   Financial Statements    66

Section 6.14.

   Regulations    66

Section 6.15.

   Material Agreements    66

Section 6.16.

   Intellectual Property    66

Section 6.17.

   Insurance    66

Section 6.18.

   Deposit Accounts    67

Section 6.19.

   Complete Statements    67

Section 6.20.

   Investment Company; Other Restrictions    67

Section 6.21.

   Defaults    67
ARTICLE VII. SECURITY    67

Section 7.1.

   Security Interest in Collateral    67

Section 7.2.

   Collections and Receipt of Proceeds by Borrower    67

Section 7.3.

   Collections and Receipt of Proceeds by Agent    68

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

Section 7.4.

   Agent’s Authority Under Pledged Notes    69

Section 7.5.

   Use of Inventory and Equipment    70
ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT    70

Section 8.1.

   Payments    70

Section 8.2.

   Special Covenants    70

Section 8.3.

   Other Covenants    70

Section 8.4.

   Representations and Warranties    70

Section 8.5.

   Cross Default    71

Section 8.6.

   ERISA Default    71

Section 8.7.

   Change in Control    71

Section 8.8.

   Judgments    71

Section 8.9.

   Security    71

Section 8.10.

   Validity of Loan Documents    72

Section 8.11.

   Solvency    72
ARTICLE IX. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT    72

Section 9.1.

   Optional Defaults    72

Section 9.2.

   Automatic Defaults    73

Section 9.3.

   Letters of Credit    73

Section 9.4.

   Offsets    73

Section 9.5.

   Equalization Provisions    74

Section 9.6.

   Collateral    75

Section 9.7.

   Other Remedies    76

Section 9.8.

   Application of Proceeds    76
ARTICLE X. THE AGENT    77

Section 10.1.

   Appointment and Authorization    77

Section 10.2.

   Note Holders    77

Section 10.3.

   Consultation With Counsel    78

Section 10.4.

   Documents    78

Section 10.5.

   Agent and Affiliates    78

Section 10.6.

   Knowledge of Default    78

Section 10.7.

   Action by Agent    78

Section 10.8.

   Release of Collateral or Guarantor of Payment    79

Section 10.9.

   Delegation of Duties    79

Section 10.10.

   Indemnification of Agent    79

Section 10.11.

   Successor Agent    79

Section 10.12.

   Fronting Lender    80

Section 10.13.

   Swing Line Lender    80

Section 10.14.

   Agent May File Proofs of Claim    80

Section 10.15.

   No Reliance on Agent’s Customer Identification Program    81

Section 10.16.

   Other Agents    81
ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS    81

Section 11.1.

   Lenders’ Independent Investigation    81

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

               Page

Section 11.2.

   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies       81

Section 11.3.

   Amendments, Waivers and Consents       82

Section 11.4.

   Notices       83

Section 11.5.

   Costs, Expenses and Taxes       83

Section 11.6.

   Indemnification       84

Section 11.7.

   Obligations Several; No Fiduciary Obligations       84

Section 11.8.

   Execution in Counterparts       84

Section 11.9.

   Binding Effect; Borrower’s Assignment       85

Section 11.10.

   Lender Assignments       85

Section 11.11.

   Sale of Participations       86

Section 11.12.

   Patriot Act Notice       87

Section 11.13.

   Severability of Provisions; Captions; Attachments       88

Section 11.14.

   Investment Purpose       88

Section 11.15.

   Entire Agreement       88

Section 11.16.

   Legal Representation of Parties       88

Section 11.17.

   Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction       88

Section 11.18.

   Jury Trial Waiver    Signature Page 1
Exhibit A    Form of Revolving Credit Note      
Exhibit B    Form of Swing Line Note      
Exhibit C    Form of Term Note      
Exhibit D    Form of Notice of Loan      
Exhibit E    Form of Compliance Certificate      
Exhibit F    Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement      
        
Schedule 1    Commitments of Lenders      
Schedule 2    Guarantors of Payment      
Schedule 3    Pledged Securities      
Schedule 4    Pledged Notes      
Schedule 5.8    Indebtedness      
Schedule 5.9    Liens      
Schedule 5.11    Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loans and Investments      
Schedule 6.1    Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualification      
Schedule 6.4    Litigation and Administrative Proceedings      
Schedule 6.5    Real Estate Owned by the Companies      
Schedule 6.9    Locations      
Schedule 6.10    Employee Benefits Plans      
Schedule 6.15    Material Agreements      
Schedule 6.16    Intellectual Property      
Schedule 6.17    Insurance      
Schedule 6.18    Deposit Accounts      

 

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This CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified, this “Agreement”) is made effective as of the 21st day of December, 2007 among:

(a) NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”);

(b) the lenders listed on Schedule 1 hereto and each other Eligible Transferee, as hereinafter defined, that from time to time becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 11.10 hereof (collectively, the “Lenders” and, individually, each a “Lender”);

(c) KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as the lead arranger, sole book runner and administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement (“Agent”);

(d) SILICON VALLEY BANK, as the co-syndication agent under this Agreement (“Co-Syndication Agent”);

(e) WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC, as the co-syndication agent under this Agreement (“Co-Syndication Agent”); and

(f) COMERICA BANK, as the documentation agent under this Agreement (“Documentation Agent”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders desire to contract for the establishment of credits in the aggregate principal amounts hereinafter set forth, to be made available to Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Account” means all accounts, as defined in the U.C.C.

“Account Debtor” means any Person obligated to pay all or any part of any Account in any manner and includes (without limitation) any Guarantor thereof.

“Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Person (other than a Company), or any business or division of any Person (other than a


Company), (b) the acquisition of in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock (or other equity interest) of any Person (other than a Company), or (c) the acquisition of another Person (other than a Company) by a merger, amalgamation or consolidation or any other combination with such Person.

“Advantage” means any payment (whether made voluntarily or involuntarily, by offset of any deposit or other indebtedness or otherwise) received by any Lender (a) prior to an Equalization Event, in respect of the Applicable Debt, if such payment results in that Lender having less than its pro rata share (based upon its Applicable Commitment Percentage) of the Applicable Debt then outstanding, and (b) on and after an Equalization Event, in respect of the Obligations, if such payment results in that Lender having less than its pro rata share (based upon its Equalization Percentage) of the Obligations then outstanding.

“Affiliate” means any Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by or under common control with a Company and “control” (including the correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Agent” means that term as defined in the first paragraph hereof.

“Agent Fee Letter” means the Agent Fee Letter between Borrower and Agent, dated as of the Closing Date, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Agreement” means that term as defined in the first paragraph hereof.

“Applicable Commitment Fee Rate” means:

(a) for the period from the Closing Date through February 29, 2008, fifty (50.00) basis points; and

(b) commencing with the Consolidated financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2007, the number of basis points set forth in the following matrix, based upon the result of the computation of the Leverage Ratio as set forth in the Compliance Certificate for such fiscal quarter, shall be used to establish the number of basis points that will go into effect on March 1, 2008 and thereafter, as provided below:

 

Leverage Ratio

  

Applicable Commitment Fee Rate

Greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00

   50.00 basis points

Greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 but less than 2.50 to 1.00

   45.00 basis points

Greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but less than 2.00 to 1.00

   35.00 basis points

Greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 but less than 1.50 to 1.00

   25.00 basis points

Less than 1.00 to 1.00

   20.00 basis points

 

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After March 1, 2008, changes to the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate shall be effective on the first day of each calendar month following the date upon which Agent should have received, pursuant to Section 5.3(a) and (b) hereof, the Consolidated financial statements of Borrower. The above matrix does not modify or waive, in any respect, the requirements of Section 5.7 hereof, the rights of Agent and the Lenders to charge the Default Rate, or the rights and remedies of Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Articles VIII and IX hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) during any period when Borrower shall have failed to timely deliver the Consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 5.3(a) or (b) hereof, or the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.3(c) hereof, until such time as the appropriate Consolidated financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate shall be the highest rate per annum indicated in the above pricing grid regardless of the Leverage Ratio at such time, and (ii) in the event that any financial information or certification provided to Agent in the Compliance Certificate is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitment is in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Commitment Fee Rate for any period (an “Applicable Commitment Fee Period”) than the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate applied for such Applicable Commitment Fee Period, then (A) Borrower shall immediately deliver to Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Commitment Fee Period, (B) the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate shall be determined based on such corrected Compliance Certificate, and (C) Borrower shall immediately pay to Agent the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Commitment Fee Rate for such Applicable Commitment Fee Period.

“Applicable Commitment Percentage” means, for each Lender:

(a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment, the percentage, if any, set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the column headed “Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage”, as listed in Schedule 1 hereto; and

(b) with respect to the Term Loan Commitment, the percentage, if any, set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the column headed “Term Loan Commitment Percentage”, as listed in Schedule 1 hereto.

“Applicable Debt” means:

(a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment, collectively, (i) all Indebtedness incurred by Borrower to the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and includes, without limitation, the principal of and interest on all Revolving Loans and the Swing Loans and all obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, (ii) each extension, renewal or refinancing of the foregoing, in whole or in part, (iii) the commitment, prepayment and other fees and amounts payable hereunder in connection with the Revolving Credit Commitment, and (iv) all Related Expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing; and

 

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(b) with respect to the Term Loan Commitment, collectively, (i) all Indebtedness incurred by Borrower to the Term Lenders pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and includes, without limitation, the principal of and interest on the Term Loan, (ii) each extension, renewal or refinancing of the foregoing in whole or in part, (iii) all prepayment and other fees and amounts payable hereunder in connection with the Term Loan Commitment, and (iv) all Related Expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.

“Applicable Margin” means:

(a) for the period from the Closing Date through February 29, 2008, three hundred (300.00) basis points for Eurodollar Loans and one hundred seventy-five (175.00) basis points for Base Rate Loans; and

(b) commencing with the Consolidated financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2007, the number of basis points (depending upon whether Loans are Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans) set forth in the following matrix, based upon the result of the computation of the Leverage Ratio as set forth in the Compliance Certificate for such fiscal quarter, shall be used to establish the number of basis points that will go into effect on March 1, 2008 and thereafter, as provided below:

 

Leverage Ratio

  

Applicable Basis

Points for
Eurodollar Loans

  

Applicable Basis

Points for

Base Rate Loans

Greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00

   300.00    175.00

Greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 but less than 2.50 to 1.00

   275.00    150.00

Greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 but less than 2.00 to 1.00

   250.00    125.00

Greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00 but less than 1.50 to 1.00

   225.00    100.00

Less than 1.00 to 1.00

   200.00    75.00

After March 1, 2008, changes to the Applicable Margin shall be effective on the first day of each calendar month following the date upon which Agent should have received, pursuant to Section 5.3(a) and (b) hereof, the Consolidated financial statements of Borrower. The above matrix does not modify or waive, in any respect, the requirements of Section 5.7 hereof, the rights of Agent and the Lenders to charge the Default Rate, or the rights and remedies of Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Articles VIII and IX hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) during any period when Borrower shall have failed to timely deliver the Consolidated financial statements pursuant to Section 5.3(a) or (b) hereof, or the Compliance Certificate pursuant to

 

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Section 5.3(c) hereof, until such time as the appropriate Consolidated financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, the Applicable Margin shall be the highest rate per annum indicated in the above pricing grid for Loans of that type regardless of the Leverage Ratio at such time, and (ii) in the event that any financial information or certification provided to Agent in the Compliance Certificate is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitment is in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an “Applicable Margin Period”) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Margin Period, then (A) Borrower shall immediately deliver to Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Margin Period, (B) the Applicable Margin shall be determined based on such corrected Compliance Certificate, and (C) Borrower shall immediately pay to Agent the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Margin Period.

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement in the form of the attached Exhibit F.

“Authorized Officer” means a Financial Officer or other individual authorized by a Financial Officer in writing (with a copy to Agent) to handle certain administrative matters in connection with this Agreement.

“Bank Product Agreements” means those certain cash management service and other agreements entered into from time to time between a Company and Agent or a Lender (or an affiliate of a Lender) in connection with any of the Bank Products.

“Bank Product Obligations” means all obligations, liabilities, contingent reimbursement obligations, fees, and expenses owing by a Company to Agent or any Lender (or an affiliate of a Lender) pursuant to or evidenced by the Bank Product Agreements.

“Bank Products” means any service or facility extended to a Company by Agent or any Lender (or an affiliate of a Lender) including (a) credit cards and credit card processing services, (b) debit and purchase cards, (c) ACH transactions, and (d) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services.

“Base Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate or (b) one-half of one percent (.50%) in excess of the Federal Funds Effective Rate. Any change in the Base Rate shall be effective immediately from and after such change in the Base Rate.

 

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“Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Loan described in Section 2.2(a) hereof or a portion of the Term Loan described in Section 2.3 hereof, that shall be denominated in Dollars and on which Borrower shall pay interest at a rate based on the Derived Base Rate.

“Borrower” means that term as defined in the first paragraph hereof.

“Borrower Investment Policy” means the investment policy guidelines of Borrower in effect as of the Closing Date, together with such modifications made from time to time by Borrower.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or another day of the year on which national banks are authorized or required to close in Cleveland, Ohio, and, if the applicable Business Day relates to a Eurodollar Loan, a day of the year on which dealings in deposits are carried on in the London interbank Eurodollar market.

“Capital Distribution” means a payment made, liability incurred or other consideration given by a Company to any Person that is not a Company, for the purchase, acquisition, redemption, repurchase, payment or retirement of any capital stock or other equity interest of such Company or as a dividend, return of capital or other distribution (other than any stock dividend, stock split or other equity distribution payable only in capital stock or other equity of such Company) in respect of such Company’s capital stock or other equity interest.

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means obligations of the Companies for the payment of rent for any real or personal property under leases or agreements to lease that, in accordance with GAAP, have been or should be capitalized on the books of the lessee and, for purposes hereof, the amount of any such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Carryover Amount” means that term as defined in Section 2.11(c)(i) hereof.

“Cash Collateral Account” means a commercial Deposit Account designated “cash collateral account” and maintained by Borrower with Agent, without liability by Agent or the Lenders to pay interest thereon, from which account Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, shall have the exclusive right to withdraw funds until all of the Secured Obligations are paid in full.

“Cash Equivalent” means cash equivalents as determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash Security” means all cash, instruments, Deposit Accounts and other cash equivalents, whether matured or unmatured, whether collected or in the process of collection, upon which Borrower presently has or may hereafter have any claim, wherever located, including but not limited to any of the foregoing that are presently or may hereafter be existing or maintained with, issued by, drawn upon, or in the possession of Agent or any Lender.

“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of, or, if earlier, the shareholder or director approval of the acquisition of, ownership or voting control, directly or indirectly, beneficially (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as then in

 

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effect) or of record, on or after the Closing Date, by any Person or group (within the meaning of Sections 13d and 14d of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as then in effect), of shares representing more than forty percent (40%) of the aggregate ordinary Voting Power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of Borrower; (b) the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors or other governing body of Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of Borrower nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; or (c) the occurrence of a change in control, or other term of similar import used therein, as defined in any Material Indebtedness Agreement.

“Closing Date” means the effective date of this Agreement as set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

“Closing Fee Letter” means the Closing Fee Letter between Borrower and Agent, dated as of the Closing Date.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Collateral” means all of Borrower’s existing and future (a) personal property; (b) Accounts, Investment Property, instruments, contract rights, chattel paper, documents, supporting obligations, letter-of-credit rights, Pledged Notes, if any, commercial tort claims, General Intangibles, Inventory and Equipment; (c) funds now or hereafter on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account, if any; (d) Cash Security; and (e) Proceeds of any of the foregoing.

“Commitment” means the obligation hereunder of the Lenders, during the Commitment Period, to make Loans and to participate in the issuance of Letters of Credit pursuant to the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Term Loan Commitment, up to the Total Commitment Amount.

“Commitment Period” means the period from the Closing Date to December 20, 2012, or such earlier date on which the Commitment shall have been terminated pursuant to Article IX hereof.

“Companies” means Borrower and all Subsidiaries.

“Company” means Borrower or a Subsidiary.

“Compliance Certificate” means a Compliance Certificate in the form of the attached Exhibit E.

“Consideration” means, in connection with an Acquisition, the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid, including borrowed funds, cash, deferred payments, the issuance of securities or notes, the assumption or incurring of liabilities (direct or contingent), the payment of consulting fees or fees for a covenant not to compete and any other consideration paid or to be paid for such Acquisition.

 

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“Consolidated” means the resultant consolidation of the financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, including principles of consolidation consistent with those applied in preparation of the consolidated financial statements referred to in Section 6.14 hereof.

“Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the amount of capital expenditures of Borrower (specifically including any software development costs that are capitalized), as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Charges” means, for any period, the aggregate of all depreciation and amortization charges for fixed assets, leasehold improvements and general intangibles (specifically including goodwill) of Borrower for such period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, an amount equal to:

(a) Consolidated Net Earnings for such period plus, without duplication, the aggregate amounts deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Earnings in respect of:

(i) Consolidated Interest Expense;

(ii) Consolidated Income Tax Expense;

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Charges;

(iv) any deferred revenue purchase or inventory adjustment arising from the Network General Acquisition;

(v) non-recurring acquisition, transition, restructuring and other charges arising from the Network General Acquisition in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000) in the aggregate for all such charges;

(vi) other non-recurring non-cash charges (not incurred in connection with the Network General Acquisition) not to exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) during any fiscal quarter of Borrower; provided that such amount shall be increased to Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) to the extent such charges were incurred in connection with a write-down of goodwill or intangible assets; and

(vii) non-cash expenses incurred in connection with stock-based compensation; plus

(b) savings assumed to be realized by the Companies from synergies arising from the Network General Acquisition as follows: (i) Three Million Six Hundred

 

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Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($3,625,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending March 31, 2007, (ii) Three Million Six Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($3,625,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending June 30, 2007, (iii) Three Million Six Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($3,625,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending September 30, 2007, and (iv) One Million Two Hundred Eight Thousand Dollars ($1,208,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending December 31, 2007; plus

(c) the following amounts added back in connection with the historical EBITDA of Network General and its subsidiaries: (i) Two Million Four Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Dollars ($2,473,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending March 31, 2007, (ii) Two Million Four Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Dollars ($2,473,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending June 30, 2007, (iii) Two Million Four Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Dollars ($2,473,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending September 30, 2007, and (iv) Eight Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Dollars ($824,000) for the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending December 31, 2007; minus

(d) to the extent included in Consolidated Net Earnings for such period, (i) non-recurring gains not incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) Consolidated Interest Income;

provided that, after the Closing Date, at any time an Acquisition is made pursuant to Section 5.13 hereof or a Significant Asset Disposition occurs, Consolidated EBITDA shall be recalculated to include the EBITDA of the acquired company or exclude the EBITDA attributable to such Significant Asset Disposition (in each case with pro-forma adjustments, reasonably acceptable to Agent and the Required Lenders) as if such Acquisition or Significant Asset Disposition had been completed on the first day of the relevant measuring period.

“Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, the aggregate, without duplication, of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense (including, without limitation, the “imputed interest” portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations, synthetic leases and asset securitizations, if any) paid in cash, (b) Consolidated Income Tax Expense paid in cash, (c) scheduled principal payments on Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (other than optional prepayments of the Loans), (d) Capital Distributions, and (e) Consolidated Capital Expenditures; provided that Consolidated Fixed Charges for (i) the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending March 31, 2007 shall be deemed to be Seven Million Eight Hundred Twenty-Three Thousand Dollars ($7,823,000), (ii) the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending June 30, 2007 shall be deemed to be Five Million Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars ($5,095,000), and (iii) the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending September 30, 2007 shall be deemed to be Seven Million Two Hundred Sixty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($7,268,000). For clarification purposes, financial information of a Person prior to the date such Person became a Company, or was merged into a Company, shall not be included in Consolidated Fixed Charges.

 

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“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, at any date, all Indebtedness (including, but not limited to, current, long-term and Subordinated Indebtedness, if any) of Borrower, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Income Tax Expense” means, for any period, all provisions for taxes based on the gross or net income of Borrower (including, without limitation, any additions to such taxes, and any penalties and interest with respect thereto), and all franchise taxes of Borrower, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the interest expense of Borrower for such period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Interest Income” means, for any period, the interest income of Borrower for such period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Earnings” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of Borrower for such period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means, at any date, the stockholders’ equity of Borrower, determined as of such date on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Working Capital” means, at any date, (a) the current assets of Borrower (excluding cash and Cash Equivalents), minus (b) the current liabilities of Borrower (excluding the current maturities of long-term Indebtedness); as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Control Agreement” means each Deposit Account Control Agreement among a Credit Party, Agent and a depository institution, dated on or after the Closing Date, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Controlled Group” means a Company and each Person required to be aggregated with a Company under Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o).

“Co-Syndication Agent” means that term as defined in the first paragraph hereof.

“Credit Event” means the making by the Lenders of a Loan, the conversion by the Lenders of a Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan, the continuation by the Lenders of a Eurodollar Loan after the end of the applicable Interest Period, the making by the Swing Line Lender of a Swing Loan, or the issuance (or amendment) by the Fronting Lender of a Letter of Credit.

“Credit Party” means Borrower and any Subsidiary or other Affiliate that is a Guarantor of Payment.

 

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“Default” means an event or condition that constitutes, or with the lapse of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice or both would constitute, an Event of Default, and that has not been waived by the Required Lenders (or, if applicable, all of the Lenders) in writing.

“Default Rate” means (a) with respect to any Loan, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto, and (b) with respect to any other amount, if no rate is specified or available, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the Derived Base Rate from time to time in effect.

“Deposit Account” means (a) a deposit account, as defined in the U.C.C., (b) any other deposit account, and (c) any demand, time, savings, checking, passbook or similar account maintained with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or similar organization.

“Depreciation and Amortization Charges” means, for any period, in accordance with GAAP, the aggregate of all such charges for fixed assets, leasehold improvements and general intangibles (specifically including goodwill) of a Person for such period.

“Derived Base Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin (from time to time in effect) for Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate.

“Derived Eurodollar Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin (from time to time in effect) for Eurodollar Loans plus the Eurodollar Rate.

“Disposition” means the lease, transfer or other disposition of assets (whether in one or more than one transaction) by a Company, other than a sale, lease, transfer or other disposition made by a Company to another Company or in the ordinary course of business.

“Documentation Agent” means that term as defined in the first paragraph hereof.

“Dollar” or the $ sign means lawful money of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

“Dormant Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, a Company that (a) is not a Credit Party, (b) has aggregate assets of less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), (c) generated less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in annual revenue during the most recently completed fiscal year of Borrower, and (d) has no direct or indirect Subsidiaries (i) with aggregate assets for all such Subsidiaries of more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), or (ii) that generated, in the aggregate for all such Subsidiaries, more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in annual revenue during the most recently completed fiscal year of Borrower.

“EBITDA” means, for any period, in accordance with GAAP, Net Earnings for such period, plus the aggregate amounts deducted in determining such Net Earnings in respect of (a) income taxes, (b) interest expense, and (c) Depreciation and Amortization Charges.

 

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“Eligible Transferee” means (a) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and any Approved Fund, and (b) any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund or other Person (other than a natural Person) that extends credit or buys loans of the type made hereunder as part of its principal business; provided that none of the Company, any Affiliate of Company, or any Person acting at the direction of, or in concert with, any such Person, shall be an Eligible Transferee.

“Environmental Laws” means all provisions of law (including the common law), statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, guidelines, policies, procedures, orders-in-council, regulations, permits, licenses, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, orders, awards and standards promulgated by a Governmental Authority or by any court, agency, instrumentality, regulatory authority or commission of any of the foregoing concerning environmental health or safety and protection of, or regulation of the discharge of substances into, the environment.

“Equalization Event” means the earlier of (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.11 hereof, or (b) the acceleration of the maturity of the Obligations after the occurrence of an Event of Default.

“Equalization Maximum Amount” means that term as defined in Section 9.5(b)(i) hereof.

“Equalization Percentage” means that term as defined in Section 9.5(b)(ii) hereof.

“Equipment” means all equipment, as defined in the U.C.C.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

“ERISA Event” means (a) the existence of a condition or event with respect to an ERISA Plan that presents a material risk of the imposition of a material excise tax or any other material liability on a Company or of the imposition of a Lien on the assets of a Company; (b) the engagement by a Controlled Group member in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (as defined under ERISA Section 406 or Code Section 4975) or a breach of a fiduciary duty under ERISA that could result in material liability to a Company; (c) the application by a Controlled Group member for a waiver from the minimum funding requirements of Code Section 412 or ERISA Section 302 or a Controlled Group member is required to provide security under Code Section 401(a)(29) or ERISA Section 307; (d) the occurrence of a Reportable Event with respect to any Pension Plan as to which notice is required to be provided to the PBGC; (e) the withdrawal by a Controlled Group member from a Multiemployer Plan in a “complete withdrawal” or a “partial withdrawal” (as such terms are defined in ERISA Sections 4203 and 4205, respectively); (f) the involvement of, or occurrence or existence of any event or condition that makes likely the involvement of, a Multiemployer Plan in any reorganization under ERISA Section 4241; (g) the failure of an ERISA Plan (and any related trust) that is intended to be qualified under Code Sections 401 and 501 to be so qualified or the failure of any “cash or deferred arrangement” under any such ERISA Plan to meet the requirements of Code Section 401(k); (h) the taking by the PBGC of any steps to terminate a Pension Plan or appoint a trustee to administer a Pension Plan, or the taking by a Controlled Group member of any steps to terminate a Pension Plan; (i)

 

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the failure by a Controlled Group member or an ERISA Plan to satisfy any material requirements of law applicable to an ERISA Plan; (j) the commencement, existence or threatening of a claim, action, suit, audit or investigation with respect to an ERISA Plan, other than a routine claim for benefits or an audit conducted at the request of the sponsor of the ERISA Plan that is required for purposes of ERISA or the Code; or (k) any incurrence by or any expectation of the incurrence by a Controlled Group member of any material liability for post-retirement benefits under any Welfare Plan, other than as required by ERISA Section 601, et. seq. or Code Section 4980B.

“ERISA Plan” means an “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(3)) that a Controlled Group member at any time sponsors, maintains, contributes to, has liability with respect to or has an obligation to contribute to such plan.

“Eurocurrency Liabilities” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

“Eurodollar” means a Dollar denominated deposit in a bank or branch outside of the United States.

“Eurodollar Loan” means a Revolving Loan described in Section 2.2(a) hereof or a portion of the Term Loan described in Section 2.3 hereof, that shall be denominated in Dollars and on which Borrower shall pay interest at a rate based upon the Derived Eurodollar Rate.

“Eurodollar Rate” means, with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, for any Interest Period, a rate per annum equal to the quotient obtained (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/16th of 1%) by dividing (a) the rate of interest, determined by Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) as of approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period pertaining to such Eurodollar Loan, as listed on British Bankers Association Interest Rate LIBOR 01 or 02 as provided by Reuters or Bloomberg (or, if for any reason such rate is unavailable from Reuters or Bloomberg, from any other similar company or service that provides rate quotations comparable to those currently provided by Reuters or Bloomberg) as the rate in the London interbank market for Dollar deposits in immediately available funds with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, provided that, in the event that such rate quotation is not available for any reason, then the Eurodollar Rate shall be the average (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of 1%) of the per annum rates at which deposits in immediately available funds in Dollars for the relevant Interest Period and in the amount of the Eurodollar Loan to be disbursed or to remain outstanding during such Interest Period, as the case may be, are offered to Agent (or an affiliate of Agent, in Agent’s discretion) by prime banks in any Eurodollar market reasonably selected by Agent, determined as of 11:00 A.M. (London time) (or as soon thereafter as practicable), two Business Days prior to the beginning of the relevant Interest Period pertaining to such Eurodollar Loan; by (b) 1.00 minus the Reserve Percentage.

“Event of Default” means an event or condition that shall constitute an event of default as defined in Article VIII hereof.

 

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“Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, an amount equal to (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Net Earnings, (ii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Charges, (iii) the absolute value of any net decrease in Consolidated Working Capital, and (iv) Consolidated Income Tax Expenses, minus (b) the sum, without duplication, of (A) the aggregate amount of the voluntary, scheduled and mandatory principal payments (other than optional prepayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Loans that do not result in a permanent reduction of the Maximum Revolving Amount) made with respect to Consolidated Funded Indebtedness for such period, (B) Capitalized Lease Payments, (C) Consolidated Capital Expenditures, (D) Consolidated Income Tax Expenses paid in cash, and (E) any net increase in Consolidated Working Capital.

“Excess Cash Flow Payment Period” means, with respect to any fiscal year of Borrower in which an Excess Cash Flow Mandatory Prepayment is required, the period from April 1 through July 15 of the following fiscal year of Borrower.

“Excluded Taxes” means, in the case of Agent and each Lender, taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income or branch profits, and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, is organized or in which its principal office is located, or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest one one-hundredth of one percent (1/100 of 1%)) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions arranged by federal funds brokers on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” as of the Closing Date.

“Financial Officer” means any of the following officers: chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer or treasurer. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a Financial Officer in this Agreement shall refer to a Financial Officer of Borrower.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as determined for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of Borrower, on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Fronting Lender” means, as to any Letter of Credit transaction hereunder, Agent as issuer of the Letter of Credit, or, in the event that Agent either shall be unable to issue or shall agree that another Revolving Lender may issue, a Letter of Credit, such other Revolving Lender as shall agree to issue the Letter of Credit in its own name, but in each instance on behalf of the Revolving Lenders hereunder.

 

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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as then in effect, which shall include the official interpretations thereof by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, applied on a basis consistent with the past accounting practices and procedures of Borrower. For clarification purposes, to the extent that this Agreement requires financial terms to be determined in accordance with GAAP and GAAP is not applicable to such financial concept, then such term need not be determined in accordance with GAAP.

“General Intangibles” means all (a) general intangibles, as defined in the U.C.C.; and (b) choses in action, causes of action, intellectual property, customer lists, corporate or other business records, inventions, designs, patents, patent applications, service marks, registrations, trade names, trademarks, copyrights, licenses, goodwill, computer software, rights to indemnification and tax refunds.

“Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state, province or territory or other political subdivision thereof, any governmental agency, department, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other governmental entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization exercising such functions.

“Guarantor” means a Person that shall have pledged its credit or property in any manner for the payment or other performance of the indebtedness, contract or other obligation of another and includes (without limitation) any guarantor (whether of payment or of collection), surety, co-maker, endorser or Person that shall have agreed conditionally or otherwise to make any purchase, loan or investment in order thereby to enable another to prevent or correct a default of any kind.

“Guarantor of Payment” means each of the Companies set forth on Schedule 2 hereto, each of which is executing and delivering a Guaranty of Payment on the Closing Date, and any other Domestic Subsidiary that shall deliver a Guaranty of Payment to Agent subsequent to the Closing Date.

“Guaranty of Payment” means each Guaranty of Payment executed and delivered on or after the Closing Date in connection with this Agreement by the Guarantors of Payment, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Hedge Agreement” means any (a) hedge agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor agreement, or other interest rate management device entered into by a Company with any Person in connection with any Indebtedness of such Company, or (b) currency swap agreement, forward currency purchase agreement or similar arrangement or agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in currency exchange rates entered into by a Company.

“Indebtedness” means, for any Company, without duplication, (a) all obligations to repay borrowed money, direct or indirect, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed, (b) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable

 

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in the ordinary course of business), (c) all obligations under conditional sales or other title retention agreements, (d) all obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any letter of credit or banker’s acceptance, (e) all net obligations under any currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor agreement or other interest rate management device or any Hedge Agreement, (f) all synthetic leases, (g) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (h) all obligations of such Company with respect to asset securitization financing programs to the extent that there is recourse against such Company or such Company is liable (contingent or otherwise) under any such program, (i) all obligations to advance funds to, or to purchase assets, property or services from, any other Person in order to maintain the financial condition of such Person, (j) all indebtedness of the types referred to in subparts (a) through (i) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Company is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Company, (k) any other transaction (including forward sale or purchase agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Company to finance its operations or capital requirements, and (l) any guaranty of any obligation described in subparts (a) through (k) hereof; provided that, for clarification purposes, Indebtedness shall not include (i) operating leases, (ii) prepaid or deferred revenue sharing arising in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the seller of such assets.

“Intellectual Property Security Agreement” means an Intellectual Property Security Agreement executed and delivered on or after the Closing Date by Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment, wherein Borrower or such Guarantor of Payment, as the case may be, has granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in all intellectual property owned by Borrower or such Guarantor of Payment, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Interest Adjustment Date” means the last day of each Interest Period.

“Interest Period” means, with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Loan is made and ending on the last day of such period, as selected by Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof, and, thereafter (unless such Eurodollar Loan is converted to a Base Rate Loan), each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of such period, as selected by Borrower pursuant to the provisions hereof. The duration of each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan shall be one month, two months, three months or six months, in each case as Borrower may select upon notice, as set forth in Section 2.6 hereof; provided that, if Borrower shall fail to so select the duration of any Interest Period at least three Business Days prior to the Interest Adjustment Date applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan at the end of the then current Interest Period.

“Inventory” means all inventory, as defined in the U.C.C.

 

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“Investment Property” means all investment property, as defined in the U.C.C., unless the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in another jurisdiction would govern the perfection and priority of a security interest in investment property, and, in such case, “investment property” shall be defined in accordance with the law of that jurisdiction as in effect from time to time.

“KeyBank” means KeyBank National Association, and its successors and assigns.

“Landlord’s Waiver” means a landlord’s waiver or mortgagee’s waiver, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, delivered by a Company in connection with this Agreement, as such waiver may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Lender” means that term as defined in the first paragraph hereof and, as the context requires, shall include the Fronting Lender and the Swing Line Lender.

“Lender Credit Exposure” means, for any Lender, at any time, the aggregate of such Lender’s respective pro rata shares of the Revolving Credit Exposure and the Term Loan Exposure.

“Letter of Credit” means a standby letter of credit that shall be issued by the Fronting Lender for the account of Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment, including amendments thereto, if any, and shall have an expiration date no later than the earlier of (a) one year after its date of issuance (provided that such Letter of Credit may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one year periods), or (b) thirty (30) days prior to the last day of the Commitment Period.

“Letter of Credit Commitment” means the commitment of the Fronting Lender, on behalf of the Revolving Lenders, to issue Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount of up to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000).

“Letter of Credit Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, and (b) the aggregate of the draws made on Letters of Credit that have not been reimbursed by Borrower or converted to a Revolving Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(b)(iv) hereof.

“Leverage Ratio” means, as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (for the most recently completed fiscal quarter of Borrower), to (b) Consolidated EBITDA (for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of Borrower).

“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, lien (statutory or other), charge, assignment, hypothecation, encumbrance on, pledge or deposit of, or conditional sale, leasing (other than Operating Leases), sale with a right of redemption or other title retention agreement and any capitalized lease with respect to any property (real or personal) or asset.

“Liquidity Amount” means, at any time, the sum, without duplication, of (a) (i) the Maximum Revolving Amount, minus (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure; plus (b) all unencumbered and unrestricted (except as to any Lien of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders)

 

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cash on hand of the Credit Parties held at financial institutions located in the United States; plus (c) all unencumbered and unrestricted (except as to any Lien of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders) Cash Equivalents of the Credit Parties; plus (d) all unencumbered and unrestricted (except as to any Lien of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders) marketable securities of the Credit Parties acquired in a manner consistent with the Borrower Investment Policy and having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof; as determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

“Loan” means a Revolving Loan, a Swing Loan or the Term Loan granted to Borrower by the Lenders in accordance with Section 2.2 or 2.3 hereof.

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each Note, each Guaranty of Payment, all documentation relating to each Letter of Credit, each Security Document, the Agent Fee Letter and the Closing Fee Letter, as any of the foregoing may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified or replaced, and any other document delivered pursuant thereto.

“Mandatory Prepayment” means that term as defined in Section 2.11(c) hereof.

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Companies taken as a whole, (b) the material impairment of the ability of any Credit Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or (c) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Credit Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

“Material Agreement” means any contract or agreement of a Company required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Material Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower (a) with assets (including Subsidiaries of such Foreign Subsidiary) in excess of two percent (2%) of Consolidated total assets of Borrower, or (b) with revenues (including Subsidiaries of such Foreign Subsidiary) in excess of two percent (2%) of Consolidated total revenues of Borrower.

“Material Indebtedness Agreement” means any debt instrument, capital lease, guaranty, contract, commitment, agreement or other arrangement evidencing or entered into in connection with any Indebtedness of any Company or the Companies in excess of the amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000).

“Material Recovery Determination Notice” means that term as defined in Section 2.11(c)(v) hereof.

“Material Recovery Event” means (a) any casualty loss in respect of assets of Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary covered by casualty insurance, and (b) any compulsory transfer or taking under threat of compulsory transfer of any asset of Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary by

 

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any Governmental Authority; provided that, in the case of either (a) or (b), the proceeds received by the Companies from any such loss, transfer or taking exceeds One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).

“Maximum Amount” means, for each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the column headed “Maximum Amount” as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, subject to decreases determined pursuant to Section 2.9(c) hereof and assignments of interests pursuant to Section 11.10 hereof; provided that the Maximum Amount for the Swing Line Lender shall exclude the Swing Line Commitment (other than its pro rata share), and the Maximum Amount of the Fronting Lender shall exclude the Letter of Credit Commitment (other than its pro rata share).

“Maximum Rate” means that term as defined in Section 2.4(e) hereof.

“Maximum Revolving Amount” means Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.9(c) hereof.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to such company.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a Pension Plan that is subject to the requirements of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

“Net Earnings” means, for any period, the net income (loss) for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Network General” means Network General Central Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

“Network General Acquisition” means the Acquisition of Network General and its subsidiaries by Borrower, consummated on or about November 1, 2007.

“Non-Credit Party” means a Company that is not a Credit Party.

“Non-Credit Party Exposure” means the aggregate amount, incurred on or after the Closing Date, of loans by a Credit Party to, investments by a Credit Party in, guaranties by a Credit Party of Indebtedness of, and Letters of Credit issued to or for the benefit of, a Subsidiary that is a Non-Credit Party.

“Non-U.S. Lender” means that term as defined in Section 3.2(c) hereof.

“Note” means a Revolving Credit Note, the Swing Line Note or a Term Note, or any other promissory note delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

“Notice of Loan” means a Notice of Loan in the form of the attached Exhibit D.

 

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“Obligations” means, collectively, (a) all Indebtedness and other obligations incurred by Borrower to Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Fronting Lender or any Lender (or any affiliate thereof) pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and includes the principal of and interest on all Loans and all obligations pursuant to Letters of Credit; (b) each extension, renewal or refinancing of the foregoing, in whole or in part; (c) the commitment and other fees, and any prepayment fees payable hereunder; (d) all fees and charges in connection with the Letters of Credit; and (e) all Related Expenses.

“Operating Leases” means all real or personal property leases under which any Company is bound or obligated as a lessee or sublessee and which, under GAAP, are not required to be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Company; provided, however, that Operating Leases shall not include any such lease under which any Company is also bound as the lessor or sublessor.

“Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person (other than an individual), such Person’s Articles (Certificate) of Incorporation, operating agreement or equivalent formation documents, and Regulations (Bylaws), or equivalent governing documents, and any amendments to any of the foregoing.

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise, ad valorem or property taxes, goods and services taxes, harmonized sales taxes and other sales taxes, use taxes, value added taxes, charges or similar taxes or levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

“Overall Commitment Percentage” means, for any Lender, the percentage determined by dividing (a) the sum, based upon such Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentages, of (i) the principal outstanding under the Term Loan Commitment, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding, (iii) the Swing Line Exposure, and (iv) the Letter of Credit Exposure; by (b) the sum of (A) the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding, plus (B) the Letter of Credit Exposure.

“Participant” means that term as defined in Section 11.11 hereof.

“Patriot Act” means Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, USA Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001, as amended from time to time.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and its successor.

“Pension Plan” means an ERISA Plan that is a “pension plan” (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(2)).

“Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loans and Investments” means:

(a) the investments by Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary in a Foreign Subsidiary, existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 5.11 hereto;

 

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(b) the loans by Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary to a Foreign Subsidiary, in such amounts existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 5.11 hereto;

(c) any investment by a Foreign Subsidiary in, or loan from a Foreign Subsidiary to, or guaranty from a Foreign Subsidiary of Indebtedness of, a Company;

(d) any Non-Credit Party Exposure (incurred after the Closing Date) with respect to a Foreign Subsidiary, not otherwise permitted under this definition, so long as the Non-Credit Party Exposure of all Credit Parties to all Foreign Subsidiaries incurred pursuant to this subpart (d) during any fiscal year of Borrower does not exceed the greater of (i) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), or (ii) two percent (2%) of Borrower’s Consolidated gross revenues for the most recent fiscal year of Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered to Agent pursuant to Section 5.3(b) hereof; and

(e) Investments in a Foreign Subsidiary, so long as, prior to the making of such Investment, such Foreign Subsidiary was a Subsidiary and such Investment is directly used for working capital purposes of such Foreign Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate amount of all such Investments in all such Foreign Subsidiaries, as valued at the fair market value (determined by Borrower acting in good faith) of such Investment at the time each such Investment is made, shall not cause the aggregate amount of all such Investments made pursuant to this subpart (e) to exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) per fiscal year of Borrower. For clarification purposes, Borrower’s payment to a Foreign Subsidiary for standard costs of various services, plus a margin (consistent with past practice) over such costs, shall not constitute “working capital” under this subpart.

“Permitted Investment” means an investment of a Company, made after the Closing Date, in the stock (or other debt or equity instruments) of a Person (other than a Company), so long as the aggregate amount of all such investments of all Companies does not exceed, at any time, an aggregate amount (as determined when each such investment is made) of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000).

“Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated organization, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, institution, trust, estate, Governmental Authority or any other entity.

“Pledge Agreement” means each of the Pledge Agreements relating to the Pledged Securities executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, by Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment, as applicable, with respect to the Pledged Securities, on or after the Closing Date, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Pledged Notes” means the promissory notes payable to Borrower, as described on Schedule 4 hereto, and any additional or future promissory note that may hereafter from time to time be payable to Borrower.

 

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“Pledged Securities” means all of the shares of capital stock or other equity interest of a Subsidiary of Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or created, and all proceeds thereof; provided that Pledged Securities shall only include up to sixty-five percent (65%) of the shares of voting capital stock or other voting equity interest of any first-tier Foreign Subsidiary and shall not include any Foreign Subsidiary other than a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary. (Schedule 3 hereto lists, as of the Closing Date, all of the Pledged Securities.)

“Prime Rate” means the interest rate established from time to time by Agent as Agent’s prime rate, whether or not such rate shall be publicly announced; the Prime Rate may not be the lowest interest rate charged by Agent for commercial or other extensions of credit. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective immediately from and after such change.

“Proceeds” means (a) proceeds, as defined in the U.C.C., and any other proceeds, and (b) whatever is received upon the sale, exchange, collection or other disposition of Collateral or proceeds, whether cash or non-cash. Cash proceeds include, without limitation, moneys, checks and Deposit Accounts. Proceeds include, without limitation, any Account arising when the right to payment is earned under a contract right, any insurance payable by reason of loss or damage to the Collateral, and any return or unearned premium upon any cancellation of insurance. Except as expressly authorized in this Agreement, the right of Agent and the Lenders to Proceeds specifically set forth herein or indicated in any financing statement shall never constitute an express or implied authorization on the part of Agent or any Lender to a Company’s sale, exchange, collection or other disposition of any or all of the Collateral.

“Register” means that term as described in Section 11.10(i) hereof.

“Regularly Scheduled Payment Date” means the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year.

“Related Expenses” means any and all costs, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, reasonable attorneys’ fees, legal expenses, judgments, suits and disbursements) (a) incurred by Agent, or imposed upon or asserted against Agent or any Lender, in any attempt by Agent and the Lenders to (i) obtain, preserve, perfect or enforce any Loan Document or any security interest evidenced by any Loan Document; (ii) obtain payment, performance or observance of any and all of the Obligations; or (iii) maintain, insure, audit, collect, preserve, repossess or dispose of any of the collateral securing the Obligations or any part thereof, including, without limitation, reasonable costs and expenses for appraisals, assessments and audits of any Company or any such collateral; or (b) incidental or related to (a) above, including, without limitation, interest thereupon from the date incurred, imposed or asserted until paid at the Default Rate.

“Related Writing” means each Loan Document and any other assignment, mortgage, security agreement, guaranty agreement, subordination agreement, financial statement, audit report or other writing furnished by any Credit Party, or any of its officers, to Agent or the Lenders pursuant to or otherwise in connection with this Agreement.

 

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“Reportable Event” means any of the events described in Section 4043 of ERISA except where notice is waived by the PBGC.

“Required Lenders” means the holders of at least fifty-one percent (51%), based upon each Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentages, of the sum of (a) the principal outstanding under the Term Loan Commitment; and (b) (i) during the Commitment Period, the Maximum Revolving Amount, or (ii) after the Commitment Period, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding, the Swing Line Exposure and the Letter of Credit Exposure.

“Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination or policy statement or interpretation of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property.

“Reserve Percentage” means for any day that percentage (expressed as a decimal) that is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, all basic, supplemental, marginal and other reserves and taking into account any transitional adjustments or other scheduled changes in reserve requirements) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in Cleveland, Ohio, in respect of Eurocurrency Liabilities. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Reserve Percentage.

“Restricted Payment” means, with respect to any Company, (a) any Capital Distribution, (b) any amount paid by such Company in repayment, redemption, retirement or repurchase, directly or indirectly, of any Subordinated Indebtedness, or (c) any amount paid by such Company in respect of any management, consulting or other similar arrangement with any equity holder (other than a Company) of a Company or Affiliate that, when added to all such payments by all Companies, would result in excess of the aggregate amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) in any fiscal year.

“Revolving Credit Commitment” means the obligation hereunder, during the Commitment Period, of (a) the Revolving Lenders to make Revolving Loans, (b) the Fronting Lender to issue and the Revolving Lenders to participate in, Letters of Credit pursuant to the Letter of Credit Commitment, and (c) the Swing Line Lender to make, and the Revolving Lenders to participate in, Swing Loans pursuant to the Swing Line Commitment; up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time equal to the Maximum Revolving Amount.

“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding, (b) the Swing Line Exposure, and (c) the Letter of Credit Exposure.

“Revolving Credit Note” means a Revolving Credit Note, in the form of the attached Exhibit A, executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.5(a) hereof.

 

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“Revolving Lender” means a Lender with a percentage of the Revolving Credit Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made to Borrower by the Revolving Lenders in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof.

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any governmental body or agency succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“Secured Obligations” means, collectively, (a) the Obligations, (b) all obligations and liabilities of the Companies owing to Lenders under Hedge Agreements, and (c) the Bank Product Obligations owing to Lenders under Bank Product Agreements.

“Security Agreement” means each Security Agreement, executed and delivered by a Guarantor of Payment in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, dated as of the Closing Date, and any other Security Agreement executed on or after the Closing Date, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Security Documents” means each Security Agreement, each Pledge Agreement, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement, each Landlord’s Waiver, each Control Agreement, each U.C.C. Financing Statement or similar filing as to a jurisdiction located outside of the United States of America filed in connection herewith or perfecting any interest created in any of the foregoing documents, and any other document pursuant to which any Lien is granted by a Company to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as security for the Secured Obligations, or any part thereof, and each other agreement executed in connection with any of the foregoing, as any of the foregoing may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified or replaced.

“Significant Asset Disposition” means a Disposition or a related series of Dispositions in which the aggregate fair market value or book value, whichever is greater, of the assets sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of shall be greater than or equal to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).

“Specific Commitment” means the Revolving Credit Commitment or the Term Loan Commitment.

“Standard & Poor’s” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc., and any successor to such company.

“Subordinated” means, as applied to Indebtedness, Indebtedness that shall have been subordinated (by written terms or written agreement being, in either case, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Required Lenders) in favor of the prior payment in full of the Obligations.

“Subordinated Creditor” means any Person that shall deliver a Subordination Agreement to Agent and the Lenders subsequent to the Closing Date.

 

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“Subordinated Debt Documents” means each subordinated promissory note issued by a Credit Party to a Subordinated Creditor, and all other promissory notes, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith.

“Subordination Agreement” means a subordination agreement, to be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Required Lenders, executed and delivered by a Subordinated Creditor in connection with this Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified.

“Subsidiary” means (a) a corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the Voting Power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Borrower or by one or more other subsidiaries of Borrower or by Borrower and one or more subsidiaries of Borrower, (b) a partnership, limited liability company or unlimited liability company of which Borrower, one or more other subsidiaries of Borrower or Borrower and one or more subsidiaries of Borrower, directly or indirectly, is a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, or otherwise has an ownership interest greater than fifty percent (50%) of all of the ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company or unlimited liability company, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or unlimited liability company) in which Borrower, one or more other subsidiaries of Borrower or Borrower and one or more subsidiaries of Borrower, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority interest in the Voting Power or the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of directors or other governing body of such Person.

“Swing Line Commitment” means the commitment of the Swing Line Lender to make Swing Loans to Borrower up to the aggregate amount at any time outstanding of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).

“Swing Line Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Loans outstanding.

“Swing Line Lender” means KeyBank, as holder of the Swing Line Commitment.

“Swing Line Note” means the Swing Line Note, in the form of the attached Exhibit B executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.5(b) hereof.

“Swing Loan” means a loan that shall be denominated in Dollars granted to Borrower by the Swing Line Lender under the Swing Line Commitment, in accordance with Section 2.2(c) hereof.

“Swing Loan Maturity Date” means, with respect to any Swing Loan, the earlier of (a) thirty (30) days after the date such Swing Loan is made, or (b) the last day of the Commitment Period.

“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes of any kind, including but not limited to, levies, imposts, duties, surtaxes, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority (together with any interest, penalties, fines, additions to taxes or similar liabilities with respect thereto) other than Excluded Taxes.

 

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“Term Lender” means a Lender with a percentage of the Term Loan Commitment as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

“Term Loan” means the Loan granted to Borrower by the Term Lenders in the original principal amount of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof.

“Term Loan Commitment” means the obligation hereunder of the Term Lenders to make the Term Loan, with each Term Lender’s obligation to participate therein being in the amount set forth opposite such Term Lender’s name under the column headed “Term Loan Commitment Amount” as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, subject to assignments of interests pursuant to Section 11.10 hereof.

“Term Loan Exposure” means, at any time, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan.

“Term Note” means a Term Note, in the form of the attached Exhibit C executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.5(c) hereof.

“Total Commitment Amount” means the principal amount of One Hundred Ten Million Dollars ($110,000,000), or such lesser amount as shall be determined pursuant to Section 2.9(c) hereof.

“U.C.C.” means the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time in New York.

“U.C.C. Financing Statement” means a financing statement filed or to be filed in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time, in the relevant state or states.

“Voting Power” means, with respect to any Person, the exclusive ability to control, through the ownership of shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or otherwise, the election of members of the board of directors or other similar governing body of such Person. The holding of a designated percentage of Voting Power of a Person means the ownership of shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other interests of such Person sufficient to control exclusively the election of that percentage of the members of the board of directors or similar governing body of such Person.

“Welfare Plan” means an ERISA Plan that is a “welfare plan” within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(l).

Section 1.2. Accounting Terms. Any accounting term not specifically defined in this Article I shall have the meaning ascribed thereto by GAAP.

 

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Section 1.3. Terms Generally. The foregoing definitions shall be applicable to the singular and plural forms of the foregoing defined terms. Unless otherwise defined in this Article I, terms that are defined in the U.C.C. are used herein as so defined.

ARTICLE II. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT

Section 2.1. Amount and Nature of Credit.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders, during the Commitment Period and to the extent hereinafter provided, shall make Loans to Borrower, participate in Swing Loans made by the Swing Line Lender to Borrower, and issue or participate in Letters of Credit at the request of Borrower, in such aggregate amount as Borrower shall request pursuant to the Commitment; provided, however, that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of all Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding under this Agreement be in excess of the Total Commitment Amount.

(b) Each Lender, for itself and not one for any other, agrees to make Loans, participate in Swing Loans, and issue or participate in Letters of Credit, during the Commitment Period, on such basis that, immediately after the completion of any borrowing by Borrower or the issuance of a Letter of Credit:

(i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans made by such Lender (other than Swing Loans made by the Swing Line Lender), when combined with such Lender’s pro rata share, if any, of the Letter of Credit Exposure and the Swing Line Exposure, shall not be in excess of the Maximum Amount for such Lender; and

(ii) with respect to each Specific Commitment, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans (other than Swing Loans) made by such Lender with respect to such Specific Commitment shall represent that percentage of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding on all Loans (other than Swing Loans) within such Specific Commitment that shall be such Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentage.

Within each Specific Commitment, each borrowing (other than Swing Loans which shall be risk participated on a pro rata basis) from the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Applicable Commitment Percentages of the Lenders.

(c) The Loans may be made as Revolving Loans as described in Section 2.2(a) hereof, as the Term Loan as described in Section 2.3 hereof, and as Swing Loans as described in Section 2.2(c) hereof, and Letters of Credit may be issued in accordance with Section 2.2(b) hereof.

 

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Section 2.2. Revolving Credit.

(a) Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Commitment Period, the Revolving Lenders shall make a Revolving Loan or Revolving Loans to Borrower in such amount or amounts as Borrower, through an Authorized Officer, may from time to time request, but not exceeding in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding hereunder the Maximum Revolving Amount, when such Revolving Loans are combined with the Letter of Credit Exposure and the Swing Line Exposure. Borrower shall have the option, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, to borrow Revolving Loans, maturing on the last day of the Commitment Period, by means of any combination of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Borrower shall be entitled under this Section 2.2(a) to borrow funds, repay the same in whole or in part and re-borrow hereunder at any time and from time to time during the Commitment Period.

(b) Letters of Credit.

(i) Generally. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Commitment Period, the Fronting Lender shall, in its own name, on behalf of the Revolving Lenders, issue such Letters of Credit for the account of Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment, as Borrower may from time to time request. Borrower shall not request any Letter of Credit (and the Fronting Lender shall not be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit) if, after giving effect thereto, (A) the Letter of Credit Exposure would exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment, or (B) the Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed the Maximum Revolving Amount. The issuance of each Letter of Credit shall confer upon each Revolving Lender the benefits and liabilities of a participation consisting of an undivided pro rata interest in the Letter of Credit to the extent of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentage.

(ii) Request for Letter of Credit. Each request for a Letter of Credit shall be delivered to Agent (and to the Fronting Lender, if the Fronting Lender is a Lender other than Agent) by an Authorized Officer not later than 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) three Business Days prior to the date of the proposed issuance of the Letter of Credit (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to Agent or the Fronting Lender, if the Fronting Lender is a Lender other than Agent). Each such request shall be in a form acceptable to Agent (and the Fronting Lender, if the Fronting Lender is a Lender other than Agent) and shall specify the face amount thereof, the account party, the beneficiary, the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, the expiry date thereof, and the nature of the transaction or obligation to be supported thereby. Concurrently with each such request, Borrower, and any Guarantor of Payment for whose account the Letter of Credit is to be issued, shall execute and deliver to the Fronting Lender an appropriate application and agreement, being in the standard form of the Fronting Lender for such letters of credit, as amended to conform to the provisions of this Agreement if required by Agent. Agent shall give the Fronting Lender and each Revolving Lender notice of each such request for a Letter of Credit.

(iii) Standby Letters of Credit. With respect to each Letter of Credit that shall be a standby letter of credit and the drafts thereunder, if any, whether issued for the account of Borrower or any Guarantor of Payment, Borrower agrees to (A) pay to Agent,

 

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for the pro rata benefit of the Revolving Lenders, a non-refundable commission based upon the undrawn amount of such Letter of Credit, which shall be paid quarterly in arrears, on each Regularly Scheduled Payment Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans (in effect on the Regularly Scheduled Payment Date) multiplied by the undrawn amount of such Letter of Credit; (B) pay to Agent, for the sole benefit of the Fronting Lender, an additional Letter of Credit fee, which shall be paid on each date that such Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended or renewed at the rate of one-eighth percent (1/8%) of the face amount of such Letter of Credit; and (C) pay to Agent, for the sole benefit of the Fronting Lender, such other issuance, amendment, negotiation, draw, acceptance, telex, courier, postage and similar transactional fees as are customarily charged by the Fronting Lender in respect of the issuance and administration of similar letters of credit under its fee schedule as in effect from time to time.

(iv) Refunding of Letters of Credit with Revolving Loans. Whenever a Letter of Credit shall be drawn, Borrower shall immediately reimburse the Fronting Lender for the amount drawn. In the event that the amount drawn shall not have been reimbursed by Borrower on the date of the drawing of such Letter of Credit, at the sole option of Agent (and the Fronting Lender, if the Fronting Lender is a Lender other than Agent), Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.2(a) and 2.6 hereof (other than the requirement set forth in Section 2.6(d) hereof), in the amount drawn. Such Revolving Loan shall be evidenced by the Revolving Credit Notes (or, if a Lender has not requested a Revolving Credit Note, by the records of Agent and such Lender). Each Revolving Lender agrees to make a Revolving Loan on the date of such notice, subject to no conditions precedent whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to make a Revolving Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(a) hereof when required by this Section 2.2(b)(iv) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default, and that its payment to Agent, for the account of the Fronting Lender, of the proceeds of such Revolving Loan shall be made without any offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction whatsoever and whether or not the Revolving Credit Commitment shall have been reduced or terminated. Borrower irrevocably authorizes and instructs Agent to apply the proceeds of any borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.2(b)(iv) to reimburse, in full (other than the Fronting Lender’s pro rata share of such borrowing), the Fronting Lender for the amount drawn on such Letter of Credit. Each such Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a Base Rate Loan unless otherwise requested by and available to Borrower hereunder. Each Revolving Lender is hereby authorized to record on its records relating to its Revolving Credit Note (or, if such Lender has not requested a Revolving Credit Note, its records relating to Revolving Loans) such Revolving Lender’s pro rata share of the amounts paid and not reimbursed on the Letters of Credit.

(v) Participation in Letters of Credit. If, for any reason, Agent (and the Fronting Lender if the Fronting Lender is a Lender other than Agent) shall be unable to or, in the opinion of Agent, it shall be impracticable to, convert any Letter of Credit to a Revolving Loan pursuant to the preceding subsection, Agent (and the Fronting Lender if

 

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the Fronting Lender is a Lender other than Agent) shall have the right to request that each Revolving Lender purchase a participation in the amount due with respect to such Letter of Credit, and Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof (by facsimile or telephone, confirmed in writing). Upon such notice, but without further action, the Fronting Lender hereby agrees to grant to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby agrees to acquire from the Fronting Lender, an undivided participation interest in the amount due with respect to such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentage of the principal amount due with respect to such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to Agent, for the account of the Fronting Lender, such Revolving Lender’s ratable share of the amount due with respect to such Letter of Credit (determined in accordance with such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentage). Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in the amount due under any Letter of Credit that is drawn but not reimbursed by Borrower pursuant to this subsection (v) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction whatsoever and whether or not the Revolving Credit Commitment shall have been reduced or terminated. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this subsection (v) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.6 hereof with respect to Revolving Loans. Each Revolving Lender is hereby authorized to record on its records such Revolving Lender’s pro rata share of the amounts paid and not reimbursed on the Letters of Credit.

(c) Swing Loans.

(i) Generally. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Commitment Period, the Swing Line Lender shall make a Swing Loan or Swing Loans to Borrower in such amount or amounts as Borrower, through an Authorized Officer, may from time to time request; provided that Borrower shall not request any Swing Loan if, after giving effect thereto, (A) the Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed the Maximum Revolving Amount, or (B) the Swing Line Exposure would exceed the Swing Line Commitment. Each Swing Loan shall be due and payable on the Swing Loan Maturity Date applicable thereto.

(ii) Refunding of Swing Loans. If the Swing Line Lender so elects, by giving notice to Borrower and the Revolving Lenders, Borrower agrees that the Swing Line Lender shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to require that any Swing Loan be refinanced as a Revolving Loan. Such Revolving Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan unless otherwise requested by and available to Borrower hereunder. Upon receipt of such notice by Borrower and the Revolving Lenders, Borrower shall be deemed, on such day, to have requested a Revolving Loan in the principal amount of the Swing Loan in accordance with Sections 2.2(a) and 2.6 hereof (other than the requirement set forth in Section 2.6(d)

 

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hereof). Such Revolving Loan shall be evidenced by the Revolving Credit Notes (or, if a Revolving Lender has not requested a Revolving Credit Note, by the records of Agent and such Revolving Lender). Each Revolving Lender agrees to make a Revolving Loan on the date of such notice, subject to no conditions precedent whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that such Revolving Lender’s obligation to make a Revolving Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(a) hereof when required by this Section 2.2(c)(ii) is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default, and that its payment to Agent, for the account of the Swing Line Lender, of the proceeds of such Revolving Loan shall be made without any offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction whatsoever and whether or not the Revolving Credit Commitment shall have been reduced or terminated. Borrower irrevocably authorizes and instructs Agent to apply the proceeds of any borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.2(c)(ii) to repay in full such Swing Loan. Each Revolving Lender is hereby authorized to record on its records relating to its Revolving Credit Note (or, if such Revolving Lender has not requested a Revolving Credit Note, its records relating to Revolving Loans) such Revolving Lender’s pro rata share of the amounts paid to refund such Swing Loan.

(iii) Participation in Swing Loans. If, for any reason, Agent is unable to or, in the opinion of Agent, it is impracticable to, convert any Swing Loan to a Revolving Loan pursuant to the preceding Section 2.2(c)(ii), then on any day that a Swing Loan is outstanding (whether before or after the maturity thereof), Agent shall have the right to request that each Revolving Lender purchase a participation in such Swing Loan, and Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof (by facsimile or telephone, confirmed in writing). Upon such notice, but without further action, the Swing Line Lender hereby agrees to grant to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby agrees to acquire from the Swing Line Lender, an undivided participation interest in such Swing Loan in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentage of the principal amount of such Swing Loan. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to Agent, for the benefit of the Swing Line Lender, such Revolving Lender’s ratable share of such Swing Loan (determined in accordance with such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Commitment Percentage). Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swing Loans pursuant to this Section 2.2(c)(iii) is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction whatsoever and whether or not the Revolving Credit Commitment shall have been reduced or terminated. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this Section 2.2(c)(iii) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.6 hereof with respect to Revolving Loans to be made by such Revolving Lender.

 

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Section 2.3. Term Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Term Lenders shall make the Term Loan to Borrower on the Closing Date, in the amount of the Term Loan Commitment. The Term Loan shall be payable in consecutive quarterly installments commencing March 31, 2008, and continuing on each Regularly Scheduled Payment Date thereafter, with the balance thereof payable in full on December 20, 2012, in the following principal amounts:

 

Year and Date

   March 31    June 30    September 30    December 20    December 31

2008

   $ 1,250,000    $ 1,250,000    $ 1,250,000    —      $ 1,250,000

2009

   $ 2,500,000    $ 2,500,000    $ 2,500,000    —      $ 2,500,000

2010

   $ 2,500,000    $ 2,500,000    $ 2,500,000    —      $ 2,500,000

2011

   $ 3,750,000    $ 3,750,000    $ 3,750,000    —      $ 3,750,000

2012

   $ 3,750,000    $ 3,750,000    $ 3,750,000    Then Remaining
Principal Balance
     —  

Borrower shall notify Agent, in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 2.6 hereof, whether the Term Loan will be a Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loans. The Term Loan may be a mixture of a Base Rate Loan and Eurodollar Loans.

Section 2.4. Interest.

(a) Revolving Loans.

(i) Base Rate Loan. Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan outstanding from time to time from the date thereof until paid at the Derived Base Rate from time to time in effect. Interest on such Base Rate Loan shall be payable, commencing December 31, 2007, and continuing on each Regularly Scheduled Payment Date thereafter and at the maturity thereof.

(ii) Eurodollar Loans. Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan outstanding from time to time, fixed in advance on the first day of the Interest Period applicable thereto through the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (but subject to changes in the Applicable Margin), at the Derived Eurodollar Rate. Interest on such Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on each Interest Adjustment Date with respect to an Interest Period (provided that if an Interest Period shall exceed three months, the interest must be paid every three months, commencing three months from the beginning of such Interest Period).

(b) Swing Loans. Borrower shall pay interest to Agent, for the sole benefit of the Swing Line Lender (and any Revolving Lender that shall have purchased a participation in such

 

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Swing Loan), on the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Loan outstanding from time to time from the date thereof until paid at the Derived Base Rate from time to time in effect. Interest on Swing Loans shall be payable on each Regularly Scheduled Payment Date. Each Swing Loan shall bear interest for a minimum of one day.

(c) Term Loan.

(i) Base Rate Loan. With respect to any portion of the Term Loan that is a Base Rate Loan, Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof outstanding from time to time from the date thereof until paid, commencing December 31, 2007, and continuing on each Regularly Scheduled Payment Date thereafter and at the maturity thereof, at the Derived Base Rate from time to time in effect.

(ii) Eurodollar Loans. With respect to any portion of the Term Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan, Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan outstanding from time to time, fixed in advance on the first day of the Interest Period applicable thereto through the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (but subject to changes in the Applicable Margin), at the Derived Eurodollar Rate. Interest on such Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on each Interest Adjustment Date with respect to an Interest Period (provided that if an Interest Period shall exceed three months, the interest must be paid every three months, commencing three months from the beginning of such Interest Period).

(d) Default Rate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if an Event of Default shall occur, (i) the principal of each Loan and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at the Default Rate, (ii) the fee for the aggregate undrawn amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit shall be increased by two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto, and (iii) in the case of any other amount not paid when due from Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document, such amount shall bear interest at the Default Rate.

(e) Limitation on Interest. In no event shall the rate of interest hereunder exceed the maximum rate allowable by law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable law (the “Maximum Rate”). If Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (ii) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (iii) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations.

 

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Section 2.5. Evidence of Indebtedness.

(a) Revolving Loans. Upon the request of a Revolving Lender, to evidence the obligation of Borrower to repay the Revolving Loans made by such Revolving Lender and to pay interest thereon, Borrower shall execute a Revolving Credit Note, payable to the order of such Revolving Lender in the principal amount of its Applicable Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Commitment, or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Revolving Loans made by such Revolving Lender; provided that the failure of a Revolving Lender to request a Revolving Credit Note shall in no way detract from Borrower’s obligations to such Revolving Lender hereunder.

(b) Swing Loan. Upon the request of the Swing Line Lender, to evidence the obligation of Borrower to repay the Swing Loans and to pay interest thereon, Borrower shall execute a Swing Line Note, and payable to the order of the Swing Line Lender in the principal amount of the Swing Line Commitment, or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Swing Loans made by the Swing Line Lender; provided that the failure of the Swing Line Lender to request a Swing Line Note shall in no way detract from Borrower’s obligations to the Swing Line Lender hereunder.

(c) Term Loan. Upon the request of a Term Lender, to evidence the obligation of Borrower to repay the portion of the Term Loan made by such Term Lender and to pay interest thereon, Borrower shall execute a Term Note, payable to the order of such Term Lender in the principal amount of its Applicable Commitment Percentage of the Term Loan Commitment; provided that the failure of a Term Lender to request a Term Note shall in no way detract from Borrower’s obligations to such Lender hereunder.

Section 2.6. Notice of Credit Event; Funding of Loans.

(a) Notice of Credit Event. Borrower, through an Authorized Officer, shall provide to Agent a Notice of Loan prior to (i) 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the proposed date of borrowing or conversion of any Base Rate Loan, (ii) 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) three Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, conversion or continuation of any Eurodollar Loan, and (iii) 2:00 P.M. (Eastern time) on the proposed date of borrowing of any Swing Loan. Borrower shall comply with the notice provisions set forth in Section 2.2(b) hereof with respect to Letters of Credit.

(b) Funding of Loans. Agent shall notify the appropriate Lenders of the date, amount and Interest Period (if applicable) promptly upon the receipt of a Notice of Loan, and, in any event, by 2:00 P.M. (Eastern time) on the date such Notice of Loan is received. On the date that the Credit Event set forth in such Notice of Loan is to occur, each such Lender shall provide to Agent, not later than 3:00 P.M. (Eastern time), the amount in Dollars, in federal or other immediately available funds, required of it. If Agent shall elect to advance the proceeds of such Loan prior to receiving funds from such Lender, Agent shall have the right, upon prior notice to Borrower, to debit any account of Borrower or otherwise receive such amount from Borrower, promptly after demand, in the event that such Lender shall fail to reimburse Agent in accordance with this subsection. Agent shall also have the right to receive interest from such Lender at the Federal Funds Effective Rate in the event that such Lender shall fail to provide its portion of the Loan on the date requested and Agent shall elect to provide such funds.

 

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(c) Conversion and Continuance of Loans.

(i) At the request of Borrower to Agent, subject to the notice and other provisions of this Section 2.6, the appropriate Lenders shall convert a Base Rate Loan to one or more Eurodollar Loans at any time and shall convert a Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan on any Interest Adjustment Date applicable thereto. Swing Loans may be converted by the Swing Line Lender to Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.2(c)(ii) hereof.

(ii) At the request of Borrower to Agent, subject to the notice and other provisions of this Section 2.6, the appropriate Lenders shall continue one or more Eurodollar Loans as of the end of the applicable Interest Period as a new Eurodollar Loan with a new Interest Period.

(d) Minimum Amount. Each request for:

(i) a Base Rate Loan shall be in an amount of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), increased by increments of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000);

(ii) a Eurodollar Loan shall be in an amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), increased by increments of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000); and

(iii) a Swing Loan shall be in an amount of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

(e) Interest Periods. Borrower shall not request that Eurodollar Loans be outstanding for more than ten different Interest Periods at the same time.

Section 2.7. Payment on Loans and Other Obligations.

(a) Payments Generally. Each payment made hereunder by a Credit Party shall be made without any offset, abatement, recoupment, counterclaim, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(b) Payments from Borrower. All payments (including prepayments) to Agent of the principal of or interest on each Loan or other payment, including but not limited to principal, interest, fees or any other amount owed by Borrower under this Agreement, shall be made in Dollars. All payments described in this subsection (b) shall be remitted to Agent, at the address of Agent for notices referred to in Section 11.4 hereof for the account of the appropriate Lenders (or the Fronting Lender or the Swing Line Lender, as appropriate) not later than 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the due date thereof in immediately available funds. Any such payments received by Agent after 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) shall be deemed to have been made and received on the next Business Day.

 

35


(c) Payments to Lenders. Upon Agent’s receipt of payments hereunder, Agent shall immediately distribute to the appropriate Lenders (except with respect to Swing Loans, which shall be paid to the Swing Line Lender or, with respect to Letters of Credit, certain of which payments shall be paid to the Fronting Lender) their respective ratable shares, if any, of the amount of principal, interest, and commitment and other fees received by Agent for the account of such Lender. Payments received by Agent shall be delivered to the Lenders in immediately available funds. Each appropriate Lender shall record any principal, interest or other payment, the principal amounts of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans, Swing Loans and Letters of Credit, all prepayments and the applicable dates, including Interest Periods, with respect to the Loans made, and payments received by such Lender, by such method as such Lender may generally employ; provided, however, that failure to make any such entry shall in no way detract from the obligations of Borrower under this Agreement or any Note. The aggregate unpaid amount of Loans, types of Loans, Interest Periods and similar information with respect to the Loans and Letters of Credit set forth on the records of Agent shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence with respect to such information, including the amounts of principal, interest and fees owing to each Lender.

(d) Timing of Payments. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder, including, without limitation, any payment to be made on any Loan, shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next Business Day and such extension of time shall in each case be included in the computation of the interest payable on such Loan; provided, however, that, with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, if the next Business Day shall fall in the succeeding calendar month, such payment shall be made on the preceding Business Day and the relevant Interest Period shall be adjusted accordingly.

Section 2.8. Prepayment.

(a) Right to Prepay. Borrower shall have the right at any time or from time to time to prepay, on a pro rata basis for all of the appropriate Lenders (except with respect to Swing Loans, which shall be paid to the Swing Line Lender), all or any part of the principal amount of the Loans, representing the obligations under any Specific Commitment with the proceeds of such prepayment to be distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of the Specific Commitment being prepaid. Prepayments of Loans shall be without any premium or penalty, except that prepayments of Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the prepayment provisions set forth in Article III hereof.

(b) Notice of Prepayment. Borrower shall give Agent notice of prepayment of a Base Rate Loan or Swing Loan by no later than 11:00 A.M. (Eastern time) one Business Day before the Business Day on which such prepayment is to be made and written notice of the prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan not later than 1:00 P.M. (Eastern time) three Business Days before the Business Day on which such prepayment is to be made.

 

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(c) Minimum Amount. Each prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan shall be in the principal amount of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), or the principal amount of such Loan, or, with respect to a Swing Loan, the principal balance of such Swing Loan, except in the case of a mandatory payment pursuant to Section 2.11 or Article III hereof.

Section 2.9. Commitment and Other Fees; Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitment.

(a) Commitment Fee. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the ratable account of the Revolving Lenders, as a consideration for the Revolving Credit Commitment, a commitment fee from the Closing Date to and including the last day of the Commitment Period, payable quarterly, at a rate per annum equal to (i) the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate in effect on the payment date, multiplied by (ii) (A) the average daily Maximum Revolving Amount in effect during such quarter, minus (B) the average daily Revolving Credit Exposure (exclusive of the Swing Line Exposure) during such quarter. The commitment fee shall be payable in arrears, on December 31, 2007 and continuing on each Regularly Scheduled Payment Date thereafter, and on the last day of the Commitment Period.

(b) Agent Fee. Borrower shall pay to Agent, for its sole benefit, the fees set forth in the Agent Fee Letter.

(c) Optional Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitment. Borrower may at any time and from time to time permanently reduce in whole or ratably in part the Revolving Credit Commitment to an amount not less than the then existing Revolving Credit Exposure, by giving Agent not fewer than five Business Days’ (or thirty (30) days if the Commitment is to be reduced or terminated in its entirety) written notice of such reduction, provided that any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount, for all of the Lenders, of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), increased in increments of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000). Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the date of each such reduction and such Revolving Lender’s proportionate share thereof. After each such partial reduction, the commitment fees payable hereunder shall be calculated upon the Maximum Revolving Amount as so reduced. If Borrower reduces in whole the Revolving Credit Commitment, on the effective date of such reduction (Borrower having prepaid in full the unpaid principal balance, if any, of the Loans, together with all interest (if any) and commitment and other fees accrued and unpaid with respect thereto, and provided that no Letter of Credit Exposure or Swing Line Exposure shall exist), all of the Revolving Credit Notes shall be delivered to Agent marked “Canceled” and Agent shall redeliver such Revolving Credit Notes to Borrower. Any partial reduction in the Maximum Revolving Amount shall be effective during the remainder of the Commitment Period.

Section 2.10. Computation of Interest and Fees. With the exception of Base Rate Loans, interest on Loans, Letter of Credit fees, Related Expenses and commitment and other fees and charges hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year having three hundred sixty (360) days and calculated for the actual number of days elapsed. With respect to Base Rate Loans, interest shall be computed on the basis of a year having three hundred sixty-five (365) days or three hundred sixty-six (366) days, as the case may be, and calculated for the actual number of days elapsed.

 

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Section 2.11. Mandatory Payments.

(a) Revolving Credit Exposure. If, at any time, the Revolving Credit Exposure shall exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment, Borrower shall, as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than the next Business Day, pay an aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans sufficient to bring the Revolving Credit Exposure within the Revolving Credit Commitment.

(b) Swing Line Exposure. If, at any time, the Swing Line Exposure shall exceed the Swing Line Commitment, Borrower shall, as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than the next Business Day, pay an aggregate principal amount of the Swing Loans sufficient to bring the Swing Line Exposure within the Swing Line Commitment.

(c) Mandatory Prepayments. Borrower shall, until the Term Loan is paid in full, make Mandatory Prepayments (each a “Mandatory Prepayment”) in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) Excess Cash Flow.

(A) For each of the fiscal years of Borrower ending March 31, 2009, March 31, 2010, and March 31, 2011, Borrower shall, within the Excess Cash Flow Payment Period for such fiscal year, until the Term Loan shall have been paid in full, make a Mandatory Prepayment in an amount equal to (1) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Excess Cash Flow (if any) for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio shall have been less than 2.50 to 1.00 for such fiscal year, and (2) fifty percent (50%) of the Excess Cash Flow (if any) for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio shall have been equal to or greater than 2.50 to 1.00 for such fiscal year.

(B) Commencing with the fiscal year of Borrower ending March 31, 2012 and continuing each fiscal year of Borrower thereafter, if the Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 2.00 to 1.00 for any such fiscal year, then Borrower shall, within the Excess Cash Flow Payment Period for such fiscal year, until the Term Loan shall have been paid in full, make a Mandatory Prepayment in an amount equal to (1) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Excess Cash Flow (if any) for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio shall have been equal to or greater than 2.00 but less than 2.50 to 1.00 for such fiscal year, and (2) fifty percent (50%) of the Excess Cash Flow (if any) for such fiscal year if the Leverage Ratio shall have been equal to or greater than 2.50 to 1.00 for such fiscal year.

(C) Notwithstanding anything in subpart (A) or (B) hereof to the contrary, to the extent that Borrower makes a principal prepayment (from Excess Cash Flow for the previous fiscal year) on the Term Loan during an Excess Cash Flow Payment Period in excess of the amount required to be paid pursuant to this subpart (i) (any such excess amount, a “Carryover Amount”), Borrower shall be

 

38


entitled to a one time application of such Carryover Amount to satisfy all, or a portion of, Excess Cash Flow Mandatory Prepayment requirements for any subsequent fiscal year of Borrower.

(ii) Additional Indebtedness. If, at any time, any of the Companies shall incur Consolidated Funded Indebtedness other than Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 5.8 hereof (which other Indebtedness shall not be incurred without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders), Borrower shall make a Mandatory Prepayment, on the date that such Consolidated Funded Indebtedness is incurred, in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net cash proceeds of such Consolidated Funded Indebtedness.

(iii) Sale of Assets. Upon the sale or other disposition of any assets by Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary (permitted pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof) to any Person other than in the ordinary course of business and to the extent the proceeds of any such sale or other disposition is in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) and, together with other such asset sales during any fiscal year of Borrower, are in excess of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate and are not to be (A) reinvested in fixed assets or other similar assets, (B) applied to an investment in a Person permitted by this Agreement, or (C) applied to capital expenditures, in each case, within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of such sale or other disposition, Borrower shall make a Mandatory Prepayment, on the date of such sale or other disposition, in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds of such disposition net of amounts required to pay taxes and reasonable costs applicable to the disposition.

(iv) Additional Equity. Within thirty (30) days after any equity offering (other than the offering or exercise of stock options or other equity awards pursuant to management or other incentive plans) by a Company, Borrower shall make a Mandatory Prepayment in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the net cash proceeds of such equity offering; provided that this subpart (iv) shall not be applicable during any period that the Leverage Ratio, for the most recently completed fiscal quarter of Borrower, is less than 2.00 to 1.00.

(v) Material Recovery Event. Within ten Business Days after the occurrence of a Material Recovery Event, Borrower shall furnish to Agent written notice thereof. Within sixty (60) days after such Material Recovery Event, Borrower shall notify Agent of Borrower’s determination as to whether or not to replace, rebuild or restore the affected property (a “Material Recovery Determination Notice”). If Borrower decides not to replace, rebuild or restore such property or if Borrower has not delivered the Material Recovery Determination Notice within sixty (60) days after the Material Recovery Event, then the proceeds of insurance paid in connection with such Material Recovery Event shall be paid as a Mandatory Prepayment. If Borrower decides to replace, rebuild or restore such property, then any such replacement, rebuilding or restoration must be (A) commenced within six months of the date of the Material Recovery Event, and (B) substantially completed within eighteen (18) months of such commencement date, with such net proceeds and other funds available to the appropriate

 

39


Companies. Any amounts of such insurance proceeds in connection with such Material Recovery Event not applied to the costs of replacement or restoration shall be applied as a Mandatory Prepayment.

(d) Application of Mandatory Prepayments.

(i) Involving a Company Prior to an Event of Default. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred, each Mandatory Prepayment required to be made pursuant to subsection (c) hereof shall be applied to the Term Loan, until paid in full.

(ii) Involving a Company After an Event of Default. If a Mandatory Prepayment is required to be made pursuant to subsection (c) hereof at the time that an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then such Mandatory Prepayment shall be paid by Borrower to Agent to be applied to the following, on a pro rata basis among: (A) the Maximum Revolving Amount (with payments to be made in the following order: Revolving Loans, Swing Loans, and to be held by Agent in a special account as security for any Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to subsection (iii) hereof), and (B) the unpaid principal balance of the Term Loan.

(iii) Involving Letters of Credit. Any amounts to be distributed for application to a Revolving Lender’s liabilities with respect to any Letter of Credit Exposure shall be held by Agent in an interest bearing trust account (the “Special Trust Account”) as collateral security for such liabilities until a drawing on any Letter of Credit, at which time such amounts, together with interest accrued thereon, shall be released by Agent and applied to such liabilities. If any such Letter of Credit shall expire without having been drawn upon in full, the amounts held in the Special Trust Account with respect to the undrawn portion of such Letter of Credit, together with interest accrued thereon, shall be applied by Agent in accordance with the provisions of subsections (i) and (ii) above.

(iv) Mandatory Prepayments Generally. Each Mandatory Prepayment made with respect to the Term Loan shall be applied to the payments of principal in the inverse order of maturities. Each Mandatory Prepayment made with respect to a Specific Commitment shall be applied in the following order (A) first, to the outstanding Base Rate Loans, and (B) second, to the outstanding Eurodollar Loans, provided that if the outstanding principal amount of any Eurodollar Loan shall be reduced to an amount less than the minimum amount set forth in Section 2.6(d) hereof as a result of such prepayment, then such Eurodollar Loan shall be converted into a Base Rate Loan on the date of such prepayment. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be subject to the prepayment provisions set forth in Article III hereof.

 

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ARTICLE III. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO

EURODOLLAR LOANS; INCREASED CAPITAL; TAXES

Section 3.1. Requirements of Law.

(a) If, after the Closing Date, (i) the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof by a Governmental Authority, or (ii) the compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority:

(A) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Taxes and Excluded Taxes which are governed by Section 3.2 hereof);

(B) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate; or

(C) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, Borrower shall pay to such Lender, promptly after receipt of a written request therefor, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this subsection (a), such Lender shall promptly notify Borrower (with a copy to Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that, after the Closing Date, the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or application thereof by a Governmental Authority or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder, or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit, to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of such Lender or corporation with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time, upon submission by such Lender to Borrower (with a copy to Agent) of a written request therefor (which shall include the method for calculating such amount), Borrower shall promptly pay or cause to be paid to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction.

(c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3.1 submitted by any Lender to Borrower (with a copy to Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error. In determining any such additional amounts, such Lender may use any method of averaging and attribution that it (in its sole discretion) shall deem applicable. The obligations of Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall be entitled to any indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Section 3.1 to the extent such Lender has not made demand therefore (as set forth above) within one hundred eighty (180) days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to such entitlement or, if later, such Lender having knowledge of such event.

Section 3.2. Taxes.

(a) All payments made by any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any Taxes or Other Taxes. If any Taxes or Other Taxes are required to be deducted or withheld from any amounts payable to Agent or any Lender hereunder, the amounts so payable to Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to Agent or such Lender (after deducting, withholding and payment of all Taxes and Other Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in the Loan Documents.

(b) Whenever any Taxes or Other Taxes are required to be withheld and paid by a Credit Party, such Credit Party shall timely withhold and pay such taxes to the relevant Governmental Authorities. As promptly as possible thereafter, Borrower shall send to Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by such Credit Party showing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably acceptable to Agent or such Lender. If such Credit Party shall fail to pay any Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority or fails to remit to Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, such Credit Party and Borrower shall indemnify Agent and the appropriate Lenders on demand for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by Agent or such Lender as a result of any such failure.

(c) Each Lender that is not (i) a citizen or resident of the United States of America, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States of America (or any jurisdiction thereof), or (iii) an estate or trust that is subject to federal income taxation regardless of the source of its income (any such Person, a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall deliver to Borrower and Agent two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, a statement with respect to such interest and a Form W-8BEN, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments by Credit Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement or such other Loan Document. In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms or appropriate replacements promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify Borrower at any time it determines that such Lender is no longer in a

 

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position to provide any previously delivered certificate to Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection (c), a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this subsection (c) that such Non-U.S. Lender is not legally able to deliver.

(d) A Lender that is entitled, with respect to payments under any Loan Document, to an exemption from or reduction of non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which a Credit Party is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate; provided that such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation, and, in such Lender’s judgment, such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender.

(e) If Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that is has received a refund of Taxes or Other Taxes for which it has been indemnified by Borrower or with respect to which Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.2, it shall pay over such refund to Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid by Borrower under this Section 3.2 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Government Authority with respect to such refund); provided that Borrower, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Government Authority) to Agent or such Lender in the event Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Government Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to Borrower or any other Person.

(f) The agreements in this Section 3.2 shall survive the termination of the Loan Documents and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

Section 3.3. Funding Losses. Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender, promptly after receipt of a written request therefor, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans after Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (c) the making of a prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, or, (d) any conversion of a Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto. Such indemnification shall be in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amounts so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would

 

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have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the appropriate London interbank market, along with any administration fee charged by such Lender. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3.3 submitted to Borrower (with a copy to Agent) by any Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The obligations of Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

Section 3.4. Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful; Inability to Determine Rate.

(a) If any Lender shall determine (which determination shall, upon notice thereof to Borrower and Agent, be conclusive and binding on Borrower) that, after the Closing Date, (i) the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law makes it unlawful, or (ii) any Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender to make or continue any Loan as, or to convert (if permitted pursuant to this Agreement) any Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the obligations of such Lender to make, continue or convert any such Eurodollar Loan shall, upon such determination, be suspended until such Lender shall notify Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and all outstanding Eurodollar Loans payable to such Lender shall automatically convert (if conversion is permitted under this Agreement) into a Base Rate Loan, or be repaid (if no conversion is permitted) at the end of the then current Interest Periods with respect thereto or sooner, if required by law or such assertion.

(b) If Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan, or that the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding such Loan, Agent will promptly so notify Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain such Eurodollar Loan shall be suspended until Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of such Eurodollar Loan or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a borrowing of a Base Rate Loan in the amount specified therein.

Section 3.5. Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.1 or 3.2(a) hereof with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office (or an affiliate of such Lender, if practical for such Lender) for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office or offices to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage; and provided further that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2 hereof.

 

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Section 3.6. Replacement of Lenders. Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2(a) hereof, or asserts its inability to make a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof; provided that (a) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (c) prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 3.5 hereof so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2(a) hereof or, if it has taken any action, such request has still been made, (d) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement and assume all commitments and obligations of such replaced Lender, (e) Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 3.3 hereof if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (f) the replacement Lender, if not already a Lender, shall be satisfactory to Agent, (g) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.10 hereof (provided that Borrower (or the succeeding Lender, if such Lender is willing) shall be obligated to pay the assignment fee referred to therein), and (h) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2(a) hereof, as the case may be; provided that a Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling Borrower to replace such Lender cease to apply.

Section 3.7. Discretion of Lenders as to Manner of Funding. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of such Lender’s Loans in any manner such Lender deems to be appropriate; it being understood, however, that for the purposes of this Agreement all determinations hereunder shall be made as if such Lender had actually funded and maintained each Eurodollar Loan during the applicable Interest Period for such Loan through the purchase of deposits having a maturity corresponding to such Interest Period and bearing an interest rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate as applicable, for such Interest Period.

ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 4.1. Conditions to Each Credit Event. The obligation of the Lenders, the Fronting Lender and the Swing Line Lender to participate in any Credit Event shall be conditioned, in the case of each Credit Event, upon the following:

(a) all conditions precedent as listed in Section 4.2 hereof required to be satisfied prior to the first Credit Event shall have been satisfied prior to or as of the first Credit Event;

(b) Borrower shall have submitted a Notice of Loan (or with respect to a Letter of Credit, complied with the provisions of Section 2.2(b)(ii) hereof) and otherwise complied with Section 2.6 hereof;

 

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(c) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or immediately after such Credit Event would exist; and

(d) each of the representations and warranties contained in Article VI hereof shall be true in all material respects as if made on and as of the date of such Credit Event, except to the extent that any thereof expressly relate to an earlier date.

Each request by Borrower for a Credit Event shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by Borrower as of the date of such request as to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent specified in subsections (c) and (d) above.

Section 4.2. Conditions to the First Credit Event. Borrower shall cause the following conditions to be satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date. The obligation of the Lenders, the Fronting Lender and the Swing Line Lender to participate in the first Credit Event is subject to Borrower satisfying each of the following conditions prior to or concurrently with such Credit Event:

(a) Notes as Requested. Borrower shall have executed and delivered to (i) each Revolving Lender requesting a Revolving Credit Note such Lender’s Revolving Credit Note, (ii) each Term Lender requesting a Term Note such Lender’s Term Note, and (iii) the Swing Line Lender the Swing Line Note, if requested by the Swing Line Lender.

(b) Subsidiary Documents. Each Guarantor of Payment shall have executed and delivered to Agent (i) a Guaranty of Payment, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and (ii) a Security Agreement and such other documents or instruments, as may be required by Agent to create or perfect the Liens of Agent in the assets of such Guarantor of Payment, all to be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.

(c) Pledge Agreements. Borrower and each Guarantor of Payment that has a Subsidiary shall have (i) executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a Pledge Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders, with respect to the Pledged Securities, (ii) executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, appropriate transfer powers for each of the Pledged Securities, (iii) delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, the Pledged Securities of Domestic Subsidiaries, and (iv) any other documentation reasonably required by Agent regarding the perfection of any Pledged Securities of Domestic Subsidiaries.

(d) Intellectual Property Security Agreements. Each Credit Party that owns federally registered intellectual property shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, an Intellectual Property Security Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders.

(e) Lien Searches. With respect to the property owned or leased by a Credit Party, Borrower shall have caused to be delivered to Agent (i) the results of Uniform Commercial Code lien searches, satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders, (ii) the results of federal and state tax lien and judicial lien searches, satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders, and (iii) Uniform Commercial Code termination statements reflecting termination of all U.C.C. Financing Statements previously filed by any Person and not expressly permitted pursuant to Section 5.9 hereof.

 

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(f) Officer’s Certificate, Resolutions, Organizational Documents. Each Credit Party shall have delivered to Agent an officer’s certificate (or comparable domestic documents) certifying the names of the officers of such Credit Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents, together with the true signatures of such officers and certified copies of (i) the resolutions of the board of directors (or comparable domestic documents) of such Credit Party evidencing approval of the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the execution of other Related Writings to which such Credit Party is a party, and (ii) the Organizational Documents of such Credit Party.

(g) Good Standing and Full Force and Effect Certificates. Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a good standing certificate or full force and effect certificate, as the case may be, for each Credit Party, issued on or about the Closing Date by the Secretary of State in the state or states where such Credit Party is incorporated or formed or qualified as a foreign entity.

(h) Legal Opinion. Borrower shall have delivered to Agent an opinion of counsel for each Credit Party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders.

(i) Insurance Certificate. Borrower shall have delivered to Agent evidence of insurance on ACORD 25 and 27 or 28 form, and otherwise satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders, of adequate personal property and liability insurance of each Company, with Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, listed as loss payee and additional insured.

(j) Agent Fee Letter, Closing Fee Letter and Other Fees. Borrower shall have (i) executed and delivered to Agent, the Agent Fee Letter and paid to Agent, for its sole account, the fees stated therein, (ii) executed and delivered to Agent, the Closing Fee Letter and paid to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, the fees stated therein, and (iii) paid all legal fees and expenses of Agent in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Documents.

(k) Existing Indebtedness Agreements. Borrower shall have (i) terminated the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 12, 1998, as amended to date, between Borrower and Silicon Valley Bank, N.A., and (ii) redeemed the notes outstanding under the Indenture, dated November 1, 2007, by and among NetScout Systems, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, which termination and redemption shall be deemed to have occurred upon payment in full of all of the Indebtedness outstanding thereunder and termination of the commitments established therein.

(l) Liquidity Amount. On the Closing Date, the Liquidity Amount shall be no less than Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000); provided that, for purposes of calculating the Liquidity Amount under this Section 4.2(l), Revolving Credit Exposure shall include Borrower’s initial credit request under the Revolving Credit Commitment.

(m) Leverage Ratio. Borrower shall have delivered to Agent and the Lenders evidence, certified by a Financial Officer and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, that the Leverage Ratio, as determined for the most recently completed twelve (12) months prior to the Closing Date, is no greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

 

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(n) Closing Certificate. Borrower shall have delivered to Agent and the Lenders an officer’s certificate certifying that, as of the Closing Date, (i) all conditions precedent set forth in this Article IV have been satisfied, (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists nor immediately after the first Credit Event will exist, and (iii) each of the representations and warranties contained in Article VI hereof are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date.

(o) Letter of Direction. Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a letter of direction authorizing Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, to disburse the proceeds of the Loans, which letter of direction includes the authorization to transfer funds under this Agreement and the wire instructions that set forth the locations to which such funds shall be sent.

(p) No Material Adverse Change. No material adverse change, in the reasonable opinion of Agent, shall have occurred in the financial condition, operations or prospects of the Companies since March 31, 2007.

Section 4.3. Post-Closing Conditions. On or before each of the dates specified in this Section 4.3, Borrower shall satisfy each of the items specified in the subsections below:

(a) Control Agreements. No later than forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date (unless a longer period is agreed to by Agent), Borrower shall deliver to Agent an executed Control Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, for each Deposit Account maintained by a Credit Party.

(b) Landlords’ Waiver and Mortgagees’ Waiver. No later than forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date (unless a longer period is agreed to by Agent), Borrower shall have delivered a landlord’s waiver and a mortgagee’s waiver, if applicable, each in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders, for each location of a Credit Party where any material amount of Collateral (as reasonably determined by Agent) securing any part of the Obligations is located (unless such location is owned by the Company that owns the collateral located there). As of the Closing Date, Schedule 6.9 hereto sets forth the locations where a material amount of Collateral is located.

(c) Foreign Pledged Securities. No later than ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (unless a longer period is agreed to by Agent), Borrower shall have delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, (i) the Pledged Securities of Foreign Subsidiaries (provided that if Agent, in its reasonable discretion, after consultation with Borrower, determines that the cost of delivery of any such Pledged Securities is impractical or cost-prohibitive, then Agent may agree to forego (until such time as Agent determines it is practical to do so) the delivery of such Pledged Securities), and (ii) with respect to the Pledged Securities of any Foreign Subsidiary for which foreign perfection is required under Section 5.20(c) hereof, any documentation (including legal opinions from foreign counsel) reasonably required by Agent regarding the perfection of such Pledged Securities.

 

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ARTICLE V. COVENANTS

Section 5.1. Insurance.

(a) Each Company shall at all times maintain insurance upon its Inventory, Equipment and other personal and real property in such form, written by such companies, in such amounts, for such periods, and against such risks as is usual and customary in Borrower’s industry, with provisions reasonably satisfactory to Agent for payment of all losses thereunder to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, and such Company as their interests may appear (loss payable endorsement in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders), and, if required by Agent, Borrower shall deposit the policies with Agent. Any such policies of insurance shall provide for no fewer than thirty (30) days prior written notice of cancellation to Agent and the Lenders.

(b) Any sums received by Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in payment of insurance losses, returns, or unearned premiums under the policies shall be applied as set forth in Section 2.11(c) and (d) hereof. Agent is hereby authorized to act as attorney-in-fact for the Companies, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in obtaining, adjusting, settling and canceling such insurance and indorsing any drafts. In the event of failure to provide such insurance as herein provided, Agent may, at its option, provide such insurance and Borrower shall pay to Agent, upon demand, the cost thereof. Should Borrower fail to pay such sum to Agent upon demand, interest shall accrue thereon, from the date of demand until paid in full, at the Default Rate. Within ten days of Agent’s written request, Borrower shall furnish to Agent such information about the insurance of the Companies as Agent may from time to time reasonably request, which information shall be prepared in form and detail satisfactory to Agent and certified by a Financial Officer.

Section 5.2. Money Obligations. Each Company shall pay in full (a) prior in each case to the date when penalties would attach, all material domestic taxes (or foreign taxes to the extent the nonpayment of such taxes would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), assessments and governmental charges and levies (except only those so long as and to the extent that the same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate and timely proceedings and for which adequate provisions have been established in accordance with GAAP) for which it may be or become liable or to which any or all of its properties may be or become subject; (b) all of its material wage obligations to its employees in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. §§ 206-207) or any comparable provisions; and (c) all of its other material obligations calling for the payment of money (except only those so long as and to the extent that the same shall be contested in good faith and for which adequate provisions have been established in accordance with GAAP) before such payment becomes overdue.

Section 5.3. Financial Statements and Information.

(a) Quarterly Financials. Borrower shall deliver to Agent and the Lenders, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three quarter annual periods of each fiscal year of Borrower, a balance sheet of Borrower as of the end of such period and statements of income (loss) and cash flow for the quarter and fiscal year to date periods, all prepared on a Consolidated and consolidating basis, in accordance with GAAP, and in form and detail satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders and certified by a Financial Officer of Borrower.

 

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(b) Annual Audit Report. Borrower shall deliver to Agent and the Lenders, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, an annual audit report of the Companies for that year prepared on a Consolidated and consolidating basis, in accordance with GAAP, and in form and detail satisfactory to Agent and the Lenders and certified by an independent public accountant, which report shall include balance sheets and statements of income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash-flow for that period.

(c) Compliance Certificate. Borrower shall deliver to Agent and the Lenders, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements set forth in subsections (a) and (b) above, a Compliance Certificate.

(d) Management Report. Borrower shall deliver to Agent and the Lenders, concurrently with the delivery of the quarterly and annual financial statements set forth in subsections (a) and (b) above, a copy of any management report, letter or similar writing furnished to the Companies by the accountants in respect of the Companies’ systems, operations, financial condition or properties (provided that delivery of such management report shall not be required to the extent prohibited by such accountants).

(e) Annual Budget. Borrower shall deliver to Agent, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, an annual budget of the Companies for the then current fiscal year, to be in form reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

(f) Shareholder and SEC Documents. Borrower shall deliver to Agent and the Lenders, within ten days after the end of fiscal quarter of Borrower, copies of all notices, reports, definitive proxy or other statements and other documents sent by Borrower to its shareholders, to the holders of any of its debentures or bonds or the trustee of any indenture securing the same or pursuant to which they are issued, or sent by Borrower (in final form) to any securities exchange or over the counter authority or system, or to the SEC or any similar federal agency having regulatory jurisdiction over the issuance of Borrower’s securities; provided that, to the extent that any such documentation is publicly available at the website of Borrower, Borrower shall have satisfied the requirement of this subpart (f) with respect to such documentation by providing Agent with a written notice that such documentation is available at the website of Borrower.

(g) Financial Information of Companies. Borrower shall deliver to Agent and the Lenders, with reasonable promptness, such other information about the financial condition, properties and operations of any Company as Agent or such Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

Section 5.4. Financial Records. Each Company shall at all times maintain true and complete records and books of account, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, appropriate provisions for possible losses and liabilities, all in accordance with GAAP, and at all reasonable times (during normal business hours and upon notice to such Company) permit Agent or any Lender, or any representative of Agent or such Lender, to

 

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examine such Company’s books and records and to make excerpts therefrom and transcripts thereof; provided that, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or unless otherwise reasonably agreed by Borrower, Agent (and its designated representatives) shall be limited to one such inspection during each fiscal year of Borrower.

Section 5.5. Change in Business.

(a) Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary (other than a Dormant Subsidiary) shall preserve and maintain at all times its existence and material permits, if any, necessary for its business, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof.

(b) Each Foreign Subsidiary (other than a Dormant Subsidiary) shall preserve and maintain at all times its existence and material permits, if any, necessary for its business, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof and except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) No Company shall engage in any business if, as a result thereof, the general nature of the business of the Companies taken as a whole would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business the Companies are engaged in on the Closing Date.

Section 5.6. ERISA Pension and Benefit Plan Compliance. No Company shall incur any material accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of ERISA, or any material liability to the PBGC, established thereunder in connection with any ERISA Plan. Borrower shall furnish to Agent and the Lenders (a) as soon as possible and in any event within thirty (30) days after any Company knows or has reason to know that any Reportable Event with respect to any ERISA Plan has occurred, a statement of a Financial Officer of such Company, setting forth details as to such Reportable Event and the action that such Company proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the notice of such Reportable Event given to the PBGC if a copy of such notice is available to such Company, and (b) promptly after receipt thereof a copy of any notice such Company, or any member of the Controlled Group may receive from the PBGC or the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any ERISA Plan administered by such Company; provided that this latter clause shall not apply to notices of general application promulgated by the PBGC or the Internal Revenue Service. Borrower shall promptly notify Agent of any material taxes assessed, proposed to be assessed or that Borrower has reason to believe may be assessed against a Company by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any ERISA Plan. As used in this Section 5.6, “material” means the measure of a matter of significance that shall be determined as being an amount equal to five percent (5%) of Consolidated Net Worth. As soon as practicable, and in any event within twenty (20) days, after any Company shall become aware that an ERISA Event shall have occurred, such Company shall provide Agent with notice of such ERISA Event with a certificate by a Financial Officer of such Company setting forth the details of the event and the action such Company or another Controlled Group member proposes to take with respect thereto. Borrower shall, at the request of Agent, deliver or cause to be delivered to Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, true and correct copies of any documents relating to the ERISA Plan of any Company.

 

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Section 5.7. Financial Covenants.

(a) Leverage Ratio. Borrower shall not suffer or permit at any time the Leverage Ratio to exceed (i) 3.00 to 1.00 on the Closing Date through March 30, 2009, (ii) 2.75 to 1.00 on March 31, 2009 through March 30, 2010, and (iii) 2.50 to 1.00 thereafter.

(b) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Borrower shall not suffer or permit at any time the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.25 to 1.00 on the Closing Date and thereafter.

Section 5.8. Borrowing. No Company shall create, incur or have outstanding any Indebtedness of any kind; provided that this Section 5.8 shall not apply to the following:

(a) the Loans, the Letters of Credit and any other Indebtedness under this Agreement;

(b) any loans granted to or Capitalized Lease Obligations entered into by any Company for the purchase or lease of fixed assets (and refinancings of such loans or Capitalized Lease Obligations), which loans and Capitalized Lease Obligations shall only be secured by the fixed assets being purchased or leased, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such loans and Capitalized Lease Obligations for all Companies shall not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) at any time outstanding;

(c) the Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date, in addition to the other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 5.8, as set forth in Schedule 5.8 hereto (and any extension, renewal or refinancing thereof but only to the extent that the principal amount thereof does not increase after the Closing Date);

(d) loans to, and guaranties of Indebtedness of, a Company from a Company so long as each such Company is a Credit Party;

(e) Indebtedness under any Hedge Agreement, so long as such Hedge Agreement shall have been entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(f) Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loans and Investments;

(g) Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and completion guaranties and similar obligations not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(h) unsecured Indebtedness of a Company incurred as a result of an Acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 5.13 hereof, so long as (i) such Indebtedness was not created at the time of or in contemplation of such Acquisition, (ii) such Indebtedness is repaid within one hundred eighty (180) days after such Acquisition (unless Borrower shall have obtained the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders), and (iii) the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness does not exceed Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) at any time outstanding; provided that Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) of such Indebtedness may be secured pursuant to Section 5.9(h) hereof;

 

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(i) unsecured Subordinated Indebtedness not to exceed Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) at any time outstanding, created pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, subject to a Subordination Agreement; and

(j) other unsecured Indebtedness, in addition to the Indebtedness listed above, in an aggregate principal amount for all Companies not to exceed at any time outstanding the greater of (i) Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), or (ii) two percent (2%) of Borrower’s Consolidated gross revenues for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered to Agent pursuant to Section 5.3(a) and (b) hereof.

Section 5.9. Liens. No Company shall create, assume or suffer to exist (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any Lien upon any of its property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; provided that this Section 5.9 shall not apply to the following:

(a) Liens for taxes not yet due or that are being actively contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves shall have been established in accordance with GAAP;

(b) other statutory Liens, including, without limitation, statutory Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousers, utilities, mechanics, repairmen, workers and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law, incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its property and assets that (i) were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and (ii) do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business;

(c) Liens on property or assets of a Subsidiary to secure obligations of such Subsidiary to Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment;

(d) any Lien granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders;

(e) the Liens existing on the Closing Date as set forth in Schedule 5.9 hereto and replacements, extensions, renewals, refundings or refinancings thereof, but only to the extent that the amount of debt secured thereby shall not be increased;

(f) purchase money Liens on fixed assets securing the loans and Capitalized Lease Obligations pursuant to Section 5.8(b) hereof, provided that such Lien is limited to the purchase price and only attaches to the property being acquired;

(g) easements or other minor defects or irregularities in title of real property not interfering in any material respect with the use of such property in the business of any Company;

(h) any Lien on fixed assets owned by a Company as a result of an Acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 5.13 hereof, so long as (i) such Lien was not created at the time of

 

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or in contemplation of such Acquisition, (ii) such Lien is released within one hundred eighty (180) days after such Acquisition (unless Borrower shall have obtained the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders), and (iii) the aggregate amount of all such Liens does not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) at any time or such Lien is otherwise permitted pursuant to another subpart of this Section 5.9);

(i) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event of Default hereunder;

(j) licenses (with respect to intellectual property), leases or subleases granted to third parties in accordance with any applicable terms of the Loan Documents and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary course of business of any Company, or resulting in a material diminution in the value of any Collateral;

(k) Liens in favor of customs authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods; and

(l) other Liens, in addition to the Liens listed above, securing amounts, in the aggregate for all Companies, not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) at any time.

No Company shall enter into any contract or agreement (other than (i) a contract or agreement entered into in connection with the purchase or lease of fixed assets that prohibits Liens on such fixed assets, or (ii) any agreement with a restriction that is not enforceable under Section 9-406, 9-407 or 9-408 of the UCC) that would prohibit Agent or the Lenders from acquiring a security interest, mortgage or other Lien on, or a collateral assignment of, any of the property or assets of such Company.

Section 5.10. Regulations T, U and X. No Company shall take any action that would result in any non-compliance of the Loans or Letters of Credit with Regulations T, U or X, or any other applicable regulation, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Section 5.11. Investments, Loans and Guaranties. No Company shall (a) create, acquire or hold any Subsidiary, (b) make or hold any investment in any stocks, bonds or securities of any kind, (c) be or become a party to any joint venture or other partnership, (d) make or keep outstanding any loan to any Person, or (e) be or become a Guarantor of any kind (other than a Guarantor of Payment under the Loan Documents); provided that this Section 5.11 shall not apply to the following:

(i) any endorsement of a check or other medium of payment for deposit or collection through normal banking channels or similar transaction in the normal course of business;

(ii) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or in certificates of deposit issued by a member bank (having capital resources in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000)) of the Federal Reserve System;

 

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(iii) any investment in commercial paper or securities that at the time of such investment is assigned a quality rating of Aa3/AA- or above by the rating systems respectively employed by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s;

(iv) the holding of each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 6.1 hereto, and the creation, acquisition and holding of and any investment in any new Subsidiary after the Closing Date so long as such new Subsidiary shall have been created, acquired or held, and investments made, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

(v) loans to, investments in, and guaranties of the Indebtedness of, a Credit Party by or from a Company;

(vi) any Permitted Investment or Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loans and Investments, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or would result therefrom;

(vii) Hedge Agreements that are not speculative in nature; or

(viii) payroll, travel and similar advances to employees (including relocation expenses) to cover matters that are expected, at the time of such advance, ultimately to be treated as an expense for accounting purposes, and that are made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, in an aggregate amount, for all such advances of all Companies, not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) at any time outstanding.

For purposes of this Section 5.11, the amount of any investment in equity interests shall be based upon the initial amount invested and shall not include any appreciation in value or return on such investment.

Section 5.12. Merger and Sale of Assets. No Company shall merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person, or sell, lease or transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets to any Person other than in the ordinary course of business, except that, if no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or immediately thereafter shall begin to exist:

(a) a Credit Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Credit Party (provided that if one of such Companies is Borrower, Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person);

(b) a Non-Credit Party may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with another Person (provided that if such Person is a Credit Party, such Credit Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person);

(c) a Credit Party (other than Borrower) may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to any other Credit Party;

 

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(d) a Non-Credit Party may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to any other Company;

(e) any Company (other than Borrower) may be liquidated or dissolved so long as (i) if such Company is a Credit Party, its assets are distributed to a Credit Party, and (ii) notice of such liquidation or dissolution is provided to Agent and the Lenders with the Compliance Certificate delivered for the fiscal quarter of Borrower in which such liquidation or dissolution occurred;

(f) a Company may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets that are obsolete or no longer useful (as determined by the Company in its reasonable and good faith discretion) in such Company’s business;

(g) a Company may enter into sale/leaseback transactions subject to any the restrictions set forth in Section 5.8(b) hereof;

(h) a Company may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets, in addition to any sale, transfer or disposition otherwise permitted above, in an aggregate amount not to exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) during the Commitment Period; and

(i) Acquisitions may be effected in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.13 hereof.

Section 5.13. Acquisitions. No Company shall effect an Acquisition; provided, however, that a Credit Party may effect an Acquisition so long as such Acquisition meets all of the following requirements:

(a) the business to be acquired shall be similar to the lines of business of the Companies;

(b) no Default or Event of Default shall exist prior to or after giving effect to such Acquisition;

(c) such Acquisition is not actively opposed by the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the selling Persons or the Persons whose equity interests are to be acquired;

(d) Borrower shall have provided to Agent and the Lenders, at least five Business Days prior to such Acquisition (or, if the aggregate Consideration paid for such Acquisition is less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), within ten Business Days after the completion of such Acquisition), a certificate of a Financial Officer showing pro forma compliance with Section 5.7 hereof, both before and after giving effect to the proposed Acquisition;

(e) the aggregate amount of Consideration paid in the form of cash or assumed indebtedness (direct or contingent) for any such Acquisition (or related series of Acquisitions) would not exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000);

 

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(f) the aggregate amount of Consideration paid in the form of cash or assumed indebtedness (direct or contingent) for all Acquisitions for all Companies, during any fiscal year of Borrower, would not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000);

(g) the aggregate amount of Consideration paid in the form of cash or assumed indebtedness (direct or contingent) for all Acquisitions for all Companies, during the Commitment Period, would not exceed One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000); and

(h) the Liquidity Amount shall be no less than Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) after giving effect to such Acquisition.

Section 5.14. Notice.

(a) Borrower shall cause a Financial Officer to promptly notify Agent and the Lenders, in writing, whenever a Default or Event of Default has occurred hereunder.

(b) Borrower shall provide written notice to Agent and the Lenders contemporaneously with any notice provided to, or received from, any Subordinated Creditor.

Section 5.15. Restricted Payments. No Company shall make or commit itself to make any Restricted Payment, except that:

(a) Borrower may make Restricted Payments (other than payments with respect to Subordinated Indebtedness) if no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or, after giving pro forma effect to such payment, thereafter shall begin to exist; and

(b) Borrower may make regularly scheduled payments with respect to Subordinated Indebtedness if no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or, after giving pro forma effect to such payment, thereafter shall begin to exist.

Section 5.16. Environmental Compliance. Each Company shall comply in all material respects with any and all Environmental Laws including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws in jurisdictions in which such Company owns or operates a facility or site, arranges for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes, accepts for transport any hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes or holds any interest in real property or otherwise. Borrower shall furnish to Agent and the Lenders, promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any notice such Company may receive from any Governmental Authority or private Person, or otherwise, that any material litigation or proceeding pertaining to any environmental, health or safety matter has been filed or is threatened against such Company, any real property in which such Company holds any interest or any past or present operation of such Company, excluding any such potential environmental claim, condition, or occurrence that is not reasonably expected to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000). No Company shall allow the release or disposal of hazardous waste, solid waste or other wastes on, under or to any real property in which any Company holds any ownership interest or performs any of its operations, in violation of any Environmental Law. As used in this Section 5.16, “litigation or proceeding” means any demand, claim, notice, suit, suit in equity action, administrative action, investigation or inquiry

 

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whether brought by any Governmental Authority or private Person, or otherwise. Borrower shall defend, indemnify and hold Agent and the Lenders harmless against all costs, expenses, claims, damages, penalties and liabilities of every kind or nature whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of or resulting from the noncompliance of any Company with any Environmental Law. Such indemnification shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

Section 5.17. Affiliate Transactions. No Company shall, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than a Company that is a Credit Party or a Foreign Subsidiary) on terms that shall be less favorable to such Company than those that might be obtained at the time in a transaction with a non-Affiliate; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) any transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business and on terms consistent with past business practices of the Companies, or (b) the payment of customary and reasonable directors’ fees to directors who are not employees of a Company or an Affiliate.

Section 5.18. Use of Proceeds. Borrower’s use of the proceeds of the Loans shall be for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Companies, and the refinancing of existing Indebtedness.

Section 5.19. Corporate Names and Locations of Collateral. No Credit Party shall change its corporate name, unless, in each case, such Company shall have provided Agent with at least thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof. Borrower shall promptly notify Agent of (a) any change in any principal location where a material portion of any Credit Party’s Inventory or Equipment is maintained in the United States, and any new locations where any material portion of any Credit Party’s Inventory or Equipment is to be maintained in the United States; (b) any change in the location of the office where any Credit Party’s records pertaining to its Accounts are kept; and (c) any change in the location of any Credit Party’s chief executive office. In the event of any of the foregoing or if deemed appropriate by Agent, Agent is hereby authorized to file new U.C.C. Financing Statements describing the Collateral and otherwise in form and substance sufficient for recordation wherever necessary or appropriate, as determined in Agent’s sole discretion, to perfect or continue perfected the security interest of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in the Collateral. Borrower shall pay all filing and recording fees and taxes in connection with the filing or recordation of such U.C.C. Financing Statements and security interests and shall promptly reimburse Agent therefor if Agent pays the same. Such amounts shall be Related Expenses hereunder.

Section 5.20. Subsidiary Guaranties, Security Documents and Pledge of Stock or Other Ownership Interest.

(a) Guaranties and Security Documents. Each Domestic Subsidiary (that is not a Dormant Subsidiary) created, acquired or held subsequent to the Closing Date, shall immediately execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a Guaranty of Payment of all of the Obligations and a Security Agreement and Mortgages, as appropriate, such agreements to be in form and substance acceptable to Agent, along with any such other supporting documentation, Security Documents, corporate governance and authorization documents, and an opinion of counsel as may be deemed necessary or advisable by Agent.

 

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(b) Pledge of Stock or Other Ownership Interest. With respect to the creation or acquisition of a Domestic Subsidiary or a first-tier Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, Borrower shall deliver to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, all of the share certificates (or other evidence of equity) owned by a Credit Party pursuant to the terms of a Pledge Agreement executed by the appropriate Credit Party; provided that (i) no Company shall be required to pledge more than sixty-five percent (65%) of the outstanding voting shares or other voting ownership interest of any Foreign Subsidiary, and (ii) if Agent, in its reasonable discretion, after consultation with Borrower, determines that the cost of delivery of any such share certificates is impractical or cost-prohibitive, then Agent may agree to forego (until such time as Agent determines it is practical to do so) the delivery of such share certificates.

(c) Perfection or Registration of Interest in Foreign Shares. With respect to any foreign shares pledged to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, on or after the Closing Date, Agent shall at all times, in the discretion of Agent or the Required Lenders, have the right to perfect upon ninety (90) days advance notice, at Borrower’s cost, payable upon request therefor (including, without limitation, any foreign counsel, or foreign notary, filing, registration or similar, fees, costs or expenses), its security interest in such shares in the respective foreign jurisdiction; provided that (i) neither Agent nor the Required Lenders shall require foreign perfection of shares in foreign jurisdictions for the shares of any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Material Foreign Subsidiary so long as all first-tier Foreign Subsidiaries (the shares of which there is no foreign perfection), together with their respective Foreign Subsidiaries, do not aggregate (A) five percent (5%) or more of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower for the most recently completed fiscal quarter of Borrower, or (B) five percent (5%) or more of the Consolidated total revenue of Borrower for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of Borrower; and (ii) if Agent, in its reasonable discretion, after consultation with Borrower, determines that the cost of perfecting in a foreign jurisdiction, the security interest of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in the Pledged Securities relating to any Material Foreign Subsidiary, is impractical or cost-prohibitive, then Agent may agree to forego (until such time as Agent determines it is practical to so perfect such interest) the foreign perfection of such security interest.

Section 5.21. Collateral. Borrower shall:

(a) on reasonable notice and at all reasonable times allow Agent or any Lender by or through any of its officers, agents, employees, attorneys, or accountants to (i) examine, inspect, and make extracts from Borrower’s books and other records, including, without limitation, the tax returns of Borrower; (ii) arrange for verification of Borrower’s Accounts, under reasonable procedures, directly with Account Debtors or by other methods; and (iii) examine and inspect Borrower’s Inventory and Equipment, wherever located; provided that so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is continuing, Agent and the Lenders (in the aggregate) may only take any such action provided by this subpart (a) one time during any fiscal year of Borrower;

 

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(b) promptly furnish to Agent or any Lender upon request (i) additional statements and information with respect to the Collateral, and all writings and information relating to or evidencing any of Borrower’s Accounts (including, without limitation, computer printouts or typewritten reports listing the mailing addresses of all present Account Debtors), and (ii) any other writings and information as Agent or such Lender may request;

(c) notify Agent in writing promptly upon the creation by any Company of a Deposit Account not listed on Schedule 6.19 hereto and provide for the execution of a Control Agreement with respect thereto, if required by Agent or the Required Lenders;

(d) promptly notify Agent in writing whenever a material amount of the Inventory of a Company is located at a location of a third party (other than another Company) that is not listed on Schedule 6.9 hereto and cause to be executed any bailee’s waiver, processor’s waiver or similar document or notice that may be required by Agent or the Required Lenders;

(e) except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, maintain Borrower’s Equipment in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, making all necessary replacements thereof so that the value and operating efficiency thereof shall at all times be maintained and preserved;

(f) with reasonable promptness after the written request of Agent, deliver to Agent to hold as security for the Secured Obligations, all certificated Investment Property owned by a Credit Party (excluding any Investment Property with respect to a Foreign Subsidiary that is not required to be pledged pursuant to this Agreement), in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, or in the event such Investment Property is in the possession of a securities intermediary or credited to a securities account, execute with the related securities intermediary an investment property control agreement over such securities account in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent;

(g) provide to Agent, on a quarterly basis (as necessary), a list of any patents, trademarks or copyrights that have been federally registered during such quarter; and

(h) upon request of Agent, promptly take such action and promptly make, execute, and deliver (subject to any conditions set forth in Sections 4.3(c), 5.20(b) and 5.20(c) hereof) all such additional and further items, deeds, assurances, instruments and any other writings as Agent may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate, including, without limitation, chattel paper, to carry into effect the intention of this Agreement, or so as to completely vest in and ensure to Agent and the Lenders their respective rights hereunder and in or to the Collateral.

Borrower hereby authorizes Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, to file U.C.C. Financing Statements with respect to the Collateral. If certificates of title or applications for title are issued or outstanding with respect to any of the Inventory or Equipment of Borrower, Borrower shall, upon request of Agent, (i) execute and deliver to Agent a short form security agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and (ii) deliver such certificate or application to Agent and cause the interest of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, to be properly noted thereon.

 

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Borrower hereby authorizes Agent or Agent’s designated agent (but without obligation by Agent to do so) to incur Related Expenses (whether prior to, upon, or subsequent to any Default or Event of Default), and Borrower shall promptly repay, reimburse, and indemnify Agent and the Lenders for any and all Related Expenses. If Borrower fails to keep and maintain its Equipment in good operating condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, Agent may (but shall not be required to) so maintain or repair all or any part of Borrower’s Equipment and the cost thereof shall be a Related Expense. All Related Expenses are payable to Agent upon demand therefor; Agent may, at its option, debit Related Expenses directly to any deposit account of a Company located at Agent or the Revolving Loans.

Section 5.22. Property Acquired Subsequent to the Closing Date and Right to Take Additional Collateral. Borrower shall provide Agent with prompt written notice with respect to any real or personal property (excluding Accounts, Inventory, Equipment, General Intangibles and other property acquired in the ordinary course of business or any Investment Property that constitutes securities of a Foreign Subsidiary not required to be pledged pursuant to this Agreement) acquired by any Company subsequent to the Closing Date. In addition to any other right that Agent and the Lenders may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, upon written request of Agent, whenever made, Borrower shall, and shall cause each Guarantor of Payment to, grant to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as additional security for the Secured Obligations, a first (except as to fixed assets subject to a capitalized lease or purchase money security interest, in which case, Agent shall have the right to obtain a security interest junior only to such lessor or purchase money lender) Lien on any real or personal property of Borrower and each Guarantor of Payment in which Agent does not have a first priority Lien. Borrower agrees that, within ten Business Days after the date of such written request, to secure all of such Indebtedness by delivering to Agent security agreements, mortgages (or deeds of trust, if applicable) or other documents, instruments or agreements or such thereof as Agent may require. Borrower shall pay all recordation, legal and other expenses in connection therewith.

Section 5.23. Restrictive Agreements. Except as set forth in this Agreement, Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary to (a) make, directly or indirectly, any Capital Distribution to Borrower, (b) make, directly or indirectly, loans or advances or capital contributions to Borrower or (c) transfer, directly or indirectly, any of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary to Borrower; except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law, (ii) customary non-assignment provisions in leases or other agreements entered in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (iii) customary restrictions in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness or capital leases, of a Company to the extent such restrictions shall only restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security agreement, mortgage or lease, (iv) restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into in connection with the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock of such Subsidiary, or (v) customary restrictions in agreements executed by Foreign Subsidiaries in connection with foreign financing arrangements.

Section 5.24. Other Covenants. In the event that any Company shall enter into, or shall have entered into, any Subordinated Debt Document, wherein the covenants and agreements

 

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contained therein shall be more restrictive than the covenants and agreements set forth herein, then the Companies shall be bound hereunder by such more restrictive covenants and agreements with the same force and effect as if such covenants and agreements were written herein.

Section 5.25. Amendment of Organizational Documents. Without the prior written consent of Agent, no Credit Party shall (a) amend its Organizational Documents in any manner adverse to the Lenders, or (b) amend its Organizational Documents to change its name or state, province or other jurisdiction of organization.

Section 5.26. Further Assurances. Borrower shall, promptly upon request by Agent, or the Required Lenders through Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments related to the Collateral as Agent, or the Required Lenders through Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents.

ARTICLE VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 6.1. Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualification. Each Company is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing (or comparable concept in the applicable jurisdiction) under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, and is duly qualified and authorized to do business and is in good standing (or comparable concept in the applicable jurisdiction) as a foreign entity in the jurisdictions set forth opposite its name on Schedule 6.1 hereto, which are all of the states or jurisdictions where the character of its property or its business activities makes such qualification necessary, except where a failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 6.1 hereto sets forth, as of the Closing Date, each Subsidiary of Borrower (and whether such Subsidiary is a Dormant Subsidiary) and each Person that is an owner of each Company’s equity (other than Borrower), its state of formation, its relationship to Borrower, including the percentage of each class of stock or other equity interest owned by a Company, the location of its chief executive office and its principal place of business. Borrower, directly or indirectly, owns all of the equity interests of each of its Subsidiaries (excluding directors’ qualifying shares and, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, other nominal amounts of shares held by a Person other than a Company).

Section 6.2. Corporate Authority. Each Credit Party has the right and power and is duly authorized and empowered to enter into, execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform and observe the provisions of the Loan Documents. The Loan Documents to which each Credit Party is a party have been duly authorized and approved by such Credit Party’s board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, and are the valid and binding obligations of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law). The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents do not

 

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conflict with, result in a breach in any of the provisions of, constitute a default under, or result in the creation of a Lien (other than Liens permitted under Section 5.9 hereof) upon any assets or property of any Company under the provisions of, such Company’s Organizational Documents or any material agreement.

Section 6.3. Compliance with Laws and Contracts. Each Company:

(a) holds permits, certificates, licenses, orders, registrations, franchises, authorizations, and other approvals from any Governmental Authority necessary for the conduct of its business and is in compliance with all applicable laws relating thereto, except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(b) is in compliance with all federal, state, local, or foreign applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and orders including, without limitation, those relating to environmental protection, occupational safety and health, and equal employment practices, except where such non-compliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) is not in violation of or in default under any material agreement to which it is a party or by which its assets are subject or bound, except where such violation or default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) has ensured that no Person who owns a controlling interest in a Company or otherwise controls a Company (other than Borrower) and no executive officer or director of Borrower is (i) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), Department of the Treasury, or any other similar lists maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, executive order or regulation, or (ii) a Person designated under Section 1(b), (c) or (d) of Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001), any related enabling legislation or any other similar executive orders;

(e) is in material compliance with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and anti-money laundering laws and regulations; and

(f) is in compliance with the Patriot Act.

Section 6.4. Litigation and Administrative Proceedings. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.4 hereto, there are (a) no lawsuits, actions, investigations, or other proceedings pending or, to Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against any Company, or in respect of which any Company may have any liability, in any court or before any Governmental Authority, arbitration board, or other tribunal that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) no orders, writs, injunctions, judgments, or decrees of any court or Governmental Authority to which any Company is a party or by which the property or assets of any Company are bound that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) no grievances, disputes, or controversies outstanding with any union or other organization of the employees of any Company, or threats of work stoppage, strike, or pending demands for collective bargaining that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 6.5. Title to Assets. Each Company has good title to and ownership of all material property it purports to own that is material to the business of the Companies, which property is free and clear of all Liens, except those permitted under Section 5.9 hereof. As of the Closing Date, the Companies own the real property listed on Schedule 6.5 hereto.

Section 6.6. Liens and Security Interests. On and after the Closing Date, except for Liens permitted pursuant to Section 5.9 hereof, (a) there is and will be no U.C.C. Financing Statement or similar notice of Lien outstanding covering any personal property of any Company; (b) there is and will be no mortgage outstanding covering any real property of any Company; and (c) no real or personal property of any Company is subject to any Lien of any kind. Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, upon the filing of the U.C.C. Financing Statements and taking such other actions necessary to perfect its Lien against Collateral of the corresponding type as authorized hereunder will have a valid and enforceable first Lien on the Collateral to the extent such Lien may be perfected by the filing of a U.C.C. Financing Statement. No Company has entered into any contract or agreement (other than (i) a contract or agreement entered into in connection with the purchase or lease of fixed assets that prohibits Liens on such fixed assets or (ii) any agreement with a restriction that is not enforceable under Section 9-406, 9-407 or 9-408 of the UCC) that exists on or after the Closing Date that would prohibit Agent or the Lenders from acquiring a Lien on, or a collateral assignment of, any of the property or assets of any Company.

Section 6.7. Tax Returns. All federal and state, and material provincial and local tax returns and other material reports required by law to be filed in respect of the income, business, properties and employees of each Company have been filed (or extended as permitted by applicable law) and all material domestic taxes (or foreign taxes to the extent the nonpayment of such taxes would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), assessments, fees and other governmental charges that are due and payable have been paid, except as otherwise permitted herein. The provision for taxes on the books of each Company is adequate for all years not closed by applicable statutes and for the current fiscal year.

Section 6.8. Environmental Laws. Each Company is in material compliance with all Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws in all jurisdictions in which any Company owns or operates, or has owned or operated, a facility or site, arranges or has arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes, accepts or has accepted for transport any hazardous substances, solid waste or other wastes or holds or has held any interest in real property or otherwise. No material litigation or proceeding arising under, relating to or in connection with any Environmental Law is pending or, to the knowledge of each Company, threatened, against any Company, any real property in which any Company holds or has held an interest or any past or present operation of any Company. No material release, threatened release or disposal of hazardous waste, solid waste or other wastes is occurring, or has occurred (other than those that are currently being remediated in accordance with Environmental Laws), on, under or to any real property in which any Company holds any interest or performs any of its operations, in violation of any Environmental Law. As used in this Section 6.8, “litigation or proceeding” means any demand, claim, notice, suit, suit in equity, action, administrative action, investigation or inquiry whether brought by any Governmental Authority or private Person, or otherwise.

 

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Section 6.9. Locations. As of the Closing Date, the Credit Parties have places of business or maintain their Accounts, Inventory and Equipment at the locations (including third party locations) set forth on Schedule 6.9 hereto, and each Credit Party’s chief executive office is set forth on Schedule 6.9 hereto. Schedule 6.9 further specifies whether each location, as of the Closing Date, (a) is owned by the Credit Parties, or (b) is leased by a Credit Party from a third party, and, if leased by a Credit Party from a third party, if a Landlord’s Waiver has been requested. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 6.9 correctly identifies the name and address of each third party location where a material portion of the assets of the Credit Parties are located.

Section 6.10. ERISA Plans. Schedule 6.10 hereto identifies each ERISA Plan as of the Closing Date. No ERISA Event has occurred or is expected to occur with respect to an ERISA Plan. Full payment has been made of all amounts that a Controlled Group member is required, under applicable law or under the governing documents, to have paid as a contribution to or a benefit under each ERISA Plan. The liability of each Controlled Group member with respect to each ERISA Plan has been fully funded based upon reasonable and proper actuarial assumptions, has been fully insured, or has been fully reserved for on its financial statements. No changes have occurred or are expected to occur that would cause a material increase in the cost of providing benefits under the ERISA Plan. With respect to each ERISA Plan that is intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a), (a) the ERISA Plan and any associated trust operationally and demographically comply with the applicable requirements of Code Section 401(a); (b) the ERISA Plan and any associated trust have been amended to comply with all such requirements as currently in effect, other than those requirements for which a retroactive amendment can be made within the “remedial amendment period” available under Code Section 401(b) (as extended under Treasury Regulations and other Treasury pronouncements upon which taxpayers may rely); (c) the ERISA Plan and any associated trust have received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating (or the sponsor of the ERISA Plan is entitled to rely on an opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service that, from a documentary perspective, states) that the ERISA Plan qualifies under Code Section 401(a), that the associated trust qualifies under Code Section 501(a) and, if applicable, that any cash or deferred arrangement under the ERISA Plan qualifies under Code Section 401(k), unless the ERISA Plan was first adopted at a time for which the above-described “remedial amendment period” has not yet expired; and (d) no contribution made to the ERISA Plan is subject to an excise tax under Code Section 4972. With respect to any Pension Plan, the “accumulated benefit obligation” of Controlled Group members with respect to the Pension Plan (as determined in accordance with Statement of Accounting Standards No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions”) does not exceed the fair market value of Pension Plan assets. As used in this Section 6.10, “material” means the measure of a matter of significance that shall be determined as being an amount equal to five percent (5%) of Consolidated Net Worth.

Section 6.11. Consents or Approvals. No consent, approval or authorization of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or completed by any Company in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of any of the Loan Documents, that has not already been obtained or completed, except the filing and recording of financing statements and other documents necessary in order to perfect the Liens created by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

 

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Section 6.12. Solvency. Borrower has received consideration that is the reasonable equivalent value of the obligations and liabilities that Borrower has incurred to Agent and the Lenders. Borrower is not insolvent as defined in any applicable state, federal or relevant foreign statute, nor will Borrower be rendered insolvent by the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to Agent and the Lenders. Borrower is not engaged or about to engage in any business or transaction for which the assets retained by it are or will be an unreasonably small amount of capital, taking into consideration the obligations to Agent and the Lenders incurred hereunder. Borrower does not intend to, nor does it believe that it will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature.

Section 6.13. Financial Statements. The Consolidated financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 and the unaudited Consolidated financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007, furnished to Agent and the Lenders, are true and complete, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly present the financial condition of the Companies as of the dates of such financial statements and the results of their operations for the periods then ending. Since the dates of such statements, there has been no material adverse change in any Company’s financial condition, properties or business or any change in any Company’s accounting procedures.

Section 6.14. Regulations. No Company is engaged principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America). Neither the granting of any Loan (or any conversion thereof) or Letter of Credit nor the use of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit will violate, or be inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X or any other Regulation of such Board of Governors.

Section 6.15. Material Agreements. Except as disclosed on Schedule 6.15 hereto, as of the Closing Date, no Company is a party to any Material Agreement that, if violated, breached, or terminated for any reason, would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.16. Intellectual Property. Each Company owns, or has the right to use, all of the material patents, patent applications, industrial designs, designs, trademarks, service marks, copyrights and licenses, and rights with respect to the foregoing, necessary for the conduct of its business without any known conflict with the rights of others. Schedule 6.16 hereto sets forth all registered patents, trademarks and copyrights owned by each Company as of the Closing Date.

Section 6.17. Insurance. Each Company maintains with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with coverage and limits as required by law and as is customary with Persons engaged in the same businesses as the Companies. Schedule 6.17 hereto sets forth all insurance carried by the Companies on the Closing Date, setting forth in detail the amount and type of such insurance.

 

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Section 6.18. Deposit Accounts. Schedule 6.18 hereto lists all banks and other financial institutions at which any Company maintains deposit or other accounts as of the Closing Date, and Schedule 6.18 hereto correctly identifies the name, address and telephone number of each depository, the name in which the account is held, a description of the purpose of the account, and the complete account number therefor.

Section 6.19. Complete Statements. After due inquiry by Borrower, there is no known fact that any Company has not disclosed to Agent and the Lenders that has or is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.20. Investment Company; Other Restrictions. No Company is (a) an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) subject to any foreign, federal, state or local statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness.

Section 6.21. Defaults. No Default or Event of Default exists hereunder, nor will any begin to exist immediately after the execution and delivery hereof.

ARTICLE VII. SECURITY

Section 7.1. Security Interest in Collateral. In consideration of and as security for the full and complete payment of all of the Secured Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in the Collateral.

Section 7.2. Collections and Receipt of Proceeds by Borrower.

(a) Prior to the exercise by Agent and the Required Lenders of their rights under Article IX hereof, both (i) the lawful collection and enforcement of all of Borrower’s Accounts, and (ii) the lawful receipt and retention by Borrower of all Proceeds of all of Borrower’s Accounts and Inventory shall be as agent of Agent and the Lenders.

(b) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and upon written notice to Borrower from Agent, a Cash Collateral Account shall be opened by Borrower at the main office of Agent (or such other office as shall be designated by Agent) and all such lawful collections of Borrower’s Accounts and such Proceeds of Borrower’s Accounts and Inventory shall be remitted daily by Borrower to Agent in the form in which they are received by Borrower, either by mailing or by delivering such collections and Proceeds to Agent, appropriately endorsed for deposit in the Cash Collateral Account. In the event that such notice is given to Borrower from Agent, Borrower shall not commingle such collections or Proceeds with any of Borrower’s other funds or property, but shall hold such collections and Proceeds separate and apart therefrom upon an express trust for Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders. In such case, Agent may, in its sole discretion, and shall, at the request of the Required Lenders, at any time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, apply all or any portion of the account balance in the Cash Collateral Account as a credit

 

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against (i) the outstanding principal or interest of the Loans, or (ii) any other Obligations in accordance with this Agreement. If any remittance shall be dishonored, or if, upon final payment, any claim with respect thereto shall be made against Agent on its warranties of collection, Agent may charge the amount of such item against the Cash Collateral Account or any other Deposit Account maintained by Borrower with Agent or with any other Lender, and, in any event, retain the same and Borrower’s interest therein as additional security for the Secured Obligations. Agent may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, release funds from the Cash Collateral Account to Borrower for use in Borrower’s business. The balance in the Cash Collateral Account may be withdrawn by Borrower upon termination of this Agreement and payment in full of all of the Secured Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations).

(c) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at Agent’s written request, Borrower shall cause all remittances representing collections and Proceeds of Collateral to be mailed to a lockbox at a location acceptable to Agent to which Agent shall have access for the processing of such items in accordance with the provisions, terms and conditions of the customary lockbox agreement of Agent.

(d) Agent, or Agent’s designated agent, is hereby constituted and appointed attorney-in-fact for Borrower with authority and power to endorse, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any and all instruments, documents, and chattel paper upon the failure of Borrower to do so. Such authority and power, being coupled with an interest, shall be (i) irrevocable until all of the Secured Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) are paid, (ii) exercisable by Agent at any time and without any request upon Borrower by Agent to so endorse, and (iii) exercisable in the name of Agent or Borrower. Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other similar notices with respect thereto, regardless of the form of any endorsement thereof. Neither Agent nor the Lenders shall be bound or obligated to take any action to preserve any rights therein against prior parties thereto.

Section 7.3. Collections and Receipt of Proceeds by Agent. Borrower hereby constitutes and appoints Agent, or Agent’s designated agent, as Borrower’s attorney-in-fact to exercise, at any time, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all or any of the following powers which, being coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable until the complete and full payment of all of the Secured Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations):

(a) to receive, retain, acquire, take, endorse, assign, deliver, accept, and deposit, in the name of Agent or Borrower, any and all of Borrower’s cash, instruments, chattel paper, documents, Proceeds of Accounts, Proceeds of Inventory, collection of Accounts, and any other writings relating to any of the Collateral. To the extent not prohibited by law, Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest, and any and all other similar notices with respect thereto, regardless of the form of any endorsement thereof. Agent shall not be bound or obligated to take any action to preserve any rights therein against prior parties thereto;

 

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(b) to transmit to Account Debtors, on any or all of Borrower’s Accounts, notice of assignment to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, security interest therein, and to request from such Account Debtors at any time, in the name of Agent or Borrower, information concerning Borrower’s Accounts and the amounts owing thereon;

(c) to transmit to purchasers of any or all of Borrower’s Inventory, notice of Agent’s security interest therein, and to request from such purchasers at any time, in the name of Agent or Borrower, information concerning Borrower’s Inventory and the amounts owing thereon by such purchasers;

(d) to notify and require Account Debtors on Borrower’s Accounts and purchasers of Borrower’s Inventory to make payment of their indebtedness directly to Agent;

(e) to enter into or assent to such amendment, compromise, extension, release or other modification of any kind of, or substitution for, the Accounts, or any thereof, as Agent, in its sole discretion, may deem to be advisable;

(f) to enforce the Accounts or any thereof, or any other Collateral, by suit or otherwise, to maintain any such suit or other proceeding in the name of Agent or Borrower, and to withdraw any such suit or other proceeding. Borrower agrees to lend every assistance requested by Agent in respect of the foregoing, all at no cost or expense to Agent and including, without limitation, the furnishing of such witnesses and of such records and other writings as Agent may require in connection with making legal proof of any Account. Borrower agrees to reimburse Agent in full for all court costs and attorneys’ fees and every other cost, expense or liability, if any, incurred or paid by Agent in connection with the foregoing, which obligation of Borrower shall constitute Obligations, shall be secured by the Collateral and shall bear interest, until paid, at the Default Rate;

(g) to take or bring, in the name of Agent or Borrower, all steps, actions, suits, or proceedings deemed by Agent necessary or desirable to effect the receipt, enforcement, and collection of the Collateral; and

(h) to accept all collections in any form relating to the Collateral, including remittances that may reflect deductions, and to deposit the same, into Borrower’s Cash Collateral Account or, at the option of Agent, to apply them as a payment against the Loans or any other Obligations in accordance with this Agreement.

Section 7.4. Agent’s Authority Under Pledged Notes. For the better protection of Agent and the Lenders hereunder, Borrower has executed (or will execute, with respect to future Pledged Notes) an appropriate endorsement on (or separate from) each Pledged Note and has deposited (or will deposit, with respect to future Pledged Notes) such Pledged Note with Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders. Borrower irrevocably authorizes and empowers Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, to (a) ask for, demand, collect and receive all payments of principal of and interest on the Pledged Notes; (b) compromise and settle any dispute arising in respect of the foregoing; (c) execute and deliver vouchers, receipts and acquittances in full discharge of the foregoing; (d) exercise, in Agent’s

 

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discretion, any right, power or privilege granted to the holder of any Pledged Note by the provisions thereof including, without limitation, the right to demand security or to waive any default thereunder; (e) endorse Borrower’s name to each check or other writing received by Agent as a payment or other proceeds of or otherwise in connection with any Pledged Note; (f) enforce delivery and payment of the principal and/or interest on the Pledged Notes, in each case by suit or otherwise as Agent may desire; and (g) enforce the security, if any, for the Pledged Notes by instituting foreclosure proceedings, by conducting public or other sales or otherwise, and to take all other steps as Agent, in its discretion, may deem advisable in connection with the forgoing; provided, however, that nothing contained or implied herein or elsewhere shall obligate Agent to institute any action, suit or proceeding or to make or do any other act or thing contemplated by this Section 7.4 or prohibit Agent from settling, withdrawing or dismissing any action, suit or proceeding or require Agent to preserve any other right of any kind in respect of the Pledged Notes and the security, if any, therefor.

Section 7.5. Use of Inventory and Equipment. Until the exercise by Agent and the Required Lenders of their rights under Article IX hereof, Borrower may (a) retain possession of and use its Inventory and Equipment in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this Agreement or with the terms, conditions, or provisions of any policy of insurance thereon; (b) sell or lease its Inventory in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement; and (c) use and consume any raw materials or supplies, the use and consumption of which are necessary in order to carry on Borrower’s business.

ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:

Section 8.1. Payments. If (a) the interest on any Loan, any commitment or other fee, or any other Obligation not listed in subpart (b) hereof, shall not be paid in full when due and payable or within five days thereafter, or (b) the principal of any Loan or any obligation under any Letter of Credit shall not be paid in full when due and payable.

Section 8.2. Special Covenants. If any Company shall fail or omit to perform and observe Section 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.15, 5.20 or 5.24 hereof.

Section 8.3. Other Covenants. If any Company shall fail or omit to perform and observe any agreement or other provision (other than those referred to in Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof) contained or referred to in this Agreement or any Related Writing that is on such Company’s part to be complied with, and that Default shall not have been fully corrected within thirty (30) days after the earlier of (a) any Financial Officer of such Company becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, or (b) the giving of written notice thereof to Borrower by Agent or the Required Lenders that the specified Default is to be remedied.

Section 8.4. Representations and Warranties. If any representation, warranty or statement made in or pursuant to this Agreement or any Related Writing, shall be false or erroneous in any material respect when made or deemed to have been made.

 

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Section 8.5. Cross Default.

(a) If any Company shall default in the payment of principal or interest due and owing under any Material Indebtedness Agreement beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto or in the performance or observance of any other agreement, term or condition contained in any agreement under which such obligation is created, if the effect of such default is to allow the acceleration of the maturity of such Indebtedness or to permit the holder thereof to cause such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity.

(b) If an “event of default”, or similar term under any Subordinated Debt Document, (other than defaults that have been cured within applicable grace periods or have otherwise been waived) shall occur under any Subordinated Debt Document.

Section 8.6. ERISA Default. The occurrence of one or more ERISA Events that (a) the Required Lenders determine could have a Material Adverse Effect (provided that such ERISA Event, when aggregated with all such other ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in liabilities of the Companies in excess of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in the aggregate), or (b) results in a Lien on any of the assets of any Company, to the extent that the aggregate of all such Liens for all Companies exceeds One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).

Section 8.7. Change in Control. If any Change in Control shall occur.

Section 8.8. Judgments. There is entered against any Company (a) a final judgment or order for the payment of money by a court of competent jurisdiction, that remains unpaid or unstayed and undischarged for a period (during which execution shall not be effectively stayed) of sixty (60) days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired, provided that the aggregate of all such judgments for all such Companies, shall exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) (less any amount that will be covered by the proceeds of insurance and is not subject to dispute by the insurance provider); or (b) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that are not covered by insurance (and for which the insurance company has acknowledged coverage) and that the Required Lenders reasonably determine have, or could be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (i) enforcement proceedings are commenced by the prevailing party or any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (ii) there is a period of ten consecutive Business Days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect.

Section 8.9. Security. If any Lien granted in this Agreement or any other Loan Document in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, shall be determined to be (a) void, voidable or invalid, or is subordinated or not otherwise given the priority contemplated by this Agreement and Borrower (or the appropriate Credit Party) has failed to promptly execute appropriate documents to correct such matters, or (b) unperfected as to any material amount of Collateral (as determined by Agent, in its reasonable discretion) and Borrower (or the appropriate Credit Party) has failed to promptly execute appropriate documents to correct such matters.

 

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Section 8.10. Validity of Loan Documents. If (a) any material provision of any Loan Document shall at any time cease to be valid, binding and enforceable against any Credit Party; (b) the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document against any Credit Party shall be contested by any Credit Party; (c) any Credit Party shall deny that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document; or (d) any Loan Document shall be terminated, invalidated or set aside, or be declared ineffective or inoperative or in any way cease to give or provide to Agent and the Lenders the benefits purported to be created thereby.

Section 8.11. Solvency. If any Company (other than a Dormant Subsidiary) shall (a) except as permitted pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof, discontinue business, (b) generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, (c) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (d) apply for or consent to the appointment of an interim receiver, a receiver, a receiver and manager, an administrator, sequestrator, monitor, a custodian, a trustee, an interim trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part of its assets or of such Company, (e) be adjudicated a debtor or insolvent or have entered against it an order for relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, or under any other bankruptcy insolvency, liquidation, winding-up, corporate or similar statute or law, foreign, federal state or provincial, in any applicable jurisdiction, now or hereafter existing, as any of the foregoing may be amended from time to time, or other applicable statute for jurisdictions outside of the United States, as the case may be, (f) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or file a proposal or notice of intention to file a proposal or have an involuntary proceeding filed against it and the same shall continue undismissed for a period of sixty (60) days from commencement of such proceeding or case, or file a petition, an answer, or an application or a proposal seeking reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or seeking to take advantage of any other law (whether federal, provincial or state, or, if applicable, other jurisdiction) relating to relief of debtors, or admit (by answer, by default or otherwise) the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other proceeding (whether federal, provincial or state, or, if applicable, other jurisdiction) relating to relief of debtors, (g) suffer or permit to continue unstayed and in effect for sixty (60) consecutive days any judgment, decree or order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, that approves a petition or an application or a proposal seeking its reorganization or appoints an interim receiver, a receiver and manager, an administrator, custodian, trustee, interim trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part of its assets, or of such Company, (h) have an administrative receiver appointed over the whole or substantially the whole of its assets, or of such Company, (i) take, or omit to take, any action in order thereby to effect any of the foregoing, (j) have assets, the value of which is less than its liabilities (taking into account prospective and contingent liabilities), or (k) have a moratorium declared in respect of any of its Indebtedness, or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

ARTICLE IX. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT

Notwithstanding any contrary provision or inference herein or elsewhere:

Section 9.1. Optional Defaults. If any Event of Default referred to in Section 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9 or 8.10 hereof shall occur, Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and shall, at the written request of the Required Lenders, give written notice to Borrower to:

(a) terminate the Commitment, if not previously terminated, and, immediately upon such election, the obligations of the Lenders, and each thereof, to make any further Loan, and the obligation of the Fronting Lender to issue any Letter of Credit, immediately shall be terminated; and/or

 

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(b) accelerate the maturity of all of the Obligations (if the Obligations are not already due and payable), whereupon all of the Obligations shall become and thereafter be immediately due and payable in full without any presentment or demand and without any further or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by Borrower.

Section 9.2. Automatic Defaults. If any Event of Default referred to in Section 8.11 hereof shall occur:

(a) all of the Commitment shall automatically and immediately terminate, if not previously terminated, and no Lender thereafter shall be under any obligation to grant any further Loan, nor shall the Fronting Lender be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit; and

(b) the principal of and interest then outstanding on all of the Loans, and all of the other Obligations, shall thereupon become and thereafter be immediately due and payable in full (if the Obligations are not already due and payable), all without any presentment, demand or notice of any kind, which are hereby waived by Borrower.

Section 9.3. Letters of Credit. If the maturity of the Obligations shall be accelerated pursuant to Section 9.1 or 9.2 hereof, Borrower shall immediately deposit with Agent, as security for the obligations of Borrower and any Guarantor of Payment to reimburse Agent and the Revolving Lenders for any then outstanding Letters of Credit, cash equal to the sum of the aggregate undrawn balance of any then outstanding Letters of Credit. Agent and the Lenders are hereby authorized, at their option, to deduct any and all such amounts from any deposit balances then owing by any Lender (or any affiliate of such Lender, wherever located) to or for the credit or account of any Company, as security for the obligations of Borrower and any Guarantor of Payment to reimburse Agent and the Revolving Lenders for any then outstanding Letters of Credit.

Section 9.4. Offsets. If there shall occur or exist any Event of Default referred to in Section 8.11 hereof or if the maturity of the Obligations is accelerated pursuant to Section 9.1 or 9.2 hereof, each Lender shall have the right at any time to set off against, and to appropriate and apply toward the payment of, any and all of the Obligations then owing by Borrower or a Guarantor of Payment to such Lender (including, without limitation, any participation purchased or to be purchased pursuant to Sections 2.2(b), 2.2(c) or 9.5 hereof), whether or not the same shall then have matured, any and all deposit (general or special) balances and all other Indebtedness then held or owing by such Lender (including, without limitation, by branches and agencies or any affiliate of such Lender, wherever located) to or for the credit or account of Borrower or any Guarantor of Payment, all without notice to or demand upon Borrower or any other Person, all such notices and demands being hereby expressly waived by Borrower.

 

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Section 9.5. Equalization Provisions.

(a) Equalization Within Commitments Prior to an Equalization Event. Each Revolving Lender agrees with the other Revolving Lenders that, if it at any time shall obtain any Advantage over the other Revolving Lenders, or any thereof, in respect of the Applicable Debt (except as to Swing Loans and Letters of Credit prior to Agent’s giving of notice to participate and amounts under Article III hereof), such Revolving Lender shall purchase from the other Revolving Lenders, for cash and at par, such additional participation in the Applicable Debt as shall be necessary to nullify the Advantage. Each Term Lender agrees with the other Term Lenders that, if it at any time shall obtain any Advantage over the other Term Lenders, or any thereof, in respect of the Applicable Debt (except as to amounts under Article III hereof), such Term Lender shall purchase from the other Term Lenders, for cash and at par, such additional participation in the Applicable Debt as shall be necessary to nullify the Advantage.

(b) Equalization Between Commitments After an Equalization Event. After the occurrence of an Equalization Event, each Lender agrees with the other Lenders that, if such Lender at any time shall obtain any Advantage over the other Lenders or any thereof determined in respect of the Obligations (including Swing Loans and Letters of Credit but excluding amounts under Article III hereof) then outstanding, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders, for cash and at par, such additional participation in the Obligations as shall be necessary to nullify the Advantage in respect of the Obligations. For purposes of determining whether or not, after the occurrence of an Equalization Event, an Advantage in respect of the Obligations shall exist, Agent shall, as of the date that the Equalization Event occurs:

(i) add the Revolving Credit Exposure and the Term Loan Exposure to determine the equalization maximum amount (the “Equalization Maximum Amount”); and

(ii) determine an equalization percentage (the “Equalization Percentage”) for each Lender by dividing the aggregate amount of its Lender Credit Exposure by the Equalization Maximum Amount.

After the date of an Equalization Event, Agent shall determine whether an Advantage exists among the Lenders by using the Equalization Percentage. Such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(c) Recovery of Amount. If any such Advantage resulting in the purchase of an additional participation as set forth in subsection (a) or (b) above shall be recovered in whole or in part from the Lender receiving the Advantage, each such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price restored (but without interest unless the Lender receiving the Advantage is required to pay interest on the Advantage to the Person recovering the Advantage from such Lender) ratably to the extent of the recovery.

 

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(d) Application and Sharing of Set-Off Amounts. Each Lender further agrees with the other Lenders that, if it at any time shall receive any payment for or on behalf of Borrower on any Indebtedness owing by Borrower to that Lender (whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by reason of offset of any deposit or other Indebtedness, by counterclaim or cross action, by enforcement of any right under any Loan Document, or otherwise), it shall apply such payment first to any and all Indebtedness owing by Borrower to that Lender pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any participation purchased or to be purchased pursuant to this Section 9.5 or any other Section of this Agreement). Each Credit Party agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from the other Lenders, or any thereof, pursuant to this Section 9.5 may exercise all of its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Credit Party in the amount of such participation.

Section 9.6. Collateral. Agent and the Lenders shall at all times have the rights and remedies of a secured party under the U.C.C., in addition to the rights and remedies of a secured party provided elsewhere within this Agreement, in any other Related Writing executed by Borrower or otherwise provided in law or equity. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and at all times thereafter, Agent may require Borrower to assemble the Collateral, which Borrower agrees to do, and make it available to Agent and the Lenders at a reasonably convenient place to be designated by Agent. Agent may, with or without notice to or demand upon Borrower and with or without the aid of legal process, make use of such force as may be necessary to enter any premises where the Collateral, or any thereof, may be found and to take possession thereof (including anything found in or on the Collateral that is not specifically described in this Agreement, each of which findings shall be considered to be an accession to and a part of the Collateral) and for that purpose may pursue the Collateral wherever the same may be found, without liability for trespass or damage caused thereby to Borrower. After any delivery or taking of possession of the Collateral, or any thereof, pursuant to this Agreement, then, with or without resort to Borrower personally or any other Person or property, all of which Borrower hereby waives, and upon such terms and in such manner as Agent may deem advisable, Agent, in its discretion, may sell, assign, transfer and deliver any of the Collateral at any time, or from time to time. No prior notice need be given to Borrower or to any other Person in the case of any sale of Collateral that Agent determines to be perishable or to be declining speedily in value or that is customarily sold in any recognized market, but in any other case Agent shall give Borrower not fewer than ten days prior notice of either the time and place of any public sale of the Collateral or of the time after which any private sale or other intended disposition thereof is to be made. Borrower waives advertisement of any such sale and (except to the extent specifically required by the preceding sentence) waives notice of any kind in respect of any such sale. At any such public sale, Agent or the Lenders may purchase the Collateral, or any part thereof, free from any right of redemption, all of which rights Borrower hereby waives and releases. After deducting all Related Expenses, and after paying all claims, if any, secured by Liens having precedence over this Agreement, Agent may apply the net proceeds of each such sale to or toward the payment of the Obligations, whether or not then due, in such order and by such division as Agent, in its sole discretion, may deem advisable. Any excess, to the extent permitted by law, shall be paid to Borrower, and Borrower shall remain liable for any deficiency. In addition, Agent shall at all times have the right to obtain new appraisals of Borrower or the Collateral, the cost of which shall be paid by Borrower.

 

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Section 9.7. Other Remedies. The remedies in this Article IX are in addition to, not in limitation of, any other right, power, privilege, or remedy, either in law, in equity, or otherwise, to which the Lenders may be entitled. Agent shall exercise the rights under this Article IX and all other collection efforts on behalf of the Lenders and no Lender shall act independently with respect thereto, except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement.

Section 9.8. Application of Proceeds.

(a) Payments Prior to Exercise of Remedies. Prior to the exercise by Agent on behalf of the Lenders of remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, all monies received by Agent shall be applied, unless otherwise required by the terms of the other Loan Documents or by applicable law, as follows (provided that Agent shall have the right at all times to apply any payment received from Borrower first to the payment of all obligations (to the extent not paid by Borrower) incurred by Agent pursuant to Section 11.5 hereof and to the payment of Related Expenses):

(i) with respect to payments received in connection with the Revolving Credit Commitment, to the Revolving Lenders; and

(ii) with respect to payments received in connection with the Term Loan Commitment, to the Term Lenders.

(b) Payments Subsequent to Exercise of Remedies. After the exercise by Agent or the Required Lenders of remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, all monies received by Agent shall be applied, unless otherwise required by the terms of the other Loan Documents or by applicable law, as follows:

(i) first, to the payment of all obligations (to the extent not paid by Borrower) incurred by Agent pursuant to Section 11.5 hereof and to the payment of Related Expenses;

(ii) second, to the payment pro rata of (A) interest then accrued and payable on the outstanding Loans, (B) any fees then accrued and payable to Agent, and (C) any fees then accrued and payable to any Fronting Lender or the holders of the Letter of Credit Commitment in respect of the Letter of Credit Exposure;

(iii) third, (A) to the Lenders, on a pro rata basis, based upon each such Lender’s Overall Commitment Percentage; provided that the amounts payable in respect of the Letter of Credit Exposure shall be held and applied by Agent as security for the reimbursement obligations in respect thereof, and, if any Letter of Credit shall expire without being drawn, then the amount with respect to such Letter of Credit shall be distributed to the Lenders, on a pro rata basis in accordance with this subsection (iii), (B) the Indebtedness under any Hedge Agreement with a Lender, such amount to be based upon the net termination obligation of Borrower under such Hedge Agreement, and (C) to the Bank Product Obligations owing to Lenders under Bank Product Agreements; with such payment to be pro rata among (A), (B) and (C) hereof; and

 

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(iv) finally, any remaining surplus after all of the Secured Obligations have been paid in full, to Borrower or to whomsoever shall be lawfully entitled thereto.

ARTICLE X. THE AGENT

The Lenders authorize KeyBank and KeyBank hereby agrees to act as agent for the Lenders in respect of this Agreement upon the terms and conditions set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, and upon the following terms and conditions:

Section 10.1. Appointment and Authorization. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers hereunder as are delegated to Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Neither Agent nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, attorneys or employees shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or in connection herewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), or be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for the effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or due execution of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, (b) be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or thereof on the part of Borrower or any other Company, or the financial condition of Borrower or any other Company, or (c) be liable to any of the Companies for consequential damages resulting from any breach of contract, tort or other wrong in connection with the negotiation, documentation, administration or collection of the Loans or Letters of Credit or any of the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or participant, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” herein and in other Loan Documents with reference to Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

Section 10.2. Note Holders. Agent may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof (or, if there is no Note, the holder of the interest as reflected on the books and records of Agent) until written notice of transfer shall have been filed with Agent, signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to Agent.

 

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Section 10.3. Consultation With Counsel. Agent may consult with legal counsel selected by Agent and shall not be liable to the Lenders for any action taken or suffered in good faith by Agent in accordance with the opinion of such counsel.

Section 10.4. Documents. Agent shall not be under any duty to examine into or pass upon the validity, effectiveness, genuineness or value of any Loan Document or any other Related Writing furnished pursuant hereto or in connection herewith or the value of any collateral obtained hereunder, and Agent shall be entitled to assume that the same are valid, effective and genuine and what they purport to be.

Section 10.5. Agent and Affiliates. KeyBank and its affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with the Companies and Affiliates as though KeyBank were not Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that, pursuant to such activities, KeyBank or its affiliates may receive information regarding any Company or any Affiliate (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Company or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to other Lenders. With respect to Loans and Letters of Credit (if any), KeyBank and its affiliates shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though KeyBank were not Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include KeyBank and its affiliates, to the extent applicable, in their individual capacities.

Section 10.6. Knowledge of Default. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless Agent has received notice from a Lender or Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders. Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that, unless and until Agent shall have received such directions, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable, in its discretion, for the protection of the interests of the holders of the Obligations.

Section 10.7. Action by Agent. Subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, so long as Agent shall be entitled, pursuant to Section 10.6 hereof, to assume that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Agent shall be entitled to use its discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any rights that may be vested in it by, or with respect to taking or refraining from taking any action or actions that it may be able to take under or in respect of, this Agreement. Agent shall incur no liability to the Lenders under or in respect of this Agreement by acting upon any notice, certificate, warranty or other paper or instrument believed by it to be genuine or authentic or to be signed by the proper party or parties, or with respect to anything that it may do or refrain from doing in the reasonable exercise of its judgment, or that may seem to it to be necessary or desirable in the premises. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent’s acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders.

 

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Section 10.8. Release of Collateral or Guarantor of Payment. In the event of a transfer of assets permitted by Section 5.12 hereof (or otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement) where the proceeds of such transfer are applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the extent required to be so applied, Agent, at the request and expense of Borrower, is hereby authorized by the Lenders to (a) release such Collateral from this Agreement, (b) release a Guarantor of Payment in connection with such permitted transfer, and (c) duly assign, transfer and deliver to the affected Company (without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such Collateral as is then (or has been) so transferred or released and as may be in possession of Agent and has not theretofore been released pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 10.9. Delegation of Duties. Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 10.10. Indemnification of Agent. The Lenders agree to indemnify Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower) ratably, according to their respective Overall Commitment Percentages, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent in its capacity as agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by Agent with respect to this Agreement or any Loan Document, provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) or disbursements resulting from Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or from any action taken or omitted by Agent in any capacity other than as agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. No action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section 10.10. The undertaking in this Section 10.10 shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes, if any, expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit, termination of the Commitment, any foreclosure under, or modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Loan Documents, termination of this Agreement and the resignation or replacement of the agent.

Section 10.11. Successor Agent. Agent may resign as agent hereunder by giving not fewer than thirty (30) days prior written notice to Borrower and the Lenders. If Agent shall resign under this Agreement, then either (a) the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders (with the consent of Borrower so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), or (b) if a successor agent shall not be so appointed and approved within the thirty (30) day period following Agent’s notice to the Lenders of its resignation, then Agent shall appoint a successor

 

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agent that shall serve as agent until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date that is thirty (30) days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. Upon its appointment, such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties as agent, and the term “Agent” means such successor effective upon its appointment, and the former agent’s rights, powers and duties as agent shall be terminated without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former agent or any of the parties to this Agreement. After any retiring Agent’s resignation as Agent, the provisions of this Article X shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 10.12. Fronting Lender. The Fronting Lender shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by the Fronting Lender and the documents associated therewith. The Fronting Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (a) provided to Agent in Article IX hereof with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Fronting Lender in connection with the Letters of Credit and the applications and agreements for letters of credit pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Agent”, as used in Article IX hereof, included the Fronting Lender with respect to such acts or omissions, and (b) as additionally provided in this Agreement with respect to the Fronting Lender.

Section 10.13. Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Swing Loans. The Swing Line Lender shall have all of the benefits and immunities (a) provided to Agent in Article X hereof with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the Swing Loans as fully as if the term “Agent”, as used in Article X hereof, included the Swing Line Lender with respect to such acts or omissions, and (b) as additionally provided in this Agreement with respect to the Swing Line Lender.

Section 10.14. Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, (a) Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether Agent shall have made any demand on Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to (i) file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and Agent) allowed in such judicial proceedings, and (ii) collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and (b) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to Agent and, in the event that Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the

 

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Lenders, to pay to Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Agent. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

Section 10.15. No Reliance on Agent’s Customer Identification Program. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on Agent to carry out such Lender’s or its affiliate’s, participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the Patriot Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other anti-terrorism law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with Borrower, its Affiliates or agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder: (a) any identity verification procedures, (b) any record keeping, (c) any comparisons with government lists, (d) any customer notices or (e) any other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other laws.

Section 10.16. Other Agents. Agent shall have the continuing right from time to time to designate one or more Lenders (or its or their affiliates as “syndication agent”, “documentation agent”, “book runner”, “lead arranger”, “arrangers” or other designations for purposes hereof, but (a) any such designation shall have no substantive effect, and (b) any such Lender and its affiliates shall have no additional powers, duties or responsibilities as a result thereof.

ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1. Lenders’ Independent Investigation. Each Lender, by its signature to this Agreement, acknowledges and agrees that Agent has made no representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to the creditworthiness, financial condition, or any other condition of any Company or with respect to the statements contained in any information memorandum furnished in connection herewith or in any other oral or written communication between Agent and such Lender. Each Lender represents that it has made and shall continue to make its own independent investigation of the creditworthiness, financial condition and affairs of the Companies in connection with the extension of credit hereunder, and agrees that Agent has no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto (other than such notices as may be expressly required to be given by Agent to the Lenders hereunder), whether coming into its possession before the first Credit Event hereunder or at any time or times thereafter. Each Lender further represents that it has reviewed each of the Loan Documents.

Section 11.2. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No omission or course of dealing on the part of Agent, any Lender or the holder of any Note (or, if there is no Note, the holder of the interest as reflected on the books and records of Agent) in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any

 

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single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, powers or privileges held under any of the Loan Documents or by operation of law, by contract or otherwise.

Section 11.3. Amendments, Waivers and Consents.

(a) General Rule. No amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document nor consent to any variance therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Borrower and the Required Lenders and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

(b) Exceptions to the General Rule. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 11.3:

(i) Subject to subparts (ii) and (iii) below, unanimous consent of the Lenders shall be required with respect to (A) any increase in the Commitment hereunder, (B) the extension of maturity of the Loans, the payment date of interest or scheduled principal thereunder, or the payment date of commitment or other fees payable hereunder, (C) any reduction in the stated rate of interest on the Loans (provided that the institution of the Default Rate and a subsequent removal of the Default Rate shall not constitute a decrease in interest rate pursuant to this Section 11.3), or in any amount of interest or scheduled principal due on any Loan, or any reduction in the stated rate of commitment fees payable hereunder or any change in the manner of pro rata application of any payments made by Borrower to the Lenders hereunder, (D) any change in any percentage voting requirement, voting rights, or the Required Lenders definition in this Agreement, (E) the release of any Credit Party or Guarantor of Payment except in connection with a merger or sale of assets permitted pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof, (F) the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, or (G) any amendment to this Section 11.3(a) or Section 9.5 or 9.8 hereof.

(ii) Specific Commitments. Agent and the applicable Lenders of any Specific Commitment shall have the right to increase such Specific Commitment, decrease the interest rate on or fees payable with respect to such Specific Commitment, and extend the maturity of or decrease the amount of payments on such Specific Commitment, without the consent of any other Lenders.

(iii) Provisions Relating to Special Rights and Duties. No provision of this Agreement affecting Agent in its capacity as such shall be amended, modified or waived without the consent of Agent. No provision of this Agreement relating to the rights or duties of the Fronting Lender in its capacity as such shall be amended, modified or waived without the consent of the Fronting Lender. No provision of this Agreement relating to the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such shall be amended, modified or waived without the consent of the Swing Line Lender.

 

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(c) Replacement of Non-Consenting Lender or Insolvent Lender. If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, (i) the consent of all Lenders is required, but only the consent of Required Lenders is obtained, or (ii) the consent of Required Lenders is required, but the consent of the Required Lenders is not obtained (any Lender withholding consent as described in subsections (a), (b) and (c) hereof being referred to as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then, so long as Agent is not the Non-Consenting Lender, Agent shall, at the request and at the sole expense of Borrower, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and Borrower, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with the restrictions contained in Section 11.10 hereof) all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Transferee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from such Eligible Transferee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrower (in the case of all other amounts, including any breakage compensation under Article III hereof). To the extent that a Lender is insolvent and unable to meet its funding obligations as set forth in this Agreement, Agent shall, at the request of Borrower and upon notice to such Lender, require such Lender to assign and delegate all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement as if such Lender were a Non-Consenting Lender.

(d) Generally. Notice of amendments or consents ratified by the Lenders hereunder shall be forwarded by Agent to all of the Lenders. Each Lender or other holder of a Note (or interest in any Loan or Letter of Credit) shall be bound by any amendment, waiver or consent obtained as authorized by this Section 11.3, regardless of its failure to agree thereto.

Section 11.4. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and, if to Borrower, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to it at the address specified on the signature pages of this Agreement, if to a Lender, mailed or delivered to it, addressed to the address of such Lender specified on the signature pages of this Agreement, or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to each of the other parties. All notices, statements, requests, demands and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given by overnight delivery or first class mail with postage prepaid by registered or certified mail, addressed as aforesaid, or sent by facsimile with telephonic confirmation of receipt (if received during a Business Day, otherwise the following Business Day). All notices hereunder shall not be effective until received.

Section 11.5. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. Borrower agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of Agent and all Related Expenses, including, but not limited to (a) syndication, travel and out-of-pocket reasonable expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and expenses, of Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation and closing of the Loan Documents and the administration of the Loan Documents, the collection and disbursement of all funds hereunder and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, (b) extraordinary expenses of Agent in connection with the administration of the Loan Documents and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, and (c) the reasonable fees

 

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and out-of-pocket expenses of special counsel for Agent, with respect to the foregoing, and of local counsel, if any, who may be retained by said special counsel with respect thereto. Borrower also agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses (including Related Expenses) of Agent and the Lenders, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, in connection with the restructuring or enforcement of the Obligations, this Agreement or any Related Writing. In addition, Borrower shall pay any and all stamp, transfer, documentary and other taxes, assessments, charges and fees payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder, and agrees to hold Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or failure to pay such taxes or fees, other than those liabilities resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Agent, or, with respect to amounts owing to a Lender, such Lender, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. All obligations provided for in this Section 11.5 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

Section 11.6. Indemnification. Borrower agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Agent and the Lenders (and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent or any Lender in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not such Lender or Agent shall be designated a party thereto) or any other claim by any Person relating to or arising out of any Loan Document or any actual or proposed use of proceeds of the Loans or any of the Obligations, or any activities of any Company or its Affiliates; provided that no Lender nor Agent shall have the right to be indemnified under this Section 11.6 for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. All obligations provided for in this Section 11.6 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

Section 11.7. Obligations Several; No Fiduciary Obligations. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint. Nothing contained in this Agreement and no action taken by Agent or the Lenders pursuant hereto shall be deemed to constitute Agent or the Lenders a partnership, association, joint venture or other entity. No default by any Lender hereunder shall excuse the other Lenders from any obligation under this Agreement; but no Lender shall have or acquire any additional obligation of any kind by reason of such default. The relationship between Borrower and the Lenders with respect to the Loan Documents and the Related Writings is and shall be solely that of debtor and creditors, respectively, and neither Agent nor any Lender shall have any fiduciary obligation toward any Credit Party with respect to any such documents or the transactions contemplated thereby.

Section 11.8. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts and by facsimile signature, each of which counterparts when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

 

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Section 11.9. Binding Effect; Borrower’s Assignment. This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by Borrower, Agent and each Lender and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower, Agent and each of the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of Agent and all of the Lenders.

Section 11.10. Lender Assignments.

(a) Assignments of Commitments. Each Lender shall have the right at any time or times to assign to an Eligible Transferee (other than to a Lender that shall not be in compliance with this Agreement), without recourse, all or a percentage of all of the following: (i) such Lender’s Commitment, (ii) all Loans made by that Lender, (iii) such Lender’s Notes, and (iv) such Lender’s interest in any Letter of Credit or Swing Loan, and any participation purchased pursuant to Section 2.2(b) or (c) or 9.5 hereof.

(b) Prior Consent. No assignment may be consummated pursuant to this Section 11.10 without the prior written consent of Borrower and Agent (other than an assignment by any Lender to any affiliate of such Lender which affiliate is an Eligible Transferee and either wholly-owned by a Lender or is wholly-owned by a Person that wholly owns, either directly or indirectly, such Lender, or to another Lender), which consent of Borrower and Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided that (i) the consent of Borrower shall not be required if, at the time of the proposed assignment, any Default or Event of Default shall then exist and (ii) Borrower shall be deemed to have granted its consent unless Borrower has expressly objected to such assignment within five Business Days after notice thereof. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time make a collateral assignment of all or any portion of its rights under the Loan Documents to a Federal Reserve Bank, and no such assignment shall release such assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.

(c) Minimum Amount. Each such assignment shall be in a minimum amount of the lesser of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) of the assignor’s Commitment and interest herein, or the entire amount of the assignor’s Commitment and interest herein.

(d) Assignment Fee. Unless the assignment shall be to an affiliate of the assignor or the assignment shall be due to merger of the assignor or for regulatory purposes, either the assignor or the assignee shall remit to Agent, for its own account, an administrative fee of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500).

(e) Assignment Agreement. Unless the assignment shall be due to merger of the assignor or a collateral assignment for regulatory purposes, the assignor shall (i) cause the assignee to execute and deliver to Borrower and Agent an Assignment Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver, or cause the assignee to execute and deliver, as the case may be, to Agent such additional amendments, assurances and other writings as Agent may reasonably require.

(f) Non-U.S. Assignee. If the assignment is to be made to an assignee that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any state thereof, the

 

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assignor Lender shall cause such assignee, at least five Business Days prior to the effective date of such assignment, (i) to represent to the assignor Lender (for the benefit of the assignor Lender, Agent and Borrower) that under applicable law and treaties no taxes will be required to be withheld by Agent, Borrower or the assignor with respect to any payments to be made to such assignee in respect of the Loans hereunder, (ii) to furnish to the assignor Lender (and, in the case of any assignee registered in the Register (as defined below), Agent and Borrower) either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, as applicable (wherein such assignee claims entitlement to complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments hereunder), and (iii) to agree (for the benefit of the assignor, Agent and Borrower) to provide to the assignor Lender (and, in the case of any assignee registered in the Register, to Agent and Borrower) a new Form W-8ECI or Form W-8BEN, as applicable, upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered form and comparable statements in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations and amendments duly executed and completed by such assignee, and to comply from time to time with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations with regard to such withholding tax exemption.

(g) Deliveries by Borrower. Upon satisfaction of all applicable requirements specified in subsections (a) through (f) above, Borrower shall execute and deliver (i) to Agent, the assignor and the assignee, any consent or release (of all or a portion of the obligations of the assignor) required to be delivered by Borrower in connection with the Assignment Agreement, and (ii) to the assignee, if requested, and the assignor, if applicable, an appropriate Note or Notes. After delivery of the new Note or Notes, the assignor’s Note or Notes, if any, being replaced shall be returned to Borrower marked “replaced”.

(h) Effect of Assignment. Upon satisfaction of all applicable requirements set forth in subsections (a) through (g) above, and any other condition contained in this Section 11.10, (i) the assignee shall become and thereafter be deemed to be a “Lender” for the purposes of this Agreement, (ii) the assignor shall be released from its obligations hereunder to the extent that its interest has been assigned, (iii) in the event that the assignor’s entire interest has been assigned, the assignor shall cease to be and thereafter shall no longer be deemed to be a “Lender” and (iv) the signature pages hereto and Schedule 1 hereto shall be automatically amended, without further action, to reflect the result of any such assignment.

(i) Agent to Maintain Register. Agent shall maintain at the address for notices referred to in Section 11.4 hereof a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to it and a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and Borrower, Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of the Loan recorded therein for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

Section 11.11. Sale of Participations. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial banking business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell participations to one or more Eligible Transferees (each a “Participant”) in all or a portion of its

 

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rights or obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all or a portion of the Commitment and the Loans and participations owing to it and the Note, if any, held by it) without the consent of Borrower or Agent; provided that:

(a) any such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged;

(b) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations;

(c) the parties hereto shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents;

(d) such Participant shall be bound by the provisions of Section 9.5 hereof, and the Lender selling such participation shall obtain from such Participant a written confirmation of its agreement to be so bound; and

(e) no Participant (unless such Participant is itself a Lender) shall be entitled to require such Lender to take or refrain from taking action under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, except that such Lender may agree with such Participant that such Lender will not, without such Participant’s consent, take action of the type described as follows:

(i) increase the portion of the participation amount of any Participant over the amount thereof then in effect, or extend the Commitment Period, without the written consent of each Participant affected thereby; or

(ii) reduce the principal amount of or extend the time for any payment of principal of any Loan, or reduce the rate of interest or extend the time for payment of interest on any Loan, or reduce the commitment fee, without the written consent of each Participant affected thereby.

Borrower agrees that any Lender that sells participations pursuant to this Section 11.11 shall still be entitled to the benefits of Article III hereof, notwithstanding any such transfer; provided, however, that the obligations of Borrower shall not increase as a result of such transfer and Borrower shall have no obligation to any Participant.

Section 11.12. Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender and Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any other party) hereby notifies the Credit Parties that, pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, such Lender and Agent are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Credit Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Credit Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify the Credit Parties in accordance with the Patriot Act. Borrower shall provide, to the extent commercially reasonable, such information and take such actions as are reasonably requested by Agent or a Lender in order to assist Agent or such Lender in maintaining compliance with the Patriot Act.

 

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Section 11.13. Severability of Provisions; Captions; Attachments. Any provision of this Agreement that shall be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. The several captions to sections and subsections herein are inserted for convenience only and shall be ignored in interpreting the provisions of this Agreement. Each schedule or exhibit attached to this Agreement shall be incorporated herein and shall be deemed to be a part hereof.

Section 11.14. Investment Purpose. Each of the Lenders represents and warrants to Borrower that it is entering into this Agreement with the present intention of acquiring any Note issued pursuant hereto (or, if there is no Note, the interest as reflected on the books and records of Agent) for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of distribution or resale, it being understood, however, that each Lender shall at all times retain full control over the disposition of its assets.

Section 11.15. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, any Note and any other Loan Document or other agreement, document or instrument attached hereto or executed on or as of the Closing Date integrate all of the terms and conditions mentioned herein or incidental hereto and supersede all oral representations and negotiations and prior writings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 11.16. Legal Representation of Parties. The Loan Documents were negotiated by the parties with the benefit of legal representation and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be construed or interpreted against any party shall not apply to any construction or interpretation hereof or thereof.

Section 11.17. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement, each of the Notes and any Related Writing (except as otherwise set forth in any Loan Document executed by a Foreign Subsidiary) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and the respective rights and obligations of Borrower, Agent, and the Lenders shall be governed by New York law, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. Borrower hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York state or federal court sitting in New York, New York, over any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Obligations or any Related Writing (except as otherwise set forth in any Loan Document executed by a Foreign Subsidiary), and Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state or federal court. Borrower, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any action or proceeding in any such court as well as any right it may now or hereafter have to remove such

 

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action or proceeding, once commenced, to another court on the grounds of FORUM NON CONVENIENS or otherwise. Borrower agrees that a final, non-appealable judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]

 

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Section 11.18. JURY TRIAL WAIVER. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BORROWER, AGENT AND EACH LENDER WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG BORROWER, AGENT AND THE LENDERS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Credit and Security Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

Address:   310 Littleton Road   NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.
  Westford, Massachusetts 01886  
  Attn: David P. Sommers   By:  

/s/ David P. Sommers

      David P. Sommers
     

Senior Vice President, General Operations,
Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

Address:   127 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306
 

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Agent and as a Lender

  Attn: Institutional Bank  
    By:  

/s/ Jeff Kalinowski

      Jeff Kalinowski
      Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page 1 of 6 to

Credit and Security Agreement


Address:  

One Boston Place, 18th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02108

 

WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC
as Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender

  Attn: Ron Cote    
    By:  

/s/ Andrea E. Liporaee

    Name:   Andrea E. Liporaee
    Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page 2 of 6 to

Credit and Security Agreement


Address:  

221 Washington Street

Suite 200

 

SILICON VALLEY BANK,
as Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender

  Newton, Massachusetts 02467  
  Attn: Irina Case   By:  

/s/ Irina Case

      Irina Case
      Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page 3 of 6 to

Credit and Security Agreement


Address:  

226 Airport Parkway, Suite 100

M/C 4120

 

COMERICA BANK
as Documentation Agent and as a Lender

  San Jose, California 95110  
  Attn: Stephanie Karic   By:  

/s/ Stephanie Karic

      Stephanie Karic
      Vice President

 

Signature Page 4 of 6 to

Credit and Security Agreement


Address:   19 Pleasant Street   SOVEREIGN BANK
  Woburn, Massachusetts 01801  
  Attn: Jay Massimo   By:  

/s/ Jay Massimo

      Jay Massimo
      Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page 5 of 6 to

Credit and Security Agreement


Address:   53 State Street   RBS CITIZENS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  Boston, Massachusetts 02109  
  Attn: William F. Granchelli   By:  

/s/ William F. Granchelli

      William F. Granchelli
      Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page 6 of 6 to

Credit and Security Agreement


SCHEDULE 1

 

LENDERS

  

REVOLVING
CREDIT
COMMITMENT

PERCENTAGE

   

REVOLVING

CREDIT

COMMITMENT

AMOUNT

  

TERM LOAN
COMMITMENT

PERCENTAGE

   

TERM LOAN

COMMITMENT

AMOUNT

   OVERALL
COMMITMENT
PERCENTAGE
    MAXIMUM
AMOUNT

KeyBank National Association

   22.27 %   $ 2,227,273.00    22.27 %   $ 22,272,727.00    22.27 %   $ 24,500,000.00

Silicon Valley Bank

   20.91 %   $ 2,090,909.00    20.91 %   $ 20,909,091.00    20.91 %   $ 23,000,000.00

Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC

   20.91 %   $ 2,090,909.00    20.91 %   $ 20,909,091.00    20.91 %   $ 23,000,000.00

Comerica Bank

   14.55 %   $ 1,454,545.00    14.55 %   $ 14,545,455.00    14.55 %   $ 16,000,000.00

Sovereign Bank

   12.27 %   $ 1,227,273.00    12.27 %   $ 12,272,727.00    12.27 %   $ 13,500,000.00

RBS Citizens, National Association

   9.09 %   $ 909,091.00    9.09 %   $ 9,090,909.00    9.09 %   $ 10,000,000.00

Total Commitment Amount

   100 %   $ 10,000,000.00    100 %   $ 100,000,000.00    100 %   $ 110,000,000.00

 

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SCHEDULE 2

GUARANTORS OF PAYMENT

NetScout Systems Security Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation

NetScout Service Level Corporation, a Delaware corporation

Network General Central Corporation, a Delaware corporation

Network General Corporation, a Delaware corporation

Fidelia Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation

Network General International Corporation, a Delaware corporation

Starburst Technology Holdings I, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company

Starburst Technology Holdings II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company

 

S-2


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF

REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

 

$            

   December 21, 2007

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), promises to pay, on the last day of the Commitment Period, as defined in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), to the order of                      (“Lender”) at the main office of KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent, as hereinafter defined, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306 the principal sum of

 

   DOLLARS

or the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement, made by Lender to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement, whichever is less, in lawful money of the United States of America.

As used herein, “Credit Agreement” means the Credit and Security Agreement dated as of December 21, 2007, among Borrower, the Lenders, as defined therein, KeyBank National Association, as the lead arranger, sole book runner and administrative agent for the Lenders (“Agent”), Silicon Valley Bank, as co-syndication agent, Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC, as co-syndication agent, and Comerica Bank, as documentation agent, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified. Each capitalized term used herein that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Credit Agreement.

Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan from time to time outstanding, from the date of such Revolving Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the rates per annum that shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(a) of the Credit Agreement. Such interest shall be payable on each date provided for in such Section 2.4(a); provided that interest on any principal portion that is not paid when due shall be payable on demand.

The portions of the principal sum hereof from time to time representing Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, interest owing thereon and payments of principal and interest of any thereof, shall be shown on the records of Lender by such method as Lender may generally employ; provided that failure to make any such entry shall in no way detract from the obligations of Borrower under this Note.

If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.

 

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This Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of the right of the undersigned to anticipate payments hereof, the right of the holder hereof to declare this Note due prior to its stated maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this Note is issued.

Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, Borrower expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws provisions.

JURY TRIAL WAIVER. BORROWER, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG BORROWER, AGENT AND THE LENDERS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE OR INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

 

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF

SWING LINE NOTE

 

$2,000,000

   December 21, 2007

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), promises to pay to the order of KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Swing Line Lender”) at the main office of KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent, as hereinafter defined, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306 the principal sum of

 

TWO MILLION AND 00/100

   DOLLARS

or the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Swing Loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), made by the Swing Line Lender to Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2(c) of the Credit Agreement, whichever is less, in lawful money of the United States of America on the earlier of the last day of the Commitment Period, as defined in the Credit Agreement, or, with respect to each Swing Loan, the Swing Loan Maturity Date applicable thereto.

As used herein, “Credit Agreement” means the Credit and Security Agreement dated as of December 21, 2007, among Borrower, the Lenders, as defined therein, KeyBank National Association, as the lead arranger, sole book runner and administrative agent for the Lenders (“Agent”), Silicon Valley Bank, as co-syndication agent, Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC, as co-syndication agent, and Comerica Bank, as documentation agent, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified. Each capitalized term used herein that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Credit Agreement.

Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Loan from time to time outstanding, from the date of such Swing Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the rates per annum that shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(b) of the Credit Agreement. Such interest shall be payable on each date provided for in such Section 2.4(b); provided that interest on any principal portion that is not paid when due shall be payable on demand.

The principal sum hereof from time to time and the payments of principal and interest thereon, shall be shown on the records of Swing Line Lender by such method as Swing Line Lender may generally employ; provided that failure to make any such entry shall in no way detract from the obligation of Borrower under this Note.

If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.

 

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This Note is the Swing Line Note referred to in the Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of the right of the undersigned to anticipate payments hereof, the right of the holder hereof to declare this Note due prior to its stated maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this Note is issued.

Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, Borrower expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws provisions.

JURY TRIAL WAIVER. BORROWER, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG BORROWER, AGENT AND THE LENDERS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE OR INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

 

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF

TERM NOTE

 

$            

   December 21, 2007

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), promises to pay to the order of                      (“Lender”) at the main office of KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent, as hereinafter defined, 127 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306 the principal sum of

 

   DOLLARS

in lawful money of the United States of America in consecutive principal payments as set forth in the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

As used herein, “Credit Agreement” means the Credit and Security Agreement dated as of December 21, 2007, among Borrower, the Lenders, as defined therein, KeyBank National Association, as the lead arranger, sole book runner and administrative agent for the Lenders (“Agent”), Silicon Valley Bank, as co-syndication agent, Wells Fargo Foothill, LLC, as co-syndication agent, and Comerica Bank, as documentation agent, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified. Each capitalized term used herein that is defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Credit Agreement.

Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan from time to time outstanding, from the date of the Term Loan until the payment in full thereof, at the rates per annum that shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(c) of the Credit Agreement. Such interest shall be payable on each date provided for in such Section 2.4(c); provided, however, that interest on any principal portion that is not paid when due shall be payable on demand.

The portions of the principal sum hereof from time to time representing Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, interest owing thereon, and payments of principal and interest of any thereof, shall be shown on the records of Lender by such method as Lender may generally employ; provided that failure to make any such entry shall in no way detract from the obligations of Borrower under this Note.

If this Note shall not be paid at maturity, whether such maturity occurs by reason of lapse of time or by operation of any provision for acceleration of maturity contained in the Credit Agreement, the principal hereof and the unpaid interest thereon shall bear interest, until paid, at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate. All payments of principal of and interest on this Note shall be made in immediately available funds.

This Note is one of the Term Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of the right of the undersigned to anticipate payments hereof, the right of the holder hereof to declare this Note due prior to its stated maturity, and other terms and conditions upon which this Note is issued.

 

E-7


Except as expressly provided in the Credit Agreement, Borrower expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws provisions.

JURY TRIAL WAIVER. BORROWER, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AMONG BORROWER, AGENT AND THE LENDERS, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS NOTE OR ANY OTHER NOTE OR INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

 

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT F

FORM OF

ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

This Assignment and Acceptance Agreement (this “Assignment Agreement”) between                      (the “Assignor”) and                      (the “Assignee”) is dated as of             , 20    . The parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Preliminary Statement. Assignor is a party to a Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2007 (as the same may from time to time be amended, restated or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”), among NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the lenders named on Schedule 1 thereto (together with their respective successors and assigns, collectively, the “Lenders” and, individually, each a “Lender”), KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as the lead arranger, sole book runner and administrative agent for the Lenders (“Agent”), SILICON VALLEY BANK, as co-syndication agent, WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, LLC, as co-syndication agent, and COMERICA BANK, as documentation agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings attributed to them in the Credit Agreement.

2. Assignment and Assumption. Assignor hereby sells and assigns to Assignee, and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from Assignor, an interest in and to Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Assignment Effective Date (as hereinafter defined), equal to the percentage interest specified on Annex 1 hereto (hereinafter, the “Assigned Percentage”) of Assignor’s right, title and interest in and to (a) the Commitment, (b) any Loan made by Assignor that is outstanding on the Assignment Effective Date, (c) Assignor’s interest in any Letter of Credit outstanding on the Assignment Effective Date, (d) any Note delivered to Assignor pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and (e) the Credit Agreement and the other Related Writings. After giving effect to such sale and assignment and on and after the Assignment Effective Date, Assignee shall be deemed to have one or more Applicable Commitment Percentages under the Credit Agreement equal to the Applicable Commitment Percentages set forth in subpart II.A on Annex 1 hereto and an Assigned Amount as set forth on subpart I.B of Annex 1 hereto (hereinafter, the “Assigned Amount”).

3. Assignment Effective Date. The Assignment Effective Date (the “Assignment Effective Date”) shall be             ,             (or such other date agreed to by Agent). On or prior to the Assignment Effective Date, Assignor shall satisfy the following conditions:

(a) receipt by Agent of this Assignment Agreement, including Annex 1 hereto, properly executed by Assignor and Assignee and accepted and consented to by Agent and, if necessary pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.10(b) of the Credit Agreement, by Borrower;

(b) receipt by Agent from Assignor of a fee of Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500), if required by Section 11.10(d) of the Credit Agreement;

 

E-9


(c) receipt by Agent from Assignee of an administrative questionnaire, or other similar document, which shall include (i) the address for notices under the Credit Agreement, (ii) the address of its Lending Office, (iii) wire transfer instructions for delivery of funds by Agent, (iv) and such other information as Agent shall request; and

(d) receipt by Agent from Assignor or Assignee of any other information required pursuant to Section 11.10 of the Credit Agreement or otherwise necessary to complete the transaction contemplated hereby.

4. Payment Obligations. In consideration for the sale and assignment of Loans hereunder, Assignee shall pay to Assignor, on the Assignment Effective Date, the amount agreed to by Assignee and Assignor. Any interest, fees and other payments accrued prior to the Assignment Effective Date with respect to the Assigned Amount shall be for the account of Assignor. Any interest, fees and other payments accrued on and after the Assignment Effective Date with respect to the Assigned Amount shall be for the account of Assignee. Each of Assignor and Assignee agrees that it will hold in trust for the other party any interest, fees or other amounts which it may receive to which the other party is entitled pursuant to the preceding sentence and to pay the other party any such amounts which it may receive promptly upon receipt thereof.

5. Credit Determination; Limitations on Assignor’s Liability. Assignee represents and warrants to Assignor, Borrower, Agent and the Lenders (a) that it is capable of making and has made and shall continue to make its own credit determinations and analysis based upon such information as Assignee deemed sufficient to enter into the transaction contemplated hereby and not based on any statements or representations by Assignor; (b) Assignee confirms that it meets the requirements to be an assignee as set forth in Section 11.10 of the Credit Agreement; (c) Assignee confirms that it is able to fund the Loans and the Letters of Credit as required by the Credit Agreement; (d) Assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Related Writings are required to be performed by it as a Lender thereunder; and (e) Assignee represents that it has reviewed each of the Loan Documents. It is understood and agreed that the assignment and assumption hereunder are made without recourse to Assignor and that Assignor makes no representation or warranty of any kind to Assignee and shall not be responsible for (i) the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or collectability of the Credit Agreement or any Related Writings, (ii) any representation, warranty or statement made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the Related Writings, (iii) the financial condition or creditworthiness of Borrower or any Guarantor of Payment, (iv) the performance of or compliance with any of the terms or provisions of the Credit Agreement or any of the Related Writings, (v) the inspection of any of the property, books or records of Borrower, or (vi) the validity, enforceability, perfection, priority, condition, value or sufficiency of any collateral securing or purporting to secure the Loans or Letters of Credit. Neither Assignor nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or attorneys shall be liable for any mistake, error of judgment, or action taken or omitted to be taken in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Credit Agreement or the Related Writings, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Assignee appoints Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof.

 

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6. Indemnity. Assignee agrees to indemnify and hold Assignor harmless against any and all losses, cost and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) and liabilities incurred by Assignor in connection with or arising in any manner from Assignee’s performance or non-performance of obligations assumed under this Assignment Agreement.

7. Subsequent Assignments. After the Assignment Effective Date, Assignee shall have the right, pursuant to Section 11.10 of the Credit Agreement, to assign the rights which are assigned to Assignee hereunder, provided that (a) any such subsequent assignment does not violate any of the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, any of the Related Writings, or any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree and that any consent required under the terms of the Credit Agreement or any of the Related Writings has been obtained, (b) the assignee under such assignment from Assignee shall agree to assume all of Assignee’s obligations hereunder in a manner satisfactory to Assignor, and (c) Assignee is not thereby released from any of its obligations to Assignor hereunder.

8. Reductions of Aggregate Amount of Commitments. If any reduction in the Total Commitment Amount occurs between the date of this Assignment Agreement and the Assignment Effective Date, the percentage of the Total Commitment Amount assigned to Assignee shall remain the percentage specified in Section 1 hereof and the dollar amount of the Commitment of Assignee shall be recalculated based on the reduced Total Commitment Amount.

9. Acceptance of Agent; Notice by Assignor. This Assignment Agreement is conditioned upon the acceptance and consent of Agent and, if necessary pursuant to Section 11.10 of the Credit Agreement, upon the acceptance and consent of Borrower; provided that the execution of this Assignment Agreement by Agent and, if necessary, by Borrower is evidence of such acceptance and consent.

10. Entire Agreement. This Assignment Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof.

11. Governing Law. This Assignment Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws.

12. Notices. Notices shall be given under this Assignment Agreement in the manner set forth in the Credit Agreement. For the purpose hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto (until notice of a change is delivered) shall be the address set forth under each party’s name on the signature pages hereof.

13. Counterparts. This Assignment Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, by different parties hereto in separate counterparts and by facsimile signature, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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14. JURY TRIAL WAIVER. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, AMONG AGENT, ANY OF THE LENDERS, AND BORROWER, OR ANY THEREOF, ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INSTRUMENT OR ANY NOTE OR OTHER AGREEMENT, INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

        ASSIGNOR:
Address:  

 

   

 

 

 

     
  Attn:  

 

    By:  

 

  Phone:  

 

    Name:  

 

  Fax:  

 

    Title:  
        ASSIGNEE:
Address:  

 

   

 

 

 

     
  Attn:  

 

    By:  

 

  Phone:  

 

    Name:  

 

  Fax:  

 

    Title:  

 

Accepted and Consented to this      day of       , 20    :     Accepted and Consented to this      day of       , 20    :
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent     NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.
By:  

 

    By:  

 

Name:  

 

    Name:  

 

Title:  

 

    Title:  

 

 

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ANNEX 1

TO

ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

On and after the Assignment Effective Date, after giving effect to all other assignments being made by Assignor on the Assignment Effective Date, the Commitment of Assignee, and, if this is less than an assignment of all of Assignor’s interest, Assignor, shall be as follows:

 

I.    INTEREST BEING ASSIGNED TO ASSIGNEE     
   A.    Revolving Credit Commitment        
     

Applicable Commitment Percentage of Revolving Credit Commitment

                          %  
     

Assigned Amount

      $                      
   B.    Term Loan Commitment        
     

Applicable Commitment Percentage of Term Loan Commitment

                          %  
     

Assigned Amount

      $                      
II.    ASSIGNEE’S COMMITMENT (as of the Assignment Effective Date)     
   A.    Revolving Credit Commitment        
     

Applicable Commitment Percentage of Revolving Credit Commitment

                          %  
     

Assignee’s Revolving Credit Commitment amount

      $                      
   B.    Term Loan Commitment        
     

Applicable Commitment Percentage of Term Loan Commitment

                          %  
     

Assignee’s portion of the Term Loan

      $                      
III.    ASSIGNOR’S COMMITMENT (as of the Assignment Effective Date)     
   A.    Revolving Credit Commitment        
     

Applicable Commitment Percentage of Revolving Credit Commitment

                          %  
     

Assignor’s remaining Revolving Credit Commitment amount

      $                      
   B.    Term Loan Commitment        
     

Applicable Commitment Percentage of Term Loan Commitment

                          %  
     

Assignor’s remaining portion of the Term Loan

      $                      

 

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THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN OMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM 601(B)(2) OF REGULATION S-K.

 

Schedules  
Schedule 3   Pledged Securities
Schedule 4   Pledged Notes
Schedule 5.8   Indebtedness
Schedule 5.11   Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Loans And Investments
Schedule 6.1   Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries; Foreign Qualification
Schedule 6.4   Litigation And Administrative Proceedings
Schedule 6.5   Real Estate Owned By The Companies
Schedule 6.9   Locations
Schedule 6.10   Employee Benefits Plans
Schedule 6.15   Material Agreements
Schedule 6.16   Intellectual Property
Schedule 6.17   Insurance
Schedule 6.18   Deposit Accounts
Exhibits  
Exhibit C   Form of Notice of Loan
Exhibit D   Form of Compliance Certificate

NetScout Systems, Inc. will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request, provided however that NetScout Systems, Inc. may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended for any schedule so furnished.